Top 15 Best Christmas Songs
By: Aiden Acebo
That time of the year is here again, and you may get some Deja Vu. One of our previous Torch Staff members, Aaron Seibert, attempted the same story, and if I was the judge, he would definitely be getting coal for Christmas. Not having “Santa Tell Me” by Ariana Grande on the list is just a shame. But, enough of the past- let's focus on the future! These songs were in the Top 15, hand-picked from the Spotify Album “Christmas Hits.” This is my recreation (in fact a better version) of the Top 15 Spotify Christmas songs. Yes, there may be some on this list that you don’t like, and I’m sorry for that I really am with all my heart….
Anyway, this is what the rating system looks like. I will rate how well the song actually is, how well the artist did, the cultural impact, and the nostalgic factor. This is for the people that put up their Christmas trees on November 1st or listened to Christmas music last summer. Here are the Better Top 15 Christmas songs.
Just one more thing: don’t throw me under the bus if your favorite Christmas song isn’t on this. This is the first 15 from the Spotify playlist Christmas hits. Don’t come at me alright? Okay, now let us begin…
#15 Paul McCartney- Wonderful Christmastime
Alright so for me, this was a no-brainer. I feel
like this song as a whole is a prank. It may be well known but for me not well-liked. It had so much potential too, the build-up with his voice just to have a letdown. To me, it just isn’t a good song and even the cover art is a jump scare. After listening to this song, if you're not singing “simply having a wonderful Christmas time”, then you are crazy. They did something to this song that gets it stuck in your head for a month but other than that this song is last and definitely least. The nostalgic factor does come in but sadly cannot save this piece.
#14 Snowman- Sia
Ok, now I have to admit when I listened to this song for the first time, it is a pretty good song. Snowman is just a good song, nothing crazy about it. Maybe if you talk about the build-up, but it’s just a solid song. If there were any other songs on this list it would be higher but in my opinion, the songs ahead just don’t compare. In summary, it's a decent Christmas pop song.
#13 Sleigh Ride- The Ronettes
Yes I know one of the most popular songs is 13 but guys c'mon don’t hate me. The songs ahead are JUST better and I have to be cut-throat now. Now this song, in the beginning, makes me wanna shake my whole body. It’s also repetitive sometimes which is the main reason it bumps down my list. You guys may be wondering “Aiden, how is it repetitive? it's just a chorus”. See that's where you're wrong. An example of using the chorus without repetition is coming close. But for this song when the bells start dangling you can immediately recognize this song. The song is an iconic song and a classic. The fact that it's this hard to make a list of these songs is just incredible. Let's all give a round of applause to the people who made the idea of Christmas music. Ok, so you’re done clapping? Good. Now let's move on to the next.
#12 Rocking around the Christmas Tree- Brenda lee
Now when I say this song is iconic, I mean it. It's the perfect song to do those weird clap dances you see adults do when they hear a song that speaks to them. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, pretend I didn’t say that. Brenda Lee does a good job with this song and she definitely has a unique voice. The song runs a little short but it takes its time well. Nothing crazy speaks to me with this song other than the fact that this song is, in my words, a banger.
#11 Jingle Bell Rock- Bobby Helms
See you guys now know I mean business. If I was reading this and saw this song at 11, I would almost click off. But don’t- because trust me. The ones coming up WIPE these past 4 songs. Let’s talk about Jingle Bell Rock though. It's a great song but like, Rockin' 'Around the Christmas Tree it also runs short. It's a good hip-swaying song but not a crazy impact. I don’t feel it in my heart when I listen to this song, It just sometimes feels there.
BREAK REVIEW
Now before we begin the top ten I just want to say this is where things get a little bit dicey. These songs coming up now are close and when I say close, I MEAN CLOSE. If songs were measured within a metric system they would be millimeters close. These decisions were some of the most important decisions in my life–and I once had to choose between a KitKat and a Twix. (Don’t worry, I chose Twix.) Anyway, this was my final warning before heading into the top ten. I warned you…
#10 Holly Jolly Christmas- Michael Buble
Now, this wasn’t an insanely hard decision. He has some amazing Christmas songs but for me, this one doesn’t really hit in a way. Still a great song and a classic but personally the original is better in my opinion unfortunately, it is not on this list. For example, if you were thinking of a holly jolly Christmas you wouldn’t think of this one, you would think of the original. I have this Santa in my doorway that plays this song and dances so it is safe to say to listen to my hot take here.
#9 Last Christmas- Wham!
This song has a straight vibe and when I say banger, I mean banger. It’s one of the reasons this list is so hard because these are just so hard to rank so I have to be very critical. The others ahead just do it for me more than this song does. They speak to me more than this song. Yet, some good things this song brings is the ability to lip sync it with your eyes closed and your hips sway. Don’t ask why I said that because I definitely have never done that, haha…But anyway Last Christmas sorry but you’re going at number 9.
#8 Underneath the Tree-Kelly Clarkson
One of the main reasons to me that this album is called a Christmas hit is because of this song. It is just a perfect representation of a Christmas pop song. It is hard to do well doing this type of song because most of them are slow and heartful yet this one is just muah, perfecto. But if there is one thing I need to take away from this is Kelly Clarkson's VOCALS, it actually is insane how talented she is as an artist and I feel like she did her part in this song.
