By Dimitrios Kontogiannis, Sports Editor
1. Nat King Cole – “The Christmas Song”
“The Christmas Song” has had a lot of people remake and remix it, but Nat King Cole is the original. The 1961 original song has been a Christmas classic for years. It’s my number o
ne because it was always the first song that I would play every Christmas and really puts me in the mood for family and friends every time I hear it.
2. Bing Crosby – “White Christmas”
There is a reason that Bing Crosby’s “White Christmas” has sold over 150 million copies worldwide. Released in 1941 as part of the album “White Christmas,” it has been a go-to Christmas song ever since it came out. It’s so high on my list because it sold so many copies and is my favorite song to play when it’s cold and snowy outside.
3. Frank Sinatra – “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas”
Even though it was originally sung by Judy Garland in 1944, Frank Sinatra remade the classic in 1947, and remade the remake in 1957. It is probably the most iconic song off his album A Jolly Christma from Frank Sinatra. This is placed No. 3 on my list because I love the history of the song combined with a legendary singer like Frank Sinatra.
4. Andy Williams – “It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year”
What is one of the songs that you usually hear on the first day of listening to Christmas music? The Andy Williams classic is a bit more upbeat than the top three on the list, but is undeniably a recognizable Christmas song. Even though it was released all the way back in 1963, the tune is always played during the most wonderful time of year.
5. Bing Crosby – “It’s Beginning To Look a Lot Like Christmas”
Bing Crosby shows up on this list twice, and it is for a good reason. Written in 1951 by Meredith Wilson, and made famous by Perry Como in the same year, Bing Crosby made the best version of the song. It’s one of my personal favorites.
6. Bruce Springsteen – “Santa Claus is Comin’ To Town”
Springsteen’s live performance of “Santa Claus is Comin’ To Town” was made on 1975 in Long Island, and actually released as the b-side on a record in 1985, and ever since then has been a holiday staple. It was made all the way back in 1934, on Eddie Cantor’s radio show and sold 500,000 copies within 24 hours of being released. It has been covered by over 200 artists over the years, but this one reigns as king.
7. Wham! – “Last Christmas”
“Last Christmas” is like the Taylor Swift of Christmas songs. If you ever feel depressed after a breakup and still want to listen to Christmas music, this is the song for you. The original song was first performed in 1984 by the George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley duo Wham!. Taylor Swift, Carly Rae Jepsen, and Ariana Grande all have remade it.
8. Paul McCartney – “Wonderful Christmastime”
“Wonderful Christmastime” is one of the more original songs on the list. Made in 1979 by Paul McCartney, it hasn’t been remade by anyone major in the almost 40 years since it first came out. Even though it was more popular in McCartney’s home country of the United Kingdom, it peaked at No. 10 on the US Billboard Top 100 Christmas charts.
9. Burt Ives – “Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer”
Originally recorded in 1949 by Gene Autry, “Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer” was based of the 1939 story. Autry’s version reached No. 1 on the U.S. charts during the holiday season. Burt Ives’ version was released in 1964 and was made as part of the Christmas special “Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer” that aired on NBC Dec. 6 of that year.
10. Bobby Helms – “Jingle Bell Rock”
“Jingle Bell Rock” has had a lot of remakes and a lot of versions of the classic made, but Bobby Helms’ 1957 version was not only the original Jingle Bell Rock, but the best “Jingle Bell Rock.” Composed by Joseph Carlton Beal and James Ross Bothe, it peaked at No. 29 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1957.