Top 40 Songs for Christmas and the Holiday Season

40 Best Tunes to Play During Your Christmas Holiday Parties: The 40 best songs for the Christmas season, from Queen to Jethro Tull, John Lennon, U2 and more.  Time to make your holiday mix CD.


It's time for the annual Christmas mix tape to be made - or, for the younger audience, a mix CD or MP3 play-list. Your Christmas parties need some pop music that's appropriate for the holiday. I used to play a mix at work, back when I had a couple comic book and video stores. Regardless of your plans, from Slade and Queen to Tull and Lennon.... here's a list of the 40 best Christmas songs for your holiday.

1 - Do They Know it's Christmas? by Band Aid (1984) The ultimate gathering of artists for the quintessential Christmas song, and all for charity, which makes it even more in the holiday spirit. Multiple artists were gathered by Bob Geldoff and Midge Ure, including Boy George, Duran Duran, Phil Collins, Bananarama, George Michael, U2's Bono, Spandau Ballet, Paul Young, Sting and many more.
 

2 - Happy Christmas (War is Over) by John Lennon (1971) The sweetest of anti-war songs, this has always been the favorite of many for the holidays. It got a lot of airplay in the 70s, but I rarely hear it enough now. Pull it out and put it on your mix CD this year, and never forget it.
And so this is Christmas, For weak and for strong; For rich and the poor ones, The world is so wrong

3 - I Believe in Father Christmas by Greg Lake (1975) Greg took a break from Emerson, Lake and Palmer to record this solo track in the mid-70s. It's been a holiday anthem ever since. The lyrics speak for peace, and the harmony is perfect.
I wish you a hopeful Christmas, I wish you a brave new year, All anguish pain and sadness - leave your heart and let your road be clear


4 - Another Christmas Song by Jethro Tull (1989) Even better than their earlier 1972 song, this is a bold tune with great holiday sentiment. More of a power ballad, this track needs to be played every year (many times).

5 - Thank God It's Christmas by Queen (1984) A non-album track, later included on the Complete Works box set.

6 - Merry Christmas Everybody by Slade (1973) The best glam rock era song for the holidays.

7 - Let Joy and Innocence Prevail by Grace Jones (from the Toys movie soundtrack, 1992) A story song that tells of a soldier and his wife in war time centuries ago. Grace still has the voice.

8 - On Christmas Day by Magnum (1994) An incredible power ballad from a progressive rock band who's been around for 3 decades.

9 - Mistress for Christmas by AC/DC (1990) From the Razor's Edge LP.

10- A Spaceman Came Travelling by Chris De Burgh  One of our favorite Christmas tunes that usually goes unnoticed. Give it a listen.

11 - Something About Christmas Time by Bryan Adams (1987)

12 - Merry Christmas (I Don't Want to Fight Tonight) by The Ramones

13 - The Little Drummer Boy by David Bowie and Bing Crosby (1977)

14 - Christmas Song by Jethro Tull (1972) A simple and sweet song from the top progressive rock band of all time.

15 - Three Ships by Jon Anderson of Yes (1985)

16 - Feliz Navidad by Jose Feliciano (1970)

17 - Step into Christmas by Elton John (1973)

18 - Santa Claws is Coming to Town by Alice Cooper (2006) The king of horror rock, Alice Cooper gets together with friends every year for a charity fundraiser called Christmas Pudding. This track was included in the 2008 set.

19 - The Closing of the Year (from the movie Toys, 1992) - Wendy, Lisa & Seal.

20 - Silver and Gold by Burl Ives (from Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer, 1965) oh Yukon C!

21 - Sleigh Ride - The Ventures (1965) A very cool guitar instrumental from the 60s.

22 - Christmas Wrapping by the Waitresses (1982)

23 - Christmas Ain't Christmas (without the one you love) - The O'Jays (1969)

24 - The 12 Days of Christmas by Bob & Doug McKenzie (1981) Rick Moranis and Dave Thomas from SCTV. A funny vignette that got a lot of radio play... back in the day.

26 - Baby Please Come Home by U2

26 - Blue Christmas by Elvis Presley (1957)

27 - The First Noel by Crash Test Dummies (1991)

28 - King of Orients by The Odds (1991)

29 - Go Tell it on the Mountain performed by James Taylor (2006)

30 - Santa Claus is Coming to Town by Frank Sinatra & Cindy Lauper (2000)

31 - Last Christmas by Wham! (George Michael, 1984) Don't you miss the 80s? Those were happy times.

32 - Santa Claus is Coming to Town by Four Seasons (1964)

33 - Please Come Home for Christmas by Bon Jovi (1994)

34 - Little Saint Nick by The Beach Boys (1963)

35 - I wish it Could be Christmas Every Day by Wizzard (1973) Glam rock of the 70's!

36 - Please Come Home for Christmas by the Eagles (1979)

37 - Wonderful Christmas-time by Paul McCartney (1979)

38 - O Come All Ye Faithful by Twisted Sister (2006) Yes, these metal heads had a soft spot for the holidays.

39 - Jingle Bell Rock by Hall & Oats (1983)

40 Gabriel's Message by Sting (1987)

41 - Bonus Track: Christmas Canon Rock by Trans-Siberian Orchestra

Northern Lights - Tears are not Enough, and Les Yeux de la Faim were follow-ups to Band-Aid by Canada (Rush, Neil Young, Cory Hart, Joni Mitchell and more) for the Band Aid famine relief fund, and could also be played at this time of year.

• See also: Top 20 Rock Songs with a Christmas vibe

Have a Merry Christmas, and a good Holiday with this mix set of Christmas rock songs.