#10 Oh Santa! by Mariah Carey
A 2010 attempt by the Mimi to add another Christmas hit to her repertoire. Though not as big a smash as her "All I Want for Christmas Is You," "Oh Santa!" combines a gospel choir with a Sister Act-clap vibe and Mariah's classic breathy high notes. It doesn't get as much radio play as I think it should, though I'm not sure I've heard it since she released it back in 2010...
#9 Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy by Bing Crosby and David Bowie
This classic combines the vocal talents of Bing Crosby and David Bowie. You've gotta watch this music video accompaniment to the duet.
#8 Do They Know It's Christmas by BandAid
Originally penned as a relief song for the Ethiopian famine, this song (and I'm talking about the original, not the 30th anniversary version) became an instant classic that inspired predecessor compilations including the world-famous song "We Are the World." This combo of UK and Irish singers is gold and I can't help but get goosebumps every time I listen.
*The 30th anniversary song is great, but incomparable to the original
#7 Believe by Josh Groban
Written for the 2004 film The Polar Express, this song went on to be nominated for both Oscar and a Grammy, the latter of which the songwriters took home. The combination of Josh's voice with an angelic children's choir makes for a classic Christmas tune in my book. It is also an appropriate companion to one of the best Christmas books of all time.
#6 Christmas Canon by TSO
The often overshadowed sister song to the Trans Siberian Orchestra's Carol of the Bells, this song is a modern twist on Pachelbel's "Canon in D." Add in some angelic children's choir (seeing some sort of pattern?) and you've got yourself a hit!
#5 Santa Tell Me by Ariana Grande
Yes. Spirit Hood party? Yes. All I have to say.
#4 The Entire Charlie Brown Christmas Album
The Vince Guaraldi Trio might not have known it then, but when he made this album, he created the perfect Christmas soundtrack.
#3 Oh Holy Night by Celine Dion
Celine has a great Christmas album, but to me this is the obvious standout (with Silent Night in a close second). Her vocals are untouchable and have that uniquely Celine sound, adding in some hard arr's every now and then. Best part occurs towards the end where she really belts it out and sends my spine tingling.
#2 Feliz Navidad by Jose Feliciano
For anyone who ever watched Christmas Eve on Sesame Street, you will always remember this song. A lonely Big Bird stands in the corner of the rink trying to skate when a young girl comes and helps him up after he falls and shows that bird how it's done. This scene immortalized that song for me.
#1 All I Want for Christmas Is You by Mariah Carey
Hands down best Christmas song ever written. Originally written for her then-husband Tommy Mottola, the song has gone on to be the most-spun Christmas song ever (I made that up, but it could be true!). In an attempt to bring herself back into the spotlight, Carey remixed the song with Biebs. Strange to be singing this song directed to a lover when your duet partner is less than half your age...
Stick to the original.
If you ever find yourself in South Bend on a Saturday night, check out The Backer and you can guarantee it will be playing no matter what season it is.
Honorable Mention: Christmas Tree by Lady Gaga
First heard this one while I was greeting shoppers at Abercrombie & Fitch. If you haven't heard it before, man are you in for a treat... **Not for young ears!
What's on your list?
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