TOP 10: The timeless classics of Christmas

By Abby Campbell

Christmas just wouldn't be the same without the songs that fill us with joy and holiday cheer. With Supermarkets filling the aisles with decorations. Mariah Carey’s ‘All I Want for Christmas’, ‘Winter Wonderland’ by Bing Crosby, we all have our favourite Christmas songs – but what one is the best?

1. Last Christmas – Wham!

Released on December 3, 1984, and rapidly becoming a holiday staple, ‘Last Christmas’ became the highest selling single in the UK to have never reached the number one spot, until 2023, almost 40 years since release, it made it to the top spot. With covers from Taylor Swift and Ariana Grande, and having featured in almost every Christmas movie ever made leading to its cemented popularity.

Spotify listens - 1,930,037,559

2. Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow! - Vaughn Monroe

Released in 1945, but then re-recorded by Dean Martin in the late 50s for Martins Christmas Album. Martins' version in 2007, hit the charts and sat in the top 30, throughout the Christmas season.

Spotify listens – 835,078,991

3. Happy Xmas (War is Over) - John Lennon

Released in the 70s, one of Lennon’s first solo releases after the Beatles, went straight to the charts and held number four for at least three Christmas seasons. Then, after Lennon’s death in December 1980, experienced a resurgent peak at number two on the chart singles.

Spotify listens – 688,777,553

4. Do they know it's Christmas? - 1984 Version – Band Aid

The song was released on November 25, 1984, as a charity single by Band Aid – a British and Irish group formed by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure. The group was filled with iconic figures such as George Michael and Bono. This was the first year Band Aid done this, releasing a new version involving different artists every 10 years.

Spotify listens – 653,239,195

5. Wonderful Christmastime – Paul McCartney

Recorded for solo album ‘McCartney ||’ in 1980. Reaching the top 10 on billboard magazines for two weeks straight in 1984. Leading to numerous covers of the song, increasing its popularity. The song entered the top five spots of the charts in many countries in Europe.

Spotify listens – 606,766,286

6. Driving home for Christmas – Chris Rea

The 1986 addition to ‘The Christmas EP’, in 2012, was voted 12th in ITV’s ‘Nation’s favourite Christmas song’. Stacey Soloman, in 2011, released her own version of the tune, which by-passed the original in the charts, which was locked in at 27th for 3 weeks straight in 2011.

Spotify listens – 605,408,515

7. Fairytale of New York (feat. Kirsty MacColl) - The Pogues

Released in 1987, the song tells a story of an Irish couple's dreams shattered in New York City. In the same year it was released, it reached the UK’s number two spot for three weeks straight, and number one in Ireland’s Singles Chart.

Spotify listens – 473,211,883

8. Stop the Cavalry – Jona Lewie

The musical protest song released in 1980 reached number one in Ireland and number three in Scotland within weeks of release but has not been immensely popular in recent years. Not being released as a Christmas song originally, but is percieved as one in modern day.

Spotify listens – 102,339,298

9. DJ Play a Christmas Song – Cher

Released for album ‘Christmas’ in late 2023, ‘DJ play a Christmas song’ reached number one in billboard’s top 100 adults contemporary music chart. This song later became Cher’s first billboard hot song since 2002.

Spotify listens – approx. 68m

10. Christmas Wrapping – The Waitresses

This was originally released on ‘A Christmas Record’ in 1981, and has been appearing on charts ever since.

Spotify Listens – 43,988,714

Consider your holiday soundtrack sorted.

The Ultimate Christmas Song List