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This index lists the essential songs (not all the songs) contained on the albums reviewed in Hip Christmas, plus singles, album tracks, or one-hit wonders not otherwise included on those albums. Whenever possible, the artist's name is linked to my review of the best Christmas album (not necessarily the only or original album) on which to find the song.

Barring that, the names will be linked to a place where you may buy the song (usually Amazon). If there's no link, it means that, to my knowledge, the song is not available, though used copies may be in circulation. Of course, the list will expand as I write more reviews. And, nothing's perfect - especially me and my crazy list. Please send additions, corrections, criticisms, and suggestions via email.

  • I Am Santa (The Darkness, 2015)
  • I Believe In Christmas (Corvair, 2022)
  • I Believe In Christmas Eve (Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, 1970)
  • I Believe In Father Christmas
  • I Believe In Santa Claus (Mills Brothers, 1955)
  • I Believe In Santa Claus
  • I Believe In Santa's Cause (Statler Brothers, 1978)
  • I Believe In You (Sinead O'Connor, 1992)
  • I Bought You A Plastic Star For Your Aluminum Tree (Michael Franks, 1997)
  • I Can't Have A Merry Christmas, Mary (Without You) (Jerry Lee Lewis, 1970)
  • I Can't Help It, I Just Like Christmas (Rick Moranis, 2013)
  • I Can't Wait (Richard X. Heyman, 2013)
  • I Can't Wait For Xmas (Bell Peppers, 2013)
  • I Can't Wait Till Christmas (Teresa Brewer, 1953)
  • I Did It For The Toys (Dance Hall Crashers, 1996)
  • I Didn't Say Fudge (Ralphie's Red Ryders, 2023)
  • I Don't Believe In Santa Claus (Methadone Cocktail, circa 1993)
  • I Don't Intend To Spend Christmas Without You (Saint Etienne, 1998)
  • I Don't Know What Christmas Is (But Christmastime Is Here) (Old 97's, 2022)
  • I Don't Want To Be Alone For Christmas (Bill Haley & The Saddlemen, 1951)
  • I Dreamt That I Was Santa Claus (Lu Ann Simms, 1953)
  • I Farted On Santa's Lap (Now Christmas Is Gonna Stink For Me) (Little Stinkers, 1998)
  • I Feel It In My Bones (The Killers featuring Ryan Pardey, 2012)
  • I Give Up, What Is It? (Yogi Yorgesson, 1951)
  • I Got This For You (For Christmas) (Movieland, 2024)
  • I Had Sex With Santa (Barnes & Barnes, 1986)
  • I Hate Christmas (Ren & Stimpy, 1993)
  • I Hate Christmas (All Year Round) (Steel Miners, 1996)
  • I Hate December (Ivy, 1994)
  • I Hate Fuckin' Christmas (Rugburns, 1995)
  • I Hate Xmas (Vibrators, 2000)
  • I Hate You This Christmas (Kate Nash, 2013)
  • I Hear Jingle Bells (Freddie King, 1961)
  • I Heard The Angels Singing (Frankie Laine & The Four Lads, 1955)
  • I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day
  • I Hope I Sell A Lot Of Records At Christmastime (Princess Superstar, 1999)
  • I Just Want You (For Christmas) (Royal Bliss, 2009)
  • I Like Christmas (Teresa Brewer, 1958)
  • I Like Christmas (I Like It, I Like It) (Barry Gordon, 1956)
  • I Love Christmas (Tommy James & The Shondells, 2004)
  • I Love The Winter Weather - see Winter Weather
  • I Love To Ride With Santa Claus (Jimmie Davis, 1953)
  • I Love Xmas (Screaming Santas, 1995)
  • I Love You Santa Claus (Werewandas, 2012)
  • I Need You Christmas (Jonas Brothers, 2020)
  • I Needed Christmas (Reba McEntire, 2021)
  • I Never Spend A Christmas That I Don't Think Of You (Statler Brothers, 1978)
  • I Really Don't Want Much For Christmas (Deborah Cox, 2020)
  • I Remember Christmas
  • I Said A Prayer For Santa Claus (Jimmy Boyd, 1953)
  • I Saw Mommy Cha Cha Cha With You Know Who? (Bonnie Sisters, 1955)
  • I Saw Mommy Do The Mambo (With You Know Who) (Jimmy Boyd, 1954)
  • I Saw Mommy Biting Santa Claus (Dollyrots, 2013)
  • I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus
    • Molly Bee (1952)
    • Jimmy Boyd (1952)
    • Teresa Brewer (1953)
    • Jimmy Charles (1960)
    • Johnny Clarke (1975)
    • Bill Doggett (1954)
    • Jaida Dreyer (2012)
    • Four Seasons (1962)
    • Impressions (1976)
    • Jackson 5 (1970)
    • Lene Lovich (1976)
    • John Mellencamp (1987) Top 100 Song [close]
      A Very Special Christmas
      listen / buy

      The cute-but-annoying "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" dates back to 1952, when little Jimmy Boyd made it a pop sensation. It's been covered hundreds of times, including popular versions by Theresa Brewer, Spike Jones, Perry Como, the Four Seasons, the Ronettes, and the Jackson 5. It's been parodied by Homer & Jethro ("I Saw Mommy Smoochin' Santa Claus") and Kip Addotta ("I Saw Daddy Kissing Santa Claus"), and Boyd himself recorded "I Saw Mommy Do The Mambo (With You Know Who)" two years after the fact.

