Christmas time in Woodford County is a special time for all its residents. During their commute to work, school, or simply meandering around Kroger, there’s always one constant: Christmas music. In this article, some of Santa’s favorite Jacket Journal elves will explain their favorite Christmas songs and how they have transformed the Christmas season.

Sam’s Top 5

Sam Criteria: Replayability, Christmas feel, energy, 

1. Feliz navidad
2. Santa Claus is coming to town (Bruce Springsteen)
3. Sleigh ride
4. Run run rudolph
5. Wonderful Christmas time (Paul McCartney)
6. Last Christmas
7. It’s the most wonderful time of the year
8. Rocking around the Christmas tree

First up, Sam. To Sam, Christmas time has an atmosphere like no other. The joy, the decorations, the gifts, and the anticipation all come together to create what we know as “Christmas time”. One of the most important factors is the presence of festive music. For one month, radios, music streaming services, commercials, and even shows are flooded with the Christmas spirit. There’s a variety of songs to choose from. That all focuses on certain aspects of the holiday season. He wants Christmas songs to build excitement and anticipation for the Christmas season. Others may prefer the slow, serene songs that encapsulate the warm and loving feelings that come along with the season of giving. The fact of the matter is that all Christmas songs are great. However, it’s undeniable that my top 5 Christmas songs can transform you from a bah-humbug to a herald of Christmas cheer.

Parker’s Top 5

1. It’s the Most Wonderful Time (Andy Williams)
2. Sleigh Ride
3. Last Christmas (Wham!)
4. Winter Wonderland (Bing Crosby)
5. Let It Snow! (Dean Martin)

HM: O Tannenbum (Charlie Brown)

HM: Happy Xmas/War is Over (John Lennon)

HM: It’s Beginning to Look a Lot like Christmas (Bing Crosby)

Next up is Parker; In his opinion, Christmas music should not only invoke the holiday spirit, but also focus on nostalgia and memories. Every song on this list has a separate memory that he associates with the jolly spirit. The first honorable mention goes to, “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot like Christmas” by Bing Crosby. His second honorable mention goes to “Happy Xmas/War is Over” by John Lennon. The third and last honorable mention goes to O Tannenbum in the Charlie Brown Christmas Movie. 

The list starts off with “Let it Snow!” By Dean Martin in the fifth-place spot. This song specifically brings memories of drifting off after a day of fun on Christmas Eve, dreaming of Christmas. The song that takes the 4th slot is Winter Wonderland by Bing Crosby. Winter Wonderland is a calming song that brings a reminder of driving through the Christmas light shows with my family, looking at all the cool decorations and unique lights. In the number three slot is a classic: Last Christmas by Wham! This song is one of the favorites because of its replayability and catchiness. It simply evokes the feeling of just driving through the snow at night while blasting classics. You hear that starting synth and you crank the music and just enjoy yourself the whole way home. In the number two slot is Sleigh Ride. This song is like playing in the snow as a kid, making snow angels and running around just having fun. And finally, Parker’s favorite Christmas song of all time is, It’s the Most Wonderful Time by Andy Williams. This song is the perfect song to describe Christmas morning. Waking up to the immediate joy of that Christmas feeling. Running downstairs to see what Santa left for you. Tearing up your presents without a care in the world. This song is the perfect Christmas song. 

Sean’s Top 5

1. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
2. Winter Wonderland
3. Sleigh Ride
4. Jingle Bell Rock
5. The Christmas song

HM: Silent Night

HM: Run Rudolph Run

HM: It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

And finally, Sean. The criteria Sean used to rank Christmas songs started with the “singability” and catchiness of the song. To him, a Christmas song needs to be easy to sing and known by all; this is what gives the best Christmas songs magic. When everyone knows a Christmas song, it can be sung with ease and create a magical feeling that is hard to recreate. Another aspect that is important in Christmas songs is the overall merriness of the songs and how they evoke a sense of Christmas. Christmas songs need to stand out with jingle bells, choirs/carolers, and brass spewing triumphant Christmas energy. Lastly, it is important for how timeless a Christmas song is.

Honorable mentions: Silent Night, Run Rudolph Run, It’s beginning to look a Christmas

Sean’s honorable mentions start with Silent Night. This is an amazing song to hear a full sanctuary sing on a Christmas Eve service; however, it would be hard to replay it anywhere else, which is why he would not place it on my top 5. Another honorable mention is Run Rudolph Run. If you were to randomly select any Christmas movie, odds are this song would be played somewhere in the movie. However, it is not a great song for most people to sing together, which is why it doesn’t make the top 5. Lastly, It’s Beginning To Look a Lot Like Christmas also doesn’t crack the top 5 because it is not a song for most people to sing together and is only magical when it is snowing; otherwise, it doesn’t feel the same.

Top 5:

#5: The Christmas Song

The Christmas Song is a classic that everyone has most likely heard at least once, and it makes the top 5 mainly for its timelessness. This song was released in 1964 and is a song that can still be played many times this Christmas season, almost 80 years later. Picture the night before Christmas as your eyes begin to droop towards a night of angst as Santa draws near. When this song is playing, it creates a peaceful seasonal atmosphere that gets you ready for Christmas, which is why it makes his top 5.

#4: Jingle Bell Rock, #3 Sleigh Ride

Jingle Bell Rock and Sleigh Ride are top-tier Christmas songs that are used in many movies and shows, which is why they are right next to each other in his rankings. These songs bring high energy and are absolutely highly ranked on the “merriness” scale and the “singabilty” scale. If a song can be played each year, and it can bring people together with so much joy and energy, yet also allow everyone to sing along together, it deserves to be ranked in the top 5.

#2 Winter Wonderland

Winter Wonderland is an overall classic Christmas song. Almost no song can match the repeatability of this song, and along with the joy and Christmas spirit that this song brings, it absolutely belongs this high in the top 5. Imagine yourself driving around on a snowy day around the holidays. While looking at Christmas lights, Winter Wonderland plays over the radio, which brings a feeling and experience that would grow even the Grinch’s heart.

#1 Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

This song is high on almost every scale this Christmas season. This song brings merriness and a Christmas feel, while it is also known to everyone. Michael Bublé makes this song so versatile. Imagine yourself sitting by the fireplace with a cup of hot chocolate while this song plays in a warm and peaceful atmosphere. Now imagine walking the streets of downtown and finding everyone singing this song as a carol. This song is so peaceful and merry, and allows you to be captivated by the Christmas spirit, which is why it is the top song on my list.

All Together Rankings

Using complex metrics, the elves ranked every song mentioned in the top 5 by its festive atmosphere, musical quality, lyrics, cultural longevity, emotional impact, and replay value, all out of ten for a max score of 60 points per song. Then we took everyone’s scores and averaged them out to find which songs were collectively the best.

#5: Wonderful Christmas Time 50.5

#4: Sleigh Ride with an average score of 51

#3 Most Wonderful Time of the Year with an average score of 52

#2 Run Run Rudolph 52.5

#1 Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas with an average score of 53