The Top Christmas Songs of All-Time, December 9

"The Christmas Song"

by the Carpenters

This classic which BMI shows as the most-performed Christmas song of all-time was written by Mel Torme and Bob Wells in 1966.  The Carpenters' magical touch enabled them to record a version that would put them alongside Nat King Cole.

"The Chipmunk Song"

by the Chipmunks

Here we have the song written by Ross Bagdasarian, Sr., who is actually David Seville, the mastermind behind the song.  The song was created recording three different parts sung slowly, then sped up to sound as if it were coming from chipmunks.  "The Chipmunk Song" was the last Christmas song to reach #1 in 1958 and it won three Grammy Awards for Best Comedy Performance, Best Children's Recording and Best Engineered Recording (non-classical).

 "Mary's Boy Child"
by Boney M

This song was written by Jester Hairston and first performed by Harry Belafonte.  But Boney M's version has become the most popular.

"I Saw Three Ships"

by Sting

This is a popular Christmas carol from England.  The earliest printed version is from the 17th century, published by William B. Sandys in 1833.

"Joy to the World"

by Whitney Houston

Isaac Watts wrote the words that are based on Psalm 98 in the Bible.  Watts published the song in 1719 in the collection The Psalms of David:  Imitated in the language of the New Testament.  Only the second half of Watts' lyrics are used today.  The music was adapted and arranged by Lowell Mason in 1839 from a melody that is believed to have come from Handel's Messiah.


Whitney's spirited version in the movie The Preacher's Wife is next in our feature.