Christmas music is an important part of the whole holiday season. The music and sounds of Christmas come from all styles and genres, providing something for every musical taste. Some carols are very religious, bringing the reason for the season front and center. Others, like these, are totally about the holiday season and cheer, focusing on the fun of Christmas. A few are even melancholy, focusing on missing loved ones at Christmas.
The Top 10 Classic Christmas Songs are great for any holiday gathering or playlist and with the exception of one, they're all about Christmas fun.
1. "Carol of the Bells"
Sparrow
"Carol of the Bells" is also known as the "Ukrainian Bell Carol." It was first performed in the United States on October 5, 1921, at Carnegie Hall.
Popular Versions of "Carol of the Bells"
- BarlowGirl
From Home For Christmas (Purchase/Download)
The girls rock the Christmas classic - Barlow style! - Yolanda Adams
From Christmas With Yolanda Adams (Purchase/Download)
Yolanda combines "Carol Of The Bells" with "What Child Is This" for a beautiful medley. - Steven Curtis Chapman
From The Music Of Christmas (Purchase/Download)
Steven's instrumental performance is simply stunning. - Family Force 5
From The Family Force 5 Christmas Pageant (Purchase/Download)
Fun and funky with a touch of the south, FF5 delivers a classic carol in a truly different way.
2. "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas"
A&M
"Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" was first published in 1943. It was made popular by Judy Garland when she sang this song to Margaret O'Brien in the 1944 musical, Meet Me In St. Louis.
Popular Versions of "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas"
- Yolanda Adams
From Christmas with Yolanda Adams (Purchase/Download)
You can hear the joy in Yolanda's voice as she sings the upbeat tune. - Amy Grant
From Home For Christmas (Purchase/Download - [Buy Direct] Music Book)
Amy Grant delivers with a sound that spans generations. - BarlowGirl
From Home For Christmas (Purchase/Download)
3 words ... harmony, harmony, harmony! - George Huff
From My Christmas EP! (Purchase/Download)
George Huff's silky smooth croonings are soulful and right on the mark.
3. "It's The Most Wonderful Time of the Year"
Fervent Records/Word
"It's The Most Wonderful Time of the Year" was written by Eddie Pola and George Wyle in 1963. Andy Williams made it popular the same year when it released on his Christmas LP.
Popular Versions of "It's The Most Wonderful Time of the Year"
- Amy Grant
From Home For Christmas (Purchase/Download)
Amy's rendition brings to my mind Snow White dancing around -- very fun and Disney sounding. - BarlowGirl
From Home For Christmas (Purchase/Download)
BarlowGirl brings the carol up to date without losing a bit of the classic sentiment. - Point of Grace
From Winter Wonderland (Purchase/Download)
The Point of Grace version is a real show stopper. - Newsong
From Songs 4 Worship Christmas Joy (Purchase/Download)
A pop delivery with strong vocals.
4. "Let It Snow"
Word
"Let It Snow" was written by Sammy Cahn and Jule Styne in 1945 and was first recorded by Vaughn Monroe in 1946. His version made it to #1 on the Billboard music chart.
Popular Versions of "Let It Snow"
- Randy Travis
From Songs Of The Season (Purchase/Download)
Randy brings pure, down-home country to the song, with a warm and cozy feel. - Point Of Grace
From A Christmas Story (Purchase/Download)
Point of Grace combines two festive classics, "Let It Snow" and "Sleigh Ride." - Diamond Rio
From The Star Still Shines: A Diamond Rio Christmas (Purchase/Download)
This foot tapper will delight listeners of all ages. - Chris Rice
From Merry Chris Rice (Purchase/Download)
Charlie Brown meets the Beach Boys and they have fun, fun, fun!
5. "I'll Be Home for Christmas"
Hollywood Records
"I'll Be Home for Christmas" was written by Walter Kent and James "Kim" Gannon in 1943. It was recorded by Bing Crosby and quickly became one of the most popular Christmas carols in the U.S.
Popular Versions of "I'll Be Home for Christmas"
- BarlowGirl
From Home For Christmas (Purchase/Download)
BarlowGirl touches on bittersweet sentiment with their rendition. - Oak Ridge Boys
From I'll Be Home For Christmas (Purchase/Download)
The Oak Ridge Boys deliver with an old time country flavor. - Amy Grant
From Home For Christmas (Purchase/Download)
Grant adds her own touch and wording to make this a very moving rendition. - Aly & AJ
From Acoustic Hearts Of Winter (Purchase/Download)
The girls deliver a very modern, acoustic sound.
