Americana Christmas Music to Celebrate the Season

Christmas just wouldn't be Christmas without the music.

From the beautiful sounds of traditional Christmas carols to the lively strains of Sleigh Ride, music has always been a big part of the season. Some songs have been favorites for centuries, while others became Christmas classics thanks to the singers and musicians who made them famous.

Here at Americana Music and Memories, we've gathered a collection of Christmas songs, carols, and special performances for you to enjoy. You'll find everything from Bing Crosby and the Boston Pops to traditional hymns and a few musical surprises along the way.

So turn up the volume and enjoy some Christmas music!

Classic Christmas Music You Can Enjoy Online

Remember when listening to your favorite Christmas music meant pulling out a record, cassette, or CD? Today, there's a whole world of Christmas music available with just a few clicks.

There's no shortage of variety either!

For instance, Leroy Anderson's lively orchestral composition of Sleigh Ride has become a Christmas favorite, even though the song never actually mentions Christmas. The Boston Pops' performance is a treat, complete with the sounds of sleigh bells and a horse's whinny.

Then there's Bing Crosby's White Christmas. Written by Irving Berlin, it became one of the most successful Christmas recordings of all time.

Enjoy these timeless Christmas favourites and see why they never go out of style.

Timeless Christmas Carols and Hymns

Popular Christmas classics are fun to hear, but there's something especially moving about the traditional carols that celebrate the birth of Christ.

O Holy Night is one of those songs. Its soaring melody and powerful lyrics have made it a favorite with singers and listeners for generations.

Experience the beauty and power of O Holy Night with this stirring performance of a Christmas favorite.

And if you enjoy singing along, why not join in with some of the best-loved Christmas carols, including Silent Night, O Come All Ye Faithful, It Came Upon a Midnight Clear, and O Little Town of Bethlehem?

Whether you prefer a full choir, a solo vocalist, or a simple instrumental arrangement, these Christmas carols have a beauty all their own.

A Christmas Musical Surprise

Not all great Christmas performances take place in concert halls or churches.

Imagine doing a little Christmas shopping when, without warning, someone nearby begins to sing. Then another voice joins in, followed by another, until the entire shopping area seems to come alive with music.

That's what happened during a Christmas food court performance of Handel's Hallelujah Chorus.

It's a wonderful example of how music can capture people's attention and turn an ordinary moment into something extraordinary.

Watch this unexpected flash mob Hallelujah Chorus performance here. It's well worth a look!

The Fascinating History of Greensleeves

Some of our most familiar Christmas carols have surprisingly interesting beginnings.

For instance, did you know that the melody for What Child Is This? was originally known as Greensleeves? Greensleeves was an English folk song dating back to the sixteenth century. It wasn't written as a Christmas song at all.

More than two hundred years later, William Chatterton Dix wrote the Christmas lyrics that we now associate with this beautiful tune.

Yes, there's more to this familiar melody than you might think. Discover the fascinating history of Greensleeves here, explore its original lyrics, and enjoy a beautiful folk-style instrumental performance.

Christmas Hits Through the Decades

Which Christmas songs topped the charts from the 1940s through the 1980s? Here are five memorable hits that made their mark on Billboard's music charts.

Decade	Christmas Song	Artist	Chart Achievement
1940s	White Christmas	Bing Crosby	No. 1 for 11 consecutive weeks in 1942
1950s	The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late)	David Seville and the Chipmunks	No. 1 on the Hot 100 for four weeks in 1958-59
1960s	The Little Drummer Boy	Harry Simeone Chorale	No. 1 on Billboard's Christmas singles chart in 1964
1970s	Merry Christmas, Darling	Carpenters	No. 1 on Billboard's Christmas singles chart in 1970
1980s	Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer	Elmo & Patsy	No. 1 on Billboard's Christmas singles chart in 1983

Note: These are selected chart-topping Christmas recordings from each decade, not a definitive ranking of each decade's biggest seller. Billboard's chart formats changed over the years.

Enjoy the Sounds of Christmas

There's so much variety in Christmas music. From the rich harmonies of a choir to the unmistakable voice of Bing Crosby, from lively orchestral arrangements to the simple beauty of a traditional carol. There's something for everyone.

And thanks to the internet, we can enjoy these wonderful performances whenever we please.

We hope you'll take some time to explore our Christmas music collection, listen to a few favorites, and perhaps discover something new along the way.

Merry Christmas, and happy listening!