We aren’t really sure why Christmas music is so controversial. Maybe it is its unrelenting ubiquity from Thanksgiving through the end of the year. It could be some of the overplayedhideous songs that fill the airwaves — we’re staring right into the beady eyes of the Chipmunks.
Whatever the casewe love holiday tunes around here and feel compelled to provide some guidance as to what you should be listening to around your home this time of year. There are literally thousands of Christmas albums out therebut if these 20 aren’t in your collectioncall Saint Nick (or Jeff Bezos) and get them on your wishlist.
The Ventures’ Christmas Album
The Ventures
First Cut: “Jingle Bell Rock”
Deep Cut: “Scrooge”
Perfect For: Cutting a rug.
We do appreciate instrumental music around the holidays. It’s a perfect to blend into the background of a party. Butno one should be relegating ’60s surf rockers The Ventures to sonic wallpaper. With their signature twang guitar and artful winks and nods to contemporaries scattered throughoutthis is an absolute delight of an album that should get you on the dance floor.
Christmas with Johnny Cash
Johnny Cash
First Cut: “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day”
Deep Cut: “The Gifts They Gave”
Perfect For: Sipping whiskey-soaked eggnog by yourself in a room lit only by twinkle lights.
The Man in Black has always had a flair for the dramatic and that is certainly true of this posthumously released set of tracks spanning two decades of Cash’s career. The classic carol “Silent Night” is haunting in his warbling baritone backed by a sparse acoustic-vocal arrangement and a the embodiment of this quietalmost somber album. It’s not exactly merrybut it is as cool as Cash was and that’s more than enough.
A Very She & Him Christmas
She & Him
First Cut: “The Christmas Waltz”
Deep Cut: “Christmas Wish”
Perfect For: Christmas dinner with your friends who like to listen to vinyl and wear ugly sweaters for fun.
The most recent release on this listthe duo of Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward managed to produce their signature coffee house vibe on a batch of soft holiday favorites. Deschanel is mostly solo on thisas per usual with the standout “The Christmas Waltz” showing off her pleasant vintage voicebut Ward gets his turn on a dreamy version of NRBQ’s “Christmas Wish.” The entire record is a sweethipster treat.
Christmas Songs
Mel Torme
First Cut: “The Christmas Song”
Deep Cut: “Glow Worm – Christmas Arrangement”
Perfect For: A fancydressed up holiday cocktail party.
Torméthe co-author of perhaps the greatest holiday tune ever — “The Christmas Song” — was as underrated in his time as this album has been since its release in 1992. Probably recognized best for his recurring role on the ’80s sitcom Night Court“The Velvet Fog” as he was knowncroons his way through classic Christmas and Christmas-adjacent tunes on this swingy big band album tailor made for a party soundtrack.
White Christmas
Bing Crosby
First Cut: “White Christmas”
Deep Cut: “Mele Kalikimaka”
Perfect For: Playing in the background while the kids open gifts Christmas morning.
Some of the best American holiday music was penned during World War IIdelivering a deepbittersweet nostalgia and longing so familiar to that time in our history. Crosby’s version of the Irving Berlin-penned title track became the biggest selling Christmas song of all time and the inspiration for the film Crosby later starred in with Rosemary Clooney. Big shout out to the jaunty Hawaiian holiday ditty “Mele Kalikimaka,” which some might remember from Clark Griswold’s fantasy dream girl pool sequence in Christmas Vacation.
December
George Winston
First Cut: “Carol of the Bells”
Deep Cut: “Joy”
Perfect For: After the kids go to bed Christmas Eve and you need a break from building things.
More Christmas-adjacentthis collection of delicate solo piano compositions swirled amongst music fans for over a decade before Oprah added it to her “My Favorite Things” collection and it became a surprising holiday hit. As quiet and sparse as the photo of the snowy woods on the album’s coverit is an absolutely breathtaking collection of works by this brilliant new age pianist.
Christmas Portrait
The Carpenters
First Cut: “Merry Christmas Darling”
Deep Cut: “(There’s No Place Like) Home for the Holidays”
Perfect For: Family gatherings with boomers who remember “the good old days.”
It’s startling to imagine that someone with the near perfect voice of Karen Carpenter could also kick ass on the drumsbut yeah. Anyone who was alive in the ’70s either had this record or saw it in their parents’ collection. The signature soft pop that Carpenter and her brotherRichardwere famous for covers this album in a down blanket of coziness.
