Top 10 Country Christmas Songs

Nelson wrote this holiday lament and first gave it to Roy Orbison, who had a huge hit with it in 1963. The Red Headed Stranger recorded it as the title cut of his first Christmas album in 1978, and since then, “Pretty Paper” has been recorded by dozens of artists, including Chris Isaak, Carly Simon and Kenny Chesney. Its message of folks getting too caught up in holiday shopping and failing to spread good will during the holidays rings true in any economy.

Country’s best-loved band of the ’80s released this tune to the approval of all audiences, especially fans in the South. Painting a picture of how the holidays are celebrated nationwide, the group inevitably makes its way back to its own hometown for a special wish: “And from Fort Payne, Ala., Merry Christmas tonight!” “Christmas in Dixie” is a traditional, warm-fuzzies-by-the-fireplace kind of song.

This mid-20th-century classic comes out of the same rural tradition as Wynonna and Naomi Judd, making the popular bluegrass tune an instant favorite. The blended voices of mother and daughter rise like a mist out of the Kentucky mountains. Other neo-traditionalists including Emmylou Harris and Patty Loveless have also recorded it, ensuring the song’s popularity for years to come.

Underwood and Smith debuted their Christmas duet, “All Is Well,” at the 2014 CMA Country Christmas event — Underwood’s first time on the annual holiday show. The song, off Smith’s The Spirit of Christmas album, is a simple one, reflecting on the meaning of Christmas, with Underwood’s powerhouse vocals giving country fans a true gift during the holiday season. “All Is Well” is beautiful enough to bring tears to your eyes in all the right ways during Christmastime.

A reminder that the holiday season isn’t always about twinkling lights and candy canes, this sobering look at the financial constraints that some families face during Christmas time was a No. 1 hit for Haggard in 1973, ultimately becoming the No. 2 song of the entire year. Now considered a classic, the oft-covered tune continues to resonate with listeners who struggle through the holidays.

Only Keen could get away with such an acerbic take on Christmas. Forget about joy to the world, pretty paper and angels — this is Christmas in the real world, where you’ve got to drink heavily just to deal with the stress of seeing your extended family and all the complications a get-together can bring.

What list of Christmas tunes would be complete without this novelty hit? First sung by writer Randy Brooks at a hotel in Lake Tahoe, Nev., in 1978, it was then recorded by husband-and-wife duo Elmo & Patsy Shropshire. Gaining momentum in the early ’80’s, the song about an over-served granny felled by Santa Claus’ sleigh eventually reached Christmas cult status. In 2000, it even spawned an animated television special.

Few songs capture the full sacred meaning of the season like this hymn does. Fewer still are the artists who can handle the challenging vocal range of the song, let alone with the passion and sentiment befitting the lyrics. Written in 1847 by Frenchman Adolphe Adam, the carol is now a worldwide expression of hope. McBride’s unforgettable version reached the country chart five years in a row, from 1997 through 2001. It is not to be missed.

Lee was all of 14 years old when she recorded this song in 1958. It has since become one of the all-time holiday classics, landing at No. 4 on a list of the most popular seasonal songs of any genre. The rockabilly take on the tune will forever be linked to the versatile vocalist nicknamed “Little Miss Dynamite,” whose influence is so vast that she has been inducted into both the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Our No. 1 spot goes to “the most famous reindeer of all.” Written as a story for a children’s coloring book in 1939 by Robert L. May, “Rudolph” was commissioned by the Montgomery Ward department store as a holiday marketing giveaway. Autry’s 1949 musical version (the original) has now sold more than 25 million copies and inspired the 1964 CBS TV special, which remains the longest-running holiday special in TV history.