As the holiday season approaches, Christmas music becomes a staple among many households. Though Christmas music is increasingly popular during the winter months, it is important to consider the artists behind the songs we love. VALLEY shares the most influential artists of the Christmas genre!
Bing Crosby
Bing Crosby takes listeners into the heart of Christmas nostalgia with “White Christmas” which remains a winter classic. Not only is “White Christmas” a classic holiday tune, but this song has hit the top charts throughout music history. Over 50 million copies of “White Christmas” have been sold, making it not only the best-selling Christmas song of all time but also one of the best-selling singles in music history.
Brenda Lee
Brenda Lee, also known as “Little Miss Dynamite,” rocked the Christmas industry with her classic performance of “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” which listeners still enjoy today. Performed in 1958, Brenda Lee was only 13 years old at the time. “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” has done so well over the years that this year, Brenda Lee decided to make an official music video featuring herself over 65 years later. “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” has reached the Billboard Hot 100 this year for the first time.
Watch Brenda Lee’s music video below!
Mariah Carey
Christmas music is not complete without the queen herself, Mariah Carey. Mariah Carey’s wide vocal range stands out and has made her millions, too. Her timeless classic “All I Want for Christmas Is You” has become a global phenomenon that reappears year after year. Carey is also known for Christmas songs like “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” and others on her album Merry Christmas (1994).
Gene Autrey
Gene Autrey, “America’s Favorite Singing Cowboy,” put his country style into all of his songs, including his Christmas songs. Autrey is also renowned for songs like “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and “Here Comes Santa Claus.” Autrey’s western spin on classic Christmas songs draws in a wide audience who have replayed his songs every year since 1947.
Elvis Presley
Christmas classics would simply not be the same without the King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley. Adding a touch of both rebellion and charm, Presley put his twist on songs like “Blue Christmas” and “Santa Claus Is Back in Town.” Though Elvis’s legacy extends far beyond Christmas music, VALLEY agrees that Christmas would not be the same without him.
What are your thoughts on these classic Christmas artists? Let us know @VALLEYmag!
