There's no better way to get into the Christmas spirit than by listening to some Christmas classics! Whether you're driving home for Christmas or just roasting chestnuts on an open fire, these 12 songs of Christmas will have you feeling festive in no time.

From The Pogues ‘Fairytale of New York’ to Wham!'s 'Last Christmas', these tunes are sure to fill your holiday period with cheer. So why not get on board this Yuletide and get ready to rock around the Christmas tree?

Fairytale Of New York - The Pogues

This drunkard's lament of better days stole the hearts of many upon its release back in 1987. Bizarrely, although the song is regularly voted the people’s Christmas favourite it never reached the number one slot. Back in 1987, that accolade went to the Pet Shop Boys’ ‘Always On My Mind’. The song encapsulates the Christmas spirit of hope and joy despite life's struggles – something we can all relate to during this particularly challenging year. It’s a song that embraces the melancholy of Christmas past, of dreams and aspirations, yet it seems somewhat uplifting and enchanting despite itself.  

Alongside the brilliance of the song itself which was over 2 years in the making came the video. Inspired by their first trip to New York and Sergio Leone’s ‘Once Upon A Time In America’. The music vignette took shape under the guidance of director and producer Peter Dougherty and featured Hollywood big shot, Matt Dillon. The shoot was a raucous affair including The Pogues the NYPD Pipes and Drums band all having imbibed their own weight in alcohol.

The song has always attracted controversy since the very first day. Over 30 years after its release there are still people shocked and appalled by the song. Who thought it would ever still be making waves and grabbing headlines in these more enlightened times?

Recommended Alternative Version - Puddles Pity Party

Driving Home for Christmas - Chris Rea

Originally a B side, it never even troubled the top 40 on its initial release ‘Driving Home For Christmas’ was a slow burn. Chris Rea’s festive classic gets top marks for consistency. The single has made the charts every year since 2007 and continues to be amongst the top 10 favourite Christmas songs of all time.  

In 2009 Rea released the single in conjunction with Shelter, commenting,

I wanted to do something special this Christmas and what better way than to help keep a roof over people's heads when they need it most – at Christmas. By teaming up with Shelter we can hopefully make a difference.

Recommended Alternative Version - Saint Etienne

Last Christmas - Wham

The song is synonymous with the ‘80s pop duo Wham! It took 36 years to get to the number spot finally topping the charts in 2021 after a mammoth 19 charts entries. While the music video is steeped in ‘80s cliches the song is as timeless as any Christmas classic.

One of the most covered Christmas songs of modern times, it has been covered by everyone from The Crazy Frog (take our word for it - you really don’t need to hear this one) to The Manic Street Preachers.

Recommended Alternative Version - Eli Paperboy Reed

Silent Night - Mahalia Jackson

This traditional Christmas carol has been sung by thousands since its inception in the early part of the 19th century. Gospel singer Mahalia Jackson gives it an other world existence in her version of this classic.

Jackson's power and passion are a joyous experience and instil the true meaning of Christmas in anyone that hears it.

Recommended Alternative Version - Bing Crosby

O Holy Night - Mariah Carey

The ‘Queen of Christmas’, Mariah Carey is better known for another Christmas favourite, ‘All I Want For Christmas is You’. The more traditional ‘O Holy Night’ showcases Mariah Carey's discipline and range in the delivery of this classic.

A testament to the sheer beauty of the song is its 99 million YouTube views!

Recommended Alternative Version - Nat King Cole

White Christmas - Bing Crosby

Bing Crosby’s warm baritone and laid-back demeanour are everything you need for a Christmas song that will leave you glassy-eyed and warm inside, just like a large glass of Christmas sherry.

Bing Crosby’s ‘White Christmas’ has had an estimated 50 million record sales worldwide (before the days of streaming) since its release back in 1942. It is estimated that the total tops 100 million when you include other cover versions.

The song's author Irving Berlin said of the song,

Not only is it the best song I ever wrote, it's the best song anybody ever wrote.

