Top 100 Pop Christmas songs
Christmas and
holiday music are an indispensable part of pop music. These are 100 of the top
Christmas and holiday songs of all time with details on each and links to pop
performance videos. The list is an admittedly subjective one. Please enjoy
comparing with your own favorites.
Note: this
list was taken from the site http://top40.about.com/od/holidaymusic/tp/Top-100-Christmas-Songs.htm
1. Happy Xmas (War is over) - John
Lennon 1971
One of Beatles
John Lennon’s dreams in the music industry was to create a classic Christmas
song. Undoubtedly, he was successful with the song 'Happy Xmas (War is over)'
that is simultaneously a holiday song and plea for world peace.
2. The Christmas song - Nat King Cole
1961
Co-written by
singer Mel Torme [Melvin
Howard Tormé], 'The Christmas song' became
one of the defining performances of the career of Nat King Cole. He recorded
the song at least 3 times of which the 1961 recording is often considered the
best. Sometimes the song is referred to as 'Chestnuts roasting on an open fire'
from the lyrics in the song’s first line.
3. Have yourself a merry little
Christmas - Judy Garland 1944
This song was
introduced by Judy Garland in a poignant moment in the 1944 movie musical Meet
me in St. Louis. The filmmakers complained that the first version of the
song’s lyrics was too depressing and commissioned a rewrite that became the
most popular interpretation.
4. O holy night - Celine Dion 1998
'O holy night'
composed in 1847, has become a favorite carol for solo vocal performances.
Celine Dion applied the huge sound of her voice to the classic song on the 1998
collection These are special times.
5. Santa Claus is coming to town - Bruce
Springsteen and Bon Jovi 2003
'Santa Claus
is coming to town' was written in 1934 and first performed on the Eddie Cantor
radio show. It was an instant hit. Bruce Springsteen’s live version of the song
has been a seasonal rock radio favorite. Bruce Springsteen and Bon Jovi
collaborate in a live performance of the song for an Asbury Park, New Jersey
reunion concert.
6. Christmas (baby please come home) -
U2 1987
'Christmas
(baby please come home)' was first recorded by Darlene Love in 1963 for the
legendary Phil Spector album A Christmas gift for you from Phil Spector.
U2 put together their cover of the song for the 1987 Special Olympics benefit A
very special Christmas.
7. Jingle Bell rock - Billy Idol 2006
'Jingle Bell
rock' was first released by Bobby Helms in 1957. It became a hit and has become
a Christmas standard. Billy Idol recorded a version for his 2006 album Happy
holidays.
8. The little drummer boy - David Bowie
and Bing Crosby 1977
Katherine K.
Davis composed 'Little drummer boy' in 1941. It was popularized in an
arrangement by the Harry Simeone Chorale. An animated TV special was created
based on the song’s story in 1968. David Bowie and Bing Crosby collaborated for
a version televised on a Bing Crosby
Christmas special in 1977.
9. Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer -
NSYNC 1998
The story of
Rudolph, Santa’s 9th reindeer, was created by Montgomery Ward
employee Robert L. May in 1939. The story was adapted into song and turned into
a hit by Gene Autry in 1949. Boy band NSYNC turned in their own jovial version
in the late 1990’s.
10.
White Christmas - Bing Crosby 1942
'White Christmas' was introduced in the
1942 movie musical Holiday Inn. It went on to win an Academy Award
for Best song from a Motion Picture. Bing Crosby’s version from the film
has sold over 50 million copies.
11.
Winter Wonderland - Jason Mraz 2003
This song was originally written and
recorded in 1934. It quickly became considered a Christmas classic despite the
fact the holiday is never specifically mentioned in the song. Jason Mraz
performed the classic live on The late late show with Craig Kilborn in
2003.
12. All I want for Christmas is you -
Mariah Carey 1994
'All I want
for Christmas is you' was featured on Mariah Carey’s hit 1994 holiday album Merry
Christmas. In the past decade the song has quickly become a contemporary
holiday standard selling over 4 million copies around the world.
13.
The 12 days of Christmas - Taking Back Sunday 2006
This English Christmas carol was popular
in Europe as early as the 16th century. It features an increasingly
more grand set of gifts with each successive day of Christmas. The song is
cumulative in that each gift is sung with the previous gifts as the song
progresses. Rock band Taking Back Sunday recorded their own version of the
classic for AOL Sessions in 2006.
