Countdown: The Twelve Songs of Christmas

I have a theory that the older I get, and the more of a homebody I become, the more I seem to value the cosiness of the festive period and thus become an ever bigger Christmas fanatic. Seriously, I never used to class myself as an honorary member of Santa’s little elves, and yet now I find myself sacrilegiously putting up the tree in late November, eagerly awaiting the switch to my Christmas music playlist the moment December finally arrives on its sleigh, and frequently tapping in ‘festive’ as a search term on Netflix. You can judge me if you want, but I’m too busy singing Mariah Carey to care.

This year in particular, I have been spending a lot of time nurturing my ‘official’ Christmas music playlist to the edge of perfection. I started creating it last year, because all of the popular ready-made ones I found on Spotify were nowhere near camp enough for my taste. To that effect, I thought I’d do a Christmastide style countdown of my favourite festive songs today. I know this topic can evoke particularly strong emotion in many, so do let me know how your list compares to mine.

12th Place: Oh Santa! - Mariah Carey (featuring Ariana Grande and Jennifer Hudson

On the first day of Christmas, my true love sent to me; not just one pop princess, not even two, but three. Yes, my first entry on the list is Mariah Carey’s reimagined version of Oh Santa, re-released last year with Ariana Grande and Jennifer Hudson joining her on the track. The song is really catchy, and the video is just so perfectly camp. I won’t lie, I watched it many, many times last year when it first came out. This song narrowly beat out the likes of John Lennon & Yoko Ono to make it onto the list in 12th place. Well earned, I say!

11th Place: One More Sleep - Leona Lewis

Next up is Leona Lewis’ cheerfully catchy Christmas bop from 2013. It’s one of the few songs of the last decade which has managed to break through the ranks and become somewhat of a modern festive classic in the UK. It’s pretty difficult not to sing along to this one, and whilst the video is nothing special, it still perfectly evokes that warm and fuzzy ‘hygge’ feeling you want around this time of year.

10th Place: Christmas Lights - Coldplay

Ugh, I really love this one. Coldplay’s take on the Christmas genre does not disappoint in my opinion. It’s more lowkey than most other songs on my playlist, and its for that reason that it’s always one of the first I listen to once December chimes in. A good way to ease yourself back into the Christmas spirit, I say.

9th Place: Wonderful Christmastime - Paul McCartney

The first of the ‘classics’ to appear on my countdown. Released in 1979, this song is one of those that you just can’t escape in the build up to Christmas, whether you’re shopping in the supermarket, or flicking through the TV channels. It’s an incredibly feel good tune, and it has one of those iconic openers that instantly makes you feel more festive the second it begins.

8th Place: Santa’s Coming For Us - Sia

One of the many bops on Sia’s incredible Christmas album. Seriously, if you haven’t already (or even if you have), go listen to it! It has so many brilliant songs, all of which are seriously catchy, in true Sia fashion (I’d recommend checking out Candy Cane Lane, Snowman, Everyday Is Christmas, and Puppies Are Forever). Her’s is pretty much the only Christmas album I’ll go and listen to in its entirety. Also, the fun video for this song stars the wonderful Kirsten Bell (of Frozen and The Good Place fame).

7th Place: Santa Tell Me - Ariana Grande

Another song with Santa in the title, and Ariana Grande’s second appearance on this list (after her guest appearance in Mariah Carey’s ‘Oh Santa!’). This is another one of those more recent songs which has become a bit of a modern classic. Honestly, I didn’t much like this song at first, but in the last couple of years it has become one of my staples, and I can’t for the life of me understand what I didn’t like about it before. It’s a perfect cocktail of Christmas and pop music! (I don’t care much for the music video, though).

6th Place: My Only Wish (This Year) - Britney Spears

Okay, the last song may have been a perfect cocktail of Christmas and pop music, but this one is THE perfect cocktail, and from the Princess of Pop herself. I love this song SO much. If this list was about my favourite songs of this year’s Christmas only, this one would 1000% be at the top. I’ve had it on repeat the last couple of weeks, probably somewhat spurred on by the celebration of a rather amazing year for our Britney. I honestly do not understand why this song isn’t one of the regular chart toppers each year come Christmastime. Maybe it’s finally time for that accompanying music video, eh Brit?

5th Place: Merry Christmas Everyone - Shakin’ Stevens

We’re now moving into the territory of the heavy-hitting Christmas classics. The first of these is an iconic festive tune which just screams 80s, both in terms of it’s sound and it’s extremely Christmas cliche-heavy music video (which I just looooove). No Christmas playlist would be complete without this one.

4th Place: Step Into Christmas - Elton John

As if Elton hadn't already gifted us with a plethora of masterpieces in his career, he also gave us one of the best Christmas songs of all time. This is another one of those tunes which just instantly ups the feelings of festivity, and how iconic is that ‘step into Christmas, the admission is free’ lyric? Thank you, Elton!

3rd Place: All I Want For Christmas Is You - Mariah Carey

You were probably wondering when this one was going to crop up. Possibly the most iconic Christmas song of all time, and from the undeniable Queen of Christmas herself. I don’t think there is a more recognisable opening 10 seconds to a song, and then what follows is 4 minutes of pure legendary Christmas vibes. I was so pleased that it finally went to Number 1 on the UK Charts last year (and a year earlier in the US), and I just love how much Mariah is now leaning into her Christmas icon status these days. She never needs to work again with the immortal success of this 90’s classic.

P.S. Her red snow suit in the music video is as equally iconic as the song itself.

2nd Place: Last Christmas - Wham!

Speaking of iconic fashion, George Michael in the music video for Last Christmas is everything. That 80s hair! This song is just honestly so perfect, and I love the drama of it all. It has the best music video of any Christmas song ever in my opinion - I just love the snowy landscapes and the wintery vibes. This came so close to being my number 1. In fact, if you asked me to do this on another day, I might well have put it there. R.I.P. George.

1st Place: I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday - Wizzard

We’ve reached the end of the Christmas countdown, and we’re doing so with my favourite Christmas tune of all time. Perhaps a bit of a left-field choice in the eyes of some, but I absolutely love everything about this song. Released in the 70s, it has effortlessly stood the test of time to remain an eternal classic. It evokes such strong sentiments of Christmas to me, and I love the silly campness of the music video too. It’s the first song I always kick things off with on Christmas morning, to get me in the merry mood. Even the biggest Grinch has to admit this song is undeniable fun. It really does make me wish it could be Christmas everyday.

The End!

Well, that sadly draws to a conclusion the countdown of my top 12 Christmas songs of all time. I hope this has helped to get you in the festive mood, or given you a new song or two to add to your own Christmas playlist. If you want to give my own a listen, you can find it here on Spotify. It includes all of these songs, plus plenty more that almost made the cut (I’m looking at you Feliz Navidad!).

Merry Christmas everyone.

- Tom