Greatest Ever! Christmas Songs – The Definitive Collection (2016 revision)

~ Release by Various Artists (see all versions of this release, 2 available)

Tracklist

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1▼CD
#TitleArtistRatingLength
1Merry Xmas Everybody
recording of:
Merry Xmas Everybody
lyricist and composer:
Noddy Holder and Jim Lea
publisher:
EMI April Music Inc. and Barn Publishing (Slade) Ltd. (in 1973)
Slade3:45
2Merry Christmas Everyone
executive producer:
Shakin’ Stevens
producer:
Dave Edmunds
vocals:
Shakin’ Stevens
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Epic Records (a division of Sony Music Entertainment; holding company, not a release label) (in 1985) and Sony BMG Music Entertainment (UK) Ltd. (not for release label use! UK subsidiary of Sony BMG Music Entertainment) (in 1985)
part of:
Offizielle deutsche Charts – Single-Jahrescharts 2025 (number: 72)
recording of:
Merry Christmas Everyone
lyricist and composer:
Bob Heatlie (songwriter)
publisher:
EMI Music Publishing Australia Pty Ltd (not for release label use!) and EMI Music Publishing Ltd. (PRS‐affiliated)
Shakin’ Stevens4.253:40
3Christmas Wrapping
producer:
Chris Butler (US musician, writer and artist, led The Waitresses)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Universal Records (UMG subsidiary, “RECORDS” must be a part of the logo; read annotation) (in 1981) and Universal Records Inc. (not for release label use! a division of UMG Recordings, Inc.) (in 1982)
recording of:
Christmas Wrapping
lyricist and composer:
Chris Butler (US musician, writer and artist, led The Waitresses)
publisher:
Future Fossil Music, Mushroom Music Pty. Ltd. and Spirit Music Publishing Limited
The Waitresses5:24
4All I Want for Christmas
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Polydor Ltd. (UK) (not for release label use; fka Polydor Records Ltd.) (in 2000)
cover recording of:
All I Want for Christmas Is You
writer:
Walter Afanasieff and Mariah Carey
publisher:
Kobalt Music Copyrights SARL, Rye Songs, Sony ATV Music Publishing (1995–2020), Sony Songs Inc., Sony Tunes Inc., Sony/ATV Tunes LLC (ASCAP), Tamal Vista Music, UMPG Publishing, Universal Tunes, Universal/MCA Music Publishing Pty Ltd, Wallyworld Music and Warner Chappell (Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.)
Samantha Mumba34:00
5Stop the Cavalry
producer:
Bob Andrews (keyboardist and producer), Bob Andrews (UK keyboardist/producer) and Jona Lewie
vocals and performer:
Jona Lewie
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Stiff Records (in 1980) and Stiff Records Ltd. (in 1980)
recording of:
Stop the Cavalry
lyricist and composer:
Jona Lewie
publisher:
Zomba Music Productions Ltd., Zomba Music Publishing Ltd. and Street Music Ltd. (in 1980)
Jona Lewie3.82:56
6When a Child Is Born
Michael Ball3:34
7God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
recording of:
God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen (traditional, no arrangement credits here)
lyricist and composer:
[traditional] (special purpose artist)
part of:
Roud Folk Song Index (number: 394)
Erasure3:10
8A Winter’s Tale
producer:
Mike Batt and David Essex
lead vocals:
David Essex
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Mercury Records Ltd. (not for release label use!) (in 1982)
recording of:
A Winter’s Tale
lyricist:
Mike Batt and Tim Rice
composer:
Mike Batt
publisher:
Phonogram, Sony/ATV Music Publishing (UK) Ltd. and Universal Music Publishing Ltd. (UK subsidiary of Universal Music Publishing Group)
David Essex1.54:12
9Frosty the Snowman
The Jackson 52:41
10The Little Drummer Boy
producer:
Henry Cosby
cover recording of:
Carol of the Drum (aka “The Little Drummer Boy”)
lyricist and composer:
Katherine K. Davis (Katherine Kennicott Davis) (in 1941)
additional composer:
Henry Onorati (in 1958) and Harry Simeone (in 1958)
publisher:
EMI Mills Music (ASCAP-affiliated), International Korwin Corp., Warner Chappell, Warner Chappell Music (publisher as Warner/Chappell Music), Belwin-Mills Publishing Corp. (in 1955) and Mills Music, Inc. (in 1964)
is based on:
Trad. (traditional Czech carol, became “Carol of the Drums”)
Stevie Wonder53:06
11Rudolph the Red‐Nosed Reindeer
recorded in:
Los Angeles, California, United States (from 1965-08 until 1965-09)
producer:
Harvey Fuqua
cover recording of:
Rudolph, the Red‐Nosed Reindeer
lyricist and composer:
Johnny Marks (American songwriter)
publisher:
Chappell & Co Ltd., Chappell Music Ltd., Warner Chappell, Warner Chappell Music (publisher as Warner/Chappell Music), Warner/Chappell Music Ltd. (1996–2019), St. Nicholas Music Publishing Co. (on 1949-05-09) and St. Nicholas Music Inc. (from 1950 to present)
arrangement of:
Rudolph, the Red‐Nosed Reindeer (for voice, choir and orchestra, Elms)
The Supremes2:43
12I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Motown Records (not for label use; use “Motown” instead) (in 2013)
part of:
Billboard Hot 100: 2026-01-03 (number: 44)
cover recording of:
I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus
lyricist and composer:
Tommie Connor (English songwriter)
publisher:
Blue Ribbon Music Ltd., Campbell Connelly, E. H. Morris & Co. Ltd., Herman Music, Inc., Jewel Music Publishing Co., Inc. (publisher; do NOT use as release label) and Regent Music (BMI)
The Jackson 533:01
13O Little Town of Bethlehem
cover recording of:
O Little Town of Bethlehem (traditional carol with the tune “St. Louis”, as commonly sung in the U.S.)