14. Fairytale of New York - The Pogues and
Kirsty MacColl 1988
There seems to
be a bit of irony that one of the most popular of all Christmas songs in the UK
would be set in New York. Irish folk rockers the Pogues released this single in
1987 and it has been a favorite ever since.
15. Do they know it’s Christmas? - Band
Aid 1984
Bob Geldof and
Midge Ure put together the impromptu 'Do they know it’s Christmas?' project to
provide aid for victims of a famine that was ravaging the people of Ethiopia.
The recording featured a who’s who of current British pop stars. It has become
a radio Christmas standard.
16. Jingle bells - Diana Krall 2005
'Jingle bells'
was first copyrighted under the title 'One horse open sleigh' in 1857. It
became one of the most popular of secular Christmas songs around the world.
Jazz singer Diana Krall included 'Jingle bells' in her 2005 album Christmas
Songs.
17. Silent night - NLT 2007
It is believed
that 'Silent night' was first composed in German in 1816. The song was later
translated into English and sung by both sides in the World War I Christmas
truce due to the fact it was the primary Christmas carol that both German and
British soldiers knew. The boy band NLT
released their video of them singing 'Silent night' during the 2007 Christmas
season.
18. The Chanukah song - Adam Sandler
1994
Comedian Adam
Sandler created an instant novelty classic in this tune that strings together a
wide range of celebrities and public figures that are Jewish.
19. Joy to the world - Michael Bolton
1997
Scripture forms
the basis for the lyrics of 'Joy to the world' written by Isaac Watts. Michael
Bolton performed his version at Placido Domingo’s 1997 Christmas celebration concert
in Vienna.
20. River - Sarah McLachlan 2006
'River' first
made its appearance on Joni Mitchell’s album Blue in 1971. The song is a
reflection on the ending of a relationship near Christmas time. 'River' has
been re-recorded many times by a wide range of artists. Sarah McLachlan
included it on her 2006 collection Wintersong.
21. It came upon a midnight clear - Josh
Groban 2007
Unitarian
pastor Edmund Sears wrote the words to 'It came upon a midnight clear' in 1849.
Josh Groban lent his golden pipes to the song on his 4 times platinum album Noel.
22. Christmas in Hollis - Run DMC 1987
The ultimate
Christmas rap classic was put together by Run DMC for the Special Olympics
fundraising album A very special Christmas, released in 1987.
23. Christmas time is here - Vince
Guaraldi 1965
Jazz pianist
Vince Guaraldi will forever be identified with the music he wrote for Peanuts
TV specials. This song written for A Charlie Brown Christmas is a
classic.
24. Christmas wrapping - Spice Girls
1998
The Waitresses,
a moderately successful punk band, put together this classic Christmas hit in
1981. It remains a clever combination of punk attitude and experimentation with
the young genre of rap. The Spice Girls recorded their own version as the
B-side to their hit single 'Goodbye'.
25. The Chipmunk song - David Seville
1958
Ross
Bagdasarian, Sr. recorded under the pseudonym David Seville. His first major
hit single was 'The witch doctor' in 1958. It included experiments with speeded
up audio tracks. Those experiments ultimately led to the creation of the
Chipmunks whose voices were speeded up human voice. 'The Chipmunk Song', released
later in 1958, was a #1 smash. The Chipmunks have become durable pop culture
characters even performing in their own movie.
26. Sleigh ride - JoJo 2005
Leroy Anderson's
classic orchestral piece became something of a signature tune for Arthur
Fiedler’s Boston Pops Orchestra after they recorded 'Sleigh ride' in 1949. JoJo
performed the song as part of a Christmas in Washington TV special.
27. Frosty the Snowman - Leon Redbone
and Dr. John 1987
Recorded as a
follow up to the success of 'Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer', 'Frosty the
Snowman' gave Gene Autry a top 10 pop hit in 1950. Ultimately the song was
adapted into a popular perennial TV special.
28. Angels we have heard on high -
Relient K 2007
'Angels we
have heard on high' originated as a French carol but was translated into the
English version we know well in the mid 1800’s. Christian rock band Relient K
add a bit of a pop punk feel to their interpretation.
29. Blue Christmas - Elvis Presley and
Martina McBride 2009
'Blue
Christmas' was best known as a country Christmas song in a version recorded by
Ernest Tubbs in 1948 until Elvis Presley made it a rock and roll classic with
his 1957 recording. Contemporary technology made possible this duet with
country star Martina McBride.
