Blue Christmas - Elvis Presley.
This bluesy Christmastime tune was first recorded by Ernest Tubb in 1948, but its most famous version was done by Elvis in 1960. The Beach Boys and other artists would also make use of it.

The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late) - Alvin & the Chipmunks.
Ross Bagdasarian's rodent alter-egos first appeared with this hit 1958 single. Within two months it sold five million copies.

The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting.) - Nat King Cole.
The version best remembered by fans was actually Cole's second recording, in 1961. The song was originally written by Mel Torme and Bob Wells.

Frosty the Snowman - Gene Autrey.
"Frosty" was pitched to Gene Autry after his song "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" became a huge hit (see below). It was written by Jack Rollins and Steve Nelson.

Jingle Bell Rock - Bobby Helms.
The first rock-and-roll Christmas song, "Jingle Bell Rock" has been recorded by dozens of artists over the years. But it is Helms's rocking version which remains the favorite.

The Little Drummer Boy - Harry Simeone Chorale.
Written in 1958, this is widely considered the best version of this children's favorite. It was later done by Bing Crosby and David Bowie in Crosby's 1977 Holiday Special (see 'Top Ten Christmas TV Specials').

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year - Andy Williams.
Williams's is the first (and many say best) of this beloved holiday favorite. Andy Williams recorded eight Christmas albums; his yuletide television specials appeared throughout the 1970's.

Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree - Brenda Lee.
Brenda Lee began her recording career in 1956 at age 12; this Christmastime tune was released in 1958 and has become a beloved classic.

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer - Gene Autry.
This tune originally began as a poem for children, handed out as a premium at Montgomery Ward department stores. Recorded by Gene Autrey in 1949, it became a smash hit.

White Christmas - Bing Crosby.
Written by Irving Berlin, this tune first appeared on Crosby's radio show and the next year in the film Holiday Inn; it has sold millions of copies since its first recording.


Special Mention: Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer - Elmo & Patsy.
A novelty hit telling about the singer's grandmother being run down by Santa's sleigh while intoxicated, this single was first self- distributed by its singers, Elmo and Patsy Shropshire. After slowly gaining exposure starting in 1979, a new version was recorded and distributed by Epic Records in 1984. It has become a seasonal comedy favorite.