By David Brown

It’s that time of the year folks, and what is the holiday season without Christmas music? Some people may get sick of Christmas music by the time the first week of December rolls around, but I’m not one of them. I could hear Christmas music every day of the week and twice on Sundays and never get sick of it. It’s important that you don’t go through the holiday season without listening to the essentials. Here is a list of the songs you can’t miss (and some you should avoid).

 10) “Baby it’s Cold Outside” – Dean Martin: This is a classic plain and simple. Put this song on, sit by the fire, and watch a Christmas movie. Doesn’t get better than that.

 9) “White Christmas”- The Drifters: Everyone has heard this song. Comes in with the deep “dupe, dupe, dubeeeey dupe.” The combination of it being a cappella and it being from Home Alone make this song a must listen every year.

 8) “Jingle Bell Rock”- Bobby Helms: Speaking of Home Alone, here is another Christmas great from the movie. A bit more upbeat than the previous two on the list, “Jingle Bell Rock” is as festive as it gets. Perfect song to queue up while decorating the tree with some hot chocolate or just having a good time. If you don’t like this song, you aren’t doing the holiday season the right way and probably deserve a giant lump of coal in your stocking.

 7) “Oh Holy Night”- *Nsync: Christmas songs + a cappella= the perfect combination. Any song from the *Nysync Christmas album is straight fire, but this one in particular is awesome. JT has the lead and the song is silky smooth. It’s the ideal song to relax to.

 6) “Frosty the Snowman”- Jimmy Durante: Timeless. Whether you are 6 or 76, this one never gets old. It’s also probably the best sing-a-long Christmas song of all time. Frosty the Snowman, so hot right now. Frosty the Snowman.

 5) “Let It Snow”- Michael Buble: Let It Snow is a fantastic song no matter how you slice it, but Michael Buble’s version is impeccable. His voice is so soothing, that if this song were played in the delivery room of hospitals, it would prevent newborns from crying.

 4) “All I Want For Christmas Is You”- Mariah Carey: A lot of people will argue this should be number one on the list. Personally, I’m not a huge fan, but I recognize that it is a good song. Mariah Carey will be cashing the check for this song until the day she dies. It’s played until you are blue in the face with it, but nevertheless it’s one of the holiday season essentials.

 3) “All Alone On Christmas”- Darlene Love & The E Street Band: This one is from “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York” (sense a trend?). Simply put, this is a masterpiece. The intro with Clarence Clemens on the sax is unreal. Far and away the second best rock Christmas song ever.

 2) “Santa Claus is Coming to Town”- Bruce Springsteen: This takes the cake. Best rock Christmas song of all time. It’s a classic carol that has been touched by the Boss and couldn’t be better. If this song doesn’t get you in the Christmas mood, you’re worse than the Grinch.

 1) “The Christmas Song”- Nat King Cole: It doesn’t feel like Christmas unless you hear the heavenly voice of Nat King Cole singing of “chestnuts roasting on an open fire.” He is the “King” of Christmas music (pun not intended, but intended) and will forever dominate the Christmas music scene. He is an immortal. Christmas music city, President: Nat King Cole.

 The following are songs that should be avoided at all costs:

 “Feliz Navidad”- Jose Feliciano: Is it catchy? Yes. Are you happy to hear it 3,000 times between Thanksgiving and Christmas? For sure not.

 “Dominick The Italian Christmas Donkey Song”- Lou Monte: I am not even slightly kidding when I say never listen to this song ever. It will forever be stuck in your head, and you will wake up in the middle of the night in a cold sweat thinking about this song.