“The best way to spread Christmas cheer, is singing loud for all to hear,” said Buddy the Elf (played by Will Ferrell) in the movie Elf. It’s the holiday season and one of the best ways to get into holiday joy is through music. Here is a list of songs to jam out and rock out to during the holiday season, including some not as popular, but just as fun songs:

• It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year (Andy Williams) – Andy Williams gives a holiday jam the literally states the exact thing on everyone’s minds for the season and that it is the most wonderful time of the year

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFtb3EtjEic

• Wonderful Christmas Time (Paul McCartney) – “Simply, having a wonderful Christmas time.” Beatles legend, Paul McCartney provides this Christmas song that isn’t too flashy or showy, while also expressing the Christmas fun, especially with the “bouncing synthesizer.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9BZDpni56Y

• Happy Xmas (War is Over) (John Lennon) – Another Beatle! John Lennon puts perspective on enjoying Christmas of celebration, but also captures the ideal of peace and unity in the world that should be present. The message of “War is Over,” sung by a children’s choir adds a heartwarming feel to the main message of Lennon.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbKQ7nXx0o8

• Jingle Bell Rock (Bobby Helms) – When that electric guitar riff starts and the Mean Girls scene pops into your head, you are instantly put into the holiday spirit with this song and ready to rock out

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itcMLwMEeMQ

• All I Want for Christmas is You (Mariah Carey) – No version beats this original Christmas track, with the soft jingle bells, driving beat, and Mariah Carey’s wide vocal range. Carey has created a classic song that is a huge “bop” for the holiday season that almost everyone will enjoy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXQViqx6GMY

• Carol of the Bell’s (Destiny’s Child/Trans-Siberian Orchestra) – Two versions of the same song. First off is the Destiny’s Child version which gives us this beautiful rendition of Carol of the Bells in an a capella cover that just seizes our attention. On the other side of the coin is the Trans-Siberian Orchestra version which gives pure instrumentals which emits an intense version of the song, making it fun to see Christmas lights “dance” to it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1u__BU3X3k

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCabI3MdV9g

• The Hanukkah Song (Adam Sandler) – Definitely NOT a Christmas song, but comedian Adam Sandler provides a hilarious jam about, well, celebrating Hanukkah along with listing off a number of celebrities who are Jewish (and a few who are not)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KX5Z-HpHH9g

• Please Come Home for Christmas (The Eagles) – Ah, The Eagles with a Christmas cover. The driving 6/8 beat and the amazing bass line gives us a different type of Christmas song that has us swaying, tapping our toes, and admiring classic rock

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFWe2aVrIbo

• Last Christmas (Wham!) – 80’s pop duo, Wham!, creates this masterful classic holiday song that tells a heartbreaking story which is put to music where you can’t do anything, but dance and jam out

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8gmARGvPlI

• Santa, Tell Me (Ariana Grande) – If there’s a middle ground of Christmas music and modern pop, this is the song. Ariana Grande sings a hopeful romantic song, putting her faith in Santa as a cupid-like figure for her new relationship.The song starts off with soft orchestral instrumental that quickly turns around into the pop 4/4 beat.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnXxxKZ57Tw

• Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays (*NSYNC) – 90’s boy band *NSYNC creates their own original Christmas song about celebration that gets you out of your seat to dance and gives you the want to wish everyone a happy holiday.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKj92352UAE

Of course, this list could not include ALL the best Christmas songs, but these are just a few to enjoy for the season. Happy Holidays!

Noah Cayangyang, Staff Writer

Sophomore Noah Cayangyang is a staff writer for the 2017-2018 Colonel. He plays on the soccer and track teams at Ledyard. Noah is also the guitarist in what most people refer to as a “mildly decent band” and FUN FACT: he will *die* if you give him peanuts. Do not feed the wild Cayangyangs.