Dec 04 2008
Most Popular Christmas Songs
Most Popular Christmas Songs: Top Five
By Sirena Van Schaik
Everyone has their own favorite Christmas song. Personally, I have always been partial to White Christmas but the Little Drummer Boy reduces me to tears every time I hear it so I would say that it was the latter that held a firmer place in my heart. Of course, everyone is different but most will agree that there are many Christmas songs that have withstood the test of time and are still very popular.
I would love to list all of the songs that are popular or at least half of the songs that I sing on a regular basis every Christmas but most people don’t have the time to browse through the many, many songs that I like to hum along to. So for the purpose of speed’s sake (since we all have a lot of Christmas shopping to do), I thought I would write a top five list along with the lyrics so you can easily print them off and have those crowd pleasers all ready for the moment when you head out carolling.
Before I go on to the countdown, I would like to mention that although this is a top five list, it is also subjective and going on my own personal favorites for the holiday season.
NUMBER FIVE
“Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree”
Written by Johnny Marks and preformed by Brenda Lee
I love this song and you know that Christmas is just around the corner when you hear it on the radio. It has a happy beat and hints at fun times, and all the warm feelings that go along with Christmas. I tend to sing this song as I am decorating the house for Christmas, even if it is not on the radio.
The Lyrics:
“Rockin’ Round the Christmas Tree
Written by Johnny Marks (1958)
Rocking around the Christmas tree
At the Christmas party hop
Mistletoe hung where you can see
Ev’ry couple tries to stop
Rocking around the Christmas tree,
Let the Christmas spirit ring
Later we’ll have some pumpkin pie
And we’ll do some caroling.
You will get a sentimental
Feeling when you hear
Voices singing let’s be jolly,
Deck the halls with boughs of holly
Rocking around the Christmas tree,
Have a happy holiday
Everyone dancing merrily
In the new old-fashioned way.”
NUMBER FOUR
Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer
Written by Johnny Marks
It may seem strange but the writer of both number four and number five on my top five countdown is the same person, of course that might not be too strange since he did produce some great songs. Now, a reindeer with a glowing nose is pretty strange but he did manage to save Christmas and we have been singing about him since Johnny Marks first wrote the song. This was a favorite for me as a child and it is probably why it is still in the top five.
Lyrics:
“Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer
Written by Johnny Marks (1949)
You know Dasher and Dancer
And Prancer and Vixen,
Comet and Cupid
And Donner and Blitzen.
But do you recall
The most famous reindeer of all?
Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer
(reindeer)
Had a very shiny nose
(like a light bulb)
And if you ever saw it
(saw it)
You would even say it glows
(like a flash light)
All of the other reindeer
(reindeer)
Used to laugh and call him names
(like Pinochio)
They never let poor Rudolph
(Rudolph)
Play in any reindeer games
(like Monopoly)
Then one foggy Christmas Eve
Santa came to say
(Ho Ho Ho)
Rudolph with your nose so bright
Won’t you guide my sleigh tonight?
Then all the reindeer loved him
(loved him)
And they shouted out with glee
(yippee)
“Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer
(reindeer)
You’ll go down in history!”
(like Columbus)”
NUMBER THREE
Silent Night
Written by Joseph Mohr (1816)
This was another childhood favorite and I think the main reason why I love it is the fact that the song was originally a poem, which was written by Joseph Mohr who was a Austrian Priest. It is a song that truly reflects the beauty and message behind Christmas.
The Lyrics:
“Silent Night
Written by Joseph Mohr
Silent night, holy night
All is calm, all is bright
Round yon Virgin Mother and Child
Holy Infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace
Silent night, holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight
Glories stream from heaven afar
Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia!
Christ, the Saviour is born
Christ, the Saviour is born
Silent night, holy night
Son of God, love’s pure light
Radiant beams from Thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth ”
NUMBER TWO
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!
Written by Sammy Cahn and Composed by Jule Styne (1945)
Although this song doesn’t refer to christmas at all, it has become a personal favorite for me over the Christmas season. It is played on the radio, hummed in stores and I start singing it as soon as the first snow falls. Yep, this song is to Christmas what nuts are to a nutcracker.
Lyrics:
“Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!
Written by Sammy Cahn and Composed by Jule Styne
Oh the weather outside is frightful,
But the fire is so delightful,
And since we’ve no place to go,
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!
It doesn’t show signs of pausing,
And I’ve bought some corn for popping,
The lights are turned way down low,
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!
When we finally kiss goodnight,
How I’ll hate going out in the storm!
But if you’ll really hold me tight,
All the way home I’ll be warm.
The fire is slowly dying,
And, my dear, we’re still good-bying,
But as long as you love me so,
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!”
NUMBER ONE
Jingle Bell Rock
Written by Bobby Helmes (1957)
This was actually a hard choice for me since you know that I have such a warm spot in my heart for The Little Drummer Boy but when it comes to a fast and fun song that creates a twist on a classic, it has to be Jingle Bell Rock all the way.
Lyrics:
“Jingle Bell Rock
Written by Bobby Helmes (1957)
Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell rock
Jingle bells swing and jingle bells ring
Snowing and blowing up bushels of fun
Now the jingle hop has begun
Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell rock
Jingle bells chime in jingle bell time
Dancing and prancing in Jingle Bell Square
In the frosty air.
What a bright time, it’s the right time
To rock the night away
Jingle bell time is a swell time
To go gliding in a one-horse sleigh
Giddy-up jingle horse, pick up your feet
Jingle around the clock
Mix and a-mingle in the jingling feet
That’s the jingle bell,
That’s the jingle bell,
That’s the jingle bell rock.”