Deck the halls with boughs of Holly, for Christmas time is here! December is indeed the most magical time of the year. As Christmas approaches, we retreat to that childlike joy we experienced as kids – giving and receiving gifts, setting up the Christmas tree and revamping our music playlists to include Christmas carols and songs. Here’s a list of the best Christmas songs to listen to this festive season.
The Christmas Music Playlist
Add these top Christmas songs to your playlist to feel the magic of the holiday season.
‘Santa Claus is Coming to Town’ by the Jackson 5
There are so many songs about Old St. Nick, but none as memorable as ‘Santa Claus is coming to town’. Originally sung by Michael Jackson and his siblings (as part of the Jackson 5 band), you can find modern versions of this favourite Christmas song by every acclaimed musician from Michael Bublé to Justin Bieber.
‘All I Want For Christmas Is You’ by Mariah Carey
Initially recorded by Vince Vance and the Valiants in 1989, ‘All I Want For Christmas is You’ attained cult status when “Songbird Supreme” and “The Queen of Christmas” Mariah Carey sang it in 1995. Lending her vocal cords to this otherwise ordinary song, Carey made it a cultural phenomenon that has become a peak Christmas staple on everyone’s playlist.
‘Last Christmas’ by Wham!
Described as a ‘ballad of doomed romance’, Wham’s ‘Last Christmas’ is among the best Christmas songs of all time. Brought to life by the legendary George Michael, this song’s music video features a heart-breaking romance, some memorable knit sweaters, and wistful whispers. Michael crooning, “my god, I thought you were someone to rely on”, touches your heart cords, and how!
Jingle Bell Rock by Bobby Helms
Moving on from failed romances to happy Christmas times, Bobby Helms’ Jingle Bell Rock’, is another all-time favourite. This Christmas song, originally released in 1957, echoes the true spirit of Christmas. It became a cultural phenomenon again in 2004 with the release of the cult classic teen drama, ‘Mean Girls’. So, has the jingle hop begun for you yet?
‘Mary’s Boy Child’ by Harry Belafonte
First recorded by Harry Belafonte in 1956, ‘Mary’s Boy Child’ was a massive hit upon its release and captures the Christmas magic in all its glory. Even today, several decades later, there is no rendition of this song, quite like Belafonte’s version. The closest you can find is Boney M’s disco rendition of ‘Mary Boy Child’.
Bonus: Glee: The Music, The Christmas Album
If you want to curate a Christmas playlist featuring modern-day renditions of all your favourite Christmas carols, look no further than the Christmas Album by Glee. The album comprises the best Christmas songs, from ‘We Need a Little Christmas’ to ‘O Christmas Tree’, and more. Our favourite pick from the lot is ‘Deck the Rooftop’.
Final Note: Now you can listen to all your favourite Christmas Carols and songs in 20+ languages with Vi and Hungama Music. Download the Vi app to enjoy high-definition music, unlimited downloads, and more.
Downloads the Vi app to curate your playlist.
