Best Christmas Songs: Music for Your Holiday Playlist

Brighten your holiday party with these Christmas songs that we’ve selected to make the perfect playlist at your holiday party.

From John Lennon to Britney to Mariah, we have the top 10 to get all your guests into the spirit of the season.

Listen to all the songs below and add them to your playlist.


1. Band Aid 30 – ‘Do They Know It’s Christmas?’

“Do They Know It’s Christmas” first debuted in 1984 in the UK to raise money for the famine in Ethiopia.

The lyrics, “Feed the world. Let them know it’s Christmas time. Feed the world. Do they know it’s Christmas time at all?” resonate this year as a new version of the song was released to garner funds to fight Ebola in West Africa.

The new take on the single features stars like Bono, One Direction, Rita Ora, Ed Sheeran, Sam Smith, Ellie Goulding, Chris Martin, Seal, Sinead O’Connor and Roger Taylor of Queen lend their voices.

Buy the album here.


2. Mariah Carey – ‘All I Want for Christmas Is You’

Off of her 1994 album, Merry Christmas, the single “All I Want for Christmas Is You” is still one of the most popular modern holiday songs of the moment.

It fact, it became the best-selling holiday ringtone in the US. This year, she sang the beloved Christmas anthem during the lighting of the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree and faced criticism for no longer being able to hit the high notes.

However, the season is not complete without hearing Mariah saying, “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.”

Buy the album here.


3. Faith Hill – ‘Where Are You Christmas?’

“Where Are You Christmas?” was released in 2000 as a companion to the film “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” with Jim Carrey in the titular role.

It’s always a delight to hear the country singer belt out, “If there is love in your heart and your mind. You will feel like Christmas all the time” each season.

Buy the album here.


4. Andrea Bocelli – ‘Adeste Fideles’

Off of his album My Christmas, tenor Andrea Bocelli warms our hearts with his heartfelt rendition of “Adeste Fideles.”
The song is the Latin version of “Oh Come All Ye Faithful” and helps us remember the true meaning of the holiday.

Buy the album here.


5. Trans-Siberian Orchestra- ‘Christmas Eve in Sarajevo’

“Christmas Eve in Sarajevo” is off the Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s debut album Christmas Eve and Other Stories.

The rock/ operatic holiday album was released in 1996 and still is as electrifying as it was when we first heard it.

Buy the album here.


6. Christina Aguilera – ‘O Holy Night’

Xtina made the holiday album “My Kind of Christmas” and, as always, wowed us with her powerful vocals on classic Christmas tracks.

The single “O Holy Night” is a reminder that the birth of Jesus Christ is why we are celebrating.

Even though the song was made in 2004, the tunes are timeless classics.

Buy the album here.


7. Britney Spears- ‘My Only Wish (This Year)’

The anthem by the pop princess Britney is so upbeat it will put you into the Christmas spirit right away.

In the 2000 anthem, the ex of Justin Timberlake sings, “Santa, can you hear me? I have been so good this year. And all I want is one thing. Tell me my true love is near.”

Buy the album here.


8. Wham!- ‘Last Christmas’

Regardless of whether or not you’re a child of the ’80s, you still know the line, “Last Christmas, I gave you my heart, but the very next day, you gave it away.” The song can help you get over a broken heart this season.

The band Wham!, which consisted of George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley, is behind the instant classic. It will make listeners nostalgic for the era of leg warmers and Jordache jeans.

Buy the album here.


9. John Lennon & Yoko Ono- ‘Happy Xmas (War Is Over)’

John and Yoko wrote and sang the song which is a protest against the Vietnam War. It was released in 1971 and it’s message is still with us, even today.

The children’s voices are those of the Harlem Community Choir.

Buy the album here.


10. Hanson – ‘What Christmas Means to Me’

The three brothers from Tulsa, Oklahoma impressed us by writing, singing and playing the instruments for all their songs.

Their Christmas album, released in 1997, is part of Rolling Stone’s “40 Essential Christmas Albums” list.

Their version of “What Christmas Means to Me” is so adorable, it will make you melt.

Buy the album here.