# What was the last "Christmas" song to become a standard? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 25, 2008, 5:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-last-christmas-song-to-become-a-standard/478627 "2008-12-25T05:23:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2008, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-last-christmas-song-to-become-a-standard/478627/21 "2008-12-25T20:33:53Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Martini\_Enfield](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/martini_enfield/32/11123_2.png) [@Martini\_Enfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martini_Enfield)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2008, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-last-christmas-song-to-become-a-standard/478627/22 "2008-12-25T23:54:13Z")
> [@Tangent](#): > > 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? ---
**Author:** ![Hail\_Ants](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/dc4da7/32.png) [@Hail\_Ants](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hail_Ants)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2008, 7:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-last-christmas-song-to-become-a-standard/478627/23 "2008-12-26T07:00:39Z")
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! ---
**Author:** ![madrabbitwoman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c37758/32.png) [@madrabbitwoman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madrabbitwoman)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2008, 8:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-last-christmas-song-to-become-a-standard/478627/24 "2008-12-26T08:23:10Z")
When a child is born > **[When a Child Is Born](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/When_A_Child_Is_Born)** > > "When a Child Is Born" is a popular Christmas song. The original melody was "Soleado", a tune from 1974 by Ciro Dammicco (alias Zacar), composer for Italy's Daniel Sentacruz Ensemble, and Dario Baldan Bembo. The tune was based on Damicco's earlier tune "Le rose blu" published in 1972. The English lyrics were written a few years later by Fred Jay (Friedrich Alex Jacobson IPI number 00015195204, who wrote many hits for Boney M such as Rasputin and Ma Baker). They do not make specific mention of Chr... It is certainly very popular here in Au ---
**Author:** ![Martini\_Enfield](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/martini_enfield/32/11123_2.png) [@Martini\_Enfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martini_Enfield)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2008, 9:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-last-christmas-song-to-become-a-standard/478627/25 "2008-12-26T09:15:42Z")
> [@madrabbitwoman](#): > > When a child is born > > [When a Child Is Born - Wikipedia](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… ---
**Author:** ![sciurophobic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cab0a1/32.png) [@sciurophobic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sciurophobic)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2008, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-last-christmas-song-to-become-a-standard/478627/26 "2008-12-26T14:46:25Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![ntcrawler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/34f0e0/32.png) [@ntcrawler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ntcrawler)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2008, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-last-christmas-song-to-become-a-standard/478627/27 "2008-12-26T15:43:19Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Icerigger](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icerigger/32/432_2.png) [@Icerigger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icerigger)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2008, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-last-christmas-song-to-become-a-standard/478627/28 "2008-12-26T16:02:12Z")
> [@](#): > > 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. ---
**Author:** ![robardin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/43a26b/32.png) [@robardin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robardin)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2008, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-last-christmas-song-to-become-a-standard/478627/29 "2008-12-26T16:27:18Z")
> [@Tangent](#): > > 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)) ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2008, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-last-christmas-song-to-become-a-standard/478627/30 "2008-12-26T19:25:33Z")
Have a Holly Jolly Christmas ---
**Author:** ![sciurophobic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cab0a1/32.png) [@sciurophobic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sciurophobic)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2008, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-last-christmas-song-to-become-a-standard/478627/31 "2008-12-26T19:58:43Z")
> [@robardin](#): > > 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. ---
**Author:** ![An\_Gadai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@An\_Gadai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Gadai)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2008, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-last-christmas-song-to-become-a-standard/478627/32 "2008-12-26T20:03:19Z")
> [@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 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. ---
**Author:** ![Jenaroph](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e8c25b/32.png) [@Jenaroph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jenaroph)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2008, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-last-christmas-song-to-become-a-standard/478627/33 "2008-12-26T20:11:55Z")
> [@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): > [@Justin\_Bailey](#): > > Totally agreed. I’d have to check Billboard, but I think this song is on top of the top holiday songs again this year. > [@Martini\_Enfield](#): > > I came in here to mention this one; I hear it quite a lot each Christmas. > [@robardin](#): > > 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. > [@An\_Gadai](#): > > 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? ---
**Author:** ![Tangent](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tangent/32/3098_2.png) [@Tangent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tangent)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2008, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-last-christmas-song-to-become-a-standard/478627/34 "2008-12-26T20:31:32Z")
> [@Jenaroph](#): > > 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. ---
**Author:** ![MichaelQReilly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/df705f/32.png) [@MichaelQReilly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelQReilly)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2008, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-last-christmas-song-to-become-a-standard/478627/35 "2008-12-26T20:46:37Z")
> [@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 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. ---
**Author:** ![jon138](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/439d5e/32.png) [@jon138](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jon138)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2008, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-last-christmas-song-to-become-a-standard/478627/36 "2008-12-26T23:18:04Z")
I noticed Billy Idols “Yelling at The Christmas Tree” seemed to be getting a lot of airplay this year. ---
**Author:** ![bluecanary](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bluecanary/32/3614_2.png) [@bluecanary](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bluecanary)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2008, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-last-christmas-song-to-become-a-standard/478627/37 "2008-12-27T00:27:44Z")
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. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-last-christmas-song-to-become-a-standard/478627.md?page=1)