30. Grandma got run over by a reindeer -
Elmo and Patsy 1983
This novelty
classic was performed on stage in 1978 and quickly spread in popularity through
exposure on pop radio.
31. Gabriel's message - Sting 1987
'Gabriel’s message'
is a folk carol that originated in the Basque region of France and Spain. Sting
recorded the song and brought it much wider popularity on the first A very
special Christmas album in 1987.
32. Carol of the bells - Destiny's Child
2004
This is a
Ukrainian holiday song based around a 4 note motif taken from a pagan Ukrainian
New Year’s chant. Destiny’s Child stopped by the Early show to deliver
their masterful a capella performance of the song.
33. Christmas is the time to say 'I love
you' - Billy Squier 1981
MTV was young
and rock singer Billy Squier was at his peak of popularity when this cheery
holiday song was filmed as sort of an office party singalong.
34. Do you hear what I hear? - Carrie
Underwood 2007
Noel Regney
and his wife Gloria Shayne Baker wrote 'Do you hear what I hear?' in 1962 as a
plea for peace during the Cuban missile crisis. It quickly became a Christmas
classic in recordings by the Harry Simeone Chorale and Bing Crosby. Carrie
Underwood’s performance was part of a celebration of the 75th lighting
of the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree.
35. Oh Santa! - Mariah Carey 2010
16 years after
her first Christmas collection became a smash hit, Mariah Carey released the
album Merry Christmas II You. This is the opening single from the
project.
36. It’s the most wonderful time of the
year - Jonas Brothers 2006
This song is
most closely associated with pop singer Andy Williams. The Jonas Brothers
performed the classic Christmas tune live for a Radio Disney promotion.
37. Rockin’ around the Christmas tree -
Mel & Kim 1987
The first
significant recording of 'Rockin’ around the Christmas tree' was Brenda Lee’s
version released in 1958. It didn’t become a hit single until Lee’s pop
breakthrough in 1960. The song has been a holiday favorite ever since. Mel
& Kim’s version was a #3 pop hit in the UK.
38. God rest ye merry gentlemen -
Barenaked Ladies 1997
This
traditional English carol dates to the 15th century or possibly even
before. It is mentioned in Charles Dickens’ story A Christmas carol.
Canadian band Barenaked Ladies recorded their version in 1997 and included it
on the Barenaked for the holidays album in 2004.
39. Christmas song - Dave Matthews Band
1998
'Christmas song'
is one of the favorite songs of dedicated fans of the Dave Matthews Band. It
was included on the band's independently released album Remember two things.
40. We three Kings - Billy Corgan,
Emilie Autumn & Dennis DeYoung 2004
Reverend John
Henry Hopkins, Jr. put 'We three Kings' together for a Christmas pageant at New York’s General theological seminary
in the mid-1800's. This performance of the song was put together for WGN TV in
Chicago featuring the leader of the Smashing Pumpkins (Corgan) and the leader
of the classic rock group Styx (DeYoung).
41. The Holly and the Ivy - Natalie Cole
and José Carreras 1995
This is a
Yuletide carol which has changed little from its pre-Christian roots. R&B
legend Natalie Cole performed the song with opera star José Carreras in Vienna
in 1995.
42. Feliz Navidad - José Feliciano 1970
Puerto Rican
guitarist and singer José Feliciano wrote and recorded this Christmas classic
in 1970. It has since become a perennial favorite.
43. Silver bells - Clay Aiken and Megan
Mulally 2006
Bob Hope
introduced this classic holiday song in the movie The lemon drop kid in
1951. Clay Aiken joined Megan Mulally on her talk show for this performance.
44. Santa Baby - Kylie Minogue 2003
Written in
1953 by Joan Javits, niece of politician Jacob Javits, 'Santa Baby' was a big
hit for singer Eartha Kitt. Pop star Kylie Minogue shows off the sex appeal of
the song in her version.
45. Step into Christmas - Elton John
1973
Elton John
recorded and released 'Step into Christmas' in 1973, a year in which he
released 3 top 10 pop singles and 2 #1 albums. It has since become a holiday
classic.
46. Hark! The Herald angels sing -
Mariah Carey 1994
'Hark! The
Herald angels sing' was written by Charles Wesley, brother of John Wesley. The
first publication date for the carol was 1739. Mariah Carey recorded the
traditional song for her hit 1994 holiday album Merry Christmas.