      I chose to spotlight John Mellencamp's version - originally released on the overrated but widely-praised A Very Special Christmas - because it steers clear of the novelty and delivers a rootsy performance as convincing as any the celebrated Hoosier ever waxed. One of Mellencamp's mentors, John Prine, had recorded the song to kick off his Oh Boy! label in 1984, and that version served as a blueprint for Mellencamp's own reading. But, in 1987 the former Johnny Cougar was at the culmination his most fertile period (his tremendous Lonesome Jubilee was released the same year), and the spirit with which he and his band reinvent Boyd's trifle is impressive. Infusing their arrangement with hints of cajun, bluegrass, and rockabilly, they achieve a sort of novelty nirvana that renders Santa's illicit lip-lock all but irrelevant. [back to list]

    • Eddie Money (2015)
    • Pretenders (2008)
    • John Prine (1984)
    • Ronettes (1963)
    • Teenage Kicks (1982)
  • I Saw Santa In The Club Last Nite (Young MC, 2010)
  • I Tant Wait Till Quithmuth (Mel Blanc, 1951)
  • I Told Santa Claus (Fats Domino, 1993)
  • I Told Santa Claus I Want You (Surf Boys, 1966)
  • I Understand (Just How You Feel) (Auld Lang Syne)
  • I Wanna Be A King Of Orient-ah! (Elastica, 1994)
  • I Wanna Be Santa Claus (Ringo Starr, 1999)
  • (I Wanna Go) Surfin' with Santa! (Hollyberries, 2009)
  • I Wanna Goat For Christmas (Wilder Brothers, 1955)
  • I Wanna Spend Christmas With You (aka Lonesome Christmas) (Lowell Fulson, 1967)
  • (I Wanna Wear A) MIrrored Hat Like Slade (Swansea Sound, 2024)
  • I Want A Baby Brother For Christmas (Carolyn Binkley, 1965)
  • I Want A Beatle For Christmas (Becky Lee Beck, 1964)
  • I Want A Beatle For Christmas (The Fans, 1964)
  • I Want A Beatle For Christmas (Jackie & Jill, 1964)
  • I Want A Beatle For Christmas (Patty Surbey & the Canadian VIP's, 1964)
  • I Want A Big White Cadillac For Christmas (Little Joey Farr, 1960)
  • I Want A Boy For Christmas (Del Vetts, 1961)
  • I Want A Hippopotamus For Christmas
    • Lake Street Dive (2017)
    • Linda Gail Lewis (2023)
    • Love Tractor (2006)
    • Gayla Peevey (1953) [close]

      Gayla PeeveyOklahoman Gayla Peevey was just 10 years old when she scored a major hit in 1953 with "I Want A Hippopotamus For Christmas." She was one of many little kids with big voices who had hit records in the 1950's, including Jimmy Boyd ("I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus"), Barry Gordon ("Nuttin' For Christmas"), and Brenda Lee ("Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree"). But, the goofy children's song had largely been forgotten until revived by Dr. Demento in his 1985 series, The Greatest Novelty Records Of All Time, turning it into a tongue-in-cheek classic. Peevey would record several more Christmas songs, including "Angel In The Christmas Play" (1954) and "77 Santas" (1955), but "I Want A Hippopotamus For Christmas" turned out to be her only hit. She would chart one more song, "My Little Marine," in 1960 under the name Jamie Horton - trying to shed her juvenile image, I suppose. It didn't work, and her career was over after 1962.

      A number of artists have since recorded "I Want A Hippopotamus For Christmas" including Love Tractor (2006), Gretchen Wilson (2009), and the Whiskeybelles (2013) but none have succeeded in making it sound very cool. Perhaps the closest we've come is Lake Street Dive (2017), whose Latin spin at least makes it danceable.

    • Whiskeybelles (2013)
    • Gretchen Wilson (2009)
  • I Want A Hippopotamus For Christmas, Too (Aquabats, 2021)
  • I Want A Present For Christmas (J.B. Summers with Doc Bagby's Orchestra, 1949)
  • (I Want A) Rock & Roll Guitar (Johnny Preston, 1960)
  • I Want An Alien For Christmas (Fountains Of Wayne, 1997)
  • I Want Elvis For Christmas (Holly Twins with Eddie Cochran, 1956)
  • I Want Your Soul For Christmas (Schoolyard Heroes, 2008)
  • I Want My Baby For Christmas (Smokey Hogg, 1948)
  • I Want My Baby For Christmas (Jimmy Liggins & The Drops Of Joy, 1950)
  • I Want The South To Win The War For Christmas (Spike Jones, 1959)
  • I Want To Come Home For Christmas (Marvin Gaye, 1972) [close]

    Christmas In The CityMarvin Gaye poured a lot of righteous anger into protest songs like "What's Going On" and "Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)," both from his historic 1971 Tamla album. But, he exercised a surprising amount of restraint on his 1972 song, "I Want To Come Home For Christmas" - despite the fact that it tackled a subject as incendiary as the Vietnam War (read more).

