The Top Christmas Songs of All-Time, December 20

Inside the Rock Era has presented 114 of The Top 150 Christmas Songs of All-Time*.  Here are six more to add to that list.

"Joy to the World"

by Mariah Carey

This was released on the 1994 album Merry Christmas.  The song is a much-more upbeat version than the thousands of others that have been released.  It reached #16 on the Dance chart that year.  

"Winter Wonderland"

by Darlene Love

This full-sounding song is on the album Christmas Gift for You.  Love was much in demand for session work, singing backing vocals on "Johnny Angel" for Shelley Fabares and several songs for Johnny Rivers, including "Poor Side Of Town", "Baby, I Need Your Loving and "The Tracks Of My Tears".  It was actually Love, and not any of the Crystals, that sang lead on "He's A Rebel".

"Oh Little Town of Bethlehem"

by Sarah McLachlan

This is from Sarah's 2006 album Wintersong.  Great job of playing acoustic guitar and her interpretation of this traditional favorite has been gaining more popularity each year since its release to the point where it is now one of The Top 150 Christmas Songs of All-Time*.

"Jingle Bell Rock"

by Hall & Oates

Whether it be Christmas music or conventional, the old adage is always true--it is extremely tough to remake a classic--you're always going to be compared to the original.  Very few can do it successfully and most should not attempt it.  But Hall & Oates pull it off and their version continues to be played 30 years after first released.

"Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer"

by Gene Autry

Autry released his version of this song on November 25, 1949 and it has become one of the true Christmas classics.  It reached #1 and sold 2.5 million copies its first year.  To date, the single is now over 25 million copies sold, which is the third biggest-selling song of all-time.

"Oh Holy Night"

by Martina McBride

The best versions of this are always the most holy, because that is what the lyrics convey.  If you're not holy yourself, it's not going to come across that way.  No doubt from her vocals that Martina "gets it".