P-Boi Forum: Top 50 Holiday Songs

[Lindy]

I figured the compromise for Rudolph being on the list was that the Youtube link was for the California Raisins version which I agree is far superior.
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[emily]

Well played, friend.

[B]

[Lindy]

25. Holly Jolly Christmas - Burl Ives -64 points
(5 of 16 lists. Highest ranking - #3 SundownMotel)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khfTnchdOCU

The song is written and performed by Burl lves who is best remembered role as narrator Sam the Snowman in the Rankin-Bass animated television special, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964). Ives performed in other television productions, most notably Pinocchio (1968) and Roots (1977)."A Holly Jolly Christmas” is a very popular tune during the Christmas season, as it's frequently played on the radio which led to its use in the Rankin-Bass special.

Have a holly jolly Christmas
It's the best time of the year
Well I don't know if there'll be snow
But have a cup of cheer

Have a holly jolly Christmas
And when you walk down the street
Say hello to friends you know
And everyone you meet

Ho ho the mistletoe
Hung where you can see
Somebody waits for you
Kiss her once for me

Have a holly jolly Christmas
And in case you didn't hear
Oh bygolly have a holly jolly Christmas
This year

[White Panther]

[Kirbyoto]

Thanks Lindy, I used to like Holly Jolly Christmas. It was like the only one I liked. And Burl Ives in the tub has ruined it for me.

[Lindy]

24. The Twelve Days of Christmas - Traditional -69 points
(5 of 16 lists. Highest ranking - #4 Spoodles)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MzgfJb0Gj64

The Twelve Days of Christmas is a children's rhyme that was originally published in a book called Mirth without Mischief in London around 1780. It was originally a memory and forfeit game and it was played by gathering a circle of players and each person took it in turns to say the first line of the rhyme. When it is the first player's turn again he says the second line of the verse and so on.

Some Christians assign symbolism to the gifts in the song. One of the most common versions of these assigned meanings is:

* The 'partridge in a pear tree' means there is only one God and is also symbolic of Jesus (see Luke 13:34).
* The 'two turtle doves' are the Old and New Testaments. Though according to Zondervan's Twelve Days of Christmas the story behind a favorite Christmas song this is the 2 turtle doves sacrificed that Joseph and Mary brought when they presented Jesus at the Temple.
* The 'three French hens' are the three Persons of the holy Trinity or the three virtues: faith, hope, and love, though according to Ace Collins' book "Stories of the Best Loved Christmas Songs", they represent the expensive gifts of the Wise Men: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
* The 'four calling birds' are the Evangelists: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John; or their Gospels. Which makes sense because they are "calling" out the story.
* 'Five gold rings' are the first five books of the Bible, or the Pentateuch.
* 'Six geese a-laying' refer to the six days of the Creation.
* 'Seven swans a-swimming' are the seven sacraments and the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit.
* 'Eight maids a-milking' are the eight Beatitudes.
* 'Nine ladies dancing' are the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit.
* 'Ten lords a-leaping' are the Ten Commandments.
* 'Eleven pipers piping' are the eleven faithful Apostles.
* 'Twelve drummers drumming' are the twelve doctrines in the Apostles' Creed.

FIVE GOLDEN RINGS

[Lindy]

23. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing! - Traditional -69 points
(6 of 16 lists. Highest ranking - #6 Ragingape)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWQzmb3xjn8

"Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" is a Christmas hymn or carol written by Charles Wesley. The tune that is now used was composed by Felix Mendelssohn in 1840, as part of the cantata Festgesang ("Festival Song") honoring printer Johann Gutenberg and commemorating the invention of his printing press.

The song is a staple in Christmas time movies and TV shows that carry a religious message to some degree, usually as a spirited finale:

* It is the penultimate song in the film It's a Wonderful Life.
* It is sung by the kids at the end of A Charlie Brown Christmas.
* It is sung by all the Springfield residents at the end of The Simpsons episode "Tis The Fifteenth Season."
* It is sung by the Cartman Family, Stan, Kyle, and Kenny at the end of the South Park episode, "Merry Christmas Charlie Manson".

