From “Winter Wonderland” to “All I Want For Christmas Is You,” everyone has their favorite Christmas songs that put them in the holiday spirit. If you are like me, you probably started playing Christmas music right after Thanksgiving or even earlier. You have to admit, it does fill the atmosphere with cheer.
Whether you are commuting to work, adding some Christmas decor to your living space, wrapping gifts, baking, or putting the final touches on dinner, playing some holiday tunes will put you in a festive mood.
125 Christmas Songs To Get You In The Holiday Spirit
The variety of holiday music is huge, and there is more than one way to appreciate a yuletide joy listening experience. No matter your mood or your favorite genre, this is a good collection of songs for your playlist. Here you’ll find a little bit of everything from vintage carols to Motown classics, R&B, and upbeat pop tunes. I even included a few church hymns. Whether you’re feeling nostalgic, festive, or want something to jam to, there is something for everyone.
Of course, there are many renditions to many of the songs listed here. Although I love most of them, I picked my favorite ones. However, in a few cases, you will see more than one version of a few songs because I couldn’t decide which one I liked most. If you’re looking for some songs to listen to for the holiday season, take a look at this list and either add or create a playlist of your favorites.
Here are some great songs to get you in the holiday spirit:
The Classics/Christmas Carols (1-30)
These songs are the ones we all know and love and have been around for generations; even our parents and grandparents adore them! When you think of vintage songs or classic Christmas carols, these usually are the ones that come to mind. Many of these tunes have been covered by contemporary artists, some performing a similar arrangement to the original version, while others were modified. Because they are so upbeat and cheerful, you are likely to hear these tunes everywhere you go.
1. “Santa Baby” by Eartha Kitt (1953)
2. “The Christmas Song” by Nat King Cole (1946)
3. “Oh Christmas Tree” by Aretha Franklin (1992)
4.“Have A Holly Jolly Christmas” by Burl Ives (1965)
5. “Jingle Bell Rock” by Bobby Helms (1957)
6. “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town” by the Jackson 5 (1970)
7. “Winter Wonderland’ by Dean Martin (1966)
8. “Let It Snow Let It Snow Let It Snow!” by Frank Sinatra (1948)
9. “Feliz Navidad” by Jose Feliciano (1970)
10. “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” by Whitney Houston (2003)
11. “White Christmas” by Bing Crosby (1942)
12. “Rockin Around The Christmas Tree” by Brenda Lee (1958)
13. “Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer” by Burl Ives (1964)
14. “Twelve Days of Christmas” by Natalie Cole (1998)
15. “Jingle Bells” by Michael Buble feat. the Puppini Sisters (2011)
16. “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas” by Johnny Mathis (1986)
17. “Silver Bells” by Dean Martin (1966)
18. “Carol of The Bells” by Pentatonix (2014)
19. “Deck The Halls” by Nat King Cole (1960)
20. “Here Comes Santa Claus” by Gene Autry (1947)
21. “Run Rudolph Run” by Chuck Berry (1958)
22. “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” by Le’Andria Johnson (2011)
23. “Frosty The Snowman” by Perry Como (1953)
24. A Five Pound Box of Money” by Pearl Bailey (1959)
25. “Cool Yule” by Louis Armstrong feat. the Commanders (1953)
26. “Sleigh Ride” by Ella Fitzgerald (1956)
27. “My Favorite Things” by The Supremes (1965)
28. “Soulful Christmas” by James Brown (1968)
29. “It’s The Most Wonderful Time of The Year” by Andy Williams (1963)
30. “I’ll Be Home For Christmas” by Al Green (1983)
Contemporary Christmas Songs (31-59)
As we all know, the vast majority of Christmas tunes performed by modern-day artists are usually covers of the classics or religious songs. However, many of them record original music. Of course, some of these songs were also remade by other artists. While we’ll never get tired of listening to the vintage stuff, it’s always refreshing to hear something different.
