Christmas music or Christmas songs comprise a variety of genres of music normally performed or heard around the Christmas season, which tends to begin in the months leading up the actual holiday and end in the weeks shortly after. Come on Pilgrim is the debut release from the American alternative rock band Pixies, released on the British independent record label 4AD in October 1987. ... The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire) is a classic Christmas song, written in 1944 by vocalist Mel Tormé and Bob Wells. ... Christmas Album is the sixth studio album by Boney M.. It was recorded in the summer of 1981 and released on November 23, 1981. ... Musical genres are categories which contain music which share a certain style or which have certain elements in common. ... For other uses, see Music (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Christmas (disambiguation). ...

Content

Christmas music as a term describes a set of music generally played during the related holiday season, including a large amount of music whose thematic and topical focus is not actually the holiday itself. Often the songs have no content addressing the holiday, but instead focus on wintry or other themes. Many have been adopted to the genre for other reasons, such as the reverential nature of the composition. Ultimately, Christmas music is that which has become associated with the holiday because it: For other uses, see Christmas (disambiguation). ... Vacation redirects here. ... This article is about the musical composition. ... Vacation redirects here. ... Winter is one of the four seasons of temperate zones. ... Musical genres are categories which contain music which share a certain style or which have certain elements in common. ... Musical composition is a phrase used in a number of contexts, the most commonly used being a piece of music. ... Vacation redirects here. ...

• refers directly to the nativity of Jesus Christ;
• refers directly to the folklore surrounding Christmas such as Father Christmas, Saint Nicholas, Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus, Santa Claus's reindeer, Santa's elves, the North Pole, etc.;
• refers directly to the traditions surrounding Christmas such as Twelve Days of Christmas, Christmas tree, wassailing, yule log, stockings, lights, etc.;
• has been heard regularly around holiday season, particularly songs with a wintry theme; or
• tends to elicit memories from, and put people into the mood of, the Christmas season.

Many songs not originally intended for Christmas have been "adopted" to the genre, often due to: The Nativity by Petrus Christus, c. ... Wikipedia does not yet have an article with this exact name. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... For other uses, see Christmas (disambiguation). ... Excerpt from Josiah Kings The Examination and Tryal of Father Christmas (1686), published shortly after Christmas was reinstated as a holy day in England Father Christmas is the name used in the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and several other Commonwealth countries, for the gift-bringing figure of Christmas... For the literary magazine, see St. ... A typical depiction of Santa Claus. ... Mrs. ... For alternate meanings, see Lightning (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see North Pole (disambiguation). ... A tradition is a story or a custom that is memorized and passed down from generation to generation, originally without the need for a writing system. ... For other uses, see Christmas (disambiguation). ... This article is about the religious period from Christmas to Epiphany. ... For other uses, see Christmas tree (disambiguation). ... This does not cite its references or sources. ... For other uses, see yule log (disambiguation) A chocolate yule log. ... Stockings hung by the chimney with care A Christmas stocking is an empty sock or sock_shaped bag that children in the United States and some other cultures hang on Christmas Eve so that Santa can fill it with small toys, candy, fruit, coins, or other small gifts when he arrives. ... For the ITV Christmas special, see Christmas Lights. ...

• devotional or reverential essence;
• wintry theme;
• the time in which they were released.

History

Music was an early feature of the Christmas season and its celebrations. But the first chants, litanies, and hymns were in Latin and too theological for popular use. The 13th century found the rise of the carol written in the vernacular under the influence of Francis of Assisi. The Christmas season (also known as the holiday season) is a term that covers the time when two interconnected periods of celebration are held. ... Chant is the rhythmic speaking or singing of words or sounds, often primarily on one or two pitches called reciting tones. ... A litany, in Christian worship, is a form of prayer used in church services and processions, and consisting of a number of petitions. ... For other uses, see Hymn (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Latins and Latin (disambiguation). ... For the short novel by Charles Dickens, see A Christmas Carol. ... Saint Francis of Assisi (September 26, 1181 or 1182 – October 3, 1226) was a Roman Catholic friar and the founder of the Order of Friars Minor, more commonly known as the Franciscans. ...

