When the holiday season begins, music becomes one of the first traditions to kick in. Among modern Christmas classics, few songs have made a larger global imprint than Mariah Carey’s All I Want For Christmas Is You, released in 1994. Decades later, it continues to dominate seasonal streaming charts around the world, re-entering music rankings every December and becoming a defining sound of contemporary Christmas culture.
But holiday listening isn’t a single-artist celebration. Long before modern streaming, voices like Bing Crosby, Elvis Presley, and Nat King Cole helped shape what Christmas music sounded like for mainstream audiences, recording songs that remain staples across generations. As music evolved, new seasonal favourites emerged from artists spanning pop, R&B, rock, country, and even classical crossover, offering everything from soulful ballads to upbeat festive anthems.
Some listeners choose songs driven by tradition, others love theatrical pop nostalgia, while many prefer cozy acoustic carols or religious classics that reflect the spiritual side of the season. The beauty of Christmas music lies in its emotional variety — there is no single sound of the holidays.
Now it’s time to pick your side: Is it Mariah Carey leading your Christmas playlist… or someone else?
Vote in the poll below and let your holiday soundtrack speak.