lyricist:
Phillips Brooks (in 1868)
composer:
Lewis Henry Redner (in 1868)
is based on:
St. Louis (hymn tune)
Aaron Neville3:56
14Christmas Rappin’
recording of:
Christmas Rappin'
writer:
Robert Ford, Jr. (hip hop writer and producer), Denzil Miller, Clement Clarke Moore, Larry Smith (US hip hop producer) and Walker
Kurtis Blow3:55
15Little Christmas Tree
recording of:
Little Christmas Tree
writer:
George S. Clinton (US songwriter, composer & session musician) and Artie Wayne (Wayne Kent)
Michael Jackson23:39
16Christmas in Heaven
recording of:
Christmas in Heaven
lyricist and composer:
Billy Ward (US r&b/soul vocalist)
James Brown2:55
17Silver Bells
cover recording of:
Silver Bells (Christmas song)
lyricist and composer:
Ray Evans (American songwriter) and Jay Livingston
publisher:
Famous Music Corporation (renamed since 2007‐05 as Sony/ATV Harmony/Melody), Famous Music Publishing Limited (renamed into BMG FM Music Ltd. on 2013-05-13), Jay Livingston Music Inc., Paramount Music Corporation, Sony/ATV Music Publishing Australia Pty Ltd. and Sony/ATV Harmony (in 1950)
sub-publisher:
Sony/ATV Harmony Canada and ソニー・ミュージックパブリッシング A事業部 (Sony Music Publishing (Japan) Inc., A Division)
The Temptations2:11
18Away in a Manger / Coventry Carol
Smokey Robinson & The Miracles2:25
2▼CD
#TitleArtistRatingLength
1Step Into Christmas
vocals:
Elton John (English singer, songwriter, pianist, and composer)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
This Record Co. Ltd. (copyright holder) (in 1973)
recording of:
Step Into Christmas
lyricist:
Bernie Taupin
composer:
Elton John (English singer, songwriter, pianist, and composer)
publisher:
Universal–Songs of PolyGram International, Inc. and Universal/Dick James Music Ltd. (fka Dick James Music Ltd.)
Elton John34:13
2I Believe in Father Christmas
conductor:
Godfrey Salmon (violinist, conductor, arranger, orchestrator and composer.)
recording of:
I Believe in Father Christmas
written in:
West London (Greater London), England, United Kingdom
lyricist:
Greg Lake and Peter Sinfield
composer:
Greg Lake and Сергей Сергеевич Прокофьев (Sergei Prokofiev, Russian composer)
is based on:
Lieutenant Kijé Suite, op. 60: IV. Troika
Greg Lake43:36
3A Spaceman Came Travelling
vocals:
Chris de Burgh (British-Irish singer-songwriter and instrumentalist)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
A&M Records, Ltd. (in 1975)
recording of:
A Spaceman Came Travelling
lyricist and composer:
Chris de Burgh (British-Irish singer-songwriter and instrumentalist)
writer:
Chris de Burgh (British-Irish singer-songwriter and instrumentalist)
arranger:
Tom Rainey (New Zealand bassist, keyboardist, and arranger)
publisher:
BMG (imprint of BMG Rights Management, 2008–present)
Chris de Burgh4:04
4Winter World of Love
live recording of:
Winter World of Love
lyricist:
Barry Mason (English songwriter)
composer:
Les Reed
recording of:
Winter World of Love
lyricist:
Barry Mason (English songwriter)
composer:
Les Reed
Engelbert Humperdinck3:21
5Give Love on Christmas Day
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Motown Records (not for label use; use “Motown” instead) (in 2013)
recording of:
Give Love on Christmas Day
writer:
Berry Gordy, Fonce Mizell, Freddie Perren, Deke Richards (American songwriter and record producer) and Christine Yarian
publisher:
Jobete Music Co., Inc.
