Top Ten Christmas Novelty Songs 2023
As the holiday season twinkles with lights and echoes with carols, Hank Stolz of Radio Worcester brings a special treat – a countdown of the top ten Christmas novelty songs, as voted by our listeners. From the whimsical to the wonderfully weird, these tunes have jingled their way into our hearts.
The First Christmas Novelty Song
Before we dive into the list, let’s take a moment to acknowledge where it all began. The first Christmas novelty song dates back to the early 20th century, capturing the playful spirit of the holidays. These songs added a dash of humor and joy to the traditional festive repertoire.
The All-Time Best-Selling Christmas Albums
Interestingly, Christmas albums have been a staple of holiday music for decades. It’s estimated that millions of Christmas albums have been sold worldwide, with artists from Elvis Presley to Michael Bublé contributing to this cheerful genre.
The Biggest Selling Christmas Song
While we’re focusing on novelty songs, it’s worth noting the biggest-selling Christmas song of all time. Bing Crosby’s “White Christmas” holds this title, having sold over 50 million copies globally, proving that holiday music indeed has a special place in people’s hearts.
2023 Top Ten Countdown
Now, let’s roll into the fun part – our top ten Christmas novelty songs, as chosen by you, the listeners of Radio Worcester:
NUMBER 1
Snoopy’s Christmas by The Royal Guardsmen
“Snoopy’s Christmas,” released in 1967 by The Royal Guardsmen, is a beloved holiday novelty song that captures the playful and imaginative spirit of the season. This charming tune is part of the band’s series of songs about Snoopy, the famous character from Charles Schulz’s “Peanuts” comic strip, and his whimsical adventures. The song, set against the backdrop of World War I, tells a heartwarming story of Snoopy’s encounter with the Red Baron on Christmas Eve, blending humor with a message of peace. Its popularity soared during the holiday season, reaching a notable high on the charts. In the United States, it peaked at number 2 on the Billboard Christmas Singles chart, becoming an enduring favorite during the festive period.
Dominick the Donkey by Lou Monte
“Dominick the Donkey,” a catchy and humorous Christmas song by Lou Monte, was released in 1960 and quickly became a holiday favorite, especially among Italian-American communities. The song features a cheerful melody and playful lyrics about a donkey named Dominick, who helps Santa Claus deliver presents to children in Italy, where the steep hills make it hard for Santa’s reindeer. Monte, known for his Italian-themed novelty songs, brought a unique and joyful flavor to Christmas music with this track. “Dominick the Donkey” enjoyed modest chart success in the United States but has since become a cult classic, particularly in the UK where it reached number 3 on the Official Singles Chart in December 2011, following a campaign by BBC Radio 1 DJ Chris Moyles.
NUMBER 2
The Twelve Pains of Christmas by Bob Rivers
“The Twelve Pains of Christmas” by Bob Rivers, released in 1987, is a humorous take on the classic “The Twelve Days of Christmas.” This parody song, which features in Rivers’ album “Twisted Christmas,” quickly gained popularity for its comedic twist on the traditional holiday song. It amusingly highlights the various frustrations and challenges often associated with the holiday season, such as rigging up the lights and finding a Christmas tree, resonating with listeners who experience the hustle and bustle of Christmas preparations. While “The Twelve Pains of Christmas” didn’t achieve a high chart position on mainstream charts like the Billboard Hot 100, its enduring popularity has made it a holiday staple on radio stations, especially those with a format dedicated to comedy or novelty songs. The inclusion of Zip Zipfel’s insights into the making of “12 Pains” adds an interesting behind-the-scenes perspective to this beloved holiday parody.
NUMBER 3
The Seasons Upon Us- Dropkick Murphy’s
“The Season’s Upon Us” by the Dropkick Murphys, released in 2012, is a distinctly unique addition to the repertoire of Christmas songs. Known for their Celtic punk style, the Dropkick Murphys brought a lively and raucous energy to the holiday season with this track. The song portrays a humorously dysfunctional family gathering, a theme that many can relate to during the holidays. Its blend of traditional holiday cheer with the band’s signature punk rock sound made it a hit among fans. While “The Season’s Upon Us” did not achieve a prominent position on major global charts like the Billboard Hot 100, it did enjoy considerable popularity, particularly among the band’s fanbase and in alternative music circles. The song showcased the Dropkick Murphys’ ability to infuse their unique style into the festive genre, making it a modern holiday classic with a twist.
NUMBER 4
Father Christmas- The Kinks
“Father Christmas” by The Kinks, released in 1977, stands out as a classic in the realm of Christmas rock songs. This track offers a more cynical take on the holiday season, highlighting the struggles of the less fortunate during a time often characterized by commercialism. The song tells the story of a department store Santa Claus who is mugged by a gang of kids who demand money instead of traditional Christmas toys. Despite its rather grim subject matter, “Father Christmas” is delivered with the signature energetic and rebellious style of The Kinks, making it a holiday favorite for those looking for something beyond the usual festive fare. In terms of chart success, “Father Christmas” did not make a significant impact upon its initial release, but it has since become a cult classic, especially in the United States where it often features on classic rock and alternative radio stations during the holiday season. The Kinks’ unique blend of holiday cheer and social commentary in “Father Christmas” continues to resonate with audiences, securing its place as a holiday staple with a difference.