Hark the herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!
Peace on earth and mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled"
Joyful, all ye nations rise
Join the triumph of the skies
With the angelic host proclaim:
"Christ is born in Bethlehem"
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"

[B]

[Spoodles]

[Lindy]

22. The Christmas Song - Nat King Cole -70 points
(5 of 16 lists. Highest ranking - #3 Molly)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXVeDPKqhFo

"The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)" is the name of a classic Christmas song, written in 1944 by Mel Tormé and Bob Wells. The Nat King Cole Trio first recorded the song, early in 1946 ad re-recorded the song in 1961 (and twice more before then. The latter recording is regarded by many as definitive and still gets heavy radio airplay each Christmas season.

Christina Aguilera's cover of the song was released as a Christmas single and later included on her album My Kind of Christmas. It was released on November 23, 2025 and peaked at number eighteen on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, becoming the first singer other than Nat King Cole to have a top 40 hit with this song.

The song has been covered by numerous artists since, including the following:

* The Carpenters
* Chicago (band)
* Vince Guaraldi
* Daryl Hall & John Oates
* Hootie & the Blowfish
* Henry Mancini
* The Manhattan Transfer
* Aimee Mann
* George Strait
* Donna Summer
* Mel Tormé
* Twisted Sister (A Twisted Christmas, 2006)
* Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons
* Luther Vandross
* New Found Glory

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire, Jack Frost nipping at your nose
Yuletide carols being sung by a choir, and folks dressed up like Eskimos
Everybody knows a turkey and some mistletoe (will) help to make the season bright
Tiny tots with their eyes all aglow will find it hard to sleep tonight

They know that Santa's on his way, He's loaded lots of toys and goodies on his sleigh
And every mother's child is gonna spy to see if reindeer really know how to fly
And so I'm offering this simple phrase, to kids from one to ninety-two
Although it's been said, many times, many ways: "Merry Christmas to you."

[Lindy]

21. Run, Rudolph, Run - Chuck Berry -70 points
(6 of 16 lists. Highest ranking - #2 Sami)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=piSdxhI6-p8

This song was first recorded in 1958 and released by Chess Records 1714. It hit number 69 in the Billboard Hot 100. This song was one of the first songs to have freeways mentioned in it. This song also uses the same chord progression as Johnny B. Goode, sung by Chuck Berry as well.

Out of all the reindeer you know you're the mastermind
Run, run Rudolph, Randalph's ain't too far behind

Run, run Rudolph, Santa's got to make it to town
Santa make him hurry, he can take the freeway down
Run, run Rudolph a whizzing like a merry-go-round

Said Santa to a boy child "What have you been longing for?"
"All I want for Christmas is a Rock and Roll electric guitar"
And away went Rudolph a whizzing like a shooting star

Run, run Rudolph, Santa's got to make it to town
Santa make him hurry, tell him he can take the freeway down
Run, run Rudolph a whizzing like a merry-go-round
_________________

[Sami]

This is the third song that I've had the highest rating for.



also HURRY WE'RE GONNA MISS THE PLANE
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[quote="Mike"]It's not the size of the chipset that matters. It's how you use it.[/quote]

[Lindy]

20. All I Want For Christmas Is You - Mariah Carey -71 points
(6 of 16 lists. Highest ranking - #4 SundownMotel)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oSL-kmKzCPU

"All I Want for Christmas Is You" is a song written and produced by American singer Mariah Carey and Walter Afanasieff, and recorded for Carey's fifth album Merry Christmas (1994). Its protagonist declares that she doesn't care about Christmas presents or lights; all she wants for Christmas is to be with her lover. It is unrelated to the 1989 Christmas hit single by novelty act Vince Vance and the Valiants.

There are three music videos for "All I Want for Christmas Is You". The first and most commonly seen is a home video that shows Carey celebrating Christmas with snow, presents, and loved ones. Carey's then-husband, Tommy Mottola, makes a cameo appearance as Santa Claus. In the other video, inspired by Nancy Sinatra, Carey dances around in a 1960s-influenced studio surrounded by go go dancers. For a 1960s look, the video was filmed in black and white.

