There are more Christmas songs than ever before! Bands and singers are releasing a flood of new holiday songs each year to appeal to listeners for just two months out of the year. What’s going on?
Remakes
First, there are countless versions of the same titles. Every artist seems to have their take on “Winter Wonderland,” “Sleigh Ride,” or “The Little Drummer Boy.” There’s a reason so many musicians keep covering the most beloved standards — those songs are favorites for a reason. Their lyrics and melodies instantly trigger holiday memories and nostalgia.
Nothing brings back childhood like hearing a song that reminds you of waiting for Christmas to arrive. It’s those fun, innocent, distant memories that get stirred in us as adults when we hear “Frosty the Snowman,” “Jingle Bells,” or “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town.”
Recording artists know their fans want to hear them perform these classics — so they deliver. It’s hard to find a band in any genre, from jazz to country to R&B to pop, that doesn’t have at least one holiday song or album. Some even have multiple! Fans love it. Add a country drawl or a hip-hop beat to “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas,” and the song feels brand new again.
Originals
The other side of the explosion in Christmas music is the push for original holiday hits. Mariah Carey became the modern queen of Christmas with her 1994 release “All I Want for Christmas Is You.” That song stands out as a relatively recent addition compared to most holiday standards from the 1940s through the 1960s — and it’s made her a seasonal icon. Today, Mariah has recorded more than 20 Christmas titles, both traditional and original.
If a songwriter creates a future Christmas classic, it’s like striking gold — a gift that keeps on giving every year. A seasonal hit is the dream: it comes back into rotation each December, bringing renewed royalties and recognition. Taylor Swift’s “Christmas Tree Farm” is well on its way to annual-hit status, while ’N Sync’s “Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays” from 1998 still gets played and streamed a quarter-century later.
And have you noticed how most modern (21st-century) Christmas songs are more about “love” than “Christmas”? Sure, they’re set near a Christmas tree, but the lyrics are really about missing someone special or celebrating romance — not necessarily Santa or sleigh rides. The cozy nostalgia of “grandma’s house” has evolved into “Christmas kisses all over my body.”
Writing a Christmas hit is big business — but most artists fall short.
Mix It Up for Christmas
Here are some tips for creating a great holiday playlist in your business:
- Include the traditional songs. If you only play original holiday music, which may be unfamiliar to customers, you’ll miss out on the nostalgia and sing-along factor that people love.
- Use the right versions for your brand. Include traditional titles but sung by artists who match your brand vibe. For example, Meghan Trainor and Seth MacFarlane’s upbeat take on “White Christmas” might fit a lively café perfectly, while Andy Williams’ 1963 version might feel too slow and melancholy.
- Keep it contemporary. Gwen Stefani instead of Bing Crosby, John Legend instead of Nat King Cole — the lyrics still connect, but the sound and recording quality feel modern.
- Sprinkle in non-traditional songs. There are plenty of standout seasonal songs that aren’t “Holly Jolly Christmas.” At Custom Channels, we specialize in finding great original and lesser-known holiday tracks to complement the classics. Just don’t overdo the obscure songs — customers still want that unmistakable Christmas feeling.
Glimpse the Massive Amount of Holiday Songs
Billboard magazine publishes its list of the 100 Best Christmas Songs of All Time, as chosen by their editors.
P1 Media Group surveyed broadcast radio listeners nationwide, testing the appeal of the 40 most-played and 40 most-streamed Christmas songs from the 2021 holiday season. See their best-testing holiday songs here.
But just because a song is on these lists doesn’t mean it’s right for your business. At Custom Channels, we curate thousands of Christmas and holiday tracks across every imaginable style and era — covers and originals, classics and new discoveries. We’ll help you find the right mix for your brand’s holiday vibe. Trust the music professionals at Custom Channels with your Christmas sound.
Now that you’ve read Old, New, Remakes, Originals — There’s More Christmas Music Than Ever, check out The Right Time for Christmas to find out the best dates to start playing Christmas music in your business.
Unsure how to legally stream music for customers in your business? Visit our Music Licensing Basics page or give us a call at 303-444-7700.
