Finding festive tunes

Here are the top 15 picks for the best holiday songs

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Rachel Blake

“Music sends all families into the festive spirit once that time of year comes around.”

Every year, the top artists of the decade record covers of Christmas classics or even an original song every once in a while to celebrate the holiday season. Music sends families into the festive spirit once that time of year comes around. Here are the top 15 picks of festive tunes from various artists of the last century.

It’s Beginning to Look Like Christmas” by Bing CrosbyWith a classic Christmas vibe, this song portrays an upbeat ‘50s take on Christmas. The song shows what people all around the world will start to make Christmas look like, from the house decorations to the food that will be made and the general feeling of the holidays. With Bing Crosby’s wide vocal range, it’s hard not to sit back and enjoy the song.

Sleigh Ride” by The RonettesEveryone wants to take a ride in the park on a trash can lid down a snowy hill to the tune of this song. With a quick upbeat tempo, “Sleigh Ride” gives a joyous holiday vibe. With a crisp melodic harmony, The Ronettes describe the joys of sleigh rides. Too bad there isn’t enough snow in Texas for an actual sleigh ride.

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” by Gene AutryThe classic story-telling song “Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer” is a reminder for kids of all ages that the holidays are coming around. This song became a holiday staple with its repeating line about one out-of-place reindeer named “Rudolph” who saves the day with his bright red nose.

White Christmas” by Bing Crosby – Snow is almost a necessity when talking about Christmas time. With Bing Crosby’s soft, melodic voice, he describes the wonders of snow on Christmas. He almost gives us Texans a hope for a white Christmas. However, the song is very repetitive and gets the whole family excited for a white Christmas, even though that usually doesn’t happen.

Twelve Days of Christmas” by The MuppetsA Muppets classic, singing this song gives the whole family a taste of the Christmas spirit. It’s always great to see the little ones excited for the 12 days leading into the unwrapping of new toys and being around family.

It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year” by Andy WilliamsThis song is amazing to play at a Christmas party because it makes everyone excited for the holiday season. With a meaning towards multiple holidays such as Thanksgiving and Christmas, this song ranks so high on the list for its versatility around the holidays.

Winter Wonderland” by Bing Crosby – Another song by Bing Crosby, but with a more relaxing, romantic sound compared to his other songs on the famous Christmas album, “Winter Wonderland.” The song tells everyone the cold isn’t bad and puts everyone in the mood to sit by the fire and hang out.

Here Comes Santa Claus” by Gene Autry – A song for Christmas Eve parties with everyone antsy for the next day, Gene Autry tremendously performs the original song, turning it into a Christmas classic. With an upbeat tone, this song creates excitement in kids of all ages for Santa Claus’ arrival. The repetition in this song gives a great vibe to it and almost sounds like he’s rapping.

Rocking Around The Christmas Tree” by Brenda LeeA song to dance to on Christmas morning, everyone deserves to have a nice dinner and be around their loved ones around the holidays. This song defines family time, telling people to take a break and cut a rug to this original song by Brenda Lee. This song deserves this high spot on the list for its originality.

All I Want For Christmas Is You” by Mariah CareyWith an early 2000’s track, Mariah Carey shows that artists can still make an original Christmas song nowadays. With love as the key focus on this song, Carey sends the message that sometimes love can be the best present of all.

Frosty The Snowman” by The Ronettes – This is another classic story-telling song. Frosty is a snowman made by school children with a magic hat on his head, making Frosty come to life. Unfortunately for Frosty, snow melts! Although he can only come around once a year to show kids how to have fun on Christmas break, this song helps to keep his story alive, even after the ice and snow melt away.

Christmas Time Is Here” by Vince GuaraldiFrom the classic children’s show from the ‘70s and ‘80s, the Charlie Brown franchise has been making children of all ages laugh for a while, even to this day still makes children of the ‘2000s laugh until they can’t anymore. Its Christmas special titled “A Charlie Brown Christmas” goes a long way with its album and hilarious special.

Jingle Bell Rock” by Bing Crosby – One of the most memorable Christmas hits out there, “Jingle Bell Rock” is another song to dance around to on Christmas Day. With a very upbeat jazz feel, Crosby performs the original version of this classic stunningly with his strong grasp of the holidays.

Last Christmas” by Wham!With a more melancholy take on Christmas, “Last Christmas” takes the number two spot on this list for its deep meaning. Giving love away on Christmas won’t always be promising, but this song says to learn from it and give love to someone better next year. Still, the song contains a positive outlook on looking forward, seeing what’s better for oneself and taking time to recover from heartbreak around the holidays.

I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” by The Jackson 5With the least amount of radio time, “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” easily earns the number one spot. With originality this song combines the greatness of being oblivious as a child with the holidays. The Jackson 5 do a wonderful job of creating an original idea for Christmas music.