What was the last "Christmas" song to become a standard?

[R. P. McMurphy]

During the month of December we get to hear a lot of Christmas music whether we like it or not. Most of it is variations of what we consider "standards".

In asking this question I am not sure how a "standard" should be defined. As a starting point, maybe it is a song that has been recorded and released by at least 10 known recording artists. Maybe that is too low. A "standard" is a popularly recognized song and we all recognize Christmas standards. Those songs hit it big, get played year after year and must reap in a ton of royalties.

So, what's the last Christmas standard to hit it big? What's the last one that, 10 years from now we will still recognize. Any ideas?

[brazil84]

During the month of December we get to hear a lot of Christmas music whether we like it or not. Most of it is variations of what we consider "standards".

In asking this question I am not sure how a "standard" should be defined. As a starting point, maybe it is a song that has been recorded and released by at least 10 known recording artists. Maybe that is too low. A "standard" is a popularly recognized song and we all recognize Christmas standards. Those songs hit it big, get played year after year and must reap in a ton of royalties.

So, what's the last Christmas standard to hit it big? What's the last one that, 10 years from now we will still recognize. Any ideas?

Seems like there is a lot of room for debate on this one, but I'm gonna go with Barenaked Ladies' version of "God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman," which only came out a few years ago but seems to have some staying power.

[FatBaldGuy]

I think the question is not about a specific artist, but the song as a song. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen has been around for many, many years.

I'm thinking the answer to the OP may be something along the lines of Feliz Navidad, or the Chipmunks' Christmas Song.

[FriarTed]

Two Christian songs that are becoming Christmas standards in those circles- "Breath of Heaven" and "Mary, Did You Know?"

To the OP- "Do You Hear What I Hear?" perhaps.

[Rhubarb]

The most recent "standard" that comes to mind for me is John Lennon's So This Is Christmas. There are a number of currently popular covers of more traditional Christmas fare, like Madonna's Santa Baby. But a decade from now, it may well be someone else's cover that is popular, while Lennon's composition will still be THE standard for that song.

IOW, that's the latest original Christmas tune (AFAIK) that has become a standard in the sense of being widely known, popular and played countless times per day from November through December each year.

Any other, newer nominees?

ETA: to FriarTed, since I've never heard of either of those songs, I'm going to say they're disqualified as standards on the grounds of not being known to everyone (yet).

[Art Rock]

Fairytale of New York?

Wikipedia link, including cover versions (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Fairytale_Of_New_York).

[dtilque]

How about John Lennon's "Happy Xmas (War is Over)"? It's one year newer than "Feliz Navidad". José Feliciano released Navidad in 1970, while Lennon's song came out in 1971.

BTW, these songs are among the rare Christmas songs that I am not thoroughly sick off. Can't think of any others off hand, but there are one or two.

[dtilque]

Rats! Rhubarb beat me to it. But at least I got the title right. "So this is Christmas" is the first line of the song, but not the title.

[Rhubarb]

Rats! Rhubarb beat me to it. But at least I got the title right. "So this is Christmas" is the first line of the song, but not the title.

You also knew the year of its release. My hat's off to your superior knowledge.

[Tangent]

How about "All I Want For Christmas Is You" by Mariah Carey? It has become very popular since its release in 1994.

From the Wikipedia page (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All_I_Want_for_Christmas_Is_You):

It is Carey's most successful song worldwide. It became the first holiday ringtone to go gold and platinum in the U.S., and every Christmas season, it reemerges in the top 10 in many charts worldwide. According to The New Yorker, it is "one of the few worthy modern additions to the holiday canon".

It has been covered by many artists (listed in the Wiki link) and is the song sung on stage by the girl near the end of the movie Love Actually.

[dtilque]

You also knew the year of its release. My hat's off to your superior knowledge.

Gotten from Wikipedia: Happy Xmas (War Is Over) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Happy_Xmas_(War_Is_Over)). I certainly don't retain that level of trivia in my head.

[njtt]

Well, just keeping it within the family, Paul McCartney's "Wonderful Christmastime" came out in 1979, eight years after "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)," and it certainly seems to me that these days I hear it a lot more often than Lennon's song. According to Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wonderful_Christmastime) it has been covered 13 times, and (unlike John's song) it is, just, on the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers list of "the top 25 most-performed Holiday songs (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_music#ASCAP.27s_Most-performed_.27Holiday.27_songs)" (I put that in quotes because the list apparently excludes out-of-copyright songs, like "Jingle Bells," and those not composed by members of ASCAP).