Recommended Alternative Version - Sister Rosetta Tharpe

I Believe In Father Christmas - Greg Lake

The Christmas song market was a strange market for one-third of prog rockers, Emerson, Lake and Palmer back in 1975. However, the song was intended as a protest against the over-commercialisation of Christmas. Greg Lake mourns the loss of innocence and the passing of youth as Christmases go by.  

The song was kept from the number 1 spot by Queen’s ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ so only managed to peak at number 2 back in 1975.

Greg Lake recalls the prospect of taking ‘Bohemian Rhapsod’y on for the coveted number-one position in the UK charts,

I was surprised the single wasn't more successful. I thought 'Bohemian Rhapsody' was rubbish, and still do. When it got to No 1 before we'd even brought ours out, I thought it would be long gone by Christmas. How wrong can you get?

Recommended Alternative Version - Toyah

Merry Xmas Everybody - Slade

It seems for whole generations Christmas only starts when they hear the rallying call from Slade’s Noddy Holder, as the festive period kicks off with ‘It’s Christmasssss’.

‘Merry Xmas Everybody’ reached the top of the tree in 1973 battling with another ‘70s Christmas classic Wizzard's, ‘Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day’. The song was to be Slade's final number one and their biggest-selling single to date, hitting double platinum back in 2021.  

Such is the popularity of this Christmas song back in 2009 that it was estimated that nearly half the world’s population could have listened to this song at some point!

Noddy Holder likes to refer to this song as his pension plan. It is estimated that this song generates a £500k royalty cheque every year!

Not a bad pension plan!!

Recommended Alternative Version - Tony Christie

Peace On Earth/Little Drummer Boy - Bing Crosby & David Bowie

Back in the winter of ‘77 the coming together of two legends from opposite ends of the music spectrum created one of the most unique and interesting Christmas songs of all time. Bowie was at a creative apex in his career having just completed his Low album and Heroes, Crosby on the other hand was at the tail end of his 6-decade-long career.

The idea to mix both Christmas songs stemmed from Bowie's refusal to do a straight rendition of ‘Little Drummer Boy’. Bing’s trademark baritone underpins Bowie’s more extravagant vocals resulting in the best Christmas duet of all time.

Sadly, Bing was to pass away just weeks later in October 1977.

Recommended Alternative Version - Johnny Cash

All I Want for Christmas Is You - Mariah Carey

The popularity of this Christmas single is astonishing, the two videos on YouTube showing 324 million and 739 million views gives you an idea of the magnitude of this Christmas chart-topper. This single alone saw Carey ascend to the exulted position of ‘Queen of Christmas’. The army of Mariah Carey superfans that turn out every year is a testament to the greatness of the song.

As with many of the Christmas megahits this song is timeless, it could easily have been penned by Irving Berlin back in the 1940s.

On Christmas day 2019 the song was streamed 10.8 million on Spotify and its popularity shows no sign of waning some nearly 30 years on!  

Recommended Alternative Version - Dolly Parton

Mary's Boy Child - Harry Belafonte

This calypso Christmas classic managed to secure Harry Belafonte the Christmas number one spot way back in 1957. The record sold over a million copies and became an early front-runner for the Christmas number one hysteria.  Belafonte also became the first black person to get a UK number one.

Belafonte’s cut glass delivery and purity of sound bring an innocence to the Christmas sound which has really been bettered.

Recommended Alternative Version - Boney M

In the Bleak Midwinter - Aled Jones

Surprisingly, the other Christmas classic ‘Walking in the Air’ didn’t make Spring Chicken's top dozen. Instead, Jones’ version of ‘In the Bleak Midwinter’ really brings Christmas home. Rosetti’s late 19th-century Christmas carol has enjoyed another resurgence in recent years, thanks largely to its appearance throughout the acclaimed Peaky Blinders TV series.    

The song was also popular among British soldiers during WWI.  

Recommended Alternative Version - Jamie Cullum