Christmas is one of the busiest seasons at airports around the world. Whether you’re rushing to home to be with family, taking off for a ski holiday or escaping the cold to sunbathe in the South, this Spotify list of classic Christmas tunes will help you make the best of your travels.
1. Bing Crosby – White Christmas
For those dreaming of a white Christmas, flying to Lapland for holidays may be the best choice. This classic recording by Bing Crosby of a song composed by Irving Berlin is, by the way, the highest selling single of all time, with over 100 million copies sold.
2. Kate Bush – Home for Christmas
“If I only had wings/ Then I would fly to you”, sings the lovely Kate Bush in this Christmas tune from 1992. For those flying to a loved one for the holidays, this will set the mood right for the reunion.
3. John Lennon & Yoko Ono – “Happy Xmas (War is Over)”
John Lennon, Yoko Ono and the Harlem Community Choir send a strong pacifist message in this Christmas ballad from 1971. The song, in fact, was a continuation of the anti-Vietnam war campaigning the couple had done in the previous years. Already in 1969, Lennon and Ono had rented huge billboards in 12 cities all over the world announcing “WAR IS OVER! If you want it. – Happy Christmas from John and Yoko.”
4. Dean Martin – “Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow!”
Surprisingly, this classic winter feel-good tune about cozying up in front of the fireplace with a snow storm raging outside was written during the July 1945 heatwave in California. The song has been recorded by numerous artists over the years. This version by Dean Martin from 1959 may be one of the most memorable ones.
5. Wham! – “Last Christmas”
This Christmas earworm par excellence has been sticking in our heads since 1984. George Michael reminds us to be careful who we gift our hearts to over the holidays. For 80s nostalgics, it’s also worthwhile to check out the music video, which features some classic styles from the era, complete with perms, heavy duty shoulder pads and pastel-colored skiing outfits.
6. Otis Redding – “Merry Christmas Baby”
This rootsy R&B standard is a soulful option for your Christmas soundtrack. Though it’s been recorded by a range of artists from Elvis Presley to Bruce Springsteen and BB King, this version with Otis Redding’s warm tenor a groovy horn section make it just the right hit for the holidays.
7. Live Aid (1984) – “Do They Know It’s Christmas”
Boomtown Rats singer Bob Geldof gathered a super group of British and Irish rock stars – including Sting, Phil Collins, George Michael and Boy George – to record this charity single for Christmas 1984. The proceeds were donated to famine relief in Ethiopia.
8. Waitresses – “Christmas Wrapping”
This jingle by New Wave band Waitresses is a great fit for those who don’t much care for the traditional family-style Christmas. The lyrics are told from the perspective of a busy single gal spending Christmas all alone (with a mini turkey from the super market).
9. Nick Lowe – “Christmas at the Airport”
Lowe, famous for his hit Cruel to Be Kind, tells a humoristic story about being stuck at an empty airport for Christmas.
10. Mariah Carey – “All I want for Christmas“
A modern classic of Christmas tunes, complete with all the necessary elements from cow bells to jingle bells and a supremely catchy melody.
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