    Rather than rail against a futile war, Gaye and his cowriter, Forest Hairston, personalized their message by telling the heartbreaking tale of a soldier trapped in a filthy prisoner-of-war camp as the war entered its waning days. "I'd give anything to see a little Christmas tree," begins, subsequently listing all the many symbols of Christmas (mistletoe, jingle bells, Santa Claus) and America (children, family, baseball) that are burned so deeply in the hearts of any P.O.W. Each verse ends, though, with the prisoner resigned that he won't see these dear sights "unless they stop the fight."

    Happily, the United States signed a peace treaty with North Vietnam in January 1973, and all American personnel were home by March. The fighting between North and South Vietnam continued, however, until 1975 when the Vietcong took Saigon and Vietnam - for better or worse - was reunified.

    Marvin Gaye recorded "I Want To Come Home For Christmas" in 1972 as part of a planned Christmas album, but the song wasn't released until 1990 when Motown included it on a boxed set, The Marvin Gaye Collection. It was later included on Christmas In The City, a 1993 CD of rare holiday tracks from Hitsville USA, and as a bonus track on the 1999 reissue of A Motown Christmas, the label's landmark 1973 compilation (read more). In 2019, the song was included on Gaye's You're The Man, a collection of 1972 recordings intended for a never-released album - though many tracks had been released in the intervening decades.

  • I Want To Go To Santa Claus Land (Bobby Helms, 1967)
  • I Want To Spend Christmas With Elvis
  • I Want You For Christmas (Cheap Trick, 2012)
  • I Want You With Me At Christmas (Jesse Belvin, 1956)
  • I Was A Teenage Reindeer (Jim Backus with Daws Butler, 1959)
  • I Was Born On Christmas Day (Saint Etienne, 1993)
  • I Was Thinking I Could Clean Up For Christmas (Aimee Mann, 2005)
  • I Wish (Tha Dogg Pound, 1996)
  • I Wish Every Day Was Christmas (Suburban Legends, 2011)
  • I Wish It Could Be A Wombling Merry Christmas Every Day (The Wombles with Roy Wood, 2000) [close]

    The Wombles with Roy WoodThe English have a bit of a thing for Christmas songs. First of all, they get their knickers all in a bunch over which song will be #1 on Christmas - not necessarily a Christmas song, though it frequently has been. (This odd phenomenon even became the subject a 2003 movie, Love Actually, starring Hugh Grant.) Beyond that, the Brits go bonkers over Christmas songs in ways Yanks rarely do. Slade's "Merry Xmas Everybody," for instance, was a huge hit across the pond (#1 for a month in 1973) while it didn't even chart in the US. Other UK Christmas #1's include "Lonely This Christmas" (Mud, 1974), "Mary's Boy Child" (Boney M, 1978), "When A Child Is Born" (Johnny Mathis, 1976), "Merry Christmas Everyone" (Shakin' Stevens, 1985), "Mistletoe & Wine" (Cliff Richard, 1988), and three different versions of Band Aid's "Do They Know It's Christmas?" (1984, 1989, and 2004).

    Anyway, as Bill Cosby used to say, I told you all that to tell you this... Two other peculiarly British Christmas hits were "I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday" (1973) by ELO founder Roy Wood and his new band Wizzard, and "Wombling Merry Christmas" (1974) created by musician/producer Mike Batt for a British childrens TV show. Both were great, glam-inflected songs, and both peaked at #4 on the British charts. So, somehow it seemed (almost) natural when in 2000 Batt mashed them up to create a new hybrid single that, nevertheless, ended up less impressive than its two components.

    The Wombles with Roy Wood"We've taken the two songs and made the silliest song ever by juggling the two bits together," Batt explained to the BBC at the time. The writer for the Beeb expected that the new Wombles/Wood record would "fight it out for the number one spot with releases from Westlife and the Spice Girls" - both pop sensations at the time. Instead, the #1 record in England on Christmas went to (believe it or not) juvenile TV sensation Bob The Builder and his theme song "Can We Fix It?" while the Wood/Wombles entry struggled to #22.

    "I Wish It Could Be A Wombling Merry Christmas Every Day" was originally issued as a CD single in two parts, with various b-sides and remixes - see part one and part two. Since then, it's proven tough to find, and has been anthologized only once - on early, limited edition pressings of the British CD, The Wombles Collection (now deleted).

  • I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday
  • I Wish It Was Christmas Today (Julian Casablanca, 2009)
  • I Wish It Was Summer (At Christmas Time) (Jack Blackman & The Beautiful Wreck, 2019)
  • I Wish My Mom Would Marry Santa Claus (Gene Autry, 1953)
  • I Wish That It Would Snow In Austin (The Grapes & Friends, 2012)
  • I Wish To All (A Merry Christmas) (Eddie Floyd, 2011)
  • I Wish You A Merry Christmas (Little Eva & Big Dee Irwin, 1963)
  • I Won't Be Home For Christmas (Blink 182, 1997)
  • I Won't Be Home For Christmas (Kristeen Young, 2009)
  • I Won't Be Twisting This Christmas (Father Guido Sarducci, 1980)
  • (I Wonder) Who's Spending Christmas With You (Joe Dowell, 1961)
  • I Yust Go Nuts At Christmas (Yogi Yorgesson, 1949)
  • I'd Like To Trim A Tree With You (McGuire Sisters, 1955)
  • I'd Like You For Christmas (Julie London, 1957)
  • (I'll Be Glad When) Christmastime Is Done (Bite The Wax Godhead, 1994)
  • I'll Be Home For Christmas
  • I'll Be Home On Christmas Day (Elvis Presley, 1971)
  • I'll Be Killing You (This Christmas) (Loudon Wainwright III, 2013)
  • I'll Be Missing You (Under The Mistletoe) (Bonnie Guitar, 1966)
  • I'll Be On The Chimney (When Santa Comes Tonight) (Freddy Fender, 1977)
  • I'll Be Walking The Floor This Christmas (Ernest Tubb, 1954)
  • I'll Be Your Santa Baby
    • Jimmy D. Scott (2014)
    • Rufus Thomas (1973) Top 100 Song [close]
      It's Christmas Time Again
      listen / buy

