The best (and worst) Christmas songs of all time

Those opening xylophone notes will always signal Christmas is here (and maybe trigger a few too many embarrassing karaoke flashbacks).

Christmas Lights, Coldplay

Get your phone torches in the air, it’s Coldplay’s emotional Christmas banger! You can always count on Chris Martin for a rousing chorus.

Merry Christmas, Ed Sheeran & Elton John

A more recent favourite is Ed and Elton’s 2021 tune, which was released to support the Suffolk Music Foundation and The Elton John Aids Foundation. It’s got everything you want from a Christmas hit: bells chiming, heartfelt lyrics and a catchy, building melody – plus they get extra points for the epic music video, which parodies other festive classics like Mariah and East 17.

Have A Holly Jolly Christmas, Michael Bublé

It’s not Christmas without Michael Bublé’s Christmas covers, is it? They all feel instantly festive, but Bublé’s version of Burl Ives’ Holly Jolly Christmas is upbeat and ever-charming.

Santa, Can’t You Hear Me, Kelly Clarkson & Ariana Grande

Another newbie! Kelly and Ariana’s buttery vocals came together for a collaboration on Kelly’s 2021 album When Christmas Comes Around. The live version from her NBC Christmas special of the same name is extra special – the harmonies are chef’s kiss.

River, Joni Mitchell

Not technically a Christmas song in terms of release (it was an album track on Joni’s album Blue, released in June 1971), this bittersweet tune is just so beautiful. It’s so beloved that Joni released a video for River in December 2021, saying: “River expresses regret at the end of a relationship…but it’s also about being lonely at Christmas time… A Christmas song for people who are lonely at Christmas! We need a song like that.”

Give it a listen if you haven’t already. The likes of Ellie Goulding, Sam Smith and Olivia Rodrigo have also covered it more recently.

Rocking Around The Christmas Tree, Brenda Lee

It’s hard to believe this dates back to 1958, isn’t it? Another unrivalled bop that’s forever a classic.

My Only Wish (This Year), Britney Spears

A total tune, and classic Britney (from her Oops!… I Did It Again era, in case you’re wondering). 

White Christmas, The Drifters

You can’t knock the classic Bing Crosby version, no doubt, but The Drifters’ upbeat version of White Christmas is just so great (and extra nostalgic because of the Home Alone element). And those voices! Stunning.

Worst ever Christmas songs

I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus, Jackson Five

The lyrics to this one are just a bit weird whichever way you look at it. Apparently, the song isn’t about Mommy cheating on Daddy with Santa Claus, it’s supposed to allude that the Dad was actually dressed as Santa – but either way, all this talk of creeping, peeping, tickling and kissing in a song sung by a child just seems a bit… off.

Do They Know It’s Christmas?, Band Aid

Criticised for its white saviour narrative and controversial lyrics about Africa, Do They Know It’s Christmas? should have never passed the vibe check, to be honest.

Baby It’s Cold Outside, Dean Martin

Another classic with questionable lyrics, sadly. Baby It’s Cold Outside is on the no-play list for many, because of its controversial lyrical conversation between a man and a woman: “I ought to say, ‘No, no, no sir’ / Mind if I move in closer?… I really can’t stay / Baby, don’t hold out.”