Top 15 best Christmas songs for 2014

It’s been awhile since I last compiled a list of my favorite Christmas songs. I previously published lists in 2008, 2009 and 2011, so it’s time for a refreshed compilation.
My song choices reflect my personal tastes, of course. So, keep your comments to yourselves, haters.

1. “Underneath The Tree” (2013) by Kelly Clarkson
2. “Last Christmas” (2008) by Taylor Swift
3. “Mary’s Boy Child/Oh My Lord” (1981) by Boney M.
4. “2000 Miles” (1983) by the Pretenders
5. “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” (1963) by Darlene Love
6. “Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane)” (1957) by Elvis Presley
7. “Sleigh Ride” (1963) by the Ronettes
8. “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town” (1992) by Frank Sinatra and Cyndi Lauper
9. “Winter Wonderland” (1983) by the Fabulous Thunderbirds
10. “Carol Of The Bells” (1958) by Percy Faith
11. “Where Are You Christmas” (2000) by Faith Hill
12. “All I Want For Christmas Is You” (1989) by Vince Vance & the Valiants
13. “Do You Hear What I Hear” (2007) by Carrie Underwood
14. “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” (2004) by LeAnn Rimes
15. “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” (2006) by Sarah McLachlan

Let me make a few comments about my selections this year.
Every year during the holiday season in the U.K. there’s a competition on the radio for the most popular new Christmas song. This was a plot point in the modern Christmas movie classic “Love Actually.”
It’s often a novelty song, but sometimes it’s a tune with real staying power. Last year’s runner-up was “Underneath the Tree” by Kelly Clarkson. It’s a great pop song and should be getting airplay for years to come.
Taylor Swift is having a great year and songs from her Christmas album are in heavy rotation on WASH-FM in Washington, D.C., which is playing non-stop Christmas music.
Her version of “Last Christmas” is a winner. Where the 1984 Wham original used a lot of synthesizers, Swift’s version uses Christmas bells. Plus, the lyrics are perfect for the unlucky-in-love songstress.
I have sweet memories of hearing the Caribbean-infused “Mary’s Boy Child/Oh My Lord” by Boney M. at the airport in the Bahamas on Christmas day a couple of years ago.
I put on this list “2000 Miles” by the Pretenders because it doesn’t get played enough.

Here are my picks from previous years:

2008:

1. “God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen/We Three Kings” (2004) by the Barenaked Ladies, featuring Sarah McLachlan
2. “Christmas Canon” (1998) by Trans-Siberian Orchestra
3. “2000 Miles” (1983) by The Pretenders
4. “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” (1958) by Brenda Lee
5. “A Holly Jolly Christmas” (1962) by Burl Ives
6. “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” (1943) by Bing Crosby
7. “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” (1944) by Judy Garland
8. “White Christmas” (1947) by Bing Crosby
9. “Mele Kalikimaka (Merry Christmas)” (1950) by Bing Crosby & the Andrews Sisters
10. “Christmas in Killarney” (1951) by Bing Crosby
11. “Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy” (1977) by Bing Crosby & David Bowie
12. “Last Christmas” (1984) by Wham!
13. “All I Want for Christmas Is You” (1994) by Mariah Carey
14. “Our Love Is Like a Holiday” (2001) by Michael Bolton
15. “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” (1987) by U2
16. “Linus & Lucy” (1964) by the Vince Guaraldi Trio for “A Charlie Brown Christmas”
17. “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” (1987) by John Mellencamp
18. “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town” (2001) by Bruce Springsteen
19. “Jingle Bell Rock” (1957) by Bobby Helms
20. “Oi to the World” (1997) by No Doubt

2009:

1. “Happy Holidays/It’s the Holiday Season (Medley)” (1953) by Andy Williams
2. “Believe” (2004) by Josh Groban from the soundtrack of “The Polar Express”
3. “(There’s No Place Like) Home for the Holidays” (1959) by Perry Como
4. “Sleigh Ride” (1959) by Leroy Anderson
5. “Somewhere in My Memory” (1990) vocal version by John Williams from the “Home Alone” soundtrack
6. “Carol of the Bells” (1990) by John Williams from the “Home Alone” soundtrack
7. “Jingle Bells” (1943) by Bing Crosby and the Andrews Sisters
8. “Happy Xmas (War Is Over)” (2006) by Sarah McLachlan
9. “Christmas Is Coming” (1965) by the Vince Guaraldi Trio from “A Charlie Brown Christmas”
10. “O Tannenbaum” (1965) by the Vince Guaraldi Trio from “A Charlie Brown Christmas”

2011:

1. “Winter Wonderland” (1963) by Darlene Love
2. “Jingle Bells” (1946) by Frank Sinatra
3. “Ring Christmas Bells” (1962) by Ray Conniff
4. “Christmas Wrapping” (1981) by The Waitresses
5. “Mary’s Boy/Oh My Lord” (1981) by Boney M.
6. “Happy Xmas” (1998) by Celine Dion
7. “Carol of the Bells” (2008) by August Burns Red
8. “Last Christmas” (2010) by the cast of “Glee”
9. “Hey Santa” (2008) by Carnie and Wendy Wilson
10. “All I Want For Christmas Is You” (2011) by Michael Buble