33 of Absolute Radio's favourite Christmas songs
From classics to covers
Here at Absolute Radio, we're getting into the festive spirit with the launch of our brand new Premium station - Absolute Radio Christmas Party. And it's not like all the other Christmas radio stations - it's better...
Absolute Radio Christmas Party will play 50% Christmas songs and 50% of the songs you'll want to sing along to at Christmas parties. To celebrate our latest Premium station, we've taken the liberty of rounding up Absolute Radio's favourite Christmas songs of all time. Check them out below!
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33 of the greatest Christmas songs of all time:
Band Aid - 'Do They Know It's Christmas?'
Released in 1984, supergroup Band Aid's 'Do They Know It's Christmas' stormed the charts, hitting Number 1 and staying there for five weeks. The charity song was written by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure, and performed by artists such as Boy George, George Michael, John Taylor, Paul Weller and Bono, to raise money for the 1983–1985 famine in Ethiopia.
Listen to Band Aid's 'Do They Know It's Christmas?' here on YouTube
Beach Boys - 'Little St Nick'
Released in 1963, American rock band the Beach Boys' 'Little St Nick' became a timeless Christmas classic. In 1964, an alternate mix of the track served as the opening track on their Christmas album - aptly named 'The Beach Boys' Christmas Album'.
Listen to the Beach Boys' 'Little St Nick' here on YouTube.
Blossoms - 'Merry Christmas Everyone'
Blossoms covered the absolute Christmas classic 'Merry Christmas Everyone', by Shakin' Stevens, in December 2020, performing the timeless track live for Absolute Radio.
Listen to Blossoms' cover of 'Merry Christmas Everyone' here on YouTube.
Bob Dylan - 'Must Be Santa'
Bob Dylan's Christmas track 'Must Be Santa' was released in 2009, alongside a chaotic music video picturing a wild festive house party.
Listen to Bob Dylan's 'Must Be Santa' here on YouTube.
Bobby Helms - 'Jingle Bell Rock'
A Christmas cracker that we couldn't not include, Bobby Helms' 1957 'Jingle Bell Rock' has become a timeless classic. Since its release, 'Jingle Bell Rock' has been covered by a multitude of artists, including Brenda Lee who released her popular rendition in 1964.
Listen to Bobby Helms' 'Jingle Bell Rock' here on YouTube.
Bruce Springsteen - 'Santa Claus Is Coming To Town'
The Boss himself has gifted us with a collection of Christmas song covers over the years. Arguable one of his greatest comes in the form of Bruce Springsteen |newtab) & the E Street Band's 1975 rock cover of the timeless classic 'Santa Claus Is Coming To Town'.
Listen to Bruce Springsteen's 'Santa Claus Is Coming To Town' cover here on YouTube.
Bruce Springsteen - 'Merry Christmas Baby'
Of course that's not his only Christmas cover, with another popular festive cover of his being 'Merry Christmas Baby'.
Listen to Bruce Springsteen's 'Merry Christmas Baby' cover here on YouTube.
Chris Rea - 'Driving Home For Christmas'
Released in 1986, Chris Rea's 'Driving Home For Christmas' gives that undeniable festive feel, making it a popular Christmas favourite year after year.
Listen to Chris Rea's 'Driving Home For Christmas' here on YouTube.
The Darkness - 'Christmastime (Don't Let The Bells End)'
2003 saw the release of The Darkness' festive triumph 'Christmastime (Don't Let The Bells End)'. The song's release was accompanied by a glorious music video, featuring a snow cabin, twinkling lights, Christmas trees, carol singers, audaciously patterned trousers, and sprinkled with the perfect dusting of Justin Hawkins' humour.
Listen to The Darkness' 'Christmastime (Don't Let The Bells End)' here on YouTube.
Dean Martin - 'Let It Snow'
When it comes to the greatest Christmas songs of all time, Dean Martin's 1959 release 'Let It Snow' definitely joins the list. The song was released as part of his album 'A Winter Romance', and is a cover of Vaughn Monroe's 1945 release. The song was originally written by Sammy Cahn and Jule Styne in Hollywood, as the pair imagined cooler conditions during a heatwave.
Listen to Dean Martin's 'Let It Snow' here on YouTube.
Elton John - 'Step Into Christmas'
Elton John released his epic 'Step Into Christmas' in 1973, with the upbeat piano track quickly becoming one of the biggest Christmas songs of all time, re-entering the charts decades later.
Listen to Elton John's 'Step Into Christmas' here on YouTube.
Eurythmics - 'Winter Wonderland'
British pop duo Eurhythmics covered the seasonal classic 'Winter Wonderland' in 1987, featuring on A&M Records' Christmas album 'A Very Special Christmas'. Incorporating their signature synth sounds, the duo provided us with a Christmas tune with an edge.