NUMBER 5
The Chipmunks Song – David Saville
“The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don’t Be Late)” by David Seville and The Chipmunks, released in 1958, quickly became a cultural phenomenon and a beloved Christmas classic. Featuring the high-pitched voices of the animated chipmunks Alvin, Simon, and Theodore, the song charmingly captures their impatient anticipation for Christmas. The unique and catchy melody, combined with the playful banter between the chipmunks and their manager, David Seville (a stage name for Ross Bagdasarian Sr.), struck a chord with audiences of all ages. The song achieved remarkable success, reaching the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and it remains one of the few Christmas songs to do so. Its widespread popularity led to the creation of an entire franchise around The Chipmunks, including television shows, movies, and numerous albums, solidifying “The Chipmunk Song” as an enduring staple of holiday music.
NUMBER 6
Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer – Elmo and Patsy
“Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer” by Elmo and Patsy, released in 1979, is perhaps one of the most well-known and distinctive Christmas novelty songs. This humorous and catchy tune tells the story of a grandmother who, after partaking in too much eggnog, meets an unlikely accident involving Santa’s reindeer. Its blend of quirky lyrics and upbeat melody quickly caught the public’s attention, making it a holiday favorite across generations. The song gained significant popularity, especially in the United States, where it became a seasonal staple on radio playlists. In terms of chart success, “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer” reached its peak position of No. 87 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart in 1984. Over the years, it has become an iconic symbol of holiday humor, and its enduring popularity has led to various adaptations and merchandise, cementing its status as a classic in the Christmas novelty genre.
NUMBER 7
I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas – Gayla Peevey
“I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas,” sung by Gayla Peevey, is a charming and whimsical novelty song that captured the hearts of listeners upon its release in 1953. Performed by then 10-year-old Peevey, the song whimsically articulates a child’s unique Christmas wish – not for a doll or a toy, but for a real hippopotamus. Its quirky lyrics and Peevey’s endearing delivery quickly made the song a hit. In the United States, the song enjoyed considerable popularity, especially among children, during the holiday season. While it did not chart on the main Billboard Hot 100, it became a seasonal favorite, often re-entering the charts in subsequent years due to its enduring appeal. “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas” has since become a classic in the genre of Christmas novelty songs, known for its light-heartedness and capturing the imaginative spirit of childhood during the festive season.
NUMBER 8
All I Want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth – Spike Jones
“All I Want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth,” performed by Spike Jones and his City Slickers, was released in 1948, capturing the hearts of listeners with its playful and whimsical charm. This novelty Christmas song, written by Donald Yetter Gardner, humorously expresses a child’s simple holiday wish – for their two front teeth to grow back in time for Christmas. Its lightheartedness and catchy tune quickly resonated with audiences, making it a seasonal favorite. The song achieved considerable success, particularly in the United States, where it climbed to a notable position on the music charts. On the Billboard Best Selling Children’s Records chart, it reached the No. 1 spot, reflecting its widespread appeal among children and adults alike during the holiday season. Spike Jones’ rendition of “All I Want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth” remains one of the most memorable and endearing Christmas novelty songs, embodying the innocent joy and anticipation of the festive period.
NUMBER 9
I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus – Jimmy Boyd
“I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” by Jimmy Boyd was released in 1952, quickly becoming a staple of the Christmas season with its playful and innocent portrayal of a child’s Christmas Eve discovery. Sung by Boyd when he was just 13 years old, the song charmed audiences with its depiction of a child witnessing their mother kissing ‘Santa Claus’, not realizing Santa was actually their father in disguise. The song’s catchy tune and Boyd’s youthful voice struck a chord with listeners, leading to significant commercial success. In the United States, “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” achieved remarkable chart performance, reaching number one on the Billboard pop singles chart. Its widespread popularity was not just a holiday phenomenon; the song has since become an enduring classic, loved by generations for its whimsical take on a child’s view of Christmas magic and family tradition.
NUMBER 10
Must Be Santa – Bob Dylan
“Must Be Santa,” covered by Bob Dylan, was released in 2009 as part of his Christmas album, “Christmas in the Heart.” This lively and festive song, originally written by Hal Moore and Bill Fredericks in 1960, was given a unique Dylan twist, featuring his distinctive vocal style and a polka-inspired, upbeat tempo. Dylan’s version brought a new energy to the classic, combining traditional Christmas elements with his signature sound. While “Must Be Santa” did not chart on major music charts like the Billboard Hot 100, it received considerable attention and praise for its unconventional approach to a Christmas song. The track stood out for its lively accordion and spirited chorus, making it a refreshing and memorable addition to holiday music playlists. Bob Dylan’s take on “Must Be Santa” showcased his versatility as an artist and added a distinctive flavor to the season’s musical offerings.
Thank You!
Our annual Radio Worcester listeners poll of the top ten Christmas novelty songs reminds us of the lighter side of the holiday season. These songs, with their unique charm and humor, have become an integral part of our festive celebrations. Whether it’s through laughter or a sing-along, they bring us together, adding an extra sparkle to our holiday cheer.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from all of us at Radio Worcester!