It’s a Yuletide vibe: the best Christmas songs

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Charlie Brown is a Christmas classic

Kimaia Gassner, Senior Editor
December 4, 2017

BEST CHRISTMAS SONGS:

  1. Hohoho and a Bottle of Rum – Jimmy Buffett

    • To start off the list we’re going to the sides of one of the best Christmas albums.  I grew up listening to Jimmy Buffett’s Christmas Island during this special time of the year, and from end to end you feel like you’re relaxing on a warm beach. This song takes an original and funny twist on what Santa has really been doing this holiday season.

  2. Someday at Christmas – Stevie Wonder

    • Most of the people that do know of this song are the ones who know that Justin Bieber covered it.  Stevie Wonder’s wish for yuletide peace pulls at your heartstrings in all the right ways, sending a warm message this cold winter.

  3. Mistletoe – Justin Bieber

    • Alright. I had to fight for this one to be on the list. Personally, I’m not the biggest fan of Justin Bieber or his fiery temper or his ever-changing list of girlfriends, but let me tell you: this is one of my favorite Christmas songs. Hands down. It’s cute, it’s sentimental, and the song starts the same way Christmas movies do with the sleigh bells.  I could even listen to Mistletoe in the middle of June and it would be okay.

  4. Beautiful Christmas – Big Time Rush

    • I am the biggest Big Time Rush fan and I can say that without hesitation.  This song is so catchy and has a cute message that doesn’t revolve around kissing someone under a mistletoe, or literally anything girlfriend related.  It seems pretty hard for a boy band not to talk about girls, and Big Time Rush did exactly that.  It is a cute tune that sings about celebrating the most wonderful time of the year in a festive way.

  5. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing – Vince Guaraldi Charlie Brown

    • I like this version because it’s sung by a children’s choir.  The majority of the renditions of this song are gaudy and often sung by artists that stuff it with riffs that are completely unnecessary (I’m looking at you, Mariah Carey).  The children’s choir makes it sound nicer and much less serious.

  6. Mele Kalikimaka – Bing Crosby

    • I met someone the other day who said they didn’t know this song and I was appalled. For one, this song is played on multiple radio stations multiple times a day. How could you not hear this song? Do you not have ears? Bing Crosby has a voice as low and twangy as Elvis which brings a comedic aspect to the whole thing and puts you in the Christmas spirit. This one had to be on the list. Who doesn’t love a white guy speaking Hawaiian?

  7. Christmas Album – Michael Buble

    • Exceptions were made.  I know that this is supposed to be a list of Christmas songs, but this whole album is too good to not put on the list. Michael Bublé is defrosting once Black Friday comes around. Michael Buble’s following for the other 11 months of the year is minuscule compared to his impact when we all get jolly.  It’s December, and everyone loves the Michael Buble Christmas album.  That’s it.

  8. All I Want For Christmas Is You – Mariah Carey

    • Mariah Carey redeems herself of her wrongdoings every year when we’re reminded that she is the queen of All I Want For Christmas Is You. Girlish harmonies and a flirtatious plea, what could go wrong? Nothing.

  9. Mr. Grinch – Thurl Ravenscroft

    • The man involved with almost every Disney movie you can think of, Thurl Ravenscroft, has a voice that is timeless.  If you don’t like this song, I wouldn’t touch you with a 39 and a half foot pole.

  10. I want a hippopotamus for Christmas – Gayla Peevey

    • Often mistaken for Shirley Temple, Gayla Peevey’s “I want a hippopotamus for Christmas” is such an innocent Christmas song. Peevey assuring her mother that hippopotamuses are vegetarian, but side note: also one of the most dangerous African animals.  No big deal.  Everything that went wrong with Alvin & the Chipmunks is everything that went well for this song.  Who else can rhyme “Rhinoceroses” and “Hippopotamuses” together in a tune?

  11. Snow Miser & Heat Miser Song

    • From the Christmas movie “A Year Without a Santa Claus,” comes one of the most iconic songs of the Christmas season. There’s no official title for this jam, it’s catchy and when you hear it all you can imagine is Heat Miser and Snow Miser marching around in your head. Who wouldn’t want that?