The word carol comes from the Greek word choraulein, meaning a circle dance performed to flute music. In the Middle Ages, the English combined circle dances with singing and called them carols. Later, the word carol came to mean a song in which a religious topic is treated in a style that is familiar or festive. From Italy, it passed to France and Germany, and later to England. Music in itself soon became one of the greatest tributes to Christmas, and Christmas music includes some of the noblest compositions of the great musicians. For other uses, see Flute (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Music (disambiguation). ... The Middle Ages formed the middle period in a traditional schematic division of European history into three ages: the classical civilization of Antiquity, the Middle Ages, and modern times, beginning with the Renaissance. ... For other uses, see England (disambiguation). ...

During the British Commonwealth government under Cromwell, the British Parliament prohibited the practice of singing Christmas carols as pagan and sinful. Its pagan roots in the 13th century and its overly "democratic" 14th century influences made it an unsuitable activity for the general public and it was to be mandated so, by the Commonwealth government of 1647. Flag of the Commonwealth of Nations The Commonwealth of Nations is a voluntary association of independent sovereign states, most of which were once governed by the United Kingdom and are its former colonies. ... Oliver Cromwell (25 April 1599 – 3 September 1658) was an English military and political leader best known for his involvement in making England into a republican Commonwealth and for his later role as Lord Protector of England, Scotland and Ireland. ... The Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the supreme legislative institution in the United Kingdom and British overseas territories (it alone has parliamentary sovereignty). ... This page is about carols in general; for the short story by Charles Dickens, see A Christmas Carol. ... Pagan may refer to: A believer in Paganism or Neopaganism Bagan, a city in Myanmar also known as Pagan Pagan (album), the 6th album by Celtic metal band Cruachan Pagan Island, of the Northern Mariana Islands Pagan Lorn, a metal band from Luxembourg, Europe (1994-1998) Pagans Mind, is... (12th century - 13th century - 14th century - other centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 13th century was that century which lasted from 1201 to 1300. ... This 14th-century statue from south India depicts the gods Shiva (on the left) and Uma (on the right). ... 1647 (MDCXLVII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Friday of the 10-day slower Julian calendar). ...

Puritans at this time disapproved as well of the celebration of Christmas, and did not close shop on that day, but continued to work through December 25. When in 1660 Charles II restored the Stuarts to the throne, the public once again practiced the singing of Christmas carols, greatly reviving Christmas celebrations.^[1] For the record label, see Puritan Records. ... For other uses, see Christmas (disambiguation). ... is the 359th day of the year (360th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... // Events January 1 - Colonel George Monck with his regiment crosses from Scotland to England at the village of Coldstream and begins advance towards London in support of English Restoration. ... Charles II (29 May 1630 – 6 February 1685) was the King of England, Scotland, and Ireland. ... The House of Stuart or Stewart was a Scottish, and then British, Royal House of Breton origin. ...

Traditional Christmas songs

Songs which are traditional, even some without a specific religious context, are often called Christmas carols. A more or less standard set of these traditional Christmas songs might include such titles as: This page is about carols in general; for the short story by Charles Dickens, see A Christmas Carol. ...

• "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing!"
• "The First Noel"
• "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear"
• "God Rest You Merry Gentlemen"
• "Jolly Old St. Nicholas"
• "Cantique de Noel (O Holy Night)"
• "We Three Kings of Orient Are"
• "What Child Is This"
• "Deck the Halls"
• "Away In a Manger"
• "Silent Night"
• "O Little Town of Bethlehem"
• "Jingle Bells"
• "O Come All Ye Faithful (Adeste Fideles)"

