Mariah Carey’s All I Want for Christmas Is You has hit No 1 in the Billboard Hot 100 chart every year since 2019.
Billie Eilish’s first Christmas song, Come Out And Play, came out in 2018 when she was 16.
Vince Guaraldi Trio was best known for making music for the TV adaptations of the Peanuts comic.
Get ready to embrace the holiday spirit with the Herald’s ultimate list of Christmas songs for the year. From old to new – each one is sure to give you all the magical, festive feels.
Christmas wouldn’t feel like Christmas without the music that wraps us in nostalgia, warmth and joy. Shops may start their festive playlists earlier than ever, wearing some of us down. But when that magical number drops, it’s cathartic.
Whether you are spending it with family, friends, lovers or alone, there is a delectable tune to fit your festive vibe.
From guilty pleasures and delicious classics (Mariah Carey, anyone?) to modern bangers that unexpectedly hit oh-so-sweetly, here’s what we’ve been listening to this year.
This iconic jazz instrumental was originally composed for the ‘60s children’s cartoon, A Charlie Brown Christmas, yet it remains one of the most memorable and unique festive soundtracks.
It’s a pop culture staple bound to impress your hipster dinner guests as they settle in for mash and ham.
4. Santa Baby, Eartha Kitt
Since its release in the ‘50s, there have been many renditions of Santa Baby – Ariana Grande, Madonna, and the Pussycat Dolls, to name a few. But none tops the original by the queen of sultry delivery herself.
The art of the tease cannot be overstated in this powerfully sexy yet simple number. You could be in the dirtiest rags and Eartha Kitt will still make you feel like Marilyn Monroe holding her skirt as it blows in the breeze.
3. Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town - Bruce Springsteen
If Bruce Springsteen doesn’t get your hips moving in a figure eight – even slightly – I fear nothing will.
His take on the 1934 classic with those raw, husky vocals running on a cheery beat feels as good as having eggnog, a pint, and a hearty turkey feast by a fire inside a cosy cottage (watch The Holiday for inspo). Swoon.
2. All I Want For Christmas Is You - Mariah Carey
I make no apologies for including this diva number on the 2024 list. Mariah Carey’s All I Want For Christmas Is You has been on every Christmas playlist since it was released 30 years ago. And for a good reason.
On YouTube alone, this iconic version has amassed nearly 900 million views and the music video for Make My Wish Come True edition (2019) has almost 700 million. There is something addictive about the diva’s unrivalled vocal range and unique charm on a festive, catchy melody. It truly has timeless appeal.
1. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas - Billie Eilish
The 22-year-old pop sensation is the Christmas gift that keeps on giving.
When Billie Eilish dropped the gritty, electropop hit Bad Guy in 2019, people may not have expected her to deliver soulful Christmasy masterpieces years later. Everyone was better for it when she finally did.
Soon after singing Have A Merry Little Christmas on Saturday Night Live last year, calls for Eilish to make a full jazz or Christmas album came in droves. You can hear why – her haunting melodies with melancholic intimacy make this poignant take on the timeless classic simply delicious.
