Yesterday, we gave you 72-51. Today, we’re continuing the countdown with 50-26.
50. “Deck the Halls” by Manheim Steamroller, instrumental (1984)
Rachel: Although this song is a classic, I find it to be one of the more annoying Christmas songs which is why I think it makes sense that we chose an instrumental version as our choice. However, I do also like the Nat King Cole version if I have to listen to this song with the iconic-yet-annoying falalala. Realistically, my choice is Fa La La by Justin Bieber and if that’s the case then this deserves to be way higher the list…
Peter: This is the correct choice, I’m just interjecting to say that Fa La La is trash and I will not be associated with it in any way. Moving on…
49. “Joy to the World” by Rascal Flatts (2016)
Rachel & Peter: There are lots of great versions of this song but we both agree that the silky smooth sounds of Rascal Flatts makes their version our favorite. You can find other good ones by Nat King Cole, Pentatonix or Phil Wickham.
48. “Run Rudolph Run” by Chuck Berry (1959)
Rachel & Peter: This song is great, love the scene in Home Alone where the whole family is sprinting towards the gate at the airport.
47. “My Only Wish (This Year)” by Britney Spears (2000)
Rachel & Peter: We both agree this is the right answer, as this is her song. However, the Jessica Simpson rendition slaps as well.
46. “Feliz Navidad” by Jose Feliciano (1970)
45. “Grandma Got Runover By A Reindeer” by Dr. Elmo (1992)
44. “Frosty the Snowman” by Bing Crosby (1950)
Rachel & Peter: This song was actually made popular originally by Gene Autry; but don’t worry, he’s up next. Another good version of this is Ella Fitzgerald from 1960.
43. “Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer” by Gene Autry (1949)
Rachel & Peter: We are grouping Feliz, Grandma, Frosty and Rudolph together here because while they are beloved Christmas classics that no doubt remind us of the children’s stories, movies, tv shows, etc., we all love dearly, the songs themselves are pretty repetitive and thus are not up in our Christmas Bangers priorities.
42. “Little Drummer Boy” by Stevie Wonder (1967)
Rachel: Okay yes technically this is the correct answer. However I would like to nominate another: Drummer Boy by Justin Bieber feat. Busta Rhymes. I love this song so much – it makes me laugh and it talks about Hanukkah (underrated that I’m actually Jewish but I go harder for Christmas than anyone). Really Bieber’s whole Christmas album is amazing – I highly recommend.
Peter: Stevie Wonder’s version is the best, but also take a look at Joan Jett’s for a more Rock and Roll version of the song.
41. “Jingle Bells” by Frank Sinatra (1957)
Rachel & Peter: Can anyone think of Jingle Bells and not immediately start singing Jingle Bell Rock and forget how normal Jingle Bells goes? Because same for us. Jingle Bells is of course a classic Christmas song, and no one can deny the sound of Sinatra, but it’s so low on our list because it’s uber repetitive and just isn’t as good as Jingle Bell Rock. We’re sorry.
40. “Sleigh Ride” by Miley Cyrus (2017)
Rachel & Peter: We both like this song but if you’re looking for an older version, we suggest the 1978 version by The Carpenters.
39. “Christmas Shoes” by Brian Free & Assurance (2005)
Rachel: Peter hates this song but I advocated for it strongly. It makes my mom and I cry almost every time we listen to it; both sad and happy tears. I feel like it reminds me how special Christmas time is.
Peter: Not a hit.
38. “Wonderful Christmas Time” by Sir Paul McCartney (1979)
Rachel & Peter: Sir Paul has a good one here. It is a bit repetitive, but it has a good beat and again, its Paul McCartney, you really can’t complain about it much.
37. “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” by The Jackson 5 (1970)
Rachel & Peter: This is a solid version of a solid song. I like the sibling banter at the end of the song too. Michael does a great job playing the little kid in this one.
36. “Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow” by Dean Martin (1959)
Rachel & Peter: This is just a classic song by a classic artist. When I think of Deano, it’s this song and “That’s Amore”.
35. “By Christmas Eve” by John Legend (2019)
Rachel & Peter: One of the few modern songs that we both genuinely like. The sexiest man of the year has a definite hit here.
34. “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” by Andy Williams (1963)
Rachel & Peter: This is 100% the correct answer but Lea Michele’s version from 2019 is good if you want a more modern version.
33. “Here Comes Santa Claus” by Elvis Presley (1957)
Rachel & Peter: We both like the Elvis version more, but if you’re trying to remember what the OG version of this song is – it’s Gene Autry from 1947. Elvis just adds a swagger to this song that we agree takes it to the next level.
32. “Like it’s Christmas” by Jonas Brothers (2019)
Rachel: The Jonas Brothers are back and better than ever… they just put this song out in November. I think it’s so much fun and these modern songs just add a more upbeat feel to a playlist that has a lot of old sounds in it – as I’ve stated before I love the old sounds, but I also enjoy dancing to these kinds of fun songs.
31. “Only Thing I Ever Get for Christmas” by Justin Bieber (2011)
Rachel: Pretty much everything I said above about the JoBros song applies to this song as well. Bieber’s Christmas album from this year is truly just so much fun to listen to and sing along with in the car.
Peter: I cannot stand the previous two songs. So many of the modern ones are just dreadful.
30. “Blue Christmas” by Elvis Presley (1957)
Rachel & Peter: This is a no-doubter. Elvis’ unique voice and style is the only one we care to listen to when this song comes on. Anything else will be immediately skipped.
29. “Baby It’s Cold Outside” by Dean Martin (1959)
Rachel & Peter: We understand that this has become relatively controversial in a #MeToo era, and artists (John Legend and Kelly Clarkson) have attempted to rewrite the lyrics. Don’t @ us but we still love this song.
28. “We Wish You A Merry Christmas” by John Williams (1990)
Rachel: I do love John Denver, but I’m not really here for the Muppets. The winning version we settled on is specifically from Home Alone when it’s half instrumental and half the chorus singing “We Wish You A Merry Christmas.” This song is also very repetitive, but this version shakes it up a bit and still gives you that nostalgic feeling since it’s so closely tied to the movie.
Peter: I’m not wild about this song – my favorite version of this song is by John Denver and the Muppets. I like the chirps of Miss Piggy and the all around chaos of Animal mixed in with maybe the best folk voice of all time in John Denver.
27. “I’ll Be Home For Christmas” by Bing Crosby (1943)
Rachel: I absolutely love Bing Crosby’s version. The light guitar in the background with his deep soothing voice just makes me think of a fireplace and makes me both happy and sad at the same time. If you’re looking for a more modern version, I’d suggest Lea Michele and Jonathan Groff’s duet together from 2019 or Rascal Flatts from 2009.
Peter: Frank Sinatra has a similarly soothing voice, and it gives me all of the same feels. I just prefer Sinatra as a whole to Bing Crosby, so his version takes the cake for me.
26. “Mistletoe” by Colbie Caillat (2007)
Rachel & Peter: Straight out of Baby Mama, this song has a bit of a Hallmark Channel feel to it, but that’s what makes it good. Rachel likes it more, but we both agree that this is a great song to reminisce about Christmases past and great memories.
That rounds out the 50th-26th ranked Christmas songs! Spoiler alert: we don’t agree as much on versions of songs in the Top 25, but we definitely agree on what’s in there. Tune in tomorrow, for the best Christmas has to offer! If your favorite song hasn’t already been mentioned, it’s probably forthcoming… let us know what you think!
