Cappeau felt it should be accompanied by music, so approached his friend Adolphe Charles Adams. During the Christmas truce of during World War I, the carol was sung simultaneously by English and German troops. Based on a poem by the English poet Christina Rossetti, this carol was written sometime before in response to a magazine request for a Christmas poem. But which one should you choose? With lyrics written by Charles Wesley, and set to a tune by Mendelssohn , this carol was always going to be one of the most recognisable and popular ones on the list. It is unclear who first wrote the music or lyrics to this hymn.

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By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions. Thanks for subscribing! Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon! From late-November onwards, Christmas songs become inescapable. This list has both in droves, including an absolute cracker from drag icon RuPaul, so put on your Santa hat and get fully into the Christmas spirit. Owing to Justin Hawkins and the boys of the Darkness' kitchen sink approach to festive songwriting, this surprise Number 2 hit song has somehow stood the test of time. It is, as they say, as camp as Christmas. Originally released as a fanclub-only single in , Tennant and Lowe's Christmas offering is a sweetly sardonic dance banger which name-checks Bing Crosby and ' this year's festive number one'. It captures the mix of ambivalence and warmth that Christmas can somehow conjure up pretty perfectly.
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Whether you're decorating the Christmas tree , throwing an over-the-top party, or simply trying to get hyped for the holiday season, a festive soundtrack with all the best Christmas songs is essential to set the mood. Hey, what else are you going to listen to while you deck the halls? Holiday music has some of the most time-honored performances from some of our most celebrated artists. Then there are the holiday novelty songs, which come out one season a year, like the perfect advent treat. And finally, there are also some of our pop-music favorites, who are able to put their own twists on those timeless classics. And Mariah, who exists in a category all her own. Bing Crosby's classic hit about a picturesque Christmas scene is one of the most popular holiday songs ever — Guinness World Records even named it the best-selling single of all time. We couldn't stop at one Crosby tune; his heartfelt holiday song is a moving tribute to the soldiers fighting in World War II. Louis, which is about four daughters coming of age while getting ready to move to New York. Time for a re-watch?