47. This Christmas - Chris Brown 2007
'This
Christmas' was most often identified with R&B legend Donny Hathaway until
Chris Brown recorded it as the title song for the movie This Christmas.
48. Merry Christmas darling - The
Carpenters 1978
'Merry
Christmas darling' was written for the Carpenters and is usually considered to
be their signature holiday tune. Karen Carpenter’s voice fits the melancholy
nature of the lyrics perfectly.
49. Please come home for Christmas -
Aaron Neville 1993
'Please come
home for Christmas' first achieved fame in a recording by blues performer
Charles Brown in 1960. New Orleans R&B legend Aaron Neville recorded his
version of the song in 1993.
50. I saw mommy kissing Santa Claus -
John Mellencamp 1987
The first
recording of 'I saw mommy kissing Santa Claus' in 1952 by Jimmy Boyd was
attacked by the Catholic Church in Boston because it allegedly mixed sex with
Christmas. John Mellencamp’s version was recorded for the first A very
special Christmas collection, a benefit for Special Olympics.
51.
Merry Christmas, baby - Christina Aguilera 2000
'Merry Christmas, baby' was written by
the Beach Boys’leader Brian Wilson and recorded by the group in 1964.
Christina Aguilera turned in a soulful version for David Letterman with Dr.
John on the piano.
52. What Child is this? - Charlotte Church
2000
'What Child is
this?' dates back to 1865. It was reportedly inspired by a near-death
experience of the author of the lyrics William Chatterton Dix. 14 year old
operatic singer Charlotte Church included the classic on her Christmas-themed
album Dream a dream.
53. Little Saint Nick - The Beach Boys
1963
The Beach Boys’
Brian Wilson wanted his own Christmas classic. 'Little Saint Nick' was released
in late 1963 and has been a holiday favorite ever since.
54. Christmas is all around - Billy Mack
2003
Billy Mack is
a character in the film Love, actually portrayed by British actor Bill
Nighy. His song 'Christmas is all around' is a holiday variant on the Troggs’ classic
60’s hit 'Love is all around'. In the movie, Billy Mack refers to the recording
as a ‘festering turd of a record’.
55. Run Rudolph run - Hanson 1997
In the late
1950’s Chuck Berry recorded his own song about Rudolph the reindeer. The Hanson
brothers revived the song on their 1997 Christmas collection Snowed in.
56. Baby, it’s cold outside - Nick
Lachey and Jessica Simpson 2004
The inclusion
of this Frank Loesser song in the movie Neptune’s daughter earned the
songwriter an Academy Award for Best song in 1949. Nick Lachey and
Jessica Simpson turned in their own sweetly romantic version in 2004.
57. Merry Christmas (I don't want to
fight tonight) - The Ramones 1989
Rock and Roll
Hall of Fame members the Ramones had moved past their pioneering punk days, but
remained a force to be reckoned with when this holiday tune was included on
their Brain drain album.
58. Marshmallow world - Dean Martin and
Frank Sinatra 1966
Although the
song was first written in 1949, it became a signature song for Dean Martin in
the 1960’s.
59. O come all ye faithful - Twisted
Sister 2006
This Christmas
hymn dates to the mid 1700’ and is often performed in Latin as 'Adeste Fidelis'."Heavy
metal band Twisted Sister, superstars of the mid 1980’s, included this
decidedly different version of the song on their 2006 Christmas comeback.
60. Up on the housetop - Jackson 5 1970
This Christmas
song about Santa Claus dates back to 1860. The Jackson 5 chose to include the
child-friendly carol on their 1970 Christmas
album.
61. Cool Yule - Bette Midler 2006
Co-written by
comedian and composer Steve Allen, 'Cool Yule' is a jazzy Christmas classic. It
is the title cut of Bette Midler’s 2006 holiday album.
62. O little town of Bethlehem - Sarah
McLachlan 2006
Episcopal
priest Phillips Brooks was inspired to write the words to 'O little town of
Bethlehem' when he visited the historical town in 1865. Singer-songwriter Sarah
McLachlan included the song on her Wintersong album.
63. Here comes Santa Claus - Elvis
Presley 1957
'Here comes
Santa Claus' was co-written by country music legend and actor Gene Autry. Elvis
Presley’s version is one of many treasured recordings of this classic song.
