Like fruitcake and tangled lights, holiday songs show up every year, some nice, some naughty. For the past five decades, several Christmas songs have risen above the tinsel and snow to become true holiday staples.
From cozy classics to chart-topping hits, these five tracks didn’t just soundtrack the season; they defined it.
’80s: ‘Last Christmas’ — Wham!
Released in 1984, “Last Christmas,” by Wham!, is a heartbreaking anthem turned into a holiday synth-sation. From a popular TikTok trend to endless covers, the song remains timeless. George Michael created a festive tune with a mix of confessional songwriting and bittersweet production that details the gloomy, yet hopeful feelings that come with the holiday season. A dominant radio track, the song proves Christmas doesn’t have to be all about joy and festivities to be iconic.
’90s: ‘All I Want For Christmas Is You’ — Mariah Carey
Get The Daily Illini in your inbox!
Right after Halloween, Mariah Carey’s annual ‘it’s timeeee’ signals that Christmas has officially entered the scene. “All I Want For Christmas Is You,” released in 1994, has become the most distinguishable Christmas song of all time, carrying a message that has resonated with listeners in the following decades. Rather than gifts, Carey sings about spending time bonding with a partner during the holidays. The song isn’t just a jingle; it’s a feeling that encapsulates the season. If Christmas had a theme song, it’d be this, because no one wraps up a holiday hit like Carey.
’00s: ‘Where Are You Christmas?’ — Faith Hill
The 2000s were more about hit movies such as “Elf,” “The Polar Express” and “The Holiday.” “Where Are You Christmas?” embodies that trend, released in 2000 as part of the soundtrack for Dr Suess’ “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” live adaptation. Faith Hill’s melancholic ballad takes the wistful emotions behind the joyous celebration and portrays them within heartfelt lyrics that linger long after the credits roll. From cozy movie nights to cable marathons, the 2000s showed that a good holiday movie plus a touching song can create a longing for Yuletide.
2010s: ‘Underneath the Tree’ — Kelly Clarkson
The 2010s brought forward a reintroduction to never-ending holiday cheer. Festive pop songs filled shopping malls, invaded radio stations and bombarded retail stores. “Underneath the Tree,” by Kelly Clarkson, released in 2013, is the crown jewel of modern Christmas hits, able to dominate alongside older favorites. Bubbling with energy and brassy bells, Clarkson’s anthem celebrates love and togetherness during the holidays, putting a fresh spin on the season’s traditional themes. A joyful celebration of love and all things merry, this track continues to light up the holiday season.
2020s: ‘santa doesn’t know you like i do’ — Sabrina Carpenter
After a year when even Santa needed a mask (thanks, Jimmy Fallon, Ariana Grande and Megan Thee Stallion’s “It Was A… (Masked Christmas)”), the 2020s brought a mix of pandemic-era humor and fresh voices to holiday music. Sabrina Carpenter’s “santa doesn’t know you like i do,” released in 2023, stands out as a playful twist on typical festive storytelling. With clever lyrics and a catchy melody, Carpenter puts the spotlight on personal feelings and holiday crushes rather than gifts and glitter. Santa might not know everyone, but fans know a good holiday harmonization when they hear one.
From synth-pop heartbreak to upbeat anthems, movie ballads to pop-rock jams and recent jingles, these five songs showcase how much Christmas music has evolved over the past fifty years. From half a century ago to now, these holiday hits aren’t just seasonal music; they’re the soundtrack to memories, celebrations and the merriest of moments.