The Beach Boys’ Christmas Album
The Beach Boys
First Cut: “Little Saint Nick”
Deep Cut: “Santa’s Beard”
Perfect For: Blasting from the speakers of your convertible.
The funniest and strangest moment on this straight-outta-Malibu Christmas album is in the a capella version of “Auld Lang Syne” (the final cut on the record) when brother Denny breaks in to a classic bed of lush signature Beach Boys harmonies with a monotone spoken word thank you for the listener. It’s just one part of a quirkyfestive album that includes the ’60s holiday staple “Little Saint Nick.”
Merry Christmas
Mariah Carey
First Cut: “All I Want for Christmas is You”
Deep Cut: “Jesus Oh What a Wonderful Child”
Perfect For: Anything…EVERYTHING!
If no one has yet crowned Carey the Christmas Queen (the role Lucy wanted but failed to get)someone needs to get on that. The smash hit “All I Want for Christmas is You” reportedly earns her several million every year. No wonder she loves Christmas so muchshe starts celebrating on November 1 when she officially puts out a video every year saying “It’s time.” This album pure Mimilaced with her supersonic vocals and vibrant arrangements that run the gamut from modern pop to gospel.
Louis Wishes You a Cool Yule
Louis Armstrong
First Cut: “‘Zat You Santa Claus?”
Deep Cut: “Christmas in New Orleans”
Perfect For: Gatherings of adults in the kitchen for drinking and making cookies.
Few places are cooler than New Orleans and few artists are cooler than NOLA’s patron saintLouis Armstrong. It makes sense that this compilation of songs released in 2022 finds Satchmo joining friends Ella FitzgeraldBenny Carterand Gordon Jenkins & His Orchestra to create the perfect holiday vibe on the Mississippi Delta. Don’t skip the final trackArmstrong reading “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas” re-created at the time of the release with solo piano from contemporary jazz pianist and fellow NOLA nativeSullivan Fortner.
Pretty Paper
Willie Nelson
First Cut: “Pretty Paper”
Deep Cut: “Christmas Blues”
Perfect For: Sitting on the deck under the stars wrapped in a flannel blanket.
Rarely has a singer been as successful at blending gentle strains of the classic American songbook with outlaw country like Nelson. On Pretty Paperhe brings his signature lilting twang to bear on classics like “White Christmas,” “Jingle Bells” and “Frosty the Snowman.” But he soars on the title tracka cover of the lategreat Roy Orbison.
James Brown’s Funky Christmas
James Brown
First Cut: “Santa Claus Go Straight to the Ghetto”
Deep Cut: “Merry ChristmasI Love You”
Perfect For: Dancingduh!
Leave it to the Hardest Working Man in Show Business to essentially outdo anyone who thought they could possibly be funky and merry. Butas is the case with Brownhis music is as fueled by groove as it is laced with social messages like his plea for Santa to head to the ghetto for Christmas. If this doesn’t get you (at minimum) tapping your toesyou might want to check your pulse.
A Motown Christmas
Various Artists
First Cut: “What Christmas Means to Me” – Stevie Wonder
Deep Cut: “Someday at Christmas” – Stevie Wonder
Perfect For: The holiday family-friends-and-neighbors potluck.
The most recognizable songs from this collection of holiday favorites from Hitsville U.S.A. are from a very young Michael Jackson and his brothers five including “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” and the cute and corny “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus.” Butthe hero of Motown remains Stevie Wonder for his beautiful melodies and biting social commentary. “Someday at Christmas” ranks among the best holiday songs of all time.
A Jolly Christmas from Frank Sinatra
Frank Sinatra
First Cut: “Jingle Bells”
Deep Cut: “Adeste Fideles”
Perfect For: Drinks at a cool bar.
People sometimes forget that Old Blue Eyes wasn’t just the guy who belted out “New YorkNew York” and “My Way” in Vegas. Sinatra was one of the most talented singers of his generation and the command he has on this 1957 Capital Records release is as good a version of his as you’ll hear. Backed by the Brewster Singers and with orchestra arrangements from Gordon Jenkins (yessame one as Louis Armstrong)he swings through “Jingle Bells” and “Mistletoe and Holly,” while taking on the role of balladeer for “The Christmas Song” and “I’ll be Home for Christmas.”