Mind you, although I do not normally align myself with the anti-McCartneyist faction within the Beatleist International, I feel compelled to state that I think the Lennon song is [I]vastly superior (and, indeed, it has been covered, if not given airplay, much more often). Indeed, it is about the only Christmas song I can think of that is truly worth listening to (or is bearable to listen to) at other times of year (and there are plenty of other Christmas songs I would rather hear at Christmas before "Wonderful Christmastime").

Incidentally, Wikipedia says that the most recent song on the ASCAP list is "Mark Lowery's 'Mary, Did You Know' from 1984," but (a) I have never heard of it, and (b) it does not actually appear on the list as Wikipedia gives it! Nevertheless, this Wikipedia page (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_music) may be the best place to look for an answer to the OP's question.

[njtt]

There are a number of currently popular covers of more traditional Christmas fare, like Madonna's Santa Baby.

Santa Baby is about the least 'traditional' Christmas song imaginable (and no, I haven't forgotten Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer).

[legalsnugs]

How about "Do They Know It's Christmas?" written by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure in 1984. (Wikipedia knowledge, not mine).

[Zsofia]

Damn it, it's always the last post that has what I came in to say. :) I'd say "Do They Know It's Christmas" over, say, "I Believe in Father Christmas", because I've heard somebody else cover "Do They Know It's Christmas".

[Horseflesh]

My vote is also for 'Do they Know It's Christmas?'

While it may not have been covered by any other artist (none that I know of), I hear it quite often on the radio during the Christmas season every year and many random people I've talked to know this song.

Some other candidates mentioned here I've not heard (or may have and didn't know it, I'm not a big fan of Christmas music), so the fact that Band-Aid's song sticks out to me gets it my vote.

[Justin_Bailey]

How about "All I Want For Christmas Is You" by Mariah Carey? It has become very popular since its release in 1994.

It has been covered by many artists (listed in the Wiki link) and is the song sung on stage by the girl near the end of the movie Love Actually.

Totally agreed. I'd have to check Billboard, but I think this song is on top of the top holiday songs again this year.

[Rick]

My vote is also for 'Do they Know It's Christmas?'

While it may not have been covered by any other artist (none that I know of), I hear it quite often on the radio during the Christmas season every year and many random people I've talked to know this song.

Some other candidates mentioned here I've not heard (or may have and didn't know it, I'm not a big fan of Christmas music), so the fact that Band-Aid's song sticks out to me gets it my vote.
Well if we are going for one artist songs that are played frequently during the holiday season, I have to go with Christmas Eve/Sarajevo - 12/24 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9lmbrExvAI) by The Trans Siberian Orchestra.
Part of an awesome album, and these guys put on an excellent show during the holiday season.

[Musicat]

How about a new candidate? It's Christmas Time, (http://doorbell.net/sounds/xmas_time.mp3) performed by Marcus Ryle and Susan Wolf.

[norinew]

How about "Do They Know It's Christmas?" written by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure in 1984. (Wikipedia knowledge, not mine).
Sidenote (for those who do not mind the hijack): I heard this song maybe four times when I was out doing last-minute shopping yesterday, and every time it came on, I reminded myself: "Must play freerice.com when I get home" (in response to the line: "Feed the world: let them know it's Christmas time")

I play freerice on an almost daily basis, but it is easy to forget such things in the light of preparing for holiday busy-ness.

[Baron Greenback]

In the UK The Pogues' Fairytale of New York (1987) and to a lesser extent Jona Lewie's Stop the Cavalry (1980) have become firm Christmas favourites, despite the rather unfestive nature of the lyrics. Certainly they are both tunes that can cause a mass sing-a-long in a public drinking establishment.

[Martini Enfield]

How about "All I Want For Christmas Is You" by Mariah Carey? It has become very popular since its release in 1994.

I came in here to mention this one; I hear it quite a lot each Christmas.

In fact, didn't Mariah Carey do an entire album of Christmas music?

[Hail Ants]

Although quite obviously not a Christmas song, its still a holiday song, Adam Sandler's Hanukkah Song is the most recent I can remember that now gets played every year.

And even though I'm not particularly a fan of him, that song is pretty good!

[madrabbitwoman]

When a child is born

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/When_A_Child_Is_Born
It is certainly very popular here in Au

[Martini Enfield]

When a child is born

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/When_A_Child_Is_Born
It is certainly very popular here in Au

I've never heard it, but that's not to say it isn't popular in some parts of the country...

[sciurophobic]

I would say a Christmas standard is one that was written by a songwriter, not a singer/songwriter, and so isn't connected exclusively to one person. My vote is for We Need a Little Christmas, from 1956.

[ntcrawler]

Grown up Christmas List?

