Christmas 2022: My 200 Favorite Modern Christmas Songs

Sometimes, I really do wish I had been born in the UK as opposed to Indiana, especially when it comes to music. I feel as though my British brethren and I share a similar taste in modern music. As interesting as some aspects of American life can seem, I never got to experience the punk scene in London, John Peel’s outstanding work on the Beeb, Top of the Pops, and the Christmas battle for a #1 song. I remember early on, reading Billboard’s international charts as a youngster. Whenever I got the UK chart, I became intrigued by the names of artists along with various song titles, just trying to “hear” what those elusive songs sounded like.

As I got older, I learned to order British singles. Additionally, I was able to obtain the country’s finest music journalism, especially the New Musical Express. NME and Melody Maker were fine additions to Creem and Rolling Stone for my sources of musical knowledge. So, when it comes to my tastes in modern Christmas music, I becomes a real Anglophile. And, of course, my age does influence my tastes.

I hope you enjoy this list. And, keep you eyes open on Amazon Music for the playlist of this countdown. It will keep your Christmas party going for days. Peace to all of you!

Bubbling Under the Top 200

210. Elmo & Patsy – “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer” (1979)

209. Buck Owens – “Daddy Looked a Lot like Santa” (1965)

208. John Denver – “Christmas for Cowboys” (1975)

207. The Killers ft. Toni Halliday – “Great Big Sled” (2006)

206. José Feliciano – “Feliz Navidad” (1970)

205. The Singing Dogs – “Jingle Bells” (1955)

204. Justin Bieber – “Mistletoe” (2011)

203. Mud – “Lonely This Christmas” (1974)

202. *NSYNC – “Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays” (1998)

1. 201. Ana Gasteyer – “Sugar and Booze” (2019)