      Whereas his daughter, Carla, usually worked a smooth, sultry groove, Memphis soul man Rufus Thomas was always loud, proud, and funky - and frequently comical. All four characteristics are abundantly evident on "I'll Be Your Santa Baby," a bawdy workout released as a Stax single in 1973. As the horns mockingly toot Christmas carols and the band lays down a dirty backbeat, Rufus hollers "Here comes Santa Claus," giving the distinct impression he ain't talking 'bout no sleigh ride. Sexual innuendo abounds throughout, beginning with this deathless verse: "I'll slide down your chimney and bring you lots of joy, what I got for you, mama, it ain't just a toy." From there, Rufus makes a sly (and rare, in the phallocentric pop world) reference to the clitoris: "This Christmas you'll remember, I'll make sure of that, 'cause this Christmas, mama, I showed you where it was at!" Thomas, actually, seems almost as concerned with duration as he is with the performance itself: "When the New Year rolls around, you'll still be askin' for more," and Rufus won't quit till the job is done - "till 1984," actually. Now that's staying power!

      "I'll Be Your Santa Baby" was first compiled on Stax's It's Christmas Time Again (1982) which claims in its liner notes that the song was previously unreleased. It was not. Subsequently, it's shown up frequently on albums like Christmas In Soulsville (2007) and Christmas A Go-Go (2008), as well as The Complete Stax/Volt Singles Vol. 3: 1972-1975 (1994). The single's original b-side, the infinitely more gentle "That Makes Christmas Day," first popped back up on Christmas In Soulsville billed as a duet between Rufus and Carla. It's not, really, but they did write the song together, and that's probably Carla singing background vocals. The Soulsville master, by the way, is nearly a full minute longer than the original 45 version, which can be found on The Complete Stax/Volt Singles Vol. 4 (2018). [back to list] [learn more]

  • I'll Be Your Santa Claus (Eddie Floyd, 2011)
  • I'll Be Your Santa Tonight (Keith Urban, 2019)
  • I'll Have A Merry Christmas Without You (Flat Duo Jets , 1994)
  • I'll Make Everyday Christmas (For My Woman) (Joe Tex, 1967) Top 100 Song [close]
    Soul Christmas
    listen / buy

    Kindly Joe Tex swung wildly throughout his career between reverent romantic sermons ("Hold On To What You've Got," "Sweet Woman Like You") and boisterous comic goofs ("Skinny Legs And All," "I Gotcha"). "I'll Make Everyday Christmas (For My Woman)" was squarely in the former camp as Joe takes the men folk to church, preaching that they should make everyday as special as a holiday for the women they love. The solemn organ, Joe's slowly building fervor, and his homespun homilies conspire to shame all but the most devoted husband. "There'll be times when I won't be able to afford a piece of mistletoe," sings Joe, "but I'll kiss her so sweetly, and I'll hold her so gently, that she won't even know."

    "I'll Make Everyday Christmas (For My Woman)" was first released as a single in 1967, when it reached #15 on Billboard's Christmas chart. It was included the following year on Atco's monumental Soul Christmas, where it contrasts sharply with carnal odes like Clarence Carter's "Back Door Santa" (another Top 100 Song). That dichotomy of sin and salvation has long been the essence of gospel music - which Joe Tex's song is in all but name - the foundation upon which soul music is built. [back to list] [learn more]

  • (I'm Always Touched By Your) Presents, Dear (Syd Straw, 1993)
  • I'm Getting A Ukulele For Christmas (Carly Jamison, 2014)
  • I'm Getting Pissed for Christmas (Peter & The Test Tube Babies with GBH, 1998)
  • I'm Gonna Lasso Santa Claus (Brenda Lee, 1956)
  • I'm Gonna Spend My Christmas with a Dalek (The Go-Go's, 1964) [close]

    The Go-Go'sDaleks, I have learned, were mutants characters in the British science fiction television series, Doctor Who. This mod-sounding, guitar-driven novelty - annoying juvenile intonation notwithstanding - capitalized on the popularity of TV show. The Doctor Who franchise, I should note, is quite the cultural phenomenon in England, but in the United States its popularity was largely relegated to sci-fi geeks and right-wing paranoiacs - though much less so since the BBC rebooted the series in 2005. Anyway, the single is exceedingly rare, but it finally surfaced on compact disc with Who Is Dr. Who, a collection of Doctor Who-related tracks (RPM, 2000). Finally, it should go without saying (but won't) that these Go-Go's are not the Go-Go's who recorded "Our Lips Are Sealed." Who they are, exactly, remains as big of a mystery as Doctor Who himself.