Each of these has a rich history, some dating back many centuries.^[2] The First Noël (sometimes The First Nowell) is a traditional English Christmas carol, most likely from the 16th or 17th century, but possibly dating from as early as the 13th century. ... It Came Upon A Midnight Clear was written by Edmund Sears (1810-1876), pastor of the Unitarian Church in Wayland, Massachusetts. ... O Holy Night (Cantique de Noël) is a well-known Christmas carol composed by Adolphe Adam in 1847 to the French poem Minuit, chrétiens by Placide Cappeau (1808-1877), an accomplished amateur. ... We Three Kings of Orient Are is a Christmas carol, and was written in 1857 by Reverend John Henry Hopkins. ... What Child Is This? is a Christmas carol lyrically written in 1865 by William Chatterton Dix to the melody of Greensleeves. Although the chorus changes from verse to verse, many recorded versions simply use the first chorus throughout, in part due to the rather unfestive content of the second. ... Deck the Halls is a secular Christmas carol. ... Away in a Manger was first published in an 1885 Lutheran Sunday School book, by James R. Murray (March 7, 1841 - March 10, 1905), but the author of the first two stanzas is unknown. ... Autograph of the carol by Gruber Silent Night is a traditional and popular Christmas carol. ... O Little Town of Bethlehem is a popular Christmas carol. ... Jingle Bells, originally One Horse Open Sleigh, is one of the best known and commonly sung, secular Christmas songs in the world. ... Adeste Fideles or O Come All Ye Faithful is a Christmas carol commonly attributed to John Francis Wade in approximately 1743. ... Sex and the City episode, see Oh Come All Ye Faithful (SATC episode). ...

Popular Christmas songs

More recently popular Christmas songs, often introduced through film or other entertainment medium, are specifically about Christmas, but are typically not overtly religious and therefore do not qualify as Christmas carols. The archetypal example is 1942’s “White Christmas”, although many other holiday songs have become perennial favorites, such as Gene Autry’s “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”. For other uses, see Christmas (disambiguation). ... This page is about carols in general; for the short story by Charles Dickens, see A Christmas Carol. ... Year 1942 (MCMXLII) was a common year starting on Thursday (the link will display the full 1942 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... White Christmas is an Irving Berlin song whose lyrics reminisce about White Christmases. ... Orvon Gene Autry (September 29, 1907 – October 2, 1998) was an American performer who gained fame as The Singing Cowboy on the radio, in movies and on television. ... Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is a popular Christmas story about Santa Claus ninth and lead reindeer who possesses an unusually red colored nose that gives off its own light that is powerful enough to illuminate the teams path through inclement weather. ...

Most-performed 'Holiday' songs

According to the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, the following are the Top 25 most-performed “Holiday” songs for the first five years of the 21st Century^[3]: The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) is a non-profit performing rights organization that protects its members musical copyrights by monitoring public performances of their music, whether via a broadcast or live performance, and compensating them accordingly. ... 20XX redirects here. ...

 1. "The Christmas Song" (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire) - Mel Tormé, Robert Wells 2. "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" - Fred Coots, Haven Gillespie 3. "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" - Ralph Blane, Hugh Martin 4. "Winter Wonderland" - Felix Bernard, Richard B. Smith 5. "White Christmas" - Irving Berlin 6. "Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!" - Sammy Cahn, Jule Styne 7. "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" - Johnny Marks 8. "Jingle Bell Rock" - Joseph Carleton Beal, James Ross Boothe 9. "I'll Be Home for Christmas" - Walter Kent, Kim Gannon, Buck Ram 10. "Little Drummer Boy" - Katherine K. Davis, Henry V. Onorati, Harry Simeone 11. "Sleigh Ride" - Leroy Anderson, Mitchell Parish 12. "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" - Edward Pola, George Wyle 13. "Silver Bells" - Jay Livingston, Ray Evans 14. "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" - Johnny Marks 15. "Feliz Navidad" - José Feliciano 16. "Blue Christmas" - Billy Hayes, Jay W. Johnson 17. "Frosty the Snowman" - Steve Nelson, Walter E. Rollins 18. "A Holly Jolly Christmas" - Johnny Marks 19. "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" - Tommie Connor 20. "Here Comes Santa Claus" (Right Down Santa Claus Lane) - Gene Autry, Oakley Haldeman 21. "It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas" - Meredith Willson 22. "(There's No Place Like) Home for the Holidays" - Bob Allen, Al Stillman 23. "Carol of the Bells" - Peter J. Wilhousky, Mykola Leontovich 24. "Santa Baby" - Joan Ellen Javits, Philip Springer, Tony Springer 25. "Wonderful Christmastime" – Paul McCartney 

