Gail Durkin ’26
Opinions Editor
The season is upon us. Cool Beans and Crossroads have started playing non-stop Christmas tunes, and Kimball has settled on playing rock versions of classic Christmas songs, for some reason. Holiday music is following us everywhere, so it’s high time we answer the pressing question of the most wonderful time of the year: what is the best Christmas song of all time?
Now, the tricky part of this is that there are so many different genres within the genre of Christmas music. So, I will rank them first by my favorite in each style, and then by the best of those songs. Here goes nothing!
My choice for traditional pop is “White Christmas” by Bing Crosby. Now, the 50s and 60s were a time full of really classic, cozy Christmas songs, but “White Christmas” has a special place in my heart, because I haven’t had a white Christmas in probably eleven or twelve years, so it’s very relatable. Plus, Bing Crosby sings so beautifully, and it’s a movie so you get both a story and some excellent music all wrapped up with a big Christmas bow.
My top pick for modern pop is “Underneath the Tree” by Kelly Clarkson. It has such an upbeat, cheerful melody that I can’t help but feel the Christmas spirit when I hear it come on. Clarkson has such a rich voice and her music makes me so happy.
My favorite spiritual Christmas song is “O Holy Night” by Celine Dion. Now, I am not a particularly spiritual person, but that song genuinely makes me tear up a little bit. When Celine tells me to “fall on [my] knees”, it takes everything in my power to keep standing upright. That song is powerful enough to make me religious for a few minutes.
The best acapella song is by far Pentatonix’s “Carol of the Bells,” which is so spectacularly arranged, with each different part coming together. It is, to date, one of my most listened-to Christmas songs, just because I find the interwoven melodies and the impressive bass singer to be really amazing. If you haven’t heard it I definitely recommend giving it a listen.
The best rock song is Happy Xmas (War is Over) by John Lennon. Now, I don’t know if this actually counts as a rock song, but John Lennon is famously a rock artist, and I can do whatever I want because it’s my article. Anyway, I love John Lennon, and the song and its use of a children’s choir is very sentimental and carries an absolutely lovely message.
Now, for the answer you’ve all been waiting for: which of these takes the cake for Best Christmas Song? The winner is: “Last Christmas” by Wham! Surprise! Famously unavoidable during the Christmas season, “Last Christmas” wins because it is just so catchy. It is full of sadness, but also hopefulness, and “pure Whambience,” making it my all-time favorite Christmas song. Sorry to all of those other songs, but “Last Christmas” will forever be stuck in my head, forcing its way to the top.
Image courtesy of Google Images
Leave a Reply