Listen to Eurythmics' 'Winter Wonderland' here on YouTube.
Foo Fighters - 'Run Rudolph Run'
Foo Fighters gave us the Christmas gift we all needed in 2020, when the rock group covered Chuck Berry's Christmas classic 'Run Rudolph Run'. First released as part of Amazon Music's Holiday Plays concert series, the Foos released the track with its new cover art the following year.
Listen to Foo Fighters' 'Run Rudolph Run' cover here on YouTube.
John Lennon and Yoko Ono - 'Happy Xmas (War Is Over)'
John Lennon and wife Yoko Ono released their Christmas classic 'Happy Xmas (War Is Over)' in 1972, with the song repeatedly re-entering the charts. As well as being a timeless festival classic, the track is also a protest song against the Vietnam War, which was ongoing between 1955 and 1975.
Mel Smith and Kim Wilde (Mel & Kim) - 'Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree'
'Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree' is undeniably one of the most popular festive tunes of all time, so it's no surprise the song has acquired numerous covers in it's time - with one of the most notable being Mel Smith and Kim Wilde's (dubbed Mel & Kim) 1987 rendition, to raise funds for Comic Relief. The cover hit the Number 3 spot in the UK, with the playful video including the likes of The Mekon, Smith's comedy partner Griff Rhys Jones, Curiosity Killed the Cat and Spitting Image puppets of Bette Midler and Tina Turner.
Listen to Mel & Kim's 'Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree' cover here on YouTube.
Paul McCartney - 'Wonderful Christmastime'
Paul McCartney released his synth-pop seasonal staple 'Wonderful Christmastime' in 1979, shortly before the release of his second album, 'McCartney II'. The song was instantly popular, and went on to feature in the 1998 film Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Movie.
Listen to Paul McCartney's 'Wonderful Christmastime' here on YouTube.
Pogues and Kirsty Maccoll - 'Fairytale Of New York'
Released in 1988, the Pogues and Kirsty Maccoll's duet 'Fairytale Of New York' is a Christmas staple. Since the song's original release, there have been multiple reissues and radio edits that censor offensive language used. In November 2023, the song was reported to be the favourite to hit the Christmas Number 1 spot, following Shane MacGowan's health updates. Sadly, it was then announced on 30th November 2023 that the singer had passed away, aged 65.
Listen to the Pogues and Kirsty Maccoll's 'Fairytale Of New York' here on YouTube.
Roy Wood and Wizzard - 'I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday'
First released by Wizzard in 1973, this timeless classic has become a seasonal favourite, acquiring numerous covers over the years. Written and produced by the band's frontman Roy Wood, the song's backing vocals are provided by the Suedettes, augmented by the choir of Stockland Green School First Year.
Listen to Wizzard's 'I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday' here on YouTube.
Slade - 'Merry Xmas Everybody'
Also released in 1973 was Slade's esteemed 'Merry Xmas Everybody', which became that year's Christmas Number 1 - beating Wizzard's 'I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday' to the top spot. The song was written by lead vocalist Noddy Holder, as well bassist Jim Lea - produced by The Animals bassist and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Chas Chandler.
Listen to Slade's 'Merry Xmas Everybody' here on YouTube.
Stevie Wonder - 'What Christmas Means To Me'
Stevie Wonder's eighth studio album, released in 1967, came in the form of a seasonal collection, titled 'Someday At Christmas'. Populated with 14 tracks, the album provided his festive season classic 'What Christmas Means To Me'.
Listen to Stevie Wonder's 'What Christmas Means To Me' here on YouTube.
Waitresses - 'Christmas Wrapping'
'Christmas Wrapping' has become a some-what soundtrack for the festive period, released in 1981. Despite its chirpy and upbeat tracking, songwriter Chris Butler has actually said of the song: "I was such a Scrooge. I hated Christmas!" - hence the opening line: 'Bah, Humbug'. Despite the happy, yet tongue in cheek ending to the song, it has become one of the biggest Christmas tracks of all time.
Listen to Waitresses' 'Christmas Wrapping' here on YouTube.
Wham! - 'Last Christmas'
Undeniably one of the biggest Christmas songs of all time is Wham!'s 'Last Christmas'. Released in 1984, the heartstring-tugging track became the UK's Christmas Number 1, re-entering the charts year on year. Written and produced by frontman George Michael, the song has also been covered by countless artists over the years.
Listen to Wham!'s 'Last Christmas' here on YouTube.