  • I'm Gonna Tell Santa On You (Faron Young, 1953)
  • I'm Having Santa for Christmas (Lustra, 2007)
  • I'm Mad At The Fatman (Ray & Glover, 1992)
  • I'm Not A Pervert (Austrian Death Machine, 2011)
  • I'm Not Really In The Christmas Mood This Year
  • I'm Not Your Dad, I'm Father Christmas (Stratocruiser, 2013)
  • I'm On The Naughty List (Frankie And The Studs, 2017)
  • I'm Pickin' Fights For Christmas (Doye O'Dell, 1968)
  • I'm Trimming My Christmas Tree With Teardrops (Ernest Tubb, 1953)
  • I'm Your Private Santa Claus (Eddy Arnold, 1954)
  • I've Fallen In Love With A Snowman (Millie Small, 1964)
  • I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm
  • I've Got Some Presents For Santa
    • Jenerators (1992)
    • Sarah Taylor & Billy Mumy (1994) [close]
      Sarah Taylor & Billy MumyThis titillating tune was written, played, and produced by Billy Mumy, best known as earnest Will Robinson from the oft-parodied 60's sci-fi TV show, Lost In Space. In the 70's, young Master Mumy formed Barnes & Barnes, the bizarre duo (in)famous for "Fish Heads," a song in regular rotation during the early days of MTV (when they had little else to play) and on Dr. Demento's syndicated radio show. Much later, Mumy collaborated with otherwise obscure vocalist Sarah Taylor on "I've Got Some Presents For Santa," which was played on the Demento show as early as 1991 under billing of Barnes & Nibbles, but was not commercially released until 1994. A smooth, smokey ballad, "Presents" manages to check off just about every sexual metaphor in the rich Christmas catalogue. Santa squeezes his big North Pole down Sarah's hot chimney - and that's just where the fun begins. Unfortunately, Mumy's b-side, "Holiday Affair" demonstrates the fine line between ribald and puerile, falling flat while using much the same cheeky conventions as "Presents For Santa." (Rhino released the song as a CD single, and it quickly fell out-of-print. It has never been reissued or anthologized. However, a 1992 live version by Mumy's band, the Jenerators, can be found on the 2000 compilation Mark & Brian: Little Drummer Boys.)
  • I've Had A Very Merry Christmas (Jerry Lewis, 1952)
  • Ice (Shelleyan Orphan, 1990)
  • Ich Hasse Santa Claus (I Hate Santa Claus) (Nina Hagen, 1999)
  • Iesu Faban: A Christmas Chorale (Mary Hopkin, 2014)
  • In Dulci Jubilo (Mike Oldfield, 1975)
  • In The Bleak Midwinter (Bert Jansch, 1974)
  • If Christmas Can't Bring You Home (Reigning Sound, 2004)
  • If Christmas Comes To Your House (Freddy Fender, ,1977)
  • If Everyday Was Like Christmas (Elvis Presley, 1966)
  • If I Could Spend Christmas With You (Tommy Roe, 1993)
  • If I Get Home On Christmas Day (Elvis Presley, 1971) Top 100 Song [close]
    Elvis Presley, "The Wonderful World Of Christmas"
    listen / buy

    In 1971, Elvis Presley was still riding high on the wave of success that followed his storied '68 Comeback' NBC-TV special and From Elvis In Memphis LP. Ironically, the TV show was supposed to have been a Christmas special, envisioned by Col. Tom Parker as a traditional holiday offering to placate the fans. For once, Elvis rebeled against to Colonel's unimaginative leadership, and the result was an electrifying return-to-form for the King Of Rock 'n' Roll. When Presley recorded Elvis Sings The Wonderful World Of Christmas, the malaise that eventually led to his death was beginning to take it's toll, but he was still selling millions of albums and concert tickets and, more importantly, was still capable of uncorking amazing performances when the muse inspired him.

    The emotional centerpiece of Wonderful World Of Christmas, "If I Get Home On Christmas Day" is just such a moment, centered around what critic David McGee claimed "may well be the King's best recorded vocal." Written by British producer/songwriter Tony Macaulay, "If I Get Home On Christmas Day" is pristine 1970's studiocraft, understated in a way that Elvis' best work rarely was. For instance, the incendiary "Merry Christmas Baby" on the same album was wonderful, but it's drawn in bold, almost caricatured strokes. On "If I Get Home On Christmas Day," Elvis is, for once, an adult, with all the passion and ambiguity that condition portends.

    Wonderful World Of Christmas has been reissued many times, and all or most of the album has been included on several fine Elvis Christmas compilations starting with If Every Day Was Like Christmas (1994). In addition, the whole album also appears on Elvis' 2021 boxed set, Back In Nashville, but presented with pristine undubbed, unedited masters. [back to list] [learn more]

  • If It Doesn't Snow On Christmas
  • If Santa Claus Could Bring You Back To Me (Jimmy Wakey, 1949)
  • If Santa Was My Daddy (Lael Calloway, 1956)
  • If We Can Just Make It Through Christmas (Chandler Travis Philharmonic, 2004)
  • If We Make It Through December
    • Merle Haggard (1973) Top 100 Song [close]
      Merle Haggard
      listen / buy

      The dust bowl imagery Merle Haggard inherited from his Okie forbears was easily supplanted in the early 1970's by modern images of economic recession. In "If We Make It Through December," Merle's been "laid off down at the factory," and he's facing with grim resignation the inevitable disappointment in his daughter's eyes when no presents are found under the tree. Like all working class heroes, though, he tenaciously clings to hope. "If we make it through December, we'll be fine," he insists. I'm not so sure, but the song is an unforgettably harrowing tale, all the more effective for its understated backing track.

