Christmas music as a genre is often overlooked outside of the month of December, but the genre includes many nostalgic classics which run the gamut from upbeat happy tunes to the melancholy warmth of classic jazz-influenced Christmas music. Since the genre is so wide ranging, there are many examples of great Christmas music of all types. What, however, are the most quintessential, enduring, and significant Christmas songs of all time?

5. Mariah Carey – All I Want for Christmas is You

When talking about the best Christmas music in recent years it’s hard to overlook “All I Want for Christmas is You.” The cultural impact of the song is difficult to overstate, and the song has become a Christmas staple over the years. So ingrained in the cultural zeitgeist this song is that without it, Christmas would not be the same. Though the song is undoubtedly classic, around this time of year it can be nigh-impossible to escape and can definitely be overplayed. Still, despite being inescapable, the song has become an enduring Christmas staple thanks to its cheery hook, catchy melody, and simple, but effective lyrics.

4. Ella Fitzgerald (Org. Sammy Cahn and Jule Styne) – Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow!

A much older song, “Let it Snow!” was first written in 1945 (by Sammy Cahn and Jule Styne) and has since been covered by countless artists. The song, with its winter-centric lyrics and simple hook, has endured all these years as a classic Christmas song. This arrangement, sung by Ella Fitzgerald, puts a jazzy spin on the classic, granting it a wonderful and nostalgic feel that helps make the composition shine as a Christmas song even brighter.

3. Bobby Helms – Jingle Bell Rock

“Jingle Bell Rock” showcases an early foray of Christmas music into rock n’ roll, being recorded by Bobby Helms in the mid-50s. Ever since its release, the song has been an enduring Christmas classic. The charmingly dated lyrics “Now the jingle hop has begun”, country-inflected guitar riff, and sleigh bell percussion fondly harken back to Christmas in the mid-50s and grant the song a wonderful nostalgia befitting any classic Christmas song.

2. Vince Guaraldi – Linus and Lucy

Released on Vince Guaraldi’s 1965 “A Charlie Brown Christmas” album, “Linus and Lucy” is an upbeat piano-based classic. The song, composed for a Charlie Brown holiday special, is an evocative piece of music that manages to evoke the nostalgia and warmth of Christmas without sounding corny or overly sentimental. The melody is incredibly catchy and uplifting and is only elevated by the sparse trio arrangement where many other Christmas albums of the time falter with overly orchestrated and busy string sections. Managing to evoke a Christmas spirit without the use of lyrics or vocals of any kind is an impressive feat, and Linus and Lucy (and the remainder of the album) accomplishes just that.

1. Frank Sinatra (Org. J. Fred Coots and Haven Gillespie)   – Santa Claus is Coming to Town

Finally, at the number one spot is “Santa Claus is Coming to Town.” This song, composed in 1934 by J. Fred Coots and Haven Gillespie, has been recorded by countless artists ranging from Frank Sinatra to Mariah Carey to Elvis Presley. Everything about this song, from its melody to its lyrics evokes ideas of Christmas. Often interpreted with lush strings and horns, the song is wonderfully warm and nostalgic. Couple this with lyrics about Santa Claus and you have what I consider to be the quintessential Christmas song. Though the song is often played, it never seems to get old thanks to its countless arrangements by different artists. An enduring classic, Santa Claus is Coming to Town is sure to be a great Christmas song for years to come.