31. “Someday At Christmas” by Stevie Wonder (1967)
32. “Christmas In Hollis” by Run DMC (1987)
33. “I Can Hardly Wait For Christmas” by The O’Jays (1991)
34. “What Christmas Means To Me” by Fantasia (2013)
35. “One Wish” by Whitney Houston (2003)
36. “Give Love on Christmas Day” by The Temptations (1980)
37. “Grown-Up Christmas List” by Monica (2000)
38. “Christmas In Harlem” by Kanye West featuring Cam’ron, Jim Jones. Vado, Cyhi Da Prince, Teyana Taylor, and Pusha T (2010)
39. “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” by The Jackson 5 (1970)
40. “8 Days of Christmas” by Destiny’s Child (2001)
41. “Christmas In The City” by Mary J. Blige featuring Angie Marinez (1997)
42. “Christmas Rappin” by Kurtis Blow (1980)
43. “Santa Claus Go Straight To The Ghetto” by James Brown (1968)
44. “It’s The Holiday Season” The Count Basie Orchestra feat. Johnny Mathis (2015)
45. “Everyday is Christmas” by Sia (2017)
46. “Players Ball” by OutKast (1994)
47. “Santa Claus Goes Straight To The Ghetto” by Nate Dogg & Snoop Dogg (1996)
48. “Where Are You Christmas” by Faith Hill (2000)
49. “A Christmas Lullabye” by Faith Evans (1998)
50. “Favorite Time Of Year” by Carrie Underwood (2020)
51. “Tis The Season” by Anthony Hamilton (2014)
52. “Cuddle Up, Cozy Down Christmas” by Dolly Parton & Michael Buble’ (2020)
53. “Christmas Only Once A Year” by Chaka Khan (1998)
54. “Happy Xmas (War Is Over)” by John Lennon & Yoko Ono (1971)
55.“Christmas Time Again” by Ashanti (2003)
56. “Twelve Days of Christmas” by Gucci Mane (2019)
57. “Cozy Little Christmas” Katy Perry (2019)
58. “Holiday In Jamaica” by Shaggy feat. Ne-Yo & Ding Dong (2020)
59. “Christmas Time” by Bryan Adams (1991)
Christmas Love Songs (60-98)
The theme of most Christmas songs is either about the gift of giving, spreading cheer, goodwill towards humankind, or are spiritual in nature. But I’ve noticed that many holiday tunes also cover the topic of love. Usually, they’re about either missing someone at Christmas, falling in love, kissing under the mistletoe, or hoping that Santa sends them a significant other. Because there are a variety of Christmas love songs, you can either feel romantic, nostalgic, sad, or even bittersweet.
60. “All Want for Christmas Is You” by Mariah Carey (1994)
61. “Let It Snow” by Boyz II Men feat. Brian McKnight (1993)
62. “In Love At Christmas” by Kelly Price feat. Mary Mary (2001)
63. ‘I Want To Come Home for Christmas” by Marvin Gaye (1972)
64. “Christmas Wish” by Faith Evans (2005)
65. “Underneath The Tree” by Kelly Clarkson (2013)
66. “Sleigh Ride” by The Ronettes (1963)
67. “This Christmas” by Donny Hathaway (1970)
68. “Every Year, Every Christmas” Luther Vandross (1995)
69. “Merry Christmas Baby” by Otis Redding (1967)
70. “Dear Santa (Bring Me A Man This Christmas)” by The Weather Girls (1983)
71. “Santa Tell Me” by Ariana Grande (2014)
72. “In Love at Christmas” by K-Ci & JoJo (1998)
73.“What Do The Lonely Do At Christmas” by The Emotions (1977)
74. “Last Christmas” by Wham (1985)
75. “I Got My Love To Keep Me Warm” Billie Holiday (1937)
76. “That’s What I Want For Christmas” by Nancy Wilson (1963)
77. “Oh, Santa” by Mariah Carey feat. Ariana Grande & Jennifer Hudson (2020)
78. “One More Sleep” Leona Lewis (2013)
79. “Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays” by NSYNC (1998)
80.“Christmas Without My Girl” by Gerald Levert (1998)
81. It’s Going To Be A Merry Christmas” by Patti Labelle (2007)
82. “Kissing by the Mistletoe” by Aretha Franklin (1962)
83. “Baby It’s Cold Outside” by John Legend feat. Kelly Clarkson (2019)
84. “Blue Christmas” Kelly Clarkson (2003)