"Re-recorded and revived by each decade's most popular artists, these holiday favorites illustrate the vital connection between ASCAP music creators and the holiday spirit, which fills the airwaves each year. For Americans and many others around the world, these classic lyrics and melodies are inseparable from the celebration of the holiday season - brightening lives year after year, and serving as a cornerstone of the ASCAP repertory".^[4] The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire) is a classic Christmas song, written in 1944 by vocalist Mel Tormé and Bob Wells. ... Melvin Howard Tormé (September 13, 1925 – June 5, 1999), nicknamed The Velvet Fog, is best known as one of the great male jazz singers. ... Santa Claus Is Coming to Town (sometimes with Coming changed to Comin) is a Christmas song. ... This article is about the song. ... Winter Wonderland is a pop standard written in 1934 by Felix Bernard (composer) and Richard B. Smith (lyricist). ... White Christmas is an Irving Berlin song whose lyrics reminisce about White Christmases. ... Irving Berlin (May 11, 1888 – September 22, 1989) was a Russian-born naturalized American composer and lyricist, and one of the most prolific American songwriters in history. ... Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! (sometimes also known as Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow, or less frequently as Let It Snow), a pop standard written by lyricist Sammy Cahn and composer Jule Styne in 1945 and first recorded by Vaughn Monroe, became... Sammy Cahn (June 18, 1913 – January 15, 1993) was an award-winning American lyricist, songwriter and musician, best known for his romantic lyrics to tin pan alley and Broadway songs, as recorded by Frank Sinatra, Doris Day and many others. ... Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is a popular Christmas story that has been told in numerous forms including songs and theatrical and television films. ... Johnny Marks (November 10, 1909 - September 3, 1985) was a Jewish-American songwriter[1]. He was born in Mount Vernon, New York. ... Jingle Bell Rock is the name of a popular Christmas song. ... Ill Be Home for Christmas is a Christmas song, written by Walter Kent, with Illlll Be home for christmas. ... The Little Drummer Boy is a popular Christmas song, with words and music by Katherine K. Davis. ... Sleigh Ride was written by Leroy Anderson in 1948, and was first recorded in 1949 by Arthur Fiedler & The Boston Pops Orchestra. ... The 2 words combined together Silver Bells refers to: A song by V6, see Silver Bells (J-Pop Song) OR A Christmas Carol, see Silver Bells (Christmas song) This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... It is proposed that this article be deleted, because of the following concern: Possible copyright infringement If you can address this concern by improving, copyediting, sourcing, renaming or merging the page, please edit this page and do so. ... Johnny Marks (November 10, 1909 - September 3, 1985) was a Jewish-American songwriter[1]. He was born in Mount Vernon, New York. ... Feliz Navidad means Merry Christmas in Spanish (literally Happy [or Felicitous] Nativity). It is also spoken in the plural for emphasis, Felices Navidades. ... José Montserrate Feliciano García (born September 10, 1945) is a Puerto Rican singer and guitarist. ... Blue Christmas is a Christmas song written by Billy Hayes and Jay W. Johnson. ... Frosty the Snowman is a popular Christmas song written by Walter Jack Rollins and Steve Nelson and recorded by Gene Autry and the Cass County Boys in 1950. ... Johnny Marks (November 10, 1909 - September 3, 1985) was an American songwriter. ... Johnny Marks (November 10, 1909 - September 3, 1985) was a Jewish-American songwriter[1]. He was born in Mount Vernon, New York. ... I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus is a Christmas song. ... Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane) is a Christmas song written by Gene Autry and Oakley Haldeman. ... Orvon Gene Autry (September 29, 1907 – October 2, 1998) was an American performer who gained fame as The Singing Cowboy on the radio, in movies and on television. ... Originally titled Its Beginning To Look Like Christmas was written by Meredith Willson in 1951. ... Carol of the Bells (also known as the Ukrainian Bell Carol) was adapted from Shchedryk by Mykola Dmytrovych Leontovych, which was first performed in December 1916 by students at Kiev University. ... Santa Baby is a Christmas song written by Joan Javitz, Philip Springer, and Tony Springer. ... Wonderful Christmastime is Paul McCartneys contribution to the world of holiday music. ... Sir James Paul McCartney, MBE (born 18 June 1942) is an English singer-songwriter, composer, multi-instrumentalist, poet, entrepreneur, painter, record producer, film producer, and animal-rights activist. ... The American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP) is an organization known as a collecting society that protects intellectual property, ensuring that music which is broadcast, commercially recorded, or otherwise used for profit, pays a fee to compensate the creators of that music. ... The American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP) is an organization known as a collecting society that protects intellectual property, ensuring that music which is broadcast, commercially recorded, or otherwise used for profit, pays a fee to compensate the creators of that music. ...

