Christmas songs in Western music, from the latest hits to hall-of-fame classics.
Christmas songs you hear everywhere once the holiday season arrives.
Japanese songs are great too, but if you really want to soak up the Christmas vibe, Western Christmas songs are wonderful, aren’t they?
Many people look for classic Christmas tunes across genres like rock, folk, country, pop, and R&B, but you might be thinking: “I don’t know the standards,” “I don’t know which artists sing them,” or “I want to discover new Christmas songs.”
If that sounds like you, you’re not alone.
Especially with Western Christmas music, it can be tough to choose if you don’t usually listen to Western artists.
Two key points when picking Christmas songs are: tracks whose sound instantly says “Christmas” the moment you hear them, and older classics that are still hugely popular today.
With those points in mind, try choosing the perfect track from the selections below to light up your holy night.
This time, we researched popular songs based on feedback from music fans who wrote in to our site.
We’ve compiled a carefully curated list.
Enjoy!
Christmas songs in Western music: from the latest hits to hall-of-fame classics (1–10)
Christmas TimeNEW!Bryan Adams
Bryan Adams is a singer-songwriter who has also made a name for himself as a photographer.
He’s known for his distinctly husky voice, and his music is primarily rooted in pop rock.
“Christmas Time” is one of his holiday numbers.
Although he boasts a four-octave vocal range, this song also spans a fairly wide range, from mid2G to hihiA.
That said, the vocal line itself is very simple, with frequent repetitions.
Plus, since the key can be lowered, anyone with a decent range should be able to sing it well.
The First NoelNEW!Pentatonix
Many of you may already know the original song, which comes from the traditional English Christmas carol “The First Nowell / The First Noel.” Pentatonix focuses on a cappella harmonies, making both the lead melody and the harmony parts easy to hear, and their singing seems to flow straight into the heart.
Some of you might be practicing a cappella for the Christmas season, right? Since a cappella relies on singing in perfect sync, I think it’s best to memorize the lyrics completely.
Of course, singing it solo at karaoke also creates a great atmosphere! Rather than singing it in a flowing manner, if you deliver each phrase carefully and with feeling, it becomes a very compelling piece—so sing it with confidence!
Merry Christmas DarlingNEW!Carpenters
It’s a song that was released as a single in 1970.
The lyrics were written in 1946 by Frank Pooler when he was 20, and he said they were about someone he had feelings for at the time.
The song itself is a Christmas ballad with a gentle melody line, making it something you can sing in a calm manner rather than with intensity.
Since it gradually builds toward the chorus, the structure makes you naturally think, “This is the chorus.” It’s better sung with a composed, steady tone rather than by belting.
You could accent the beginning of the melody, but don’t overdo it—using a deeper, softer voice will suit the mood.
Try singing with the sensation of resonating inside your mouth!
Christmas EveNEW!Idina Menzel
This song is included on a Christmas holiday album released in 2014.
In Japan, the same album was also released under the title “Snow Wishes,” and the song appears there as well.
Since it shares the same melody as Tatsuro Yamashita’s “Christmas Eve,” it’s very easy to listen to.
If you want a stylish English version, Idina Menzel’s rendition might be a good choice.
That said, the song builds steadily toward the latter half, so there are several spots where you’ll need to hit higher notes.
The ending phrases have very cool melodic lines, so men can lower the key and still deliver it well.
Overall, rather than enunciating crisply throughout, it’s better to sing with awareness of accents at the beginning and in certain parts.
Holly Jolly ChristmasNEW!Michael Bublé
Originally, it’s a classic Christmas song from the 1960s, first performed by Burl Ives.
Michael Bublé’s version was released in 2011.
It has jazzy elements, making it very stylish and easy to groove to.
At just two minutes long, it’s not hard to learn and feels familiar, so I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to pick up a Christmas tune! Overall, it’s a song that sounds really cool when sung with a relaxed feel and a light touch.
The jazz swing is key—don’t overthink it, let your body catch the groove! The rhythm will naturally fall into place.
I feel like it’s perfect for singing while swaying side to side with a drink in hand.
Try singing it as if you’re humming during a little break!
Last ChristmasWham!
When it comes to Western Christmas songs, many people first think of “Last Christmas.” This track was released in 1984 by Wham!, the pop duo that was hugely successful in the 1980s.
While it became a worldwide hit, its popularity in Japan was especially remarkable, topping the charts for as many as 30 weeks at the time.
Although it’s a heartbreak song, it’s so well-known that people often use it at parties without paying much attention to the lyrics.
All I Want for Christmas Is You (Unreleased Video Footage)Mariah Carey
When it comes to Christmas songs from the 1990s, many people likely think of “All I Want for Christmas Is You.” This song, which you as a reader surely know, is Mariah Carey’s classic, released in 1994.
It became a worldwide hit immediately after its release, selling over 16 million records on its own.
Incidentally, it’s said that Mariah Carey has earned more than 5.
6 billion yen in royalties from this song alone.
Truly a Christmas dream!