Christmas is here and so is my annual list of each year’s top Christmas songs. Publishing this list has been come a bit of a tradition people look forward to (well, at least I do).
These lists aren’t limited to the songs released that particular year, but are based on songs I’m listening to at the time. Well, this year my selection has expanded beyond the classics, though they are still in “Christmas Favorites” playlist on Amazon Music. You can scroll or swipe all the way to the bottom to see that list, but you’ll miss some awesome music.
This year’s list includes songs from a wide variety of genres, including jazz, country, metal, and pop. You’ll see a couple from years before, and quite a few new entries. Unlike previous years, I decided not to number them 1, 2, 3 . . . etc. because I couldn’t really decide which would go where.
So, without further ado, here are my top twelve Christmas songs for 2019.
Christmas Is The Time
Artist: Kathrine McPhee
Album: Christmas is the Time to Say I Love You
Genre: Pop/Pop Country
How did she lose on American Idol? Ah, well. I love the overall feel of this pop or pop country song. I added it to my Amazon playlist after looking for some jazz music and finding this album.
This Is Christmas
Artist: Suzie McNeil
Album: The Second Noel
Genre: Pop/Rock
Thank Hallmark Channel’s Countdown to Christmas for this one. I enjoyed some of the songs from their movies, so I searched for a list of songs from their films and, not surprisingly, I found their official list (no, it’s not comprehensive, and yes, I did add quite a few of them to my playlist).
Bethlehem
Artist: Theocracy
Album: Mirror of Souls
Genre: Heavy Metal
I love Theocracy‘s music. It’s gospel-centered, evangelistic, and downright good music. This song, told from the perspective of Simeon (Luke 2:22-35), often gives me chills down my spine thanks to it’s arrangement.
Let It Be Christmas
Artist: Alan Jackson
Album: Let it be Christmas
Genre: Country
I first heard this song while working at LifeWay in Fort Worth, Texas, while attending seminary. Alan’s voice is pure, and you can hear his genuineness as he sings. While I’m not a huge country fan, I do love this song.
Christmas Is Here
Artist: Alan Paul Ett
Album: Songs for Christmas
Genre: Jazz
Another one from Hallmark’s Christmas movie music list. This song is a jazz tune that, I believe, captures the classic feel of traditional holiday music.
Christmas (Baby Please Come Back)
Artist: Darlene Love
Album: A Christmas Gift for You from Phil Spector
Genre: Pop/Classic Rock
This arrangement set the standard for Christmas pop music for years to come. In fact, many contemporary songs borrow the Phil Spector “Wall of Sound” style as used in this classic for their own Christmas songs, including “All I Want For Christmas Is You” (see below), Kelly Clarkson’s “Underneath the Tree,” and Sia’s “Candy Cane Lane.”
Last Christmas
Artist: Leo
Genre: Heavy Metal
While I enjoy the original by Wham! (it’s in my playlist), I prefer Leo’s metal cover of this 80s pop classic. The video, to me, just adds another layer through his use of humor and style of filming.
A Perfect Christmas
Artist: Vasco & Jeremy Abbott
Album: Christmas
Genre: Rock
I found this one when, thanks to Hallmark (again), I was adding “Happy Christmas” by Simon Eugene and Neil Taylor to my Amazon playlist. I checked out some other songs from the same album and ran across this fun jewel.
What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve
Artist: Kathrine McPhee
Album: Christmas is the Time to Say I Love You
Genre: Jazz/Pop
Kathrine’s pop-styled arrangement adds a fun bounce to this classic Christmas jazz tune. This is, to me, reminiscent of Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas Is You,” in which a pop-style vocal is combined with a classic musical sound to create something new and enjoyable. And speaking of Mariah’s song . . .
All I Want For Christmas Is You
Artist: Mariah Carey
Album: Merry Christmas
Genre: Pop
This song was written and recorded in the 1990s, but it borrows from Irving Berlin in the 1940s, Phil Spector in the 1960s, and adds Mariah’s 1990’s pop vocal style. The result is a classic, timeless, yet always modern-sounding holiday song.
I’ll Be Home For Christmas
Artist: Steve Tyrell
Album: This Time of Year
Genre: Jazz
I was introduced to Steve Tyrell through two of my all-time favorite movies, Father of the Bride and Father of the Bride II. His raspy, soulful jazz sound adds a unique layer to this timeless Christmas classic. I also appreciate that he doesn’t sing about the presents “on” the tree, but “under” it, where most of us put them.
Let There Be Light
Artist: Point Of Grace (feat. John David Webster)
Album: Winter Wonderland
Genre: Pop
Point Of Grace’s smooth vocal style offers tight harmonies and layering that add a uniqueness to each song. I could have added many songs from this album, but I chose this one.
If you’re curious what other songs I like listening to at Christmas, you seen see my entire Christmas playlist below (unless you have an ad blocker that’s hiding it, and if so, please consider whitelisting my site, I promise not to inundate you with ads). I may add new songs to it, I may remove a few (less likely).
What are some of your favorite Christmas songs and by whom? Comment below, share this article on social media, and join in the conversation. Meanwhile, have a wonderful holiday season and a Merry Christmas!
