The return of the holiday season is always marked by TV networks insisting upon reruns of A Christmas Story, Home Alone, and other cheesy, but inexplicably compelling titles. Likewise, book and game stores push pre-orders of their hottest December releases (will someone please buy me the Wii U so I can play Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker on December 5?). Still, nothing beats the often too-early streaming of Christmas music in the malls, on your radio stations, and even on Pandora to get you in the holiday spirits. For this edition of #NowPlaying, we’ve compiled a list of some of the best Christmas songs of all time. We hope you enjoy!
10. “Feliz Navidad” – Jose Feliciano
Who doesn’t love a corny classic now and then—especially one that has non-Spanish speakers sounding fluent? Muy bien, readers. Muy bien.
9. “Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer” – Elmo & Patsy
Grandma should really be more careful; am I right? Some songs are just so bad that they’re good. Case in point.
8. “Jingle Bell Rock” – Bobby Helms
Despite the many re-recordings of this chart-topper, nothing beats the original. There’s just something very charming about Helms’ voice in this classic little jingle.
7. “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree” – Brenda Lee
Can you believe Lee was only 13 when she recorded this song? Her lovely, mature voice and the song’s jolly and light pop-rock feel keep “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree” playing year after year.
6. “Santa Baby” – Eartha Kitt
Oh, Ms. Kitt, you’re so darn coy! We love how you use your flirtatious feminine ways to get your ’54 convertible… light blue!
5. “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” – Band Aid
Feed the world! While depressing, this song definitely makes us look at the holidays from a completely different perspective.
4. “Happy Xmas (War Is Over)” – John Lennon & Yoko Ono
Sorry to our dear readers for being so depressing. Still, no music list is complete without one or all of The Beatles. John Lennon’s voice is pure velvet as he sings this beautiful and meaningful melody.
3. “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” – Dean Martin
While Dean Martin may not have written this song, we can’t help but include his delightful version complete with an all-female chorus. Not only is this an incredible winter tune, it is easily one of the greatest duets of all time. ‘Tis the season for snuggling!
2. “Last Christmas” – Wham
While “Last Christmas” is a fantastic record and a close 2nd on our list, we insist that you hear the Glee version sung by Lea Michele and Cory Monteith (at least our Glee-obsessed Entertainment Director thinks so).
1. “All I Want For Christmas Is You” – Mariah Carey
Do we really need to explain our choice? This diva is no stranger to the top of the billboards and it’s easy to see why. The record is catchy, romantic, and just plain fun to sing after a few glasses of eggnog! Plus it sold over 14 million copies to date. You go, Mariah.
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