—ASCAP President and Chairman, Marilyn Bergman

Of these, the oldest songs are “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town” and “Winter Wonderland” which both came out in 1934. The newest song is Paul McCartney's Wonderful Christmastime from 1979. Songs introduced through motion pictures in the top 25 are: “White Christmas” from Holiday Inn (1942), “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” from Meet Me in St. Louis (1944), and “Silver Bells” in The Lemon Drop Kid (1950). Marilyn Bergman (née Keith, born 1929) is a composer, songwriter and author. ... Santa Claus Is Coming to Town (sometimes with Coming changed to Comin) is a Christmas song. ... Winter Wonderland is a pop standard written in 1934 by Felix Bernard (composer) and Richard B. Smith (lyricist). ... Year 1934 (MCMXXXIV) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display full 1934 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Sir James Paul McCartney, MBE (born 18 June 1942) is an English singer-songwriter, composer, multi-instrumentalist, poet, entrepreneur, painter, record producer, film producer, and animal-rights activist. ... Wonderful Christmastime is Paul McCartneys contribution to the world of holiday music. ... Also: 1979 by Smashing Pumpkins. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Holiday Inn is a 1942 film starring Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire, which featured the music of Irving Berlin. ... Year 1942 (MCMXLII) was a common year starting on Thursday (the link will display the full 1942 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the song. ... Meet Me in St. ... Year 1944 (MCMXLIV) was a leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... The 2 words combined together Silver Bells refers to: A song by V6, see Silver Bells (J-Pop Song) OR A Christmas Carol, see Silver Bells (Christmas song) This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... The Lemon Drop Kid is a 1951 comedy film based on the short story by writer Damon Runyon. ... Year 1950 (MCML) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

CD cover for Bing Crosby's "White Christmas"

The writer with most top Christmas songs is Johnny Marks with three: “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer,” “Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree,” and “A Holly Jolly Christmas”. By far the most recorded Christmas song is “White Christmas” with well over 500 versions in dozens of languages. White Christmas album cover, 1995 CD release, deemed fair use This work is copyrighted. ... White Christmas album cover, 1995 CD release, deemed fair use This work is copyrighted. ... Harry Lillis “Bing” Crosby (May 3, 1903 – October 14, 1977) was an American popular singer and Academy Award-winning actor whose career lasted from 1926 until his death in 1977. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Johnny Marks (November 10, 1909 - September 3, 1985) was a Jewish-American songwriter[1]. He was born in Mount Vernon, New York. ... Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is a popular Christmas story that has been told in numerous forms including songs and theatrical and television films. ... It is proposed that this article be deleted, because of the following concern: Possible copyright infringement If you can address this concern by improving, copyediting, sourcing, renaming or merging the page, please edit this page and do so. ... Johnny Marks (November 10, 1909 - September 3, 1985) was an American songwriter. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ...