#7 Happy Xmas( War is over)- John Lennon, Yoko Ono
Some of you may be surprised it's even on this list or some may have been waiting for it but it has arrived. This song is criminally underrated. It's a mixture of dramatic and feel-good vibe that is RARELY used in a Christmas song. Now there are more iconic songs, which is why I am putting it at 7 but this song is so good. It hits the back of my head in that right spot and is just a perfect eyes-closed sway song. It was close but based on my liking it ended at number 7.
#6 Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow!- Dean Martin
Another example of how close this list has gotten but we have Let it Snow a straight classic. This is that one song you hear in the middle of April randomly but you still know all the lyrics because it is just THAT nostalgic. It may be very nostalgic but don’t get me wrong it’s also a really good song. It has a great calm tone and you just can’t end this song without being left smiling. There have even been times I have been down nowhere near Christmas and all I have to do is put this song on and it put this frown upside down.
#5 Feliz Navidad- Jose Feliciano
As soon as I saw this song I immediately thought of the top 5. It just hits the ears perfectly and the way the artist just ropes you back in after every hook is just amazing. If you didn’t get taught a week’s worth of Spanish singing this song then that’s crazy because for me you would think I am fluent in the way I am saying “Feliz Navidad Prospero Ano y Felicidad”. For a second it gets me thinking I am fluent. Anyways, it's an amazing song and truly has its impact on the Christmas season therefore number 5.
#4 Santa Tell Me-Ariana Grande.
So we did this type of review last year and I noticed this song wasn’t on it. I was immediately appalled, ran home, put on my shower, and cried for 45 hours exactly. I was shocked, one of the most popular and best Christmas pop songs of all time was nowhere to be found on that list. Then I thought well let me just do this list so I can put it where it belongs. I know this song by heart and it is one of my favorite songs possibly by Ariana Grande as well. This takes me back to what I said about Underneath the Tree, this song has had an incredible impact on Christmas pop and Christmas music. This was my revenge story so I could at least get this song on the list that concludes Santa Tell me ending at number 4.
TOP 3 INTERLUDE
Are you guys on the edge of your seats yet? Just waiting to find out what number 1 is. Well, I guess you could just scroll but that would ruin the fun, wouldn’t it? Anyways, let’s get back and begin the final 3. (insert cool laser beam effects)!
#3 It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas- Michael Buble
The fact that he is on the list twice, is safe to say he is one of the best Christmas artists of all time. He may not be super original but if you are not original and still make the song like your own, is there really a problem? This song specifically is just peak (amazing). The way it dings in the beginning then Mr. Buble begins with the “It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas”. Is simply one of the most iconic parts of Christmas music. Another song that you would recognize playing randomly in the middle of the summer. Also, this song is iconic just by how many times it appears in hallmark movies. I guarantee ⅓ of some hallmark movies you watch use this song in it at least once. Just a great song beginning our top 3.
LAST INTERLUDE...I promise.
-These songs could definitely be switched or stayed the same. That's how great, iconic, and just perfect these songs are. If I could tie, then I would have it as a tie. As well as they are honestly both equally peak Christmas music. Now let’s finish this list off.
#2 It’s the most wonderful time of the year- Andy Williams
When I tell you how good this song is I mean it. The amount of nostalgia this song gives me should be too much. It was made a while ago yet it just still is just a hit. It’s hard to say anything bad about this song. Not just nostalgic, this song is on another level of iconic. The instrumental in the beginning makes you feel like you are in a play, they're building up to your part, and when you get there you just shine. The first “It’s the most wonderful time of the year”, simply solos the past songs on this list. Also once you start noticing the things in this song Andy mentions in real life, the impulse just grows, even more, to listen to it. Sadly, I did have to put it second but when I show number 1, I don’t think you guys would be surprised.
#1… All I want for Christmas is you- Mariah Carey
Now let’s be honest guys, was this a shocker? The most single Handley iconic Christmas song in my opinion all time. This song is so good you can hear Mariah Carey's voice defrosting November 1st, 12 am. Mariah Carey was just meant to do Christmas music. The way she was able to make her own original song into the best Christmas song ever is just crazy to me. This was the reason Mr. Buble wasn’t in the #2 or 1 spot. He did a remake, Mariah did this all herself. One time all I had to hear was one note of the song and immediately knew what it was. Now I can talk all about how iconic it is but let’s not forget the fact that it’s actually an incredible song. Now I am about to expose myself this song has been listened to in the summer by me not just once but a couple of times. Maybe even more, eek yeah I know but hey, can you blame me? Her vocals on this song go absolutely insane. She is such a talented artist and who knows maybe this year or in a couple of years, she will drop a new song to take this spot. In summary, It was pretty obvious to the point where I am currently listening to it while writing this.
Conclusion-
Yes, this list has concluded and you may be screaming at your computers or happy with my choices but overall thank you for listening. You may ask why this guy gets to rank these; he is no professional and well in a way you're right. I just loved Christmas and love the overall value of it. Every little thing about Christmas just makes me happy such as listening to music, decorating the tree, and spending time with my family. Yes, and I will tell you again that I am that guy that listens to Christmas music when it's 200+ days away. But in all honesty, thank you guys for tuning in or reading into this Top 15 Christmas Hits pulled away from Spotify. Have a holly jolly Christmas everyone it is truly the best time of the year.
If you want to listen to the playlist I used for this review, here is the link to that! https://open.spotify.com/playlist/37i9dQZF1DX0Yxoavh5qJV?si=b34f6812bf104bb7
Have a Merry Christmas everyone!