      "If We Make It Through December" was originally released in 1973 as a single - reaching #1 Country and #7 on the Christmas charts - and on his first holiday album, Merle Haggard's Christmas Present (Something Old, Something New). That album has been reissued on CD as A Christmas Present (1990), Country Christmas With Merle Haggard (1995), and Hag's Christmas (2007). The song also served as the title track of Haggard's next Capitol album in 1974. "If We Make It Through December" is also frequently collected, including on Capitol's 20 Greatest Hits, Razor & Tie's Lonesome Fugitive, and Haggard's boxed set, Down Every Road - all recommended. [back to list] [learn more]

    • Walking Wounded (1991)
  • Il Est Né Le Divin Enfant (He Is Born The Divine Child)
  • In The Bleak Midwinter
  • In The Limelight (Stephen Bishop, 1974)
  • Irie Christmas (Freddie MacGregor, 1980)
  • Is Christmas Only A Tree? (Bing Crosby, 1955)
  • Is There Really A Santa Claus? (Red Foley, 1966)
  • Is This Christmas? (The Wombats, 2007)
  • It Ain't Christmas Yet (Ben Kweller, 2014)
  • It Ain't Christmas Without You (Roxy Roca, 2014)
  • It Came Upon A Midnight Clear
  • It Doesn't Feel Like Christmas
  • It Doesn't Have To Be That Way (Jim Croce, 1973)
  • It Doesn't Often Snow At Christmas
  • It Feels Like Christmas (Ginger Coyle, 2012)
  • It Feels Like Christmas (Eddie & The Hot Rods, 2015)
  • It Feels Like Christmas Every Single Day (Carly Jamison, 2014)
  • It Isn't Christmas (Hayley Sales, 2013)
  • It Isn't Really Christmas Until Noddy Starts To Sing (Don Powell's Occasional Flames, 2019)
  • It Just Can't Be Christmas Without You (Kung Fu Monkeys, 1999)
  • It Just Wouldn't Be Christmas (Loud Family, 1994)
  • It Kinda Looks Like Christmas (Royal Guardsmen, 1967)
  • It May Be Winter Outside (But In My Heart It's Spring)
  • It Must Have Been Love (Christmas for the Broken Hearted) (Roxette, 1987)
  • It Was A Silent Night At Least Until Jeff Lynne Arrived (Grandaddy, 2021)
  • It Won't Be Christmas (Till You're Here) (Julie C, 2010)
  • It Won't Be Christmastime ('Round Here) (RJ Comer of Dance Hall Pimps, 2012)
  • It Won't Seem Like Christmas (Jim Eanes, 1963)
  • It Won't Seem Like Christmas (Without You) (Elvis Presley, 1971)
  • It's A Big Country (Davitt Sigerson, 1981)
  • (It's A) Happy Holiday (Shells, 1962)
  • It's A Holiday (Material with Nona Hendryx, 1981)
  • It's A Merry Time (Sierra Swan, 2006)
  • It's A Peppermint Christmas (Peppermint Kicks, 2021)
  • (It's A) Tom Waits Christmas (Pony Death Ride, 2017)
  • It's A Technicolor Christmas When You're Jewish (Because The Moviehouses Never Close) (Tommy & The Greyhounds, 1985)
  • It's A Wonderful Life (Gonna Have A Good Time) (Fishbone, 1987)
  • (It's A Sad, Sad Time For Me) Elvis Won't Be Here For Xmas (Linda Hughes, 1977)
  • It's About That Time (The Idea, 1991)
  • It's Almost Christmas (Ingrid Michaelson, 2022)
  • It's Always Christmas At My House (Huntingtons, 1998)
  • It's Almost Christmas Time (Karen Basset, 2013)
  • It's Always Christmas Time (Al Jourgensen with Mark Thwaite, 2009)
  • It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas
  • It's Christmas! (Bay City Rollers, 2023)
  • It's Christmas (Bouquet Of Veal, 1995) [close]

    Punk Rock XmasBouquet Of Veal was barely a band. After all, they only recorded two songs, "Dwarf Tossin'" - a Dr. Demento favorite - and "It's Christmas" (1995), a full-on surf punk assault on the season. The song certainly sounds happy, but there's no "goodwill towards men" here. Instead, this holiday is filled with candy, sex, booze, pee, and a comprehensive lack of charity. "It's Christmas, it's not for the Jews," the band declares. And, by the way, "Fuck you, stupid homeless guy, you put a damper on my jubilation."

    A sort of nepo baby band, Bouquet Of Veal featured Jonathan Rosner, son of producer David Rosner and stepson of singer Margo Guryan, and Travis Cowsill, son of Bill Cowsill of, duh, the Cowsills. Rosner was also one of the producers of Rhino's Punk Rock Xmas (1995), which includes "It's Christmas," and he went on to become a big wig in the music business. Both Bouquet Of Veal songs can also be found on a digital single issued many years later.

