Christmas carols aren’t for everyone, even some firm Christmas believers detest some carols.
However, some renditions of age-old carols are cliché and feel a bit overplayed by now.
Over time, artists have either left their own bit of fairy dust on a carol, or resorted to writing their own Christmas songs.
In this list, we take both into consideration, so enjoy!
5. The Little Drummer Boy – David Bowie & Bing Crosby
Generally, one wouldn’t turn the volume down for a version of ‘Little Drummer Boy,’ but it’s that legendary David Bowie & Bing Crosby duet that sits in the pantheon of eternally listenable Christmas tunes.
4. Santa Claus, Go Straight to the Ghetto – James Brown
Christmas music could use a little more funk, and James Brown was kind enough to provide it. When the Godfather of Soul addresses St. Nick directly, we all win.
3. Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town – Jackson 5
Sure, at its core it’s a silly kids song. But whether it’s the boundless enthusiasm of a pint-sized Michael Jackson & the Jackson 5 or a jean-jacket-era Bruce Springsteen having fun with the E Street Band, this one never gets old.
2. O Holy Night – Just about everybody
O Holy Night has been performed by just about any famous musician since it was adapted from an 1855 French poem. For our pick, we’ve chosen this mesmerizing Mariah Carey sensational version.
1. White Christmas – Human Nature
If you’re going to name the one Christmas song that nobody ever has gotten sick of, it might as well be the number one selling song of all-time. by Irving Berlin, ‘White Christmas’ has been covered by everyone from Bob Marley to Bette Midler, and Kenny Rogers to Taylor Swift.
While it is hard to live up to the inimitable Bing Crosby, this harmonious rendition by the famous Australian Motown cover band Human Nature does justice to Bing, capturing the aching and beautiful sentiment of the song — and in doing so fully realizes the combination of joy and memory that makes Christmas what it is.
