Favorite Christmas Songs of All Time

“Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” was written by Johnny Marks and first recorded by Brenda Lee in 1958. This Christmas song has been covered by artists like Pete Thomas, Mel Smith and Kim Wilde. It was added as background music into television special “Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer” in 1964 with its featured music written by Marks.

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“Let It Snow!” is a seasoned Christmas song that was written by Sammy Cahn and composer Jule Styne in 1945. It was first recorded by Vaughn Monroe. From Apple’s popular online music service iTunes, this song has been downloaded for more than 250,000 times.

“Joy to The World” is a popular Christmas carol written by Isaac Watts and its music was arranged and adapted by Lowell Mason from an older melody. It was first recorded on Percy Faith’s instrumental version – “Music of Christmas” in 1954. In 1994, Mariah Carey re-recorded this song for her album – “Merry Christmas”.

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Come, discover the lively rhythm and joyful Christmas song – “Up on the housetop”. You’ll love to sing along this song while discovering the joy of Christmas. This popular song was written by Reba Mcentire and was sung by Reba McEntire in her album – “Secret of Giving: A Christmas Collection” which was released in September 1999.

“Silent Night” is a popular Christmas carol that has been recorded by Mahalia Jackson, Stevie Nicks, Bing Crosby, Mannheim Steamroller and over 300 artists worldwide. This song is popular that it has been translated into many languages and dialects around the world. Its original lyrics were written in German (called “Stille Nacht”) by the Austrian Priest Father Josef Mohr and its melody was composed by the Austrian Headmaster Franz Xaver Gruber. On the Christmas Eve in 1818, this carol was first performed in the Nicola-Kirche (Church of St. Nicholas) in Oberndorf, Austria. One tiny chapel called “Stille-Nacht-Gedächtniskapelle” (Silent Night Memorial Chapel) was established in Oberndorf, Austria and now it is opened as a museum for a tourist to visit.

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“Oh Come All Ye Faithful” is a Christmas song that takes a religious theme. Originally, its hymn tune was in the Latin text but it was then translated into an English version by Frederick Oakeley, Oh Come All Ye Faithfull which is particularly widespread worldwide. This song was first aired on 23, August 1998 in the first season finale of the HBO television series called “Sex and the City”. Below is quoted from this TV series:

“There he was, wearing Armani on Sunday: Mr. Big. I’ll admit it was a bit of a shock [to see him going to church]. Up until that moment I thought he only believed in the Yankees.”

“Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” is a carol and Christmas hymn written by Charles Wesley and was first published by Oxford University Press in “the Carols for Choirs series” in 1961. It was also included in “Hymns and Sacred Poems” in 1739. The tune that is always used for this song is actually a chorus composed by Felix Mendelssohn in 1840. Over years, King’s College Chapel, Cambridge in UK has used it as the recessional hymn of the annual Service of Nine Lessons and Carols.

“O little Town of Bethlehem” was written by an Episcopal priest, Phillips Brooks in 1868 as the poem for his church after inspiring by his visit to the town of Bethlehem in 1865. His organist, Lewis Redner then added the music for this song. Like “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”, it is traditionally used at the service of Nine Lessons and Carols in Kings College, Cambridge in UK.

Unlike other traditional Christmas songs, “Winter Wonderland” has a taste of a pop genre. It was composed by Felix Bernard and written by Richard B. Smith in 1934. It is always regarded as the seasonal Christmas song on the Northern Hemisphere. Many artists like Karen Carpenter, Tom Astor, Perry Como, Johnny Mathis, Frank Sinatra and others have recorded this song in their albums. While listening to this song, you’ll hear the word of “sleigh-bells” mentioned several times, signifying the glory of the Christmas celebration. In Swedish language, this word is said as “tomtar” in which you can find its Swedish version, Vår vackra vita vintervärld.

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Hohoho….I’m a Santa Claus…I’ll jump into your chimney at your local time on the Christmas Eve. Make sure  you search for the gifts and surprise that I’d bring to you in your hanging socks.

Hohoho….have a merry, merry Christmas!