The Top 200 Christmas Songs of All-Time

200. New Kids on the Block – “Funky, Funky Xmas” (1989)

199. Spike Jones & His City Slickers – “All I Want for Christmas (Is My Two Front Teeth)” (1948)

198. Bob Marley – “White Christmas” (1965)

197. The Isley Brothers – “Special Gift” (1996)

196. Mike Love ft. Hanson – “Finally, It’s Christmas” (2018)

195. Sara Bareilles – “Love Is Christmas” (2013)

194. Gene Autry – “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” (1949)

193. She & Him – “Christmas Waltz” (2011)

192. Rufus Wainwright & Sharon Van Etten – “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” (2012)

191. Pentatonix – “Carol of the Bells” (2014)

190. Relient K – “12 Days of Christmas” (2003)

189. Sheryl Crow – “Merry Christmas Baby” (2008)

188. Vanessa Williams – “What Child Is This?” (1992)

187. Josh Groban – “Silent Night” (2007)

186. Frankie Goes to Hollywood – “The Power of Love” (1984)

185. Ella Fitzgerald – “The Secret of Christmas” (1959)

184. Pistol Annies – “Snow Globe” (2021)

183. Oasis – “Merry Christmas Everybody” (2002)

182. Louis Armstrong – “Cool Yule” (1953)

181. Lake Street Dive – “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas” (2017)

180. Glee Cast – “We Need a Little Christmas” (2010)

179. The Royal Guardsmen – “Snoopy’s Christmas” (1967)

178. Marvin Gaye – “Purple Snowflakes” (1964)

177. Owl City – “Kiss Me Babe, It’s Christmas Time” (2014)

176. The Wombats – “Is This Christmas?” (2007)

175. Lady Gaga ft. Space Cowboy – “Christmas Tree” (2010)

174. Sia – “Snowman (Slowed Down Version)” (2021)

173. Otis Redding – “Merry Christmas Baby” (1967)

172. Faith Hill – “Where Are You Christmas” (2000)

171. Ramones – “Merry Christmas (I Don’t Want to Fight Tonight)” (1989)

170. Smokey Robinson ft. The Dap-Kings – “You’re My Present” (2017)

169. Merle Haggard – “If We Make It Through Christmas” (1973)

168. They Might Be Giants – “Santa’s Beard” (1988)

167. Destiny’s Child – “8 Days of Christmas (2001)

166. Taylor Swift – “Last Christmas” (2007)

165. The Drifters – “White Christmas” (1954)

164. Grace Potter – “Christmas Moon” (2017)

163. Bob Rivers – “I Am Santa Claus” (1993)

162. Tyler, The Creator – “I Am the Grinch” (2018)

161. Phoebe Bridgers – “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” (2020)

160. Joan Jett & the Blackhearts – “Little Drummer Boy” (1981)

159. Eels – “Christmas Is Going to the Dogs” (2000)

158. Morris Day – “Cooler Than Santa Claus” (2020)

157. The Smashing Pumpkins – “Christmastime” (1997)

156. Chuck Berry – “Run Rudolph Run” (1958)

155. Dan + Shay – “Holiday Party” (2022)

154. Booker T. & the MG’s – “Winter Wonderland” (1966)

153. Michael Bublé – “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot like Christmas” (2012)

152. Hanson – “Finally, It’s Christmas” (2017)

151. The Ventures – “Sleigh Ride” (1965)

150. Weezer – “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” (2008)

149. Eric Clapton – “For Love on Christmas Day” (2018)

148. Third Day – “What Child Is This?” (2006)

147. Albert Hammond Jr. – “The Little Boy That Santa Claus Forgot” (2017)

146. The Pretenders – “2000 Miles” (1983)

145. The Treacherous Three – “Santa’s Rap” (1984)

144. Bing Crosby – “White Christmas” (1942)

143. Death Cab for Cutie – “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” (2004)

142. Carrie Underwood – “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” (2007)

141. The Chipmunks – “The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don’t Be Late)” (1959)

140. St. Paul & the Broken Bones – “Zat You Santa Claus” (2018)

139. MercyMe – “Do You Hear What I Hear?” (2015)

138. Canned Heat – “Christmas Blues” (1968)

137. The Empty Hearts – “It’s Christmastime” (2016)

136. Frank Sinatra – “Jingle Bells” (1948)

135. Carla Thomas – “Gee Whiz, It’s Christmas” (1963)

134. Zooey Deschanel w/Leon Redbone – “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” (2003)

133. James Brown – “Santa Claus Go Straight to the Ghetto” (1968)

132. Dusty Springfield – “O Holy Child” (1964)

131. The Shoes – “This Christmas” (1991)

130. TLC – “Sleigh Ride” (1992)

129. Luther Vandross – “The Christmas Song” (1992)

128. Stevie Nicks – “Silent Night” (1987)

127. Nat King Cole – “The Christmas Song” (1946)

126. Aretha Franklin – “O Christmas Tree” (1992)

125. Willie Nelson – “Pretty Paper” (1979)

124. The Donnas – “Up on the Housetop” (2017)

123. Sia – “Candy Cane Lane” (2017)

122. Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings – “Ain’t No Chimneys in the Projects” (2011)

