1. Merry Christmas – Mariah Carey
Once you listen to this timeless collection, you’ll know exactly why it’s number one on our list of top ten Christmas albums. From Carey’s original Christmas classic, “All I Want For Christmas Is You” to the traditional “Jesus Oh What A Wonderful Child” this album is a great collection of Christmas classics. Soulful, yet current, despite the fact that it was released nearly twenty years ago, the album is not going anywhere anytime soon.
Notable Songs: All I Want For Christmas Is You, Christmas (Baby Please Come Home), Joy To The World, Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town, Jesus Oh What A Wonderful Child
2. Christmas From The Heart – David Archuleta
David Archuleta has proved time and time again that he has an awesome voice that can keep up with the biggest belters in music history. Making his Christmas album cements his place in pop music history. Despite his youth and pop sound, he managed to make a timeless album using a full range of instruments.
Notable Songs: Melodies of Christmas, Joy to the World, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, I’ll Be Home For Christmas, Pat-a-Pan, Riu Riu Chiu
3. Rejoyce: The Christmas Album – Jessica Simpson
Jessica Simpson’s smash Christmas album is another timeless compilation of music, but for different reasons. While most of the contenders on this list are noted for having a “timeless” feel by doing traditional versions of songs, Simpson did it differently. She still recorded traditional versions, however you would think the album was recorded at a live Las Vegas show–which sounds like it would be a horrible album, but Jessica pulls it off really well.
Notable Songs: Breath of Heaven (Mary’s Song), What Christmas Means To Me, Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!, Baby It’s Cold Outside, Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
4. Merry Christmas With Love
Clay Aiken has a very unique voice that he uses to his fullest on his first Christmas album. It was like he was born to sing Christmas classics. He croons and belts and makes it clear why this album is one of the top selling holiday albums in history. With the amount of promotion he did for this album (which included three concert tours), there isn’t a doubt in my mind that we’ll see more Christmas albums from Clay Aiken.
Notable Songs: Mary, Did You Know?, Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas, Joy to the World, Don’t Save It All For Christmas Day
5. The Lost Christmas Eve – Trans-Siberian Orchestra
This album is Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s best Christmas album to date–and they’ve had some incredible smashes. Another great rock-Christmas album. Something to put on in the background during the holiday season. The only reason it ranks at number five on our list is because a majority of the album is instrumental–which is fine for a casual listen, but the songs jumble together unless you listen closely.
Notable Songs: The Lost Christmas Eve, Wizards In Winter, The Wisdom of Snow, Wish Liszt (Toy Shop Madness), Christmas Canon Rock, Christmas Dreams, Remember, Queen of the Winter Night, Christmas Jam, Siberian Sleigh Ride, What Is Christmas?, For The Sake of Our Brother, What Child Is This?
6. Merry Christmas II You – Mariah Carey
Mariah Carey’s second Christmas album attempts to reach the timelessness of 1994′s “Merry Christmas,” and it does a great job–better than most artists can do–however, it fails to reach the greatness of its predecessor. For the album, Carey penned four original songs, however only two are memorable: “Oh Santa!” and “One Child.” What Carey does greatly on this album is create medleys for timeless classics. What’s amazing is that Mariah was able to create an incredible album while pregnant with her twins. One thing is for sure, Mariah Carey creates some of the best Christmas albums in history.
Notable Songs: Oh Santa!, O Come All Ye Faithful/Hallelujah Chorus, O Holy Night (Live), One Child, All I Want For Christmas Is You (2010 Extra Festive Version), Auld Lang Syne (The New Year’s Anthem)
7. Christmas Eve and Other Stories – Trans-Siberian Orchestra
Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s first Christmas epic proves why they’re the best at creating rock-orchestral versions of Christmas classics. From start to finish, the album is solid, however, it the songs do seem to get jumbled together, the same thing with the other two Christmas CDs. But it’s great to play in the background.
Notable Songs: Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24, An Angel Came Down, First Snow, A Mad Russian’s Christmas, The Prince of Peace, Good King Joy, An Angel Returned
8. A Merry Little Christmas – Lady Antebellum
The country duo are riding the coat-tails of their “Need You Now” fame with a small collection of light Christmas tunes. Every song on this six-song EP–with the exception of “Blue Christmas” and “Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow”–is a soft, almost acoustic rendition of each song. Even Mariah Carey’s huge Christmas hit, “All I Want For Christmas Is You” has been slowed down. You wouldn’t even know it’s the same song. The set also features the original track “On This Winter’s Night.”
Notable Songs: Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas, All I Want For Christmas Is You, Blue Christmas, Silver Bells
9. Acoustic Hearts of Winter – Aly & AJ
The sister singing duo present an album consisting of acoustic versions of holiday classics. A wonderful collection. The album starts off with a bang with the original song “Greatest Time of Year,” and ends with another original, the sad Christmas song, “Not This Year.” Two major highlights on the album.
Notable Songs: Greatest Time of Year, Not This Year, Let It Snow, Deck the Halls, Little Drummer Boy
10. Sounds of the Season: The Taylor Swift Holiday Collection – Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift hasn’t been known for a huge voice–she just doesn’t have it in her. But she simply shines on this tiny little collection of Christmas songs. She managed to squeeze in two original songs on this six song EP. Also included is her unique rendition of “Silent Night.” It’s definitely worth checking out.
Notable Songs: Last Christmas, Santa Baby, Silent Night, Christmas Must Be Something More
