Christmas and Holiday Songs Of All Time
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays

(1900-1949)
One of the great early Christmas classics was The Christmas Song, Merry Christmas To You from 1946 by King Cole Trio. This became one of the most popular ornaments to find at Christmas everywhere, as Nat King Cole became one of the most legendary recording artists of all time.

Then there was Bing Crosby. The popular song list by Bing Crosby, first in the 1920s with Paul Whiteman Orchestra then for decades solo, remains far ahead of any other singer to this day. Among these recordings, in 1942, was a then old Irving Berlin composition called White Christmas. When Bing Crosby sang it, he made it the most famous Christmas song of all time. This was one of many Bing Crosby Christmas songs.

(1953-1956)
The 1950s was a fertile period for so many of the Christmas song classics we love today.
(There's No Place Like) Home For The Holidays by Perry Como has been a Christmas song favorite since 1954.

The king of rock and roll, not long after ushering in the rock era with songs like Don't Be Cruel and Hound Dog, became both a Christmas rocker with songs including Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane) and a traditional Christmas singer with I'll Be Home For Christmas. The Elvis Presley version of Blue Christmas became his most popular Christmas song, and an all-time Christmas staple.

(1960-1964)
Phil Spector brought his 'wall of sound' to Christmas music, in his Christmas album A Christmas Gift For You From Phil Spector, with performances by Darlene Love, The Ronettes, The Crystals, and Bob B. Soxx And The Blue Jeans sharing the duties on performing classic Christmas songs including Santa Claus Is Coming To Town and Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer.

Stage and movie actress, singer and song writer Barbra Streisand brought her versions of many Christmas classics to the season, including Jingle Bells and My Favorite Things.

At the very beginning of the 1970s, The Jackson 5 brothers broke through with four number one songs in a row. The group quickly brought its popular mix of funk, soul, and dance to Christmas songs including the Nat King Cole classic The Christmas Song.

(1975-1979)
Although brother and sister act Carpenters burst onto the popular music scene back in 1970, Carpenters did not make its long-awaited Christmas songs album Christmas Portrait until 1978. This album included the already classic Merry Christmas, Darling, and many traditional songs, including the medley Winter Wonderland/Silver Bells/White Christmas.

Then current top artists including Madonna, John Mellencamp, U2, Bob Seger, Eurythmics, and many more, combined to make the superstar Christmas songs album, A Very Special Christmas, bringing classics such as Merry Christmas Baby and Santa Baby to the 80's generation. Many very special sequel albums followed.

(1990-1993)
In the early 1990s, Christian singer Amy Grant crossed-over to become a major pop star. In 1992, she came out with her popular Christmas album, Home For Christmas. Her dreamy version of It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year was well received by all.

The 1990s were all about Mariah Carey. In addition to smashing many pop music records, she released her first Christmas album, Merry Christmas, in 1994, to great fanfare with traditional Christmas music and modern Christmas classics too. Her original Christmas song, All I Want For Christmas Is You, co-written with Walter Afanasieff, reached number 16 on the pop chart. The song has already been recorded by many others.

(1997-1999)
Every year many new Christmas song recordings come out, and some become annual classics. However, very few make the top 20. The year 1999 was unusual because three holiday songs reached the top 20. This Gift by 98 Degrees reached number 7. The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire) by Christina Aguilera peaked in at number 20. Just in time for the turnover of the new millennium, instrumental song Auld Lang Syne (The Millennium Mix) from Kenny G album Faith A Holiday Album skimmed the top 10.

The early 2000s produced new Christmas music from and artists including Britney Spears, 'NSYNC, Blink 182, and old-timers like Lynyrd Skynyrd and James Taylor, whose album James Taylor At Christmas was very popular.

The late 2000s gave us new Christmas albums by Keith Sweat, Faith Hill, and other famous groups and artists. Here's the Tunecaster discography page for Keith Sweat. Also, new singing sensations were created through exposure on television contest programs like American Idol. One winner, Susan Boyle, mesmerized us with Silent Night.

Gifts this decade already include some new Christmas songs, soon to be classics. Justin Bieber introduced the new song Mistletoe. Coldplay brought us Christmas Lights. Owl City created Peppermint Winter. Also, new Christmas music was released by Chicago, Carole King, and Wilson Phillips.

In 2012, Olivia Newton-John got back with 70's movie Grease co-star John Travolta, to make This Christmas the title song of a new holiday duet album. The latest Christmas songs include new recordings by Cee Lo Green, Lady Antebellum, Rod Stewart, and Michael Buble.