The Classics: Must-Have Carols for Your Christmas Playlist
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! The season of giving, the time for family gatherings, and the perfect excuse to blast some festive tunes! Whether you’re snuggled up by the fire or hosting a holiday party, a great playlist filled with classic carols and festive hits is an essential part of the season.
It can be tricky to curate the perfect holiday playlist, but fear not! We’ve got you covered with our ultimate Christmas Playlist – a compilation of classic carols and modern pop hits to get you in the spirit of the season.
First up, let’s talk about the classics. No holiday playlist is complete without the timeless sounds of Bing Crosby’s “White Christmas” or Nat King Cole’s “The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire).” These songs, released in the 1940s, are still beloved today and are sure to bring a feeling of nostalgia and joy to any listener.
If you’re looking for something a little more upbeat, you can’t go wrong with Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You” or Wham!’s “Last Christmas.” These songs were released in the 1980s and 1990s respectively, but continue to top the charts during the holiday season. “All I Want for Christmas Is You” even became the highest-charting holiday song in 60 years in 2019, proving that it’s a modern classic.
Moving on to more recent holiday hits, Pentatonix’s “Little Drummer Boy” and Justin Bieber’s “Mistletoe” have become holiday favorites in recent years. Pentatonix, a popular a cappella group, released their version of “Little Drummer Boy” in 2013, which has since amassed over 200 million views on YouTube. Justin Bieber’s “Mistletoe” was released in 2011 and quickly became a staple on holiday playlists across the globe.
The Sound of the Season: How Christmas Music Affects Our Brains
But let’s not forget the number one best selling single of all time – “White Christmas”. Written by Irving Berlin and sung by Bing Crosby, the song has sold over 50 million copies worldwide since its release in 1942. Crosby’s soothing voice, paired with the timeless lyrics, has made “White Christmas” a holiday classic that will surely be played for generations to come.
The beauty of holiday music is that it brings people together. No matter where you are in the world, people can connect through the universal language of music. In fact, there are entire radio stations that dedicate themselves to playing holiday hits all season long. According to Nielsen, radio stations that switch to “all Christmas” programming saw an average increase of 87% in listenership in 2019.
It’s no secret that music can have a profound impact on our mental wellbeing. A 2018 study found that listening to happy music, such as holiday tunes, can significantly increase feelings of happiness and reduce symptoms of depression. So not only is a holiday playlist fun, it’s good for you too!
In conclusion, music is an essential part of the holiday season. From the classic carols of the past to modern pop hits, a festive playlist is a must-have for any celebration. We hope our ultimate Christmas Playlist gives you some inspiration for your own list and helps you to embrace the joy and magic of the season. Happy listening!