🎄✨ The Ultimate Christmas Classics Pop Song Guide

There’s nothing like Christmas music to spark nostalgia. Some songs are decades old — others have become modern staples — but each one carries a bit of magic. Here’s the definitive guide to the biggest Christmas classics, when they were first released, how many years ago that was (as of 2025), and a little festive insight into what makes each one special.

Here's a list of earlierst to newest Christmas classic songs, their release date and how many years ago this was:

White Christmas — Bing Crosby (14 Oct 1942 — 83 years ago)

The best-selling single in history and the gold standard for Christmas music — timeless, nostalgic perfection.

The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting) — Nat King Cole (1946 — 79 years ago)

Warm, velvety, and iconic — one of the smoothest festive ballads ever recorded.

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer — Gene Autry (1949 — 76 years ago)

The tale of the glowing-nosed underdog that became one of the world's most beloved Christmas mascots.

Sleigh Ride — Leroy Anderson (1950 — 75 years ago)

A sparkling orchestral winter tune filled with jingling percussion and vibrant festive cheer.

Silver Bells — Bing Crosby (1950 — 75 years ago)

A charming city-themed Christmas classic capturing the feeling of festive high streets.

Frosty the Snowman — Gene Autry (7 Jun 1950 — 75 years ago)

A cheerful children’s favourite telling the magical story of a snowman brought to life.

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas — Judy Garland (27 Nov 1944 — 81 years ago)

Bittersweet and emotional — a Christmas ballad that tugs at the heart.

(listed here for accuracy though released between the above dates)

Blue Christmas — Elvis Presley (1957 — 68 years ago)

Elvis’s signature festive track, dripping with longing and unmistakable charm.

Jingle Bell Rock — Bobby Helms (1957 — 68 years ago)

A rockabilly Christmas pioneer and one of the first holiday hits to blend pop with festive themes.

Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree — Brenda Lee (1958 — 67 years ago)

Recorded when Brenda was just 13 — a universally loved holiday party anthem.

Little Drummer Boy — Harry Simeone Chorale (1958 — 67 years ago)

A gentle, rhythmic nativity-themed favourite with its iconic “pa-rum-pum-pum-pum.”

Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! — Dean Martin (1959 — 66 years ago)

Smooth, cosy, and romantic — Dean Martin’s version has become the definitive winter soundtrack.

Please Come Home for Christmas — Charles Brown (1960 — 65 years ago)

A soulful, bluesy Christmas heartbreak classic that still resonates.

Winter Wonderland — Darlene Love (1963 — 62 years ago)

This 60s wall-of-sound version sparkles with vintage festive charm.

Marshmallow World — Darlene Love (1963 — 62 years ago)

Sweet, warm, and nostalgic — a sugary slice of Christmas joy.

Little Saint Nick — The Beach Boys (1963 — 62 years ago)

Surf rock meets sleigh bells in this sunny yet perfectly festive tune.

Holly Jolly Christmas — Burl Ives (1964 — 61 years ago)

Bright, cheery, and endlessly catchy — a family favourite across generations.

It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year — Andy Williams (1963 — 62 years ago)

The title doesn’t lie — this is the ultimate soundtrack for festive excitement.

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (TV Special Songs) — Various (1964–1965)

Classic stop-motion nostalgia with songs that helped define 60s Christmas culture.

Lonely This Christmas — Mud (29 Nov 1974 — 51 years ago)

A dramatic, Elvis-style Christmas ballad filled with retro heartbreak.

I Believe in Father Christmas — Greg Lake (21 Nov 1975 — 50 years ago)

A haunting yet beautiful track blending festive imagery with deeper reflections.

Wonderful Christmastime — Paul McCartney (16 Nov 1979 — 46 years ago)

A bright, synth-driven tune from a Beatle that still dominates December playlists.

Christmas Wrapping — The Waitresses (1981 — 44 years ago)

A quirky, story-driven new-wave track that’s become a cult favourite.

Little Drummer Boy / Peace on Earth — Bowie & Crosby (27 Nov 1982 — 43 years ago)

An unlikely pairing that delivered one of Christmas’s most touching duets.

2000 Miles — Pretenders (18 Nov 1983 — 42 years ago)

A beautiful, emotional winter ballad often misinterpreted as a love song.

Last Christmas — Wham! (3 Dec 1984 — 41 years ago)

Iconic, glossy, 80s heartbreak wrapped in shimmering festive synths.

Do They Know It’s Christmas? — Band Aid (3 Dec 1984 — 41 years ago)

A historic charity single featuring the biggest stars of its era.

Merry Christmas Everyone — Shakin’ Stevens (25 Nov 1985 — 40 years ago)

A jolly British favourite with a retro bounce that screams Christmas joy.

Driving Home for Christmas — Chris Rea (1986/1988 — 37–39 years ago)

A warm, cosy ode to Christmas travel — ideal for wintry evenings on the road.

Fairytale of New York — The Pogues & Kirsty MacColl (23 Nov 1987 — 38 years ago)

A gritty, emotional masterpiece — often considered the UK’s greatest Christmas song.

Mistletoe and Wine — Cliff Richard (21 Nov 1988 — 37 years ago)

A sentimental, traditional favourite that dominated UK Christmastime in the 80s.

Christmas Time (Don’t Let the Bells End) — The Darkness (15 Dec 2003 — 22 years ago)

Gloriously over-the-top, with huge falsetto vocals and perfect festive theatrics.

Step Into Christmas — Elton John (23 Nov 1973 — 52 years ago)

A glam-pop Christmas classic full of glittery Elton energy.

(chronologically fits earlier, listed here for completeness)

It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas — Michael Bublé (14 Oct 2011 — 14 years ago)

Bublé’s velvet voice gives this classic a modern glow.

Christmas Lights — Coldplay (1 Dec 2010 — 15 years ago)

A cosy, reflective track with Coldplay’s signature emotional uplift.

Oh Santa! — Mariah Carey (22 Nov 2010 — 15 years ago)

Fast, fun, and festive — Mariah’s other Christmas anthem.

Underneath the Tree — Kelly Clarkson (25 Nov 2013 — 12 years ago)

A huge, joyful modern classic with a big festive sound.

One More Sleep — Leona Lewis (5 Nov 2013 — 12 years ago)

Motown-inspired, cheerful, and irresistibly Christmassy.

Santa Tell Me — Ariana Grande (24 Nov 2014 — 11 years ago)

A modern pop favourite that has become a December essential.

Wonderful Christmas Time (Kylie Minogue) — 2015 (10 years ago)

A stylish, contemporary take on McCartney’s festive hit.

Christmas Tree Farm — Taylor Swift (6 Dec 2019 — 6 years ago)

Sweet, wholesome, and inspired by Swift’s childhood memories.

Like It’s Christmas — Jonas Brothers (8 Nov 2019 — 6 years ago)

Bright, catchy, and perfect for modern family playlists.