64. Holly Jolly Christmas - Burl Ives
1965
Johnny Marks,
the songwriter who created 'Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer' and 'Rockin'
around the Christmas tree',"also wrote 'Holly Jolly Christmas'. Academy
Award winning actor Burl Ives’ version of the song is often considered the
definitive.
65. Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!
- Jessica Simpson 2004
Sammy Cahn and
Jule Styne wrote 'Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!' in 1945. It is a
winter love song that is associated with Christmas although the lyrics never
mention the holiday. Jessica Simpson recorded her version in 2004.
66. Mary’s boy Child - Boney M 1978
This Christmas
classic was first recorded by Harry Belafonte in 1956. However, this version by
the disco-pop group Boney M topped
the UK pop singles chart in 1978.
67. Last Christmas - Wham! 1984
Wham!, the duo
featuring George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley, were just coming off their
worldwide #1 smash hits 'Wake me up before you Go Go' and 'Careless whisper'
when they released this holiday single. It failed to reach #1 at home in the UK
due to Band Aid’s 'Do they know it's Christmas'.
68. It’s beginning to look a lot like
Christmas - Perry Como 1951
Meredith
Wilson, composer of The Music man, wrote 'It’s beginning to look a lot
like Christmas' in 1951. Perry Como released his version of the song that year
and it has become an evergreen classic.
69. What are you doing New Year’s Eve? -
Rufus Wainwright 1998
Frank Loesser,
the composer of 'What are you doing New Year’s Eve?' is probably best known for
his musical Guys and dolls. Rufus Wainwright’s performance of the
classic song in a Gap commercial brought him strong attention for his debut
album.
70. Good King Wenceslas - Loreena
McKennitt 1995
This Christmas
carol tells the tale of a king, St. Wenceslas of Bohemia, who gives out alms to
the poor on St. Stephens Day, the day after Christmas. The legend is over 1,000
years old, but the lyrics date to the 1800’s. Canadian singer Loreena McKennitt
recorded her version in 1995.
71. Don’t shoot me, Santa - The Killers
2007
The Killers
released this song during the 2007 holidays as a benefit for AIDS charities.
72. Grown-up Christmas list - Amy Grant
1992
In a few short
years from being written in 1990, 'Grown-up Christmas list' has become a
Christmas classic. It was included on Amy Grant’s second holiday album Home
for Christmas.
73. Go tell it on the mountain - James
Taylor 2006
'Go tell it on
the mountain’" is a rousing spiritual that dates back to at least 1865.
74. When a Child is born - Johnny Mathis
2005
Although there
is not specific mention of Christmas in this song, it has come to be associated
strongly with the birth of Jesus. Legendary R&B and pop singer Johnny
Mathis earned his only #1 pop single in the UK with a 1976 version of the song.
75. I'll be home with bells on - RuPaul
1997
Drag performer
RuPaul put together one of the campiest Christmas specials yet for VH1 in 1997.
This is one of the performances from that event.
76. Santa Claus Lane - Hilary Duff 2002
This is the
title song for teen pop star Hilary Duff’s Christmas album. It was also
featured on the soundtrack for the movie The Santa Clause 2.
77. All alone on Christmas - Darlene
Love 1992
One of Phil
Spector’s favorite studio singers of the 1960’s recorded this song for the
soundtrack to the hit movie Home Alone 2: Lost in New York.
78. Wonderful Christmastime - Paul McCartney
1979
John Lennon
already had a Christmas classic under his belt. This is Paul McCartney’s effort
and features a distinctive synthesizer riff.
79. (There’s no place like) Home for the
holidays - The Osmonds 1977
Originally
published in 1954, this song has become a frequently recorded classic. This
version is from an Osmond family Christmas special in the late 1970’s.
80. The first Noel - Crash Test Dummies
1991
Some believe
this classic carol dates to as early as the 13th century. Canada’s
Crash Test Dummies recorded a version of the song for an obscure Australian
compilation titled A lump of coal.
81. This one’s for the children - New
Kids on the Block 1989
As part of
their platinum album Merry, Merry Christmas, New Kids on the Block released
this top 10 pop hit.
82. 12 days of Christmas - Bob and Doug
McKenzie 1981
Bob and Doug
McKenzie are the fictional brothers who hosted the 'Great White North' segment
of Canadian sketch comedy show SCTV. The brothers were portrayed by Rick
Moranis and Dave Thomas. At the peak of their popularity they released this
unique take on the classic '12 days of Christmas' song.
