Christmas is coming ever nearer, and the undisputed best part of the holiday season (besides family time, presents and tons of pie) is the music. Holiday songs have been filling people's minds and hearts for hundreds of years, and have become more than a tradition.
From "The Christmas Song" to "O Holy Night" to "The Little Drummer Boy," classic Christmas carols have become a major part of the holiday season and worked their ways into family life and popular culture. Thus, old Christmas favorites, which have some of the warmest spots in our hearts, get constant reimaginings and covers from all of music's major players.
But what versions of all the Christmas songs are the best? Music Times is determined to find out. And, as a part of the 12 days of Christmas, we'll be counting down the days (and the best Christmas songs).
First, we're going to kick things off with the 12 best cover versions of the most covered Christmas song of all time, fittingly titled: "The Christmas Song." Originally recorded by Nat King Cole in 1946, the track was already redone by Cole again in '53. Since then, it has been recorded countless times and remains a holiday standard to this day. But who has done it the most justice?
Let's count down....
12. Christina Aguilera
Few people can belt out a tune quite like XTina, and she sure shows it on her version of "The Christmas Song," full of plenty of musical swells as well as some softer nights, this is a charming little rendition.
11. Blake Shelton
If you're looking for just a touch of country in your Christmas music, look no further than Blake Shelton's rustic version from his album Cheers, It's Christmas. Standard instrumentation helps to balance out his Southern draw, helping to balance this song out.
10. The Jackson 5
Boy bands today have nothing on this band of brothers, and Michael and co.'s version of this seasonal classic features some vintage '70s charm as well as the timeless harmonies that made this group famous.
9. Kenny G
What would the holidays be without a little smooth saxophone? Yes, Kenny G may be totally uncool, but his simplistic version of "The Christmas Song" helps to class the holidays up just a little bit.
8. She & Him
There's something totally timeless about Zooey Deschanel's voice, which is why She & Him's 2011 holiday album works so well. Her soft, smoky voice mixed with M. Ward's somber guitar work makes this the best showing of the 2010s by far.
7. Ella Fitzgerald
A slightly jazzier spin on "The Christmas Song" is what the beautiful Ella Fitzgerald offered the world on Ella Wishes You A Swinging Christmas, and the elegance of the song truly comes out here.
6. Whitney Houston
No one can deny that Houston had some powerhouse chops, so of course, her version of "The Christmas Song" would stand out from that alone. Mixed with some different R&B arrangements, and this is a new spin on a total classic.
5. Straight No Chaser
This a cappella group released their Christmas album Holiday Spirits in 2008 and proved you don't actually need strings to make this song sparkle, just a dozen or so gorgeous male voices.
4. Céline Dion
Ms. Dion has a voice just built for belting out Christmas carols, but she remained largely restrained for her version of "The Christmas Song" from her holiday effort These Are Special Times, making for a stunning modern rendition.
3. Frank Sinatra
Old blue eyes could croon the Christmas classics with the best of them, so of course he gave his musical treatment to "The Christmas Song" and did so with huge success. Small inklings of other holiday classics and a beautiful string arrangement help this one to stand the test of time just as well as the original.
2. Vince Guaraldi Trio
From the classic holiday special, A Charlie Brown Christmas, the Vince Guaraldi Trio 'The Christmas Song" features little more than a jazzy bit of piano, but strong emotion still manages to come through the keys.
1. Nat King Cole
Many have tried, but none have quite replicated the magic of the 1961 version of Cole's "The Christmas Song," and the track remains one of the most popular Christmas songs on the radio.
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