The familiar tinkling sound of jingle bells fills the stuffy air of your car as the commercial break ends and music begins. All of a sudden, you are transported to the magic of your childhood: gazing up in awe at the glittering Rockefeller tree, cupping a warm mug of hot cocoa topped with a few too many marshmallows, and watching scenes unfold behind Macy’s windows. Radio stations and department stores across the country stream nonstop Christmas, music starting as early as November, as the streets are adorned with wreaths and twinkling lights.
“The best way to spread holiday cheer is singing loud for all to hear.” Jon Favreau’s Elf is a classic household favorite, reminding us of the vibrant Christmas spirit and that our playlists truly matter. With six days left until Christmas, we compiled a list of six holiday songs to add to your playlist.
- “All I Want For Christmas Is You” – Mariah Carey
Our list begins with (perhaps) the most beloved Christmas song worldwide. Since 1994, Mariah Carey “defrosts” every year on November 1st with a new music video release on her social media platforms. “All I Want For Christmas Is You” is a classic example of a love song that revives itself during the holiday season, continuing to generate a revenue of almost $3 million a year and 40 million streams per week, according to Billboard.
- “Mistletoe” – Justin Bieber
It isn’t truly Christmas without Justin Bieber in his prime. The lyrics “I should be playing in the winter snow, but I’ma be under the mistletoe” bring back holiday spirit, pop music, and ultimately, a fondness for the teenage puppy love that we all long to experience. The hit song has made $5 million since its release in 2011, and continues to have record-high streams every December as Bieber’s most popular song on Spotify.
- “Underneath the Tree” – Kelly Clarkson
In the season of holiday love, not only do couples find themselves beneath the mistletoe, but also “underneath the tree,” where Kelly Clarkson melds upbeat cheer with powerful vocals. Despite its release in 2013, her song continues to be trending all over TikTok—its chorus becoming a classic Christmas staple.
- “Last Christmas” – Wham!
“Last Christmas” never ceases to be an anthem for all broken-hearted lovers during the season of cheer. As one of the older songs on our list, it was released in 1984, yet still remains a hit—topping the charts two consecutive years in a row in the United Kingdom, according to Music Week.
- “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” – Brenda Lee
Listening to this song brings us back to our elementary school years, where the spirit of Christmas wasn’t dismissed yet by the horror of exams. “Rockin Around the Christmas Tree” belongs with “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and “A Holly Jolly Christmas,” the three written by songwriter Johnny Marks. However, the iconic female voice starred in this holiday classic belongs to Brenda Lee, who recorded her version at 13 years old in 1958.
- “The Christmas Song” – Nat King Cole
The scene is set: a fireplace crackles in dim lighting of the living room, fresh snow blanketing the ground outside. “The Christmas Song” embodies this experience through its smooth vocals and warm, ambient tone—originally written by Mel Tormé and Bob Wells in 1945, Nat King Cole cemented it into Christmas history with his rendition in 1946.
Whether you’ll be spending the holiday travelling, with family “Rockin Around the Christmas Tree,” or standing under the “Mistletoe,” it truly is “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year.” On December 25th, there will be wrapped presents “Underneath the Tree” and a cheer incomparable to “Last Christmas.” As the chaos of exam week ends and the countdown truly begins, “All I Want For Christmas is [For] You” to unwind and truly enjoy the magic of the holiday season—preferably with “The Christmas Song.”