85. “Like It’s Christmas” by The Jonas Brothers (2019)
86. “My Only Wish (This Year) by Britney Spears (2000)
87. “Mistletoe” by Justin Bieber (2011)
88. “Christmas Without You” by Xscape (1998)
89. “Jingle Baby” by Stephanie Mills (1991)
90. “25th” by Tori Kelly (2020)
91. “Cover Me In Snow” by Chante Moore (2017)
92. “Holiday Celebrate” by Toni Braxton (2001)
93. “What Are You Doing New Years Eve?” by Ella Fitzgerald (1970)
94. “Never Felt Like Christmas” by Lizzo (2015)
95. “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” by Darlene Love (1963)
96. “Mistletoe” by Ginuwine (2011)
97. “This Christmas” (Could Be The One) by Ledisi (2008)
98. “What Do The Lonely Do At Christmas” Anthony Hamilton (2014)
Spiritual Christmas Songs (99-125)
Spiritual Christmas songs are the ones that represent the true meaning of the holiday, which is to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. There are two types of Spiritual Christmas songs. The first category is the traditional or religious ones, the kind that are in church hymnals. These songs have been around for centuries, having been created somewhere between the 1500s-1800s. Some possibly date back much earlier than that. Many modern-day artists have covered these songs.
The next type of spiritual Christmas songs is more contemporary. This includes modernized gospel music and original songs released by mainstream artists that may not necessarily be religious but are still church friendly.
Although spiritual Christmas music is not as merry as its secular counterpart, it is very uplifting, soothes the soul, and gives you a sense of solace and peaceful wholeness. Not only do these songs put you in the holiday spirit, but they will have you catch the Holy Spirit.
99. “Silent Night” by The Temptations (1970)
100. “Little Drummer Boy” by Leslie Odom Jr. feat. Mzansi Youth Choir (2020)
101. “The First Noel “ Bebe & Cece Winans (1993)
102.“Do You Hear What I Hear” by Whitney Houston (1987)
103. “Soul Holidays” by Sounds of Blackness (1992)
104. “Angels We Have Heard On High” by Christina Aguilera (2000)
105. “O Come All Ye Faithful” by Luther Vandross (1995)
106. “O Holy Night” by Ella Fitzgerald (1967)
107. “Do You Hear What I Hear” by Gladys Knight and the Pips (1975)
108. “Joy To The World” by Aretha Franklin (2006)
109. “What Child Is This” by Faith Hill (2008)
110. “Hark The Herald Angels Sing/Gloria (In Excelsis Deo)” by Pentatonix (2015)
111. “O Little Town Of Bethlehem” by Patti Labelle and The Bluebelles (1963)
112. “Go Tell It On The Mountain” by The Staples Singers (1962)
113. “We Three Kings Of Orient Are” by Rod Stewart feat. Mary J. Blige (2012)
114. “It Came Upon The Midnight Clear” by Johnny Mathis (1958)
115. “Who Would Imagine a King” by Whitney Houston (2003)
116. “Mary, Did You Know?” The Braxtons (2015)
117. “Mary’s Boy Child” Mandisa (2012)
118. “O Come O Come Emmanuel” Whitney Houston (2003)
119. “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” by Glee Cast (2012)
120. “Away In A Manger” by Gladys Knight & The Pips (1975)
121. “Ave Maria” by Celine Dion (1998)
122. “ Born This Day” by Yolanda Adams (2000)
123. “Now Behold the Lamb” by Kirk Franklin and The Family (1996)
124. “Joyful, Joyful” by Pentatonix & Jasmine Sullivan (2019)
125. “When A Child Is Born (Soleado)” by Gladys Knight & The Pips feat. Johnny Mathis (1975)
(You can listen to the songs in this playlist HERE on Spotify)
Which Christmas songs are your favorite, and are there different versions that you prefer? I would love to hear about them in the comments.
Happy Holidays!
Until next time!
Thanks for reading.
Yours Truly,
Tracy
