19 top country Christmas songs every fan needs on their festive playlist 🎄
Featuring Dolly Parton, Lady A, Keith Urban and more!
In need of some serious Christmas country playlist inspiration? Look no further - we've got you covered! We've compiled a list of our favourite country Christmas songs by some of the biggest names in the business that every country music fan needs on their festive playlist.
Whether you're on the lookout for covers of Christmas classics or prefer original songs, our list features 19 of the holliest, jolliest records by country superstars such as Dolly Parton, Keith Urban and Lady A - plus many more. For a festive country playlist Santa would approve of, here are the top country Christmas songs as recommended by us!
The best country Christmas songs for your festive playlist:
Dolly Parton - 'Hard Candy Christmas'
Dolly Parton's version of 'Hard Candy Christmas' was originally featured in the 1978 film adaptation of the popular Broadway musical The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, and her portrayal of Miss Mona Stangley earned Dolly a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress.
After being released as a single in October 1982, this festive classic - about how life can be both hard and sweet - was featured on the re-issued version of the smash hit album 'Once Upon A Christmas' by Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers.
Listen to Dolly Parton's 'Hard Candy Christmas' here on YouTube.
Brenda Lee - 'Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree'
Unless you've been living under a rock, we guarantee you already know every word to perennial holiday favourite 'Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree', which legendary country music star Brenda Lee recorded in 1958 at the age of just 12-years-old.
In November 2023, Brenda delighted fans all over the world as she released a brand new music video for the iconic song, which you can check out below.
Listen to Brenda Lee's 'Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree' here on YouTube.
Keith Urban - 'I’ll Be Your Santa Tonight'
It's hard to believe that before releasing 'I'll Be Your Santa Tonight' in November 2019, country superstar Keith Urban had never put out a Christmas song. This catchy holiday track, co-written by fellow country music singer Shane McNally, serves as a reminder that spending Christmas with the people you love is more important than presents and snow.
Listen to Keith Urban's 'I'll Be Your Santa Tonight' here on YouTube.
Carrie Underwood and John Legend - 'Hallelujah'
You could be forgiven for thinking that 'Hallelujah' by Carrie Underwood and John Legend is just another cover of that Jeff Buckley classic. But in fact, this breath-taking festive duet is an original song written for the country princess by John as well as featuring his silky vocals. Released in November 2020, 'Hallelujah' was taken from Carrie's first full-length Christmas album 'The Gift', and is guaranteed to give you chills.
Listen to Carrie Underwood and John Legend's 'Hallelujah' here on YouTube.
Thomas Rhett - 'Christmas In The Country'
This festive, easy-going song found multi-Platinum hitmaker Thomas Rhett singing of the joys that come with celebrating the holiday season in the country. 'Christmas In The Country' was released in November 2019 and the video has over 1m views on YouTube proving that the song is hugely popular among his fanbase.
Listen to Thomas Rhett's 'Christmas In The Country' here on YouTube.
Johnny Cash - 'I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day'
It would be impossible to create a top Christmas country song list without including the legendary Johnny Cash. 'I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day' might have been released almost 60 years ago, but it continues to be a timeless classic for many country fans during the holiday season.
Featured on his 1963 album 'The Christmas Spirit', Johnny Cash's festive favourite is an adaptation of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's 1863 poem about the despair of hearing Christmas bells during the Civil War.
Listen to Johnny Cash's 'I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day' here on YouTube.
Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton - 'You Make It Feel Like Christmas'
When it comes to festive fun and romance, you can't beat power-couple Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton's catchy duet 'You Make It Feel Like Christmas'. Taken from Gwen Stefani's 2017 Christmas album of the same name, this upbeat country Christmas classic reached the Top 10 on the Adult Contemporary chart upon its release and features a light-hearted music video inspired by '50s sitcoms. Trust us, you'll get this stuck in your head in no time!
Listen to Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton's 'You Make It Feel Like Christmas' here on YouTube.
Dolly Parton and Michael Bublé - 'Cuddle Up, Cozy Down Christmas'
Yet another festive offering by the queen of country Dolly Parton, 'Cuddle Up, Cozy Down Christmas' is taken from her 2020 Christmas album, 'A Holly Dolly Christmas' - her first festive album in 30 years.
Featuring the smooth vocals of Canadian singer Michael Bublé, this cheeky yet cheery duet reached the Top 10 on the Adult Contemporary chart and tells the romantic story of a couple wanting to spend some quality alone time together during the holidays.
Listen to Dolly Parton and Michael Bublé's 'Cuddle Up, Cozy Down Christmas' here on YouTube.