Adopted Christmas songs

Much of what we know as Christmas music today was adopted from music initially created for other purposes, and retroactively applied to or associated with the holiday.

A significant subset of the secular songs are regarded as “Christmas” songs due to the time of year that they are most often sung, despite never mentioning anything about Christmas. These songs include traditional favorites such as “Winter Wonderland”, “Let it Snow”, and “Sleigh Ride” (whose standard lyrics mention not a holiday party but a birthday party). Winter Wonderland is a pop standard written in 1934 by Felix Bernard (composer) and Richard B. Smith (lyricist). ... Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! (sometimes also known as Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow, or less frequently as Let It Snow), a pop standard written by lyricist Sammy Cahn and composer Jule Styne in 1945 and first recorded by Vaughn Monroe, became... Sleigh Ride was written by Leroy Anderson in 1948, and was first recorded in 1949 by Arthur Fiedler & The Boston Pops Orchestra. ... Lyric can have a number of meanings. ... A birthday is the date on which a person was born. ...

These songs fall into the generic “winter” classification, as they carry no Christmas connotation at all. To popularize a winter-themed song, especially in the United States, without its being regarded as a “Christmas” song, would be difficult. In fact, winter-themed songs are generally not played on the radio in the U.S. during the larger part of the winter after the Christmas season has ended, although they may receive limited radio airplay on some stations, particularly after a significant snow event. For other uses of terms redirecting here, see US (disambiguation), USA (disambiguation), and United States (disambiguation) Motto In God We Trust(since 1956) (From Many, One; Latin, traditional) Anthem The Star-Spangled Banner Capital Washington, D.C. Largest city New York City National language English (de facto)1 Demonym American...

The other subset of this type is the "Christmas number one single" and "Christmas number two single." Tending to be more short-lived in their association with the holiday, these songs have absolutely nothing to do with Christmas or even winter, but are released around the time of the Christmas holiday and reach the top of the charts in the United Kingdom. As such, some songs will be "tweaked" to make them more related to Christmas. This is almost exclusively a British phenomenon; such songs in the United States are rare. Perhaps the most enduring of this type is Wham!'s "Last Christmas." Each year, record companies compete for the Christmas number one single spot on the British charts. ... Every year in the UK Singles Charts, there is a highly publicised race for the Christmas number one spot on Christmas day. ... Wham! (often written WHAM!) was a pop band formed in 1981 by George Michael, Andrew Ridgeley, and briefly, Stephen Gaffney. ... Last Christmas is a song by British pop duo Wham!, released on Epic Records in 1984, on a double A-side with Everything She Wants. It was written by George Michael, one half of the duo. ...

Novelty songs

Another subset of the popular Christmas songs, apart from the more sincere ones, are the many parodies or twists on existing songs, which are usually classified as "Novelty songs". The best known of these include: A novelty song is a silly or nonsensical song, performed principally for its comical effect. ...

• "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" sung by 13-year old Jimmy Boyd in 1952.
• "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas" written by John Rox and performed by Gayla Peevey (10 years old at the time) in 1953.
• "Nuttin' For Christmas" by Art Mooney and Barry Gordon, who was seven years old when he sang the song in 1955.
• "The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late)" sung by Alvin and the Chipmunks in 1958.
• "Monster's Holiday" recorded by Bobby "Boris" Pickett, written by Paul Harrison, released December 1962.
• "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer" by Elmo & Patsy which came out in 1979.

