The Top 20 Christmas Songs of all time.
Get ready to dive into the ultimate festive playlist! Below is a hand-picked rundown of the Top 20 Christmas Songs of All Time, based on a blend of global sales, radio airplay, and the sheer ability of these tunes to take over every shop, street, and speaker each December.
From timeless classics to modern chart-toppers, these tracks have earned their place in holiday history, whether through record-breaking numbers or simply being the soundtrack to generations of turkey dinners, tree-decorating sessions, and slightly questionable office parties. So pop on a Santa hat, grab a mince pie, and explore the songs that truly make this the most wonderful time of the year.
Here's the list in full...
1 White Christmas - Bing Crosby - the biggest-selling single ever with ~50 million copies sold.
2 Silent Night - Traditional / popular carol - one of the most recorded and enduring Christmas carols ever.
3 All I Want for Christmas Is You - Mariah Carey - modern Christmas standard, massive sales + streaming & annual airplay dominance.
4 Last Christmas - Wham! - huge sales and perennial popularity each Christmas season.
5 Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree - Brenda Lee - classic festive favourite, recurring chart re-entries.
6 Jingle Bells - Traditional holiday staple - widely recorded and instantly recognisable around the world.
7 Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! - Classic standard (various versions) - timeless winter-holiday vibe that keeps it in heavy rotation.
8 Jingle Bell Rock - A rock'n'roll style festive track - often included in radio playlists and compilations.
9 Feliz Navidad - José Feliciano - cheerful, bilingual festive classic with global appeal.
10 Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town - Traditional / popular versions - evergreen and often heard across holiday radio & playlists.
11 Sleigh Ride - Frequently ranked among the most-played Christmas songs on radio.
12 Winter Wonderland - Classic winter holiday song, commonly played on radio, compiled in many "best Xmas" lists.
13 The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire) - Traditional holiday mood-setter - a staple of Christmas compilations & radio rotation.
14 It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas - Popular modern-classic standard, often heard in festive playlists and radio sets.
15 Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas - Timeless tune, emotionally resonant, frequently covered and played in holiday seasons.
16 Holly Jolly Christmas - Up-beat festive classic that tends to pop up on radio around Christmas.
17 Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer - Kid-friendly holiday staple, enjoyed across generations and frequently played during the season.
18 Blue Christmas - Elvis Presley's version among others — atmospheric, slightly wistful, always fits a winter playlist.
19 Happy Xmas (War Is Over) - John Lennon & Yoko Ono - a Christmas song with a message, often included in playlists with a reflective mood.
20 It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year - Orchestral, joyful seasonal vibe - a staple of holiday radio and mood playlists.
A Few Thoughts on the Mix
The top of the list (e.g., "White Christmas", "Silent Night", "All I Want for Christmas Is You") is shaped heavily by sales data and longevity.
Further down, many entries owe their place to radio airplay, streaming popularity, and the fact they're seasonal standards so frequently played each December.
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