The Top 10 Pop Christmas Songs

As traditional as the Christmas tree and wreath are Christmas music is a pillar of the Christmas season. Whether it's candy cake from grandma or opening up ugly sweaters from Aunt June there are certain things you can count on every year. For my family, and the children especially, one of the highlights of the Christmas is hopping into the mini van to drive around and look at all of the Christmas lights.

Most Pop songs are here today and gone six months later. It is usually a rare few that remain timeless. The same can be said with Christmas albums and songs. Each holiday season many music artists release albums with Christmas standard as well as original songs. We may add a song or two to our family collection, but for us Christmas music is about the best of the best.

Here are the top 10 Pop Christmas songs that our season wouldn't be without.

10. Mary Christmas Darling by the Carpenters (1974) Richard Carpenter himself calls this one of his sisters best recordings. Many of Karen and Richard's songs have with stood time. Even for my own children this is one of their favorites. They have no clue it's from the seventies!

9. Silent Night by Boyz II Men (1993) Soulful harmonies are what make this hit from their Christmas Interpretations album. Inspired by Smoky Robinson and The Four Tops this song even though from the nineties has that classic Motown sound. Boyz II Men have released two Christmas albums. Honestly, you can't go wrong with either one.

8. O Holy Night by Celine Dion (1998) One of the best selling Christmas albums ever was These Are Special Times by Celine Dion. Dion even got her own one hour Christmas special on CBS to showcase songs from the album.

7. The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late) (1958 & 2007) I can not think of another song by animated characters that has held a place in the hearts of both children and adults a like. The last release of this song was on the Chipmunk's only Christmas album Christmas with the Chipmunks.

6. Do you Hear What I Hear? by Whitney Houston (1987) This version by Whitney Houston made it onto the first A Very Special Christmas to benefit the Special Olympics. Though Whitney later made her very own Christmas album this one has remained timeless.

5. All I Want For Christmas by Mariah Carey (1994) This was the biggest hit from the Merry Christmas album and the fact that she co wrote the song lends even more to her credibility as an artist. This is often one of the most requested radio songs at Christmas time.

4. The Chanuka Song by Adam Sandler (1994, 1999, 2002) A Christmas song with a Jewish theme! This is also the only Christmas song that can leave you laughing in tears. Sandler has added two additional versus to this original comedic classic. In the third version Rob Schneider joins Sandler. The 1995 album that this song was originally on has sold over 2,000,000 copies.

3. Winter Wonderland by the Eurythmics (1987) This is the second song to be featured from the first A Very Special Christmas album. Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart bring a smooth pop feel to this classic.

2. Last Christmas by Wham (1984) Written by George Michael this song still makes it onto the German music charts each year. In keeping with the Christmas spirit Wham donated their royalties for this song to help starving Ethiopians.

1. Happy X Mas (War is Over) by John Lennon (1971) Produced by Phil Spector and accompanied by the Harlem Community Choir this song has maintained itself not only as a world wide Christmas hit, but more so as a theme for world wide peace.

Sources: Wikipedia