Even Cheech and Chong got into the act with "Santa Claus and His Old Lady" recorded in 1971. Christmas novelty songs can involve gallows humor and even morbid humor like that found in "Christmas at Ground Zero" and "The Night Santa Went Crazy", both by "Weird Al" Yankovic.^[5] Radio personality Bob Rivers has parlayed the format into several albums in the Twisted Christmas line. The number of Christmas novelty songs is so immense that radio host Dr. Demento devotes an entire month of weekly two-hour episodes to the format each year, and the novelty songs receive frequent requests at radio stations across the country. I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus is a Christmas song. ... Jimmy Boyd (born January 9, 1939) is an American singer, musician, and actor. ... Year 1952 (MCMLII) was a leap year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas is a Christmas novelty song written by John Coctoasten and performed by Gayla Peevey (11 years old at the time) in 1953. ... Gayla Peevey (b. ... Art Mooney (b. ... Barry Gordon (born December 21, 1948) is an American film and television actor. ... Year 1955 (MCMLV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays the 1955 Gregorian calendar). ... The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Dont Be Late) is a song written by Ross Bagdasarian (a. ... This article is about the musical group. ... Jan. ... Robert George Pickett (February 11, 1938 - April 25, 2007), was a native of Somerville, Massachusetts, United States, who found fame as a one-hit wonder musician under the name Bobby Boris Pickett. ... Paul Harrison (born 18 December 1984 in Liverpool) is an English footballer who currently plays for Southport as a goalkeeper. ... Look up December in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Year 1962 (MCMLXII) was a common year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1962 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer is a novelty Christmas song and the eponymous animated movie. ... Elmo Shropshire, better known as Dr. Elmo, is a singer of comedy songs, most notably Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer. ... Also: 1979 by Smashing Pumpkins. ... Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong were a comedy duo who found a wide audience in the 1970s and 1980s for their stand-up routines, which were based upon the eras hippie, free love and especially drug culture movements. ... Year 1971 (MCMLXXI) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar) of the 1971 Gregorian calendar. ... Gallows humor is humor that makes light of death or other serious matters. ... Polka Party! track listing Living with a Hernia Dog Eat Dog Addicted to Spuds One of Those Days Polka Party! Heres Johnny Dont Wear Those Shoes Toothless People Good Enough For Now Christmas at Ground Zero Christmas At Ground Zero is an original song by Weird Al Yankovic. ... Bad Hair Day track listing Amish Paradise Everything You Know is Wrong Cavity Search Callin In Sick The Alternative Polka Since Youve Been Gone Gump Im So Sick of You Syndicated Inc. ... This article is about the musician. ... Bob Rivers is one of the best-known rock and roll radio on air personalities in the northwestern United States, as well as a prolific producer of parody songs. ... Twisted Christmas is a humorous Christmas album recorded by Bob Rivers and his Comedy Corp. ... Dr. Demento is the stage name of Barret Eugene Hansen (born April 2, 1941),[1] a radio disc jockey specializing in novelty songs and pop music parodies. ...

Radio broadcasting

Radio broadcasting of Christmas music has been around for several decades. In the early 1990s, it became increasingly common to air uninterrupted days of popular Christmas music marathons in December, particularly on stations with Adult Contemporary or Soft AC formats. As early as 1992, some American radio stations began airing Christmas music all day on December 24-25. By 2000, several stations were starting the trend earlier in the month. Radio broadcasting can be done via cable FM, local wire networks, satellite and the Internet. ... Adult contemporary music, frequently abbreciated to just AC, is a type of radio format that plays mainstream and pop music, without hip-hop or rap since, as per the name, it is geared more towards adults than teens. ... Adult contemporary music, frequently abbreciated to just AC, is a type of radio format that plays mainstream and pop music, without hip-hop or rap since, as per the name, it is geared more towards adults than teens. ... is the 358th day of the year (359th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 359th day of the year (360th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

After 9/11, it became especially popular. After the terrorist attacks, radio stations across the country sought a sort of musical "comfort food" and began airing a format of continuous Christmas music from Thanksgiving evening through Christmas Day. The format was widely successful, and because of Christmas creep, radio stations have since moved up the usual format change to the Friday before Thanksgiving. Several stations, such as KOSY-FM, air all Christmas music even earlier, at the beginning of November, although this is generally the exception rather than the norm and stations that change formats earlier than November usually receive backlash from listeners. A sequential look at United Flight 175 crashing into the south tower of the World Trade Center The September 11, 2001 attacks (often referred to as 9/11—pronounced nine eleven or nine one one) consisted of a series of coordinated terrorist[1] suicide attacks upon the United States, predominantly... For the Canadian holiday, see Thanksgiving (Canada). ... Christmas Creep is the commercial phenomenon of merchants advertising for Holiday Specials earlier and earlier every year. ... KOSY-FM is a commercial radio station located in Centerville, Utah, broadcasting to the Salt Lake City, Utah area on 106. ...