83. Christmas in America - Pat Benatar
and Neil Giraldo 2001
Pat Benatar
capped her pop and rock career with her own Christmas classic. That's husband
Neil Giraldo on guitar.
84. Merry Xmas everybody - Slade 1973
Glam rockers
Slade unleashed this single on British pop fans in late 1973 and it promptly
became the band’s 6th #1 single. It is often considered the top
British working class Christmas song.
85. 'Zat you Santa Claus? - Buster
Poindexter 1987
New York Dolls
lead vocalist David Johansen made a big comeback in the late 1980’s with his
lounge singing alter ego Buster Poindexter.
86. Mele Kalikimaka (The Hawaiian
Christmas song) - Bette Midler 2006
The title 'Mele
Kalikimaka' comes from a Hawaiian mispronunciation of the phrase 'Merry
Christmas'. Bette Midler revived this mid-20th century tune in this
version from her album Cool Yule.
87. A New York Christmas - Rob Thomas 2002
This Christmas
song was the first solo single release from Rob Thomas, lead vocalist of Matchbox
Twenty.
88. We need a little Christmas - Mitzi
Gaynor 1967
When Patrick
Dennis’ comic novel Auntie Mame was turned into a musical in 1966, it
needed a Christmas tune for a key point in the plot. Mitzi Gaynor performed
this version on a classic celebrity Christmas TV special in 1967.
89. Leroy, the redneck reindeer - Joe
Diffie 1995
Country singer
Joe Diffie has had some of his greatest success recording novelty songs. This
tale informs everyone of Rudolph’s forgotten cousin Leroy.
90. I wish it could be Christmas
everyday - Wizzard 1973
Led by Roy
Wood, the pop-rock group Wizzard released this single at home in the UK in late
1973. Unfortunately, it was prevented from hitting #1 on the pop singles chart
by Slade’s classic 'Merry Xmas everybody'. That's Roy Wood with the white hair
and beard in the video.
92. I saw three ships - Jon Anderson
1985
The earliest
printed version of this English carols dates back to the 1600’s. Jon Anderson
of the progressive rock band Yes put together his own version in 1985.
93. I heard the bells on Christmas day -
Harry Belafonte 1958
The words of
this Christmas carol are based on the 1864 poem ‘Christmas bells' by Henry
Wadsworth Longfellow. Johnny Marks added the music in the 1950’s and Harry
Belafonte recorded his classic version in 1958.
94. Driving home for Christmas - Chris
Rea 1988
Although he’s
considered a bit of a one-hit wonder in the US for his 1978 smash 'Fool (if you
think it’s over)', Chris Rea has had a long, distinguished pop career in the
UK. This is his most memorable Christmas tune.
95. All I want for Christmas (is my two
front teeth) - Spike Jones 1948
This simple
recording remains possibly the most effective Christmas song parody 60 years
after it was originally recorded.
96. Funky, funky Xmas - New Kids on the
Block 1989
The New Kids
on the Block were at the peak of their popularity when they put out a Christmas
album titled Merry, Merry Christmas. It was certified double platinum
and included this charming sign of the times.
97. Another rock'n roll Christmas - Gary
Glitter 1984
Glam rock
pioneer Gary Glitter had found his popularity at home in the UK well on the
fade before the release of this big Christmas hit. It went on to become one of
the 30 biggest selling UK Christmas hits of all time.
98. Gee Whiz, it’s Christmas - Suzanna
Choffel 2008
Carla Thomas
is often referred to as the Queen of Memphis Soul. Her debut hit 'Gee Whiz' was
her only pop top 10 and arguably Thomas’ signature song. She was able to spin
her biggest hit into a soulful Christmas classic. Here Texas artist Suzanna
Choffel turns in an inspired cover.
99. The Christmas waltz - The Carpenters
1978
Written by Sammy
Cahn and Jule Styne, 'Christmas waltz' was recorded by Frank Sinatra in the
1960’s and then possibly its most popular version by the Carpenters in 1978.
100. Deck the halls - Rza 2006
'Deck the
halls' is a traditional Yuletide carol that was originally sung in Welsh. The
earliest records of the song being written down date to the 1700’s, but the
song is probably older than that. In late 2006, rapper Rza of the Wu Tang Clan
showed up on the Late late Show with Craig Ferguson to perform his own
version of the classic.
