They have been all over TV and radio stations for the past month or so and they bring joy to many who love the Christmas season and they are the subject of a number of debates every year, but which is truly the best Christmas song of all time. Many have their own opinions on the festive favorites from Wizard to Wham with many submitting valid points as to which is the best. So without further adieu here is the Liberal’s all time Top Ten of Christmas Greats.
10. Mud Lonely This Christmas
The cult Christmas heartbreak song released by the British glam rock band had everyone in tears in 1974 as it topped the Irish and UK charts after selling over 750,000 copies, it went onto spend four weeks at the top pile making it the second number one for the band and placing them in the all time Christmas number one’s list.
9. Elton John Step Into Christmas
Although this Christmas belter released in 1973 by the British legend never really set the charts alight here or abroad it still makes for the ultimate party Christmas party tune that even gets your relatives up and dancing and singing at the annual family get together.
8. Mariah Carrey All I want for Christmas Is You
Released in November 1994 Mariah’s all time classic and probably most famous song topped the charts worldwide when she thought us all what matters most at the holiday season and to that is to be the ones you love (or rather the one you love). The infamous song has won numerous of awards since its initial release and has gone onto to be re-released more than 4 times making it over $50 million in royalties.
7. Bing Crosby White Christmas
Arguably one of the best Christmas classics of all time makes it in at number six on our list, the 1942 hit recorded by the late great Bing Crosby still lives on an astonishing 74 years after its initial release and is a Guinness World Record holder as it is the best-selling single of all time, with estimated sales in excess of 100 million copies worldwide, whilst other versions of the song, along with Bing Crosby’s, have sold over 150 million copies to date.
6. Slade Merry Christmas Everybody
Released in November 1973 this classic by Noddy Holder and the gang is probably the longest serving Christmas number one as it held top spot for well over three months when initially released. The song originally sold over 500,000 records upon its release and has re-entered the charts on a regular basis in the past 42 years.
5. John Lennon/Yoko Ono Happy Xmas (War Is Over)
This song sang by The Beatles legend John Lennon and his wife Yoko Ono makes its way into our top five as it celebrated a significant moment in modern history as it became one the most significant vocal points against the Vietnam War. The song was originally released in 1971 by the former Beatles star and his wife who wanted to make a stand against the U.S.’s involvement in the war. It went onto be a global hit which was covered by numerous artists since.
4. Shakin Stevens Merry Christmas Everyone
Probably one the less popular Christmas songs amongst some makes its way in at number four on our list. The song that is a party classic (with many hoping to find the girl under the mistletoe) was released by the Welsh singer in 1985 went onto be a top ten hit that Christmas and has been feature of every Christmas collection ever since.
3. Wizard I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday
This all time great has amazed many given that it never actually made number one and has reached no higher than number three in the charts. The infamous song sang by former Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) front-man Roy Wood sums up everyone’s childhood with its catchy lyrics was released in 1973 and was kept off the top spot by the above mentioned Slade. The song was re-released in 1981 and then again in 1984 but failed to break the charts due to the large success of Band-Aid’s ‘Do They Know It’s Christmas’.
2. Wham Last Christmas
This 80’s classic was released in 1985 made it a trio of Christmas songs in the charts that year as it battled with Shakin Stevens Merry Christmas everyone and Frankie Goes To Hollywood’s The Power of Love for chart supremacy. The ever popular heartbreak song has had many in tears thinking about a long lost love has gone to be feature of every compilation album since.
1. The Pogues Fairytale Of New York
It’s arguably (undeniably) the best Christmas song of all time.
Released in 1987 ‘Fairytale of New York’ is a drunken hymn that surely gets ever one singing on the festive nights out on the town, and reminds everyone of broken dreams and abandoned hopes. The foul mouthed lyrics of Shane McGowan and the late Kirsty McCall makes it in at number one our list as it’s colourful tone can’t hep but make us reminisce of proud Irish heritage and make us think about a true Irish Christmas.
There have the complete list of our favourites festive tunes, did your favourite make the list?