“Last Christmas” by Wham!
By: Kellen Diffley / Staff Reporter
Every year after Thanksgiving, my family starts playing Christmas music, and nothing beats “Last Christmas” by Wham! “Last Christmas” is a bittersweet message about a failed relationship during the holidays, a theme no other song in the Christmas genre conveys, and the sad message creates a great contrast with the catchy lyrics. The production perfectly captures ‘80s synth-pop style, a type of music I love. Those who dislike other Christmas songs often rebuke them because of the overly joyful tones and overbearing instrumentation that permeates the genre. However, Wham!’s ability to create a memorable song without holiday clichés has created the perfect holiday classic.
“All I Want for Christmas is You” by Mariah Carey
By: Indio Silva / Staff Reporter
Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas is You” has been an iconic holiday song since its 1994 release. It has reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 every holiday season since 2019, making it the premier song of the holidays. The tune begins with Carey’s slow, dramatic instrumentation and smooth vocals. Carey’s voice then leads to an upbeat section with piano accompaniment and cheerful bell chimes, matching the holiday season’s joy. While the lyrics aren’t especially poetic, they still convey Carey’s holiday glee and infatuation with her lover. Although the song has a reputation for being overplayed, it’s still the first song I play every December to get into the Christmas spirit.
“Santa Tell Me” by Ariana Grande
By: Elliott Stone / Staff Reporter
While other romantic holiday songs focus on heartbreak, Ariana Grande’s “Santa Tell Me” looks forward to what love could be in this year and the next. Since its release in 2014, “Santa Tell Me” has remained both on radio stations and my personal playlist during Christmastime. The song blends modern and classic Christmas songs. It opens with light bells and violin, similar to songs like “Winter Wonderland” before transitioning into something more contemporary. With “Wicked: For Good” recently being released, “Santa Tell Me” has seen a lot of increased play this month, making for a holiday season defined by glimmer and joy. Among hundreds of other holiday songs, “Santa Tell Me” has earned a spot at the top of my list.
Published and digitized December 2025.