Bryan Adams - 'Run Rudolph Run'
Canadian rock legend Bryan Adams was another artist to give the Christmas classic 'Run Rudolph Run' his own touch, releasing his cover of the festive track in 1987.
Listen to Bryan Adams' cover of 'Run Rudolph Run' here on YouTube.
The Smashing Pumpkins - 'Christmastime'
Recorded in the late 90s, The Smashing Pumpkins' festive track 'Christmastime' is a beautiful and very traditional festive song, celebrating all the lovely aspects of the season with its sleigh bells, dainty xylophone plonks and a recorder solo, for good measure.
Listen to The Smashing Pumpkins' 'Christmastime' here on YouTube.
Fall Out Boy - 'What's This?'
Emo rockers Fall Out Boy took on one of the most recognisable and iconic songs from the spooky Christmas classic film The Nightmare Before Christmas - 'What's This?' - composed by Danny Elfman. The cover was released back in 2008, featuring on the 'Nightmare Revisited' album. Lead vocals from Patrick Stump see him embody main character Jack Skellington on his shakey journey through our world to discover Christmas.
Listen to Fall Out Boy's 'What's This?' cover here on YouTube.
Fall Out Boy - 'Yule Shoot Your Eye Out'
That's not the only Christmas offering Fall Out Boy have offered up, with the rockers releasing their festive, yet bitter, break-up song set against the backdrop of the holiday season in 2003. The track, titled 'Yule Shoot Your Eye Out', was recorded for the compilation album 'A Santa Cause: It's A Punk Rock Christmas', which also featured an offering from blink-182.
Listen to Fall Out Boy's 'Yule Shoot Your Eye Out' here on YouTube.
Tenacious D and Sum 41 - 'Things I Want'
The self-professed Greatest Band That Ever Played on Planet Earth, Tenacious D, joined forces with punk rock band Sum 41 in 2001 for the charity Christmas CD 'Swallow My Eggnog' - releasing their Christmas track 'Things I Want'. The song featured on the festive album that was released locally by Los Angeles-area radio station KROQ.
Listen to Tenacious D and Sum 41's 'Things I Want' here on YouTube.
blink-182 - 'I Won’t Be Home For Christmas'
A parody of the famous Bing Crosby festive classic 'I'll Be Home for Christmas', blink-182 recorded their anti-Christmas track in 1997. The rock cover of the track even opens with the band playfully Christmas caroling, alongside the familiar jingle of sleigh bells.
Listen to blink-182's 'I Won't Be Home For Christmas' cover here on YouTube.
blink-182 - 'Not Another Christmas Song'
Another serving of anti-Christmas cheer from blink-182 came in the form of their 2019 release 'Not Another Christmas Song'. Not only anti-Christmas, but this time also anti-love, the track hears the trio call for a divorce over the festive period. Merry Christmas!
Listen to blink-182's 'Not Another Christmas Song' here on YouTube.
The Ronettes - 'Sleigh Ride'
Originally a light orchestra standard composed by Leroy Anderson, 1963 saw iconic trio The Ronettes cover the Christmas favourite 'Sleigh Ride' as part of Phil Spector's seasonal album 'A Christmas Gift for You'. Decades later, the cover is still considered a Christmas staple and one of the soundtracks to the festive season.
Listen to The Ronettes' 'Sleigh Ride' cover here on YouTube.
Shakin' Stevens - 'Merry Christmas Everyone'
A staple for the festive period, and widely considered one of the most popular Christmas songs of all time, is Shakin' Stevens' 1985 hit 'Merry Christmas Everyone'.
Listen to Shakin' Stevens' 'Merry Christmas Everyone' here on YouTube.
Bon Jovi - 'Christmas Isn't Christmas'
November 2023 saw legendary New York band Bon Jovi announce their festive track 'Christmas Isn't Christmas'. The new festive banger was released on 17th November, and upon announcing the song Bon Jovi said: "We've got an early Christmas present for you! Our new original holiday song, 'Christmas Isn't Christmas' is out this Friday."
Listen to Bon Jovi's 'Christmas Isn't Christmas' here on YouTube.
Wheatus - ‘Christmas Dirtbag’
November 2023 saw 'Teenage Dirtbag' legends Wheatus recorded a festive version of their signature song, re-naming the seasonal reboot 'Christmas Dirtbag.' The Santa-themed re-recording of Wheatus' evergreen 2000 song 'Teenage Dirtbag' sees frontman Brendan B. Brown switch the well-known lyrics for Christmas themed lines, such as: "Does Santa Claus know who I am? Does Santa Claus even care about me?", and, of course, "'Cause I'm just a Christmas Dirtbag, baby".
Listen to Wheatus' 'Christmas Dirtbag' here on YouTube.
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