I don’t know about you guys, but I absolutely love the holiday season. More specifically, the entire month of December is easily my favorite time of year. In my opinion, the best way to enjoy these short four weeks is by listening to Christmas music. Whether you celebrate Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, or maybe even nothing at all, the sounds of Christmas music are guaranteed to ensure a joyous December. Here are my top five favorite Christmas songs that will get you into the holiday spirit!
“O Holy Night” by Perry Como
This is by far my most cherished Christmas song. It is also my mom’s favorite, which makes it even more special. Perry Como has some of the most incredible covers of traditional Christmas songs. His voice is absolutely beautiful in “O Holy Night” and is accompanied by voices of an angelic choir. This song is super powerful and emotional and always reminds me of the carols sung at my church on Christmas Eve. This is most definitely the best version of this classic hymn, so be sure to give it a listen!
“What Christmas Means To Me” by Stevie Wonder
I believe that this is one of the merriest Christmas songs out there. I cannot wipe the smile off my face while listening to it! We obviously recognize Stevie Wonder’s undeniable talent and iconic works, so you can assume how amazing his Christmas songs are. If you need a quick break from reality or are experiencing the stress of the holiday season, take a break, relax, and listen to this uplifting hit. All of your anxieties will be alleviated in the matter of just two and half minutes!
“Do They Know It’s Christmas?” by Band Aid
Ever since I was a little girl, I have loved watching this music video ever year, over and over again. This Christmas song is unique because it brings awareness to the African communities struggling to survive during the holiday season and all year round. The purpose of this song was to generate profit for charity to provide aid to suffering African regions. Tons of famous artists and bands came together to create this collaborative tune, which is not only catchy, but brings attention to the devastating realities of life in third-world countries. I think that this is one of the most important Christmas songs out there, so don’t ignore it!
“Step Into Christmas” by Elton John
Words cannot express my love for Elton John. So, naturally, I absolutely adore “Step Into Christmas.” Similar to “What Christmas Means To Me” by Stevie Wonder, this tune is very exciting and will always uplift you if you are ever feeling down in the dumps. I find it almost impossible to shake the urge to stop everything and dance while listening to this masterpiece. If you are an Elton John fan like me, or are even just looking for a song to help you celebrate the holiday season, be sure to listen to this!
“Happy Christmas (War Is Over)” by John Lennon
This is yet another unique and more serious Christmas song, which is fitting for John Lennon. “Happy Christmas (War Is Over)” is a protest song that advocates for the end of the Vietnam War. This is one of my favorite non-traditional Christmas songs because it promotes peace, which is what Christmas is really all about! The song also includes the sounds of a children’s choir, making it even more beautiful and emotional. It has become a Christmas standard and I believe it is one of Lennon’s best and most meaningful records.
Make sure to reserve time everyday this December to listen to these songs (and of course all of the other amazing ones I resisted to mention!). Happy holidays everyone!