The Jackson 52:57
6My Christmas Tree
producer:
Clay McMurray (producer, songwriter, engineer) and Barrett Strong
cover recording of:
My Christmas Tree
composer:
Jimmy Webb (US songwriter, composer, producer, pianist & singer)
The Temptations3:19
7Christmas Cards
Petula Clark2:29
8Mary’s Boy Child
Peters & Lee5:03
9Merry Christmas Baby
cover recording of:
Merry Christmas Baby
writer:
Lou Baxter and Johnny Moore (US blues guitarist, Three Blazers)
publisher:
Anne-Rachel Music Corp., St. Louis Music Corp., Unichappell Music, Inc., Warner Chappell Music (publisher as Warner/Chappell Music) and Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
James Brown3:56
10I Want to Come Home for Christmas
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
UMG Recordings, Inc. (operational headquarters of Universal Music Group, based in Santa Monica, USA; read annotations) (in 1972, in 1990)
recording of:
I Want to Come Home for Christmas
writer:
Marvin Gaye and Forest Hairston
publisher:
Copyright Control (not for release label use! this is only for copyrights and publishing relationships) and Jobete Music Co., Inc.
Marvin Gaye3:26
11It May Be Winter Outside (but in My Heart It’s Spring)
recording of:
It May Be Winter Outside (But in My Heart It’s Spring)
writer:
Paul Politi and Barry White
publisher:
Fox Fanfare Music Inc. and Very Own Music
Love Unlimited3:09
12Joy to the World
recorded in:
Los Angeles, California, United States (from 1965-08 until 1965-09)
producer:
Harvey Fuqua
arranger:
Hal Davis, Harvey Fuqua and Marc Gordon (singer, songwriter, producer; member of LeVert)
recording of:
Joy to the World (Christmas carol)
lyricist:
Isaac Watts (hymn writer) (in 1719)
composer:
George Frideric Handel (German‐British baroque composer)
arranger:
Lowell Mason (in 1839)
The Supremes2:11
13Wish You a Merry Christmas
Kim Weston2:49
14Ave Maria
Michael Ball3:17
15O Come All Ye Faithful
recording of:
O Come All Ye Faithful (Prizeman arrangement)
arranger:
Robert Prizeman
arrangement of:
O Come, All Ye Faithful (English version of Latin “Adeste fideles”)
Aled Jones3:20
16Christmas Lullaby
Smokey Robinson & The Miracles4:00
17Soon After Christmas
Stina Nordenstam6:56
18Amazing Grace
Judy Collins4:07
3▼CD
#TitleArtistRatingLength
1The Power of Love
engineer:
Stuart Bruce and Stephen Lipson
additional producer:
Stephen Lipson
producer:
Trevor Horn
bass guitar:
Mark O’Toole (former bassist of Frankie Goes to Hollywood)
drums (drum set):
Peter Gill (UK drummer for Frankie Goes to Hollywood)
guest keyboard:
Andrew Richards (Strawbs keyboard player/record producer) and Anne Dudley (English score composer)
guest percussion:
Luís Jardim
guitar:
Brian Nash (British guitarist (Frankie Goes to Hollywood) and songwriter)
lead vocals:
Holly Johnson, Mark O’Toole (former bassist of Frankie Goes to Hollywood) and Paul Rutherford (member of Frankie Goes to Hollywood)
strings arranger and additional arranger:
Anne Dudley (English score composer)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Zang Tuum Tumb (for copyrights use only; aka Zang Tuum Tumb or Zang Tumb Tuum prior to incorporation ca. 1988) (in 1984)
recording of:
The Power of Love
writer:
Peter Gill (UK drummer for Frankie Goes to Hollywood), Holly Johnson, Brian Nash (British guitarist (Frankie Goes to Hollywood) and songwriter) and Mark O’Toole (former bassist of Frankie Goes to Hollywood)
publisher:
Perfect Songs Ltd. (UK publisher, affiliated with PRS) and Rubet Music Publishing, Inc.
Frankie Goes to Hollywood45:33
2Silent Night
producer:
Boyz II Men
recording of:
Silent Night (Christmas carol, English translation)
lyricist:
Josef Mohr (composer/author) (in 1816)
composer:
Franz Xaver Gruber (composer/author) (in 1818)
translator:
John Freeman Young (in 1859)
part of:
Roud Folk Song Index (number: 27088)
translated version of:
Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht
Boyz II Men12:36
3Let It Snow!, Let It Snow!, Let It Snow!
