All You Need to Know About Christmas Songs: History, Genres, and Favorites

by KLNovember 16, 2024

All You Need to Know About Christmas Songs: History, Genres, and Favorites

Once Thanksgiving ends, Christmas music takes over every platform. This shift is a signal that the holiday season has officially begun. The music, often nostalgic and familiar, brings joy to many, creating the perfect Christmas atmosphere. But what is the origin of this tradition? While seasonal music is widely loved, its historical roots are rarely discussed. In this article, we’ll explore the history of Christmas music and how it became the soundtrack of the holidays.

Christmas Carols

Carols are the oldest genre of Christmas music, with some examples dating back to the 12th century in Europe, particularly in France, Italy, and Germany. Well-known Christmas songs like “Silent Night” and “O Christmas Tree” have their origins in Germany.

In the 13th century, the Italian monk and preacher Francis of Assisi recorded many of the songs performed at his church, helping to spread Christmas songs across Italy. His influence on Christmas music, however, remains a matter of debate, even though he is now a saint.

Most Christmas carols have secular beginnings, originally being traditional hymns or melodies that celebrated the winter season. Some were even lively, danceable tunes. The term “carol” itself originally referred to dancing in a circle. In the 1400s, an English clergyman and poet, Jon Audely, compiled a collection of 25 songs, which were sung in churches throughout England, increasing their popularity.

At some point, people began going door-to-door singing Christmas songs, offering a sip of cider in exchange for small gifts. These early carolers helped establish the familiar image of modern-day Christmas carolers seen in media.

In the 17th and 18th centuries, two folklorists published songbooks with carols from around England, further boosting their popularity. These English songs were carried to North America by emigrants, and the tradition of singing Christmas carols continues to this day, remaining a cherished part of the Christmas and holiday season.

Christmas Music of the Classical Genre

Although carols were originally the songs of the people, classical composers also made significant contributions to the Christmas music repertoire. Composers like Vivaldi, Mendelssohn, Tchaikovsky, and Bach created timeless pieces that are now integral to the holiday season. Handel is credited with composing “Joy to the World” as well as the beloved “While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night.”

Many of these compositions were commissioned by churches and intended to be performed during services, especially when there was access to a good organ and a skilled organist. Like traditional carols, some of these pieces originated from local customs and folk music. For example, Mykola Leontovych, the composer of “Carol of the Bells,” was greatly inspired by a Ukrainian carol.

In certain countries, attending symphony concerts during the Christmas season became a popular tradition, and orchestras continue this practice today.

While modern Christmas music continued to grow in popularity throughout the 1800s, its style remained largely unchanged. However, between the 1930s and 1950s, Christmas music experienced a resurgence, with new songs celebrating the secular aspects of the holiday, such as Santa Claus, Christmas trees, and snowflakes. During this time, pop artists replaced the traditional carolers and religious choirs as the primary performers of holiday music.

Christmas Music in America

The popularity of Christmas music in the United States surged in the nineteenth century after being brought over by immigrants. Many of the Christmas traditions we celebrate today were introduced to the country by Moravian and Protestant Germans in the mid to late 1700s.

During the Great Depression era of the 1930s, a new wave of American Christmas carols emerged. These songs often moved away from the religious aspects of Christmas and incorporated Western themes. Popular songs like “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town” were primarily written with children in mind. Classics such as “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” and “White Christmas” introduced the modern-day setting of Christmas music. Technological advancements during the Great Depression made it easier for people to enjoy music beyond live performances, ushering in what became known as the “Golden Age” of Christmas music.

By the mid-twentieth century, as World War II was nearing its end, songs like “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” became increasingly popular, reflecting the longing for peace and reunions during a time of widespread uncertainty. These songs were frequently played on military radio and USO programs.

Songwriters began crafting new holiday tunes and offering them to well-known artists to ensure Christmas music remained fresh and relevant. Judy Garland was among the first to popularize a new holiday song with her 1944 performance of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” in the film *Meet Me in St. Louis*. Following that, artists like Nat King Cole and the King Cole Trio released their rendition of “The Christmas Song,” and “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” premiered in the movie *Neptune’s Daughter*. However, the rise of rock and roll in the following years pushed many of these songs out of the mainstream.

Current Christmas Music

The release of Elvis Presley’s Christmas album in 1957 introduced a fresh sound to classic holiday songs. In response to the Vietnam War, John Lennon and Yoko Ono created the politically themed track “Happy Xmas (War is Over),” showcasing their take on Christmas music. The pop-rock trends of the 1980s also shaped the landscape of holiday music.

During the 1990s and early 2000s, the holiday music scene was dominated by pop artists. Notable holiday albums were released by N*Sync, Britney Spears, and Mariah Carey, each featuring modern interpretations of traditional carols. Mariah Carey’s title track from her 1994 Christmas album, “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” has become an iconic Christmas song, often lauded as “one of the few decent contemporary contributions to the Christmas repertoire” by “The New Yorker.” Initially met with limited recognition, the song has achieved annual chart success worldwide and is now recognized as one of the most beloved Christmas songs, even inspiring an animated holiday musical that has set three Guinness World Records.

There will continually be new Christmas music created, and perhaps you possess the talent to compose the next major hit.