  • It's Christmas (Brave Combo, 1991)
  • It's Christmas (Davy Jones, 1997)
  • It's Christmas (Marvin & Johnny, 1958) Top 100 Song [close]
    Rhythm & Blues Christmas
    listen / buy

    The first ever Christmas reissue - in the modern sense of the word - came in 1976 when United Artists compiled Rhythm & Blues Christmas, a 10-song LP containing seven songs on my Top 100 plus three that barely missed the cut (read about it). Marvin & Johnny's "It's Christmas" was a failed Aladdin 45 released in 1958, and it was literally rescued from obscurity by Rhythm & Blues Christmas. The song's confident tempo and easy harmonies made it a welcome discovery, even if the lyrics didn't break new ground, mostly trading in all the usual Christmas clichés.

    Though often lumped in with the doo woppers, Marvin & Johnny sang as one voice and professed their devotion with gospel-like feeling. In doing so, they clearly set the stage for later soul duos like Sam & Dave and James & Bobby Purify. Marvin & Johnny are best remembered for songs like "Baby Doll" (#9 R&B, 1953), "Tick Tock" (#9 R&B, 1954), and "Cherry Pie," the b-side of "Tick Tock" that later became a major pop hit for Skip & Flip (#11, 1960). But, it's worth noting that the duo was comprised of two different Marvins and several different Johnnys over the years. "It's Christmas" was written by Marvin Phillips, who founded the group with Johnny Dean. But, "It's Christmas" probably features Emory Perry in the role of "Johnny," though no truly authoritative source confirms that. It's also worth noting that the original Aladdin release is titled "It's Christmas Time," but most reissues - including Rhythm & Blues Christmas and Rhino's Rockin' Christmas: The 50's - truncate the title to "It's Christmas," which is what the duo usually sings. The song is also found on EMI's Legends Of Christmas Past, one of its few legitimate CD appearances. [back to list] [learn more]

  • It's Christmas (Modern Talking, 1987)
  • It's Christmas (Bob Morrison, 1966)
  • It's Christmas (Polyphonic Spree, 2003)
  • It's Christmas (Toots & The Maytals, 2011)
  • It's Christmas (Jimmy Wakely, 1953)
  • It's Christmas (All Over the World) (New Edition, 1985)
  • It's Christmas All Year Round (Charles Brown, 1961)
  • It's Christmas And I Fucking Miss You (Charly Bliss and Pup, 2020)
  • It's Christmas And I'm Sick (MXPX, 2004)
  • It's Christmas Everywhere (Paul Anka, 1960)
  • It's Christmas In Herald Square (Tony Bennett, 1998)
  • It's Christmas (Let's Pretend We're Fine) (Don't Call Me Ishmael, 2022)
  • It's Christmas Once Again
  • It's Christmas Once More (Mary Karlzen, 2007)
  • It's Christmas So We'll Stop (Frightened Rabbit, 2007)
  • It's Christmas Time (George Castelle, 1954)
  • It's Christmas Time (Five Keys, 1951) Top 100 Song
  • It's Christmas Time (Bubber Johnson, 1955)
  • It's Christmas Time (Jules Larson, 2010)
  • It's Christmas Time (Louvin Brothers, 1961)
  • It's Christmas Time (Mr. President, 2011)
  • It's Christmas Time (The Qualities, 1956)
  • It's Christmas Time (Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, 1970)
  • It's Christmas Time (Roses & Revolutions, 2014)
  • It's Christmas Time (Status Quo, 2008)
  • It's Christmas Time (Steel Magnolia, 2010)
  • It's Christmas Time (Sun Ra presents The Qualities, 1955)
  • It's Christmas Time Again (Backstreet Boys, 2012)
  • It's Christmas Time Again (Cecil Gant, 1950)
  • It's Christmas Time Again (Peggy Lee, 1953)
  • It's Christmas Time Again (Jimmie Davis, 1964)
  • It's Christmas Time (Again) (Molly Burch, 2024)
  • It's Christmas Time In Texas
  • It's Christmas Time (Hey We're Gonna Rock) (Flat Duo Jets, 1995)
  • It's Christmas Today (from "An Almost Christmas Story") (John C. Reilly, 2024)
  • It's Christmas (What's The Difference) (The Films, 2008)
  • It's Christmastime (Drunken Prayer, 2011)
  • It's Christmastime (Empty Hearts, 2016)
  • It's Christmastime In Louisiana (Johnnie Allan, 1987)
  • It’s Christmastime (Let’s Just Survive) (Kathleen Edwards, 2019)
  • It's Cold Outside (The Choir, 1966)
  • It's Different Now (Ice Choir, 2014)
  • It's Fucking Christmas (Pete Jones of Public Image Limited, 2012)
  • (It's Gonna Be) A Lonely Christmas
    • Marshall Crenshaw (2006)
    • Orioles (1948) Top 100 Song [close]
      Christmas Past
      listen / buy

      Hailing from Baltimore - where else? - the Orioles were one of the leading "bird groups" (such as the Ravens, Penguins, and Crows) that midwifed the birth of doo wop. After early hits like "Too Soon To Know" (1948), the Orioles greatest claim to fame came in 1953 with the immortal "Crying In The Chapel," a #1 R&B hit that was actually a cover of a country song - though the song is also closely associated with Elvis Presley, who charted a #3 pop hit with it in 1965.