Marie Osmond2:17
4Do You Hear What I Hear?
recording of:
Do You Hear What I Hear?
lyricist:
Noël Regney (in 1962)
writer:
Noël Regney and Gloria Shayne Baker
composer:
Gloria Shayne Baker (in 1962)
publisher:
Blue Ribbon Music Ltd., Campbell Connelly and Jewel Music Publishing Co., Inc. (publisher; do NOT use as release label)
Jack Jones3:03
5Please Come Home for Christmas
cover recording of:
Please Come Home for Christmas
writer:
Charles Brown (blues musician) and Gene Redd (senior; vibraphonist & trumpeter, bandleader and A&R man)
publisher:
BMG Platinum Songs US, Lark Music Inc., C. Mose Music (in 1960), Fort Knox Music Inc. (in 1960) and Trio Music Company (in 1960)
sub-publisher:
フジパシフィックミュージック (Fujipacific Music, Inc.), ヤマハミュージックエンタテインメントホールディングス (Yamaha Music Entertainment Holdings, Inc., holding company – do not use as release label) and ワーナー・チャペル音楽出版 Synch事業部 (Warner/Chappell Music Japan K.K., Synch Division)
Aaron Neville2:58
6What Christmas Means to Me
recording of:
What Christmas Means to Me
writer:
Anna Gordy Gaye, George Gordy and Allen Story (Shadee Hasan)
publisher:
EMI Music (do not use as release label! this is a music publisher), Jobete Music Co., Inc. and Stone Agate Music
Stevie Wonder2:53
7Someday at Christmas
cover recording of:
Someday at Christmas
writer:
Ron Miller (Motown songwriter Ronald Norman Miller) and Bryan Wells
publisher:
EMI Songs Australia Pty. Ltd., Jobete Music Co., Inc. and Ron Miller Legacy Songtrust Publishing LLC (BMI)
The Temptations2:30
8Won’t Be Long Before Christmas
Diana Ross & The Supremes3:27
9O Holly Night
Patti LaBelle2:40
10Soulful Christmas
recording of:
Soulful Christmas
composer:
Hank Ballard, James Brown (The Godfather of Soul) and Pee Wee Ellis
publisher:
Warner/Chappell Music Ltd. (1996–2019)
James Brown4:43
11I’ll Be Home for Christmas
cover recording of:
I’ll Be Home for Christmas
lyricist:
James Kimball Gannon
additional writer:
Buck Ram
composer:
Walter Kent
publisher:
Chappell Music Ltd., Edward B. Marks Music Co. (founded originally as J. Stern & Co. in 1894, renamed in 1919), Gannon and Kent Music Co., Piedmont Music Company, Warner Chappell and Warner Chappell Music (publisher as Warner/Chappell Music)
sub-publisher:
ヤマハミュージックエンタテインメントホールディングス (Yamaha Music Entertainment Holdings, Inc., holding company – do not use as release label) and ワーナー・チャペル音楽出版 Synch事業部 (Warner/Chappell Music Japan K.K., Synch Division)
Smokey Robinson & The Miracles3:09
12Purple Snowflakes
recording of:
Purple Snowflakes
composer:
Dave Hamilton (US guitar/vibraphone player) and Clarence Paul
Marvin Gaye2:29
13White Christmas
cover recording of:
White Christmas
lyricist and composer:
Irving Berlin (from 1938 until 1940)
publisher:
Copyright Control (not for release label use! this is only for copyrights and publishing relationships), Irving Berlin Music Corp., Williamson Music Company and Irving Berlin Music Company (from 1940 to present)
sub-publisher:
EMI Allans Music Australia Pty Ltd, Irving Berlin Music Ltd., Universal Music Publishing Pty Ltd. (Australian subsidiary of Universal Music Publishing Group), Warner/Chappell Music Ltd. (1996–2019), Warner/Chappell Music, Hong Kong Limited (華納音樂版權香港有限公司, 1995–2019), シンコーミュージック・エンタテイメント (Shinko Music Entertainment Co., Ltd.) and ユニバーサル・ミュージック・パブリッシング Synch事業部 (Universal Music Publishing, Synch Division)
part of:
The 15th Academy Award for Best Original Song (number: 1) and Academy Award for Best Original Song (number: 1942 winner)
The Supremes2:58
14Coventry Carol
Elaine Paige3:56
15The Christmas Song
Gilbert O’Sullivan2:33
16Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
Richard Clayderman2:48
17What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve
cover recording of:
What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve
lyricist and composer:
Frank Loesser
publisher:
Edwin H. Morris & Co., Inc. (a division of MPL Communications Inc.), Frank Music Corp. (in 1947) and MPL Music Publishing Inc. (in 1947)
sub-publisher:
Sony Music Publishing (Japan) Inc. (song publisher, never a release label) and ヤマハミュージックEH(CM) (Yamaha Music EH(CM))
Etta Jones7:57
18Happy New Year
Michael Ball4:16