Top 10 Classic Christmas Songs for Your Playlist

When it comes to Christmas there are lots of songs to choose from. I could pick 25, but here is my top 10 list with a bit of history added. These are in no particular order.

"Silver Bells" was introduced by Bob Hope and Marilyn Maxwell in the movie "The Lemon Drop Kid" in 1951. With lyrics such as "City Sidewalks, Busy Sidewalks, dressed in holiday style", I think of New York City with snow falling and all the people rushing around to stores with big holiday scene windows. The song always makes me smile. A very joyful happy song that is perfect for the holiday.

Another fun song to add to your list is "Sleigh Ride". Can't you "Just hear those sleigh bells jingling, ring ting tingling too". I know I can when I sing it. It's upbeat and you almost want to dance. It's perfect for a holiday party.

Third is "The Christmas song" better known as "Chestnuts Roasting on an open fire." I always put on my fireplace and want to snuggle when I hear it. It was written by Mel Tormé and Bob Wells. I tried chestnuts once and did not like them. Maybe I will try a different nut this year.

"White Christmas" is a fabulous one. It brings back happy childhood memories. The Irving Berlin song is from the movie "Holiday Inn" and sung by Bing Crosby. The movie is also one of my favorites. See it, if you have not.

I love songs that make me happy, and "Winter Wonderland" does just that. "Sleigh bells ring are you listening, in the lane snow is glistening." Being from the northeast snow is not uncommon but it sure is special at Christmas. Perry Como and The Andrews Sisters both sang versions of this song. Either version is nice to have on a classic playlist.

Another song "Let It Snow" follows that white theme. "Oh the weather outside is frightful, but the fire is so delightful. Let it snow. Let it snow. Let it snow." Some of you may remember it in the movie "Diehard".

Who doesn't like "Jingle Bells"? "Dashing through the snow, on a one-horse open sleigh" is the first Christmas song lyrics I ever learned. It still is special on the holiday season. This song was originally written for Thanksgiving in 1858 by James Pierpont. It fit into Christmas as well so people sang it for both holidays.

Waiting for Santa is a joy for a child at Christmas. So is "Up on the housetop". Can't you just picture Santa with his reindeer on the roof and waiting to come down the chimney with gifts, when you listen to it? As a kid, this was my favorite song. I like Gene Autry's version with barking dogs. It makes my dog bark back at them.

Nothing gets me more excited for the holiday than "Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas." With words about candy canes, dolls, toys and bells, it's a must have song on your list. Bing Crosby did the best version but there are several other good ones out there as well.

"Silent Night" has to be added to the list because this is the first song I think of when I think of Christmas music. Of course, the words are what Christmas is really all about as well. There are many versions of this classic. I like Celine Dion's version best.

Those are some of my favorites but here are some more you may want to add to your playlist, "Adeste Fidelis", "Santa Claus is coming to town", "Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer", "Frosty the Snowman", "Drummer Boy", "O'Christmas Tree", "Grandma got run over by a reindeer", "Mr. Grinch", "Here Comes Santa Claus", "I'll be Home for Christmas", "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree", "Blue Christmas" by Elvis Presley, "We wish you a Merry Christmas", "I saw mommy kissing Santa Claus", "12 days of Christmas", "Decks the halls" and "The First Noel."

Source: http://www.carols.org.uk/jingle_bells.htm