It's Christmas time and everything seems just a little bit better. There are smiles all around, the air has a crisp nip (unless you're sweltering in the southern hemisphere) and almost everywhere you can hear the lilting sound of Christmas music.
There is so much of Christmas music around it can be pretty daunting to decide what to listen to, so we came up with a playlist that combines a modern twist with some classic elegance.
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We'll take you on a journey through time as we cover the eternally reassuring presence of Bing Crosby's voice to the kitschy brilliance of Wham!
Whether this is your 50th Christmas or your 15th, download these tunes and have a very merry Christmas
Frosty the Snowman by Cocteau Twins
A true classic given a thoroughly enjoyable if slightly strange 80s twist
I Believe in Father Christmas by Greg Lake
Greg Lake, member of Emerson, Lake and Palmer died recently. But not before his ode to the commercialisation of Christmas became a commercial Christmas hit
Santa Claus Is Coming to Town – Jackson 5
Michael Jackson before it all went very weird. Great song, great fun
Little Drummer Boy/Peace on Earth – David Bowie & Bing Crosby
Two vocal master pair up to sing one of the most famous Christmas songs ever
Happy Xmas (War Is Over) – John Lennon
There aren't many famous Christmas songs with a political message, but trust John to come up with one
Last Christmas – Wham
So much fun, you can't help but sing along. But please, not the sweaters!
Do They Know It's Christmas – Band Aid
A beautiful song dedicated to the children in war-torn regions. This year, think Syria
2000 Miles – The Pretenders
OK so this is a song about missing someone on Christmas, but it's the Pretenders! We love them
Winter Wonderland – Perry Como
A Christmas classic, and one that should be on everyone's lips when the clock strikes midnight
I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus – The Ronettes
One of the most fun songs in the Christmas catalogue. Needles to say it's been the butt of many comedic spin-offs
White Christmas – Bing Crosby
Arguably the greatest Christmas song (that's not a carol), sung by the most famous Christmas voice ever. Nuff said.