6. "Rockin Around the Christmas Tree"
Reunion Records
"Rockin Around the Christmas Tree" was written by Johnny Marks in 1958 and was made famouse two years later when it was recorded by Brenda Lee.
Popular Versions of "Rockin Around the Christmas Tree"
- Amy Grant
From Home For Christmas (Purchase/Download - [Buy Direct] Music Book)
Brenda Lee should be very proud of Amy's version of the popular carol. - MercyMe
From The Christmas Sessions (Purchase/Download)
MercyMe rocks the joint up with their rendition! - PureNRG
From A pureNRG Christmas (Purchase/Download)
The kids deliver full tilt fun. - Newsong
From The Christmas Shoes (Purchase/Download - [Buy Direct] Music Book)
Newsong's version has a Top 40/jazzy feel to it that makes you want to dance.
7. "Winter Wonderland"
Word Records
"Winter Wonderland" was written by Felix Bernard and Richard B. Smith and was first published in 1934. The Andrews Sisters and Perry Como both had recordings that helped make it a Christmas standard.
Popular Versions of "Winter Wonderland"
- Point Of Grace
From Winter Wonderland (Purchase/Download)
Point of Grace makes magic with their rendition of the fun tune. - Stryper
From 7 Weeks Live In America (Purchase/Download)
I promise you, you've never heard the carol done like this! Stryper rocks as only Stryper can. - Amy Grant
From Home For Christmas (Purchase/Download - [Buy Direct] Music Book)
Amy Grant's treatment of "Winter Wonderland" stays true to the original sound.
8. "Sleigh Ride"
RCA
"Sleigh Ride" was composed by Leroy Anderson in 1948. It was first recorded the following year by Arthur Fiedler and The Boston Pops Orchestra as an instrumental piece. Mitchell Parish added lyrics 2 years later to give us what we have today.
Popular Versions of "Sleigh Ride"
- Amy Grant
From A Christmas Album (Purchase/Download)
Amy Grant takes you with her on her sleigh ride, complete with warm blankets and hot cocoa. - Diamond Rio
From The Star Still Shines: A Diamond Rio Christmas (Purchase/Download)
Diamond Rio delivers with a tinge of bluegrass and a lot of fun. - Jump5
From All The Joy In The World (Purchase/Download)
The Jump5 crew made their version so fun that it makes you want to grab a blanket and find the nearest snow!
9. "Silver Bells"
Capitol
"Silver Bells," written by Jay Livingston and Ray Evans, was introduced to America by Bob Hope and Marilyn Maxwell in 1951 in a movie called The Lemon Drop Kid.
Popular Versions of "Silver Bells"
- Natalie Grant
From Believe (Purchase/Download)
Natalie combines "Silver Bells," "Savior Came For Me" and "O Holy Night" to create a very bluesy sounding medley. - Bebe And Cece Winans
From First Christmas (Purchase/Download)
The Winans siblings keep it simple on their rendition and the end result touches you with a little bit of jazz and a whole lot of spirit. - Mahalia Jackson
From Mahalia Sings Songs Of Christmas! (Purchase/Download)
The incomparable Ms. Jackson sings as only she can and you're touched down to your toes.
10. "Jingle Bells"
Reunion Records
"Jingle Bells" was written by James Pierpoint in 1857 for children in his Sunday School class celebrating Thanksgiving. It was so popular, it was repeated at Christmas.
The carol was the first song to be broadcast from space in a prank by Gemini 6 astronauts on Dec. 16, 1965. They played it on a smuggled harmonica and sleighbells.
Popular Versions of "Jingle Bells"
- Amy Grant
From The Christmas Collection (Purchase/Download)
Amy offers a very Mary Poppins sound for big fun. - Michael W. Smith
From Christmastime (Purchase/Download)
Smitty adds his classic touch to the tune and we all have fun. - Point Of Grace
From Tennessee Christmas: a Holiday Collection (Purchase/Download)
With an almost big band sound, the ladies make this tune fun!