Elvis’ Christmas Album
Elvis Presley
First Cut: “Blue Christmas”
Deep Cut: “Santa Bring My Baby Back (to Me)”
Perfect For: Your grandma’s house playlist.
This was only the third studio album from Presleyreleased in 1957. It features the King in all of his rock and roll finery. “Blue Christmas” is the clear standout herebut if you are looking for some old time religion mixed into your holiday classicsElvis has you covered with a handful of gospel-themed songs from his Peace in the Valley album that came our earlier the same year. Alsohard not to imagine his swinging hips and leather pants when listening to the rockabilly “Santa Bring My Baby Back (to Me).”
Ella Wishes You a Swinging Christmas
Ella Fitzgerald
First Cut: “Sleigh Ride”
Deep Cut: “Christmas Island”
Perfect For: When you want to impress all your cool friends with the depth of your musical tastes.
Widely considered one of the greatest vocalists in jazzFitzgerald swung with the best of them. As Stevie Wonder said in “Sir Duke,” his tribute to jazz legends that influenced him“with a voice like Ella’s ringing outthere’s no way the band could lose.” Released in 1960 (re-released in 2002 with bonus tracks)even if you don’t know her voiceyou’ll recognize the versions of these songs because they have been used so frequently in films and holiday commercials. Like the joyfulbouncy “Sleigh Ride” montage in Elf.
A Very Special Christmas Volume 1
Various Artists
First Cut: “Christmas in Hollis” – Run-D.M.C.
Deep Cut: “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” – Pretenders
Perfect For: Wherever Gen Xers gather at Christmas.
In 1987it was downright goofy to release a Christmas album. Sureyou might do a silly tongue-firmly-planted-in-cheek tune like “Christmas Wrapping” by the Waitresses or a fun pop song like “Last Christmas” by Whambut a full album was the height of uncool. Enter producer Jimmy Iovine and his gathering of all-star artists for one of the biggest releases in holiday pop music history. Yesthere are clunkers like Bon Jovi’s overwrought “Backdoor Santa” or the ostentatious “Gabriel’s Message” (yawn-slash-eye rollSting)but “Christmas in Hollis” remains a banger and you cannot convince us the Pretenders’ “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” isn’t the greatest version of that song ever recorded. It was the album that made Christmas music cool again and it was all for charity.
A Christmas Gift for You From Phil Spector
Various Artists
First Cut: “A Marshmallow World” – Darlene Love
Deep Cut: “ChristmasBaby Please Come Home” – Darlene Love
Perfect For: Reminding us thatyesa psychopath made this musicbutheyit’s Christmas!
At Christmaswe all put aside our petty differences to come together for the good of mankindthat includes the reminder that the brilliant mastermind producer behind the “wall of sound” and this recordPhil Spectorwas a certified murderous lunatic. He sure did make a hell of a Christmas album though! Filled with his trademark production and the boundless joy of Darlene Lovethe Ronettesand the Crystalssongs like “Marshmallow World” have become classic holiday hits.
Soul Christmas
Various Artists
First Cut: “Merry ChristmasBaby” – Otis Redding
Deep Cut: “Back Door Santa” – Clarence Carter
Perfect For: Late night drinks by the fire pit with your best people after a little too much food and family time.
If Motown was the rich uncle who gave you shiny gifts for ChristmasStax was your cool cousin who taught you how to play guitar and talk to girls. Many of the songs on this compilation released in 1968 include songs from that fabled soul label and its artists like Otis ReddingBooker T & the M.G.’sJoe Texand King Curtis. This was soul at its sweaty finest with Redding’s version of Charles Brown’s “Merry ChristmasBaby” and Curtis absolutely crushing “What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?” with a very young Duane Allman on guitar.
A Charlie Brown Christmas
Vince Guaraldi Trio
First Cut: “Linus and Lucy”
Deep Cut: “Christmas is Coming”
Perfect For: Every day of the yearno arguments.
If there is a GOAT of Christmas albumsthis is it. Actually written for the holiday television specialit almost never made it to air as TV studio execs balked at the idea of a cocktail jazz album backing a cartoon. As usualthe higher ups got it wrong. Guaraldi and his trio laid the foundation for one of the seminal programs in American historyholiday or otherwise. His jaunty pleasant bop set the stage for the antics of the Peanuts gang in a way no Bugs Bunny-inspired orchestra arrangements ever could have.
This article appears in Jan 1 – Dec 312025.