Every December, radio stations remind us of all the delightful Christmas carols, both old and modern, that define the holiday season. Christmas music has a unique ability to lift spirits and bring people together, and as Buddy the Elf declares, “The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.” As an attempt to honor Buddy’s words, here are the top five Christmas songs that capture the joy of the holiday season. Whether you enjoy the classics or lean towards modern hits, these tracks are guaranteed to brighten your holidays.
- Fairytale of New York (Feat. Kirsty MacColl) by The Pogues
“Fairytale of New York”, while carrying a catchy, upbeat melody, presents a disheartening message in its lyrics. This unconventional Christmas song, inspired partly by J.P. Donleavy’s novel of the same name and told through the two narratives of a bickering Irish couple, captures themes of lost hope and a sobering reality of failing to find work and achieve dreams as an immigrant in a once-promising New York City. At first listen, “Fairytale of New York” may seem like the most miserable song one could listen to around the holidays- the song acknowledges hardship, including alcoholism, abusive relationships, and broken dreams. However, after a closer listen, one could discover that its Christmas feel stems from the idea that everyone goes through hard times, but that nobody is going through it alone. Its repeating lyrics of “And the bells were ringing for Christmas Day” acknowledge the reality that everyone in New York City, no matter what hardships they were currently enduring, would hear those Christmas bells and feel less alone.
- Christmas Wrapping by the Waitresses
Similar to “Fairytale of New York,” “Christmas Wrapping” is a bittersweet song about the harsh realities of the holiday season. The title is a witty play on words. “Christmas Wrapping” follows a flustered, jaded woman throughout the year as she recounts her frequent missed opportunities with a certain man, fuelling her increasing disdain for the holiday season, only to run into him by fate on Christmas, changing her entire perspective on the holiday. “Christmas Wrapping” is a favorite for its story of holiday apathy turned into an unexpected happy ending, its catchy, fast-paced lyricism, and its iconic saxophone bit that follows each chorus.
- Happy Xmas (War is Over) (Feat. The Harlem Community Choir) by John Lennon & The Plastic Ono Band
Emerging from their intense anti-Vietnam War activism, including their “War is Over! If You Want It” campaign, John Lennon, alongside his now ex-wife Yoko Ono, released “Happy Xmas (War is Over)” as a call for peace in response to American troops’ participation in the Vietnam War. Soon after being released, this song became an immediate Christmas hit. With t “ `1234he repetitive chant “War is Over”, as well as the background vocals of a children’s choir singing, this song merges holiday joy with a direct call for peace. Years after the Vietnam War’s ending, Happy Xmas (War is Over) remains a favorite.
- Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) by Darlene Love
Darlene Love, after the release of her collaboration with other artists in the album “A Christmas Gift For You From Phil Spector”, rose to be one of the most notable classic Christmas song artists. Darlene Love’s powerful vocals and incredible bittersweet storytelling of missing a loved one during the holidays have made “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” rise to the top of the charts each Christmas.
- Please Come Home For Christmas by Eagles
Similar to “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)”, this 1978 Eagles hit explores themes of melancholy and the loss of loved ones during the holiday season. Backed by blues instrumentals, a famous guitar solo, and its signature first lyric, “Bells will be ringin’ the sad, sad news. “Oh, what a Christmas to have the blues,” this song is unlike any other Christmas song. Eagles, who had already had a significant career before the release of this song, modeled “Please Come Home For Christmas” after the Charles Brown original, adding a more rock feel to the already famous song. “Please Come Home For Christmas” by the Eagles is the greatest Christmas song of our time due to its classic, joyful holiday feel.