I don't want a lot for Christmas
There's just one thing I need
I don't care about the presents
Underneath the Christmas tree
I just want you for my own
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true
All I want for Christmas is...
You

[emily]

Yay! Honestly I thought I was the only person who loved this song. And I could kiss Sundownmotel right on his big bald head for putting it so high.

[Sami]

Me too! I was somewhat embarrassed including it in my top ten, but that song is so catchy it's ridiculous.
_________________
[quote="Mike"]It's not the size of the chipset that matters. It's how you use it.[/quote]

[Lindy]

19. O Come, O Come Emmanuel - Traditional -73 points
(5 of 16 lists. Highest ranking - #6 soda)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvXg_DJUgVw

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel is a Christmas carol translated by John Neale in the late 19th century. The original Latin is from at least the 8th Century. It is debated as to whether the traditional music is 15th Century French, or 8th Century Gregorian in origins. It is one of the most solemn Christmas carols. Its name comes from the fact that Emanuel is another name for Jesus

O come, O come, Emmanuel
And ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

[Lindy]

18. Let It Snow - Traditional -73 points
(8 of 16 lists. Highest ranking - #7 Ragingape)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKXsa-3SVwI

Due to its seasonal lyrics, "Let It Snow" is commonly regarded as a Christmas song. Yet despite its cheery, holiday feel, it is a love song that never mentions Christmas. (Cahn and Styne, like Irving Berlin, who penned "White Christmas," and several other period composers of popular holiday music, were Jews.)

The song gained a resurgence in popularity after it became a recurring theme in the 1988 film Die Hard. It is both used in a traditional fashion and in jest when a police officer sings the song and when he gets to the chorus "Let it snow," a corpse of a criminal suddenly falls on his car at that exact moment as part of John McClane's desperate attempt to alert the authorities of the crisis he is facing.

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 stopping
And I've bought some corn for popping
The lights are turned way down low
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!

[Lindy]

17. Jingle Bells - Traditional -77 points
(5 of 16 lists. Highest ranking - #1 soda)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ji6T_lgdooE

"Jingle Bells", originally "One Horse Open Sleigh", is one of the best known and commonly sung secular Christmas songs in the world.

"Jingle Bells" was the first song broadcast from space, in a Christmas-themed prank by Gemini 6 astronauts Tom Stafford and Wally Schirra, December 16, 1965. Contacting Mission Control with a report:

"We have an object, looks like a satellite going from north to south, probably in polar orbit... I see a command module and eight smaller modules in front. The pilot of the command module is wearing a red suit..."

The astronauts then produced a smuggled harmonica and sleighbells and broadcast a rendition of "Jingle Bells"

In Ontario. sleigh bells are mandated by law, and persons breaking the law are subject to a $5 fine. The law states: "Every person travelling on a highway with a sleigh or sled drawn by a horse or other animal shall have at least two bells attached to the harness or to the sleigh or sled in such a manner as to give ample warning sound"

And we all know the popular playground version. ps watch the damned youtube link

Jingle bells, jingle bells,
Jingle all the way!
O what fun it is to ride
In a one-horse open sleigh.

[Lindy]

16. Silent Night - Traditional -80 points
(5 of 16 lists. Highest ranking - #6 n88n8888)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KBQ1JSJmV0M

"Silent Night" is a traditional and popular Christmas carol. The original lyrics of the song Stille Nacht were written in German by the priest, Father Josef Mohr and the melody was composed by the Austrian headmaster Franz X. Gruber. It is believed that the carol has been translated into over 300 languages around the world, and it is one of the most popular carols of all time. It is often sung without musical accompaniment. Although written by Catholics, it is given special significance in Lutheranism.

The song was sung simultaneously in English and German by troops during the Christmas truce of 1914, as it was one of the few carols that soldiers on both sides of the frontline knew.

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