      Those of us in the know, however, cherish the Orioles' "(It's Gonna Be A) Lonely Christmas" above all others. It's a picture-perfect expression of holiday desolation (scratchy master and all), as lead singer Sonny Til solemnly intones, "This year I'll be blue and lonely listening to the music from the party across the hall." The song was first issued as a Jubilee single in 1948, reaching #8 R&B. When it was reissued in 1949, it made #5 R&B, and it was backed with a new song, "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve," which charted #9 R&B - and is another entry in my Top 100 Songs. Both songs are included on Christmas Past, a collection of songs from the Roulette family of labels, as well as Rhino's Doo Wop Christmas. [back to list] [learn more]

  • (It's Gonna Be A) Punk Rock Christmas (Ravers, 1977)
  • It's Just Another New Year's Eve (Barry Manilow, 1977)
  • It's Love On Christmas Day (Buzzed Meg, 2001)
  • It's Not Christmas (Kelley Ryan, 1991)
  • It's Not Christmas 'Til You Come Home
  • It's Not Christmas Till Somebody Cries (Carly Rae Jepsen, 2020)
  • It's Not Christmas Without You (V.D. King, 2022)
  • It's Now Christmas Day (Tommy Roe, 2015)
  • It's Santa (Gavin Guss, 2023)
  • It's Still Christmas (Marcella Detroit of Shakespeare's Sister, 2012)
  • It's Such A Lonely Time Of Year [close]
    The Sinatra Family Wish You A Merry Christmas
    listen / buy

    Chip Taylor would be a rock legend if all he ever wrote was "Wild Thing," which became a garage rock classic after the Troggs took it to #1 in 1966 - and was later covered by everyone from guitar god Jimi Hendrix to punk icons X. But, Taylor wrote many more hits including songs as notable as the Hollies' "I Can't Let Go" (1966), Merilee Rush's "Angel Of The Morning" (1968), and Janis Joplin's "Try (Just a Little Bit Harder)" (1969).

    In 1968, Chip Taylor took a stab at a Christmas standard, "It's Such A Lonely Time Of Year," with his frequent writing partner, Al Gorgoni. Taylor recorded it as a non-LP single for Columbia Records, and his version went nowhere. Still, it's a very well-written song but, despite some high profile covers, it never took off - and one listen will tell you why. "It's Such A Lonely Time Of Year" isn't just a song about being alone at Christmas, it's a song about being divorced at Christmas. Songs about divorce were trendy at the time - think Cher's "You Better Sit Down Kids" (1967), Elvis Presley's "Separate Ways" (1972), and, of course, Tammy Wynette's "D-I-V--O-R-C-E" (1968) - perhaps because divorce rates were skyrocketing during the age of free love and women's liberation.

    Taylor's song is probably best known as sung by Nancy Sinatra on The Sinatra Family Wish You A Merry Christmas (1969). She also released it as a single but, like Taylor's own version, it flopped. She does a good job with the song, though, selling the pathos of spending the holidays without the one you love - but with the kids he dumped on you. She's trying to make their Christmas a merry one, but the brats keep asking where daddy is. "It's such a lonely time of year," she concludes, adding "holidays and birthdays, summer days and winter days, and any day when you're not here." Hardly the most wonderful time of the year...

    1960's Christmas ClassicsTwo additional famous singers covered "It's Such A Lonely Time Of Year" in 1969, again without much to show for it. Handsome John Davidson released it as a non-LP Columbia single, but wisely chose to not include it on his album, My Christmas Favorites, released the very same year. Then, Wayne Newton recorded it for his MGM album, Everything's In Love Today, also releasing it as a single with negligible results. Significantly, Newton also performed the song in the film 80 Steps To Jonah, which he starred in, though there doesn't appear to have been a soundtrack album. Weirdly, neither of Newton's LP or 45 releases mention the movie, though Nancy Sinatra's single release of the same song does.

    And, that's the end of the story. To my knowledge, "It's Such A Lonely Time Of Year" has never been covered again, and two of the original four versions - Taylor's and Newton's - have never been reissued in the digital age. Davidson's also gathered dust until 2024, when it showed up on Sony's digital compilation, 1960's Christmas Classics (Sony, 2024). Chip Taylor, however, recorded a new version of "It's Such A Lonely Time Of Year" for his 1996 album Hit Man.

    Chip Taylor's career cooled off considerably after the 1960's, but he stayed active in music well into the 21st century. If you'd like to learn more about him, I recommend Wild Thing: The Songs Of Chip Taylor (Ace, 2009), a collection of covers both famous and obscure - not including "It's Such A Lonely Time Of Year." And, by the way, Chip Taylor's real name is James Voight. He's the brother of actor Jon Voight - which means he's the uncle of actress Angelina Jolie.

  • It's So Close To Christmas (And I'm So Far From Home) (Bellamy Brothers, 1981)
  • It's That Time Again (Rich Krueger, 2017)
  • It's That Time Of The Year (Manhattans, 1966)
  • It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year
  • It's The Time (Happy Holidays) (Ronnie Spector, 2010)
  • It's Xmas (A Time For Giving)

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