Christmas Songs
Get into the holiday mood with this comprehensive list of popular Christmas songs! Discover the stories behind classic carols and test your Christmas music knowledge with our interactive quiz.
Looking for movies instead? Check out the Christmas Movies page.
🎵 Christmas Music Trivia Quiz
Think you know your Christmas carols? Test your knowledge with our fun quiz about the history and stories behind popular Christmas songs!
Most Performed Christmas Songs (ASCAP 2015)
| Rank | Title | Writer(s) | Year | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town | John Frederick Coots, Haven Gillespie | 1934 | Mythical/Christian-based |
| 2 | Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas | Ralph Blane, Hugh Martin | 1944 | Celebratory |
| 3 | Winter Wonderland | Felix Bernard, Richard B. Smith | 1934 | Seasonal |
| 4 | Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! | Sammy Cahn, Jule Styne | 1945 | Seasonal |
| 5 | The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire) | Mel Tormé, Robert Wells | 1946 | Seasonal |
| 6 | Jingle Bell Rock | Joseph Carleton Beal, James Ross Boothe | 1957 | Celebratory |
| 7 | Sleigh Ride | Leroy Anderson, Mitchell Parish | 1948 | Seasonal |
| 8 | White Christmas | Irving Berlin | 1940 | Seasonal/Christian-based |
| 9 | Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer | Johnny Marks | 1949 | Mythical |
| 10 | It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year | Edward Pola, George Wyle | 1963 | Celebratory |
| 11 | I'll Be Home for Christmas | Walter Kent, Kim Gannon, Buck Ram | 1943 | Seasonal/Christian-based |
| 12 | Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree | Johnny Marks | 1958 | Celebratory |
| 13 | Silver Bells | Jay Livingston, Ray Evans | 1950 | Mythical/Christian-based |
| 14 | Feliz Navidad | José Feliciano | 1970 | Celebratory/Christian-based |
| 15 | Frosty the Snowman | Steve Nelson, Walter E. Rollins | 1950 | Mythical |
| 16 | A Holly Jolly Christmas | Johnny Marks | 1962 | Celebratory |
| 17 | Blue Christmas | Billy Hayes, Jay W. Johnson | 1948 | Seasonal |
| 18 | Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24 | Paul O'Neill, Robert Kinkel, Jon Oliva | 1995 | Christian-based |
| 19 | It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas | Meredith Willson | 1951 | Seasonal |
| 20 | I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus | Tommie Connor | 1952 | Novelty/Mythical |
| 21 | Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane) | Gene Autry, Oakley Haldeman | 1947 | Mythical/Christian-based |
| 22 | Carol of the Bells | Mykola Leontovych, Peter J. Wilhousky | 1936 | Christian-based |
| 23 | (There's No Place Like) Home for the Holidays | Bob Allen, Al Stillman | 1954 | Seasonal |
| 24 | Santa Baby | Joan Ellen Javits, Tony Springer, Fred Ebb | 1953 | Novelty |
| 25 | All I Want for Christmas Is You | Walter Afanasieff, Mariah Carey | 1994 | Romantic/Celebratory |
| 26 | Last Christmas | George Michael | 1984 | Romantic/Seasonal |
| 27 | Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane) | Gene Autry, Oakley Haldeman | 1947 | Mythical/Christian-based |
| 28 | Santa Baby | Joan Ellen Javits, Tony Springer, Fred Ebb | 1953 | Novelty |
| 29 | Happy Holiday | Irving Berlin | 1948 | Celebratory |
| 30 | Wonderful Christmastime | Paul McCartney | 1979 | Celebratory |
Source: ASCAP data for performances Jan 1, 2015 - Dec 31, 2015.
Stories Behind the Songs
🎅 "Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town" (1934)
Written during the Great Depression by John Frederick Coots and Haven Gillespie, this cheerful tune was originally rejected by Bing Crosby! It became a hit after Eddie Cantor performed it on his radio show. The song's message of Santa watching children's behavior has made it a parental favorite for generations.
Fun Fact: The song was written on a subway ride to Manhattan, with Gillespie using a scrap of paper to jot down the lyrics!
☃️ "White Christmas" (1940)
Irving Berlin's masterpiece is not only the best-selling Christmas song but the best-selling single of ALL TIME with over 50 million copies sold. Berlin, who was Jewish, wrote it while homesick in warm California, dreaming of snowy New York Christmases from his childhood.
Fun Fact: Bing Crosby's 1942 recording was so popular that the master disc wore out and had to be re-recorded in 1947!
🦌 "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" (1949)
Started as a coloring book created by Robert L. May for Montgomery Ward department store in 1939. Johnny Marks adapted it into a song in 1949, and Gene Autry's recording sold 2 million copies in its first year. Rudolph almost had a different name - Rollo or Reginald were considered!
Fun Fact: Rudolph wasn't originally part of Santa's team - he was created as a marketing gimmick but became beloved folklore!
🔥 "The Christmas Song" (1946)
Also known as "Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire," this classic was written by Mel Tormé and Bob Wells on a sweltering hot day in July 1945. They wrote the opening lines to cool themselves down, imagining winter scenes. Nat King Cole's 1946 recording became the definitive version.
Fun Fact: The song took only 45 minutes to write, and it was completed in one sitting!
💖 "All I Want for Christmas Is You" (1994)
Mariah Carey's modern classic was written in just 15 minutes and has earned her over $60 million in royalties. It's the first Christmas song to reach #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the streaming era (2019). The song perfectly blends 1960s girl group sound with 1990s production.
Fun Fact: Mariah avoids listening to Christmas music until after Thanksgiving to keep it special!
Why Are These Songs So Popular?
Timeless Melodies
These songs feature simple, memorable melodies that are easy to sing along with, making them perfect for family gatherings and carol singing.
Emotional Connection
Many evoke nostalgia, warmth, and childhood memories, creating strong emotional bonds that last a lifetime.
Radio Dominance
These classics receive heavy airplay every December, with some stations switching to all-Christmas formats starting in November.
Movie & TV Features
Many have been featured in beloved Christmas movies and TV specials, reinforcing their cultural significance.
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