Originally recorded in 1990, first made a hit by Amy Grant when she recorded it in 1992 and according to Wikipedia:

"The song has been frequently covered by other artists, including B.J. Thomas in 1997, Donny Osmond in 1998, Monica in 2000, Barbra Streisand in 2001, Ginette Reno in 2002, Kelly Clarkson in 2003, Michael Bublé in 2003, Lea Salonga in 2004, Jane Monheit in 2005, Clay Aiken in 2006, Ayla Brown in 2007, and The Twin Cities Gay Men's Chorus in 2008. Clarkson's 2003 version was the first version to make any of Billboard's singles chart; her rendition peaked at #17 on the Hot Adult Contemporary chart during the Christmas season of 2003. The song was also covered in Spanish by Luis Miguel."

So I think it's fair to say this one is on its way to becoming a standard.

[Icerigger]

Well if we are going for one artist songs that are played frequently during the holiday season, I have to go with Christmas Eve/Sarajevo - 12/24 by The Trans Siberian Orchestra.
Part of an awesome album, and these guys put on an excellent show during the holiday season.

Agreed but even more so would be their Christmas Canon I have been hearing that everywhere.

[robardin]

How about "All I Want For Christmas Is You" by Mariah Carey? It has become very popular since its release in 1994.

Of all the songs mentioned so far, this is the one I would agree is a "standard" in that I hear it multiple times every season, and has the most recent original composition/release date. (I have not heard of the Trans Siberian Orchestra, or the songs Friar Ted mentioned).

I don't quite get sciurophobic's distinction between "songwriter" and "singer/songwriter". Artists cover songs all the time, what's so special about a songwriter who doesn't perform the song initially?

Other recent "additions to the holiday canon" not yet mentioned:

The Waitresses, "Christmas Wrapping" (1981)
Wham!, "Last Christmas" (1984) (This got covered recently by a woman in a dance remix, and even by (shudder) Crazy Frog (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2SateaTLZU))

[Annie-Xmas]

Have a Holly Jolly Christmas

[sciurophobic]

I don't quite get sciurophobic's distinction between "songwriter" and "singer/songwriter". Artists cover songs all the time, what's so special about a songwriter who doesn't perform the song initially?



Because when I think of "standards" I think of songs written before the rock era, back when singers didn't write their own songs.

[An Gadaí]

How about "All I Want For Christmas Is You" by Mariah Carey? It has become very popular since its release in 1994.

From the Wikipedia page (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All_I_Want_for_Christmas_Is_You):



It has been covered by many artists (listed in the Wiki link) and is the song sung on stage by the girl near the end of the movie Love Actually.

I think this is it.

In the UK/Ireland on Music channels they show more recent christmas songs, but I don't know about radio play. Avid Merrion's Proper Chrimbo, The Darkness' Merry Christmas (Don't Let The Bells End) and Merry Christmas (My Arse) all get heavy play on those stations. They're all from the last 5 or so years. This songs would be largely unknown across the pond though.

[Jenaroph]

How about "All I Want For Christmas Is You" by Mariah Carey? It has become very popular since its release in 1994.

From the Wikipedia page (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All_I_Want_for_Christmas_Is_You):



Totally agreed. I'd have to check Billboard, but I think this song is on top of the top holiday songs again this year.

I came in here to mention this one; I hear it quite a lot each Christmas.


Of all the songs mentioned so far, this is the one I would agree is a "standard" in that I hear it multiple times every season, and has the most recent original composition/release date.


I think this is it.


Er...I've never heard it. I've never heard of it. There's apparently 50 brazilian covers out there as well. WTF?

[Tangent]

Er...I've never heard it. I've never heard of it. There's apparently 50 brazilian covers out there as well. WTF?

Here is the original on youtube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pA8UHeoYHQM). I don't listen to the radio much, but I can't help but hearing this song while shopping or on television at least a few times during the holidays. And I'm not a Mariah Carey fan, but it really is a great song.

[MichaelQReilly]

How about "All I Want For Christmas Is You" by Mariah Carey? It has become very popular since its release in 1994.

From the Wikipedia page (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All_I_Want_for_Christmas_Is_You):



It has been covered by many artists (listed in the Wiki link) and is the song sung on stage by the girl near the end of the movie Love Actually.

This one would be my choice. If it isn't in the pantheon yet, it's pretty close.

[jon138]

I noticed Billy Idols "Yelling at The Christmas Tree" seemed to be getting a lot of airplay this year.

[bluecanary]

Those who have said 'All I Want For Christmas Is You' have it right :)

'Christmas Time (Don't Let The Bells End)' could be next (at least here in the UK), but its too early to tell yet.