Lady A - 'Christmas Through your Eyes'
Country trio Lady A wrote the nostalgic festive record 'Christmas Through Your Eyes' about rediscovering the magic of Christmas after becoming parents. Included on the deluxe version of their 2012 Christmas album 'On This Winter's Night', the song was accompanied by a music video filled with the band's childhood photos and home videos of their own children - so you'll definitely be filled with festive cheer after listening to this one.
Listen to Lady A's 'Christmas Through your Eyes' here on YouTube.
Kacey Musgraves - 'Christmas Makes Me Cry'
While Christmas songs are often known for being joyful and merry, country music star Kacey Musgraves wanted to write a song for her 2016 festive album, 'A Very Kacey Christmas', that explained what Christmas means to her. The result was the incredible tear-jerker 'Christmas Makes Me Cry' which is bound to make you want to hold your loved ones that little bit tighter.
Listen to Kacey Musgraves' 'Christmas Makes Me Cry' here on YouTube.
Brad Paisley - 'Santa Looked A Lot Like Daddy'
Brad Paisley covered the popular 1965 Buck Owen's 'Santa Looked A Lot Like Daddy' in 2006 for his first Christmas album 'Brad Paisley Christmas'. The song tells the story of a child sneaking downstairs to catch a glimpse of Santa Claus, only to find his Dad wearing Santa's costume.
Listen to Brad Paisley's 'Santa Looked A Lot Like Daddy' here on YouTube.
Luke Bryan - 'Run Run Rudolph'
Country megastar Luke Bryan injects some real country twang into his rendition of the 1958 Chuck Berry hit 'Run Run Rudolph'. The song was featured on the compilation album 'Country For Christmas', and a 2014 video of a family home covered in lights perfectly synced to the track went viral, helping the song gain even more popularity.
Listen to Luke Bryan's 'Run Run Rudolph' here on YouTube.
Vince Gill - 'Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas'
No Christmas playlist would be complete without at least one version of 'Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas'. While countless country artists have done their own renditions, Vince Gill comes out on top with his version of the 1943 classic, which was featured on his 1993 Christmas album 'Let There Be Peace On Earth'.
Listen to Vince Gill's 'Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas' here on YouTube.
Rascal Flatts - 'I'll Be Home For Christmas'
'I'll Be Home For Christmas' is another song no Christmas playlist should be without. But rather than going for the 1943 original by Bing Crosby, consider the a capella version by country mega-group Rascal Flatts instead.
A favourite of die-hard country fans, this cover was included as a limited edition track on the group's 2008 'Greatest Hits Volume I' album.
Listen to Rascal Flatts' 'I'll Be Home For Christmas' here on YouTube.
Lainey Wilson - 'Christmas Cookies'
Country singer Lainey Wilson treat us all to her delightful festive cover 'Christmas Cookies' in 2021 - delighting us all further when she gave a live performance of the song at CMA Country Christmas.
Listen to Lainey Wilson's 'Christmas Cookies' here on YouTube.
Brooks & Dunn - 'Winter Wonderland'
Another Country cover to get you in the festive mood comes from the legendary duo Brooks & Dunn. In 2002 the duo released their Christmas track 'Winter Wonderland', a cover of the original track which was written back in 1934. The song has become a Christmas staple, gaining covers by various artists over the years.
Listen to Brooks & Dunn's 'Winter Wonderland' here on YouTube.
George Strait - 'Christmas Cookies'
In 2002, George Strait released the track 'Christmas Cookies' as part of his album 'A Country Christmas 1999'. The track peaked at Number 33 on the US Country Chart, and is a Christmas staple for all Country fans alike.
Listen to George Strait's 'Christmas Cookies' here on YouTube.
Kenny Chesney - 'Santa Claus Is Back In Town'
Country star Kenny Chesney delighted fans with his Christmas album in 2003 - titled 'All I Want for Christmas Is a Real Good Tan'. Featuring a selection of festive songs, one of the most popular is undoubtedly 'Santa Claus Is Back In Town', which features on the Deluxe Edition of the album.
Listen to Kenny Chesney's 'Santa Claus Is Back In Town' here on YouTube.
Taylor Swift - 'Christmas Tree Farm'
What would a country Christmas playlist be without the icon that is Taylor Swift? In 2019, the singer released her ever-popular seasonal single 'Christmas Tree Farm', along with a festive music video showing old family footage from the Christmas season.
Taylor is no stranger to a festive track, with her even having an entire Christmas album under her belt - aptly named 'The Taylor Swift Holiday Collection' - which she released in 2007.
Listen to Taylor Swift's 'Christmas Tree Farm' here on YouTube.
Merry Christmas! 🎄
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