Christmas music is also popular as an eccentric stunt format, used when a station is changing formats. For instance, a rock music station changing to a rhythmic oldies format will often air Christmas music in-between. It often occurs either at times when Christmas music seems out of place (for instance, in summer months) or for prolonged periods of time (for example, starting in October and not stopping until Christmas). Stunting in radio broadcasting occurs when a radio station abruptly begins broadcasting seemingly uncharacteristic programming or making grandiose claims regarding itself or its competitors to generate attention or word of mouth. ...

Satellite radio providers XM and Sirius, typically devote numerous channels during the holiday season to air different genres of Christmas music. AOL Radio also devotes channels, and even features a year-round Christmas music channel. “XM” redirects here. ... Sirius Satellite Radio NASDAQ: SIRI is one of two satellite radio (SDARS) services operating in the United States and Canada, along with XM Satellite Radio. ... This article or section reads like an advertisement. ...

See also

• Christmas songs
• Christmas carol
• List of Christmas carols
• Christmas songs introduced in theater, television, and film
• Christmas hit singles
• Christmas number-one singles in the UK

The 1995 re-release album cover of White Christmas A Christmas song is a song which is normally sung during the Christmas period, and usually has lyrical content addressing the holiday, the winter season, or both. ... For the short novel by Charles Dickens, see A Christmas Carol. ... A Christmas carol is a carol whose lyrics center on the theme of Christmas or that has become associated with the Christmas season even though its lyrics may not specifically refer to Christmas. ... The following is an incomplete list of Christmas songs (hit singles and tracks) recorded by well known and obscure artists, many of which have hit on various charts around the world. ...

References

• What Pop Music Can Teach Us About The Spirit Of Christmas^[6] - Essay on the seasonal value of pop music
• Carol Histories and Track Lists
• Christmas Time "the true spirit of Christmas"
• ASCAP ANNOUNCES TOP 25 HOLIDAY SONGS
• Bill Petro
• 100 Greatest Novelty Songs

Notes

Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 305th day of the year (306th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

External links

• Christmas Lyrics to your favorite Christmas music, Christmas Carol, and Christmas song
• Vote Christmas Songs - A chart for alternative Christmas songs.
• Christmas Matters - Music - A guide to Christmas music: Pop, Folk / Traditional & Classical.
• Christmas Broadband - Your favorite Christmas music. All Day. Every day.
• The Christmas Channel - 24/7 Christmas Music from Massachusetts Internet Radio
• New Christmas Music - Original and traditional Christmas songs
• Alt and Indie Christmas Songs - Blog series of Xmas songs from many modern artists
• Christmas Songs - Hundreds of traditional and contemporary Christmas songs with music
• All Christmas Internet Radio - free Christmas music online
• FaLaLaLaLa - Preserving old holiday recordings
• Christmas Production Music^[1] - Royalty Free Christmas Music

Further reading

• Stories Behind The Best-Loved Songs Of Christmas by Ace Collins, 160 pages, ISBN 0762421126, 2004.
• The International Book of Christmas Carols by W. Ehret and G. K. Evans, Stephen Greene Press, Vermont, ISBN 0828903786, 1980.
• Victorian Songs and Music by Olivia Bailey, Caxton Publishing, ISBN 1840674687, 2002.
• Spirit of Christmas: A History of Our Best-Loved Carols by Virginia Reynolds and Lesley Ehlers, ISBN 0880884142, 2000.
• Christmas Music Companion Fact Book by Dale V. Nobbman, ISBN 1574240676, 2000.