121. Burl Ives – “A Holly Jolly Christmas” (1965)

120. Megan Trainor ft. Earth, Wind & Fire – “Holidays” (2020)

119. The Supremes – “Silver Bells” (1965)

118. Marshall Crenshaw – “(It’s Going to Be A) Lonely Christmas” (2006)

117. Dropkick Murphys – “The Season’s Upon Us” (2012)

116. The Three Wisemen (aka XTC) – “Thank You for Christmas” (1983)

115. Johnny Mathis – “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot like Christmas” (1986)

114. Manchester Orchestra – “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” (2020)

113. Carrie Underwood – “Stretchy Pants” (2021)

112. My Chemical Romance – “All I Want for Christmas Is You” (2004)

111. Train – “Shake Up Christmas” (2009)

110. Elvis Presley – “Blue Christmas” (1957)

109. Bob Dylan – “Must Be Santa” (2009)

108. JET – “Back Door Santa” (2003)

107. Dolly Parton – “Hard Candy Christmas” (1982)

106. Rod Stewart w/Dolly Parton – “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” (2004)

105. Coldplay – “Christmas Lights” (2010)

104. William Bell – “Every Day Will Be Like a Holiday” (1967)

103. The Darkness – “Christmas Time (Don’t Let the Bells Ring)” (2003)

102. CeeLo Green ft. Disney’s The Muppets – “All I Need Is Love” (2012)

101. Chicago – “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!” (1998)

100. The Temptations – “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” (1970)

99. Lizzo – “Someday at Christmas” (2022)

98. Charles Brown – “Please Come Home for Christmas” (1960)

97. The Monkees – “Unwrap You at Christmas” (2018)

96. Sammy Davis Jr. – “Sweet Gingerbread Man” (1972)

95. Khruangbin – “Christmas Time Is Here” (2018)

94. The Staple Singers – “Who Took the Merry Out of Christmas” (1972)

93. Clarence Carter – “Back Door Santa” (1969)

92. Jonas Brothers – “Like It’s Christmas” (2019)

91. Boyz II Men – “Silent Night” (1993)

90. Charly Bliss – “All I Want for Christmas Is You” (2017)

89. OneRepublic – “Christmas Without You” (2011)

88. Sufjan Stevens – “Come On! Let’s Boogey to the Elf Dance” (2006)

87. Kylie Minogue ft. James Cordon – “Only You” (2015)

86. Cocteau Twins – “Frosty the Snowman” (1993)

85. Bob & Doug McKenzie – “Twelve Days of Christmas” (1981)

84. Squeeze – “Christmas Day” (1979)

83. Norah Jones – “Christmas Calling (Jolly Jones)” (2021)

82. Kai Danzberg – “If Santa” (2018)

81. Bobby Womack – “Christmas Ain’t Christmas” (1999)

80. Al Green – “The First Noel” (1990)

79. Tuxedo – “Wonderful Christmastime” (2014)

78. Foo Fighters – “Run Rudolph Run” (2020)

77. Bebe Rexha – “Count on Christmas” (2017)

76. Tevin Campbell – “O Holy Night” (1992)

75. The Carpenters – “Merry Christmas Darling” (1970)

74. The Beach Boys – “Little Saint Nick” (1964)

73. Willie Nelson – “Christmas Blues” (1979)

72. Mary J. Blige – “Last Christmas” (1994)

71. Kelly Clarkson – “Christmas Isn’t Canceled (Just You)” (2021)

70. Ray Charles – “That Spirit of Christmas” (1985)

69. Ariana Grande – “Santa Tell Me” (2014)

68. Neon Trees – “Wish List” (2010)

67. Vince Guaraldi Trio – “Christmas Time Is Here (Vocals)” (1965)

66. Leona Lewis – “One More Sleep” (2013)

65. Fun. – “Sleigh Ride” (2012)

64. Hootie & the Blowfish – “The Christmas Song” (1997)

63. Cheech & Chong – “Santa Claus and His Old Lady” (1971)

62. Ed Sheeran & Elton John – “Merry Christmas” (2021)

61. Prince – “Another Lonely Christmas” (1984)

60. Queen – “Thank God It’s Christmas” (1984)

59. Jackson 5 – “Frosty the Snowman” (1970)

58. Stevie Wonder – “What Christmas Means to Me” (1967)

57. Gwen Stefani ft. Blake Shelton – “You Make It Feel Like Christmas” (2017)

56. Cheap Trick – “Merry Christmas Darlings” (2017)

55. Extreme – “Christmas Time Again” (1992)

54. Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers – “Christmas All Over Again” (1992)

53. The Shins – “Wonderful Christmastime” (2012)

52. Taylor Swift – “Christmas Tree Farm (Old Timey Version)” (2021)

51. Kurtis Blow – “Christmas Rappin'” (1980)

50. Katy Perry – “Cozy Little Christmas” (2022)

49. The Emotions – “What Do the Lonely Do at Christmas?” (1977)

48. Bryan Adams – “Reggae Christmas” (1984)

47. The Pogues ft. Kirsty MacColl – “Fairytale of New York” (1988)

46. Madonna – “Santa Baby” (1987)

45. Greg Lake – “I Believe in Father Christmas” (1975)

44. The Band of Merrymakers – “A Very Merry Medley” (2015)

43. Whitney Houston – “Joy to the World” (1996)

42. Vince Vance & the Valiants – “All I Want for Christmas Is You” (1989)

41. Otis Redding – “White Christmas” (1968)

40. Kacey Musgraves ft. Leon Bridges – Present Without a Bow” (2016)

39. Andy Williams – “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” (1963)

38. Joni Mitchell – “River” (1971)

37. Slade – “Merry Christmas Everybody” (1973)

36. Eurythmics – “Winter Wonderland” (1987)

35. Fitz & the Tantrums – “Santa Stole My Lady” (2010)

34. Darlene Love – “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” (1963)

33. Whitney Houston – “Do You Hear What I Hear?” (1987)

32. Kacey Musgraves & Lana Del Rey – “Please Come Home for Christmas” (2019)

31. Wizzard – “I Wish Everyday Could Be Christmas” (1973)

30. Darlene Love – “All Alone on Christmas” (1992)

29. Bobby Helms – “Jingle Bell Rock” (1957)

28. Eagles – “Please Come Home for Christmas” (1978)

27. Brenda Lee – “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” (1958)

26. Stevie Wonder – “Some Day at Christmas” (1967)

25. Donny Hathaway – “This Christmas” (1970)

24. The Regrettes – “A Marshmallow World” (2016)

23. Kenny Loggins – “Celebrate Me Home” (1977)

22. Dan Fogelberg – “Same Old Lang Syne” (1980)

21. U2 – “I Believe in Father Christmas” (2021)

20. The Pretenders – “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” (1987)

19. Bing Crosby & David Bowie – “Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy” (1977)

18. Run-D.M.C. – “Christmas in Hollis” (1987)

17. Vince Guaraldi Trio – “Linus and Lucy” (1965)

16. John Lennon & Yoko Ono – “Happy Xmas (War Is Over)” (1971)

15. The Kinks – “Father Christmas” (1977)

14. Harry Simeone Chorale – “Little Drummer Boy” (1958)

13. Band Aid – “Do They Know It’s Christmas” (1984)

12. The Ronettes – “Sleigh Ride” (1963)

11. Wham! – “Last Christmas” (1984)

10. U2 – “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” (1987)

9. Paul McCartney – “Wonderful Christmastime” (1979)

8. John Mellencamp – “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” (1987)

7. Daryl Hall & John Oates – “Jingle Bell Rock” (1980)

6. Mariah Carey – “All I Want for Christmas Is You” (1994)

5. Billy Squier – “Christmas Is the Time to Say ‘I Love You'” (1981)

4. Elton John – “Step into Christmas” (1974)

3. The Band – “Christmas Must Be Tonight” (1975)

2. The Waitresses – “Christmas Wrapping” (1982)

1. Bruce Springsteen – “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town” (1975)

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukah and Happy Holidays! Peace.