The 80 Best Christmas Songs of All Time

Bing Crosby's classic hit about a picturesque Christmas scene is one of the most popular holiday songs ever — Guinness World Records even named it the best-selling single of all time.

Though it's sung by the great Burl Ives, this song was actually written by Johnny Marks, who, despite being Jewish, wrote tons of other popular Christmas songs, including "Rocking Around the Christmas Tree" and "Run Rudolph Run."

John Lennon and Yoko Ono recorded this with the Harlem Community Choir as a protest song against the Vietnam War, and it eventually became a classic Christmas hit.

Darlene Love's barn-burner of a song may be about heartbreak, but it makes us happy to hear it every year.

For Christmas with a roots-rock vibe, this song by The Band celebrates the life of the "son of a carpenter" who brought the world joy.

Everyone knows this holiday song, so it barely needs a name — it's the one where Nat King Cole sings, "Chestnuts roasting on an open fire." It's so popular that it was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1974.

Written by Willie Nelson but originally recorded by Roy Orbison, Nelson included this Christmas song on his first Christmas album.

Ella Fitzgerald's jazzy rendition of this Christmas classic is a holiday staple. A harmonica version of it was actually the first song ever played in outer space, according to the Smithsonian.

Dean Martin's take on this classic holiday hit is upbeat and genuinely fun to listen to. He, too, has an entire

Elvis Presley's recording of this song is the most well-known version, but rumor has it that he didn't even want to sing it in the first place, according to an interview with late singer Millie Kirkham.

Judy Garland originally recorded this soft Christmas song for the musical Meet Me in St. Louis, which is about four daughters coming of age while getting ready to move to New York. Time for a re-watch?

This jazzy holiday song by Frank Sinatra is about that cold winter weather we all have a love-hate relationship with. Although it wasn't on his original Christmas album, it was featured on the updated compilation album.

Puerto Rican singer José Feliciano's upbeat song has easy-to-remember lyrics in both Spanish and English, making it the best bi-lingual Christmas song.

This Johnny Mathis pop song is from his first Christmas album ever — in total, he's released six throughout his career.

David Bowie and Bing Crosby teamed up for this duet for the TV special Bing Crosby's Merrie Olde Christmas. Sadly, it was was one of the last recordings Crosby made before he died.

Gene Autry is the performer behind this song and "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," so it's a voice you've been attached to since you were a little kid.

Instead of a "little deuce coupe," this time the Boys are singing about Santa and his sleigh.

This novelty Christmas song came out back in the '50s, but we're sure everyone still knows what Alvin wants to find under the tree. It's a certified kid-pleaser.

We couldn't stop at one Crosby tune; his heartfelt holiday song is a moving tribute to the soldiers fighting in World War II.

The Flirtations may not have achieved the heights of other '60s girl groups, but their Christmas number, originally released as a B-side, is a banger.

Bing is back, this time with the Andrews Sisters for a fun and bouncy song that tells listeners that "Mele Kelikimaka" is Hawaii's way to say "Merry Christmas to you."

This cheeky song by Eartha Kitt is about wanting some pretty extravagant Christmas gifts. Even though this is a holiday tune, it's one of her most well-known songs ever.

While this melancholy tune is not about Christmas but merely set during Christmastime, it's become an anthem for those who feel loneliness instead of joy in December.

There's something melancholy about this song, which everyone knows from A Charlie Brown Christmas, but it wouldn't feel like the holidays without it. You can get this song with the vocals, or as an instrumental.

For an R&B Christmas, there's nothing more soulful that Otis Redding's version of the

Brenda Lee was only 13 years old (!) when she recorded this holiday favorite. She'd probably wouldn't have guessed that people would still be listening to it today.

When you need a Christmas song with some rock and roll to it, Chuck Berry is the first one to call. This one will get people to get up and dance!

Even though Jimmy Boyd was the original artist of this song, Jackson 5's cover is so much catchier, with funky beats, amazing vocals and innocent conversations recorded in the background.

Fun fact: This holiday pop song by Andy Williams is often featured in back-to-school commercials for Staples.

You've probably heard this soul song covered by plenty of other artists, but Donny Hathaway was the first. Rolling Stone even called him one of the "most important Black performers" of his time.