31. "Gabriel's Message" - Sting (1987)
"Gabriel's Message" is a folk carol that originated in the Basque region of France and Spain. Sting recorded the song and brought it much wider popularity on the first A Very Special Christmas album in 1987.
Watch Video
Purchase / Download
32. "Carol of the Bells" - Destiny's Child (2004)
This is a Ukrainian holiday song based around a 4 note motif taken from a pagan Ukrainian New Year's chant. Destiny's Child stopped by the Early Show to deliver their masterful a capella performance of the song.
Watch Video
Purchase / Download
33. "Christmas Is the Time to Say I Love You" - Billy Squier (1981)
MTV was young and rock singer Billy Squier was at his peak of popularity when this cheery holiday song was filmed as sort of an office party singalong.
Watch Video
Purchase / Download
34. "Do You Hear What I Hear?" - Carrie Underwood (2007)
Noel Regney and his wife Gloria Shayne Baker wrote "Do You Hear What I Hear?" in 1962 as a plea for peace during the Cuban missile crisis. It quickly became a Christmas classic in recordings by the Harry Simeone Chorale and Bing Crosby. Carrie Underwood's performance was part of a celebration of the 75th lighting of the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree.
Watch Video
Purchase / Download
35. "Oh Santa!" - Mariah Carey (2010)
16 years after her first Christmas collection became a smash hit, Mariah Carey released the album Merry Christmas II You. This is the opening single from the project.
Watch Video
Read Review
Purchase / Download
36. "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" - Andy Williams (1963)
This song was first written in 1963 and recorded for The Andy Williams Christmas Album. The album was the #1 selling Christmas collection for that year and was certified gold in the holiday season of 1964. This recording has become a perennial top 10 hit at holiday radio.
Watch Video
Purchase / Download
37. "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" - Mel & Kim (1987)
The first significant recording of "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" was Brenda Lee's version released in 1958. It didn't become a hit single until Lee's pop breakthrough in 1960. The song has been a holiday favorite ever since. Mel & Kim's version was a #3 pop hit in the UK.
Watch Video
Purchase / Download
38. "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" - Barenaked Ladies (1997)
This traditional English carol dates to the 15th century or possibly even before. It is mentioned in Charles Dickens' story A Christmas Carol. Canadian band Barenaked Ladies recorded their version in 1997 and included it on the Barenaked for the Holidays album in 2004.
Watch Video
Purchase / Download
39. "Christmas Song" - Dave Matthews Band (1998)
"Christmas Song" is one of the favorite songs of dedicated fans of the Dave Matthews Band. It was included on the band's independently released album Remember Two Things.
Watch Video
Purchase / Download
40. "We Three Kings" - Billy Corgan, Emilie Autumn & Dennis DeYoung (2004)
Reverend John Henry Hopkins, Jr. put "We Three Kings" together for a Christmas pageant at New York's General Theological Seminary in the mid-1800's. This performance of the song was put together for WGN TV in Chicago featuring the leader of the Smashing Pumpkins (Corgan) and the leader of the classic rock group Styx (DeYoung).
Watch Video
SHARE
