Why Are Classic Christmas Songs Still Popular as Ever?

Everyone has a favorite Christmas song. Whether it’s Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas is You,” Wham’s “Last Christmas,” or Jose Feliciano’s “ Feliz Navidad,” these classics have stood the test of time, spanning 30, 40 and 54 years old, respectively. Meanwhile, holiday staples, such as “Rudolf the Red-nosed Reindeer,” “White Christmas” and “The Christmas Song” are even older – with “Jingle Bells” now in its 167th year. As Billboard notes, some of the biggest holiday hits have outlived their original performers.

So, what’s the secret to their enduring appeal? We asked two Montclair State University professors – both musicians and songwriters – to break it down.

Classics Evoke Emotions of Christmases Past

Jon Caspi, a Family Science and Human Development professor in Montclair’s College for Community Health, believes emotional resonance is key. “Something that moves people and makes them feel connected to the song, either in a nostalgic, aching kind of way or like Mariah Carey’s very happy and upbeat ‘All I Want for Christmas.’ ” It also helps if the song has “a pretty simple premise.”

Bob Bailey-Lemansky, an adjunct music professor at Montclair’s John J. Cali School of Music, agrees. “They’re light and tend to not be religious. They’re more about the holidays and snow and gifts and love, and some are about messages of peace or charity.”

Characteristics of a Great Christmas Song

• Emotional Resonance – The song has an emotional or nostalgic appeal that connects with people and evokes the spirit of the holidays. Think “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” or “Christmas Time is Here.”
• Catchy Melodies – The song should be catchy and have a memorable melody that gets stuck in people’s heads. For example, “Jingle Bell Rock,” “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree,” and “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!”
• Upbeat and up-tempo – With the exception of a few ballads, most classics are up-tempo, festive and fun. Think “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” “Sleigh Ride” and “Santa Claus is Coming to Town.”
• Timeless Nostalgia – Songs that harken back to an earlier era or sound and tap into people’s nostalgic feelings about the holidays. Classic examples include: “It’s Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas,” “Deck the Halls” and the entire “Charlie Brown Christmas” album.

Additionally, good lyrics talking about the weather, curling up by a cozy fire with hot cocoa and throwing in some sleigh bells can’t hurt, says Bailey-Lemansky. “Sleigh bells definitely say Christmas.”

Why Do Old Christmas Songs Still Dominate?

As Bailey-Lemansky, who teaches music theory to Recording Arts and Production majors, points out: “It’s harder for songs to take hold in the consciousness of the public these days. Gone are the days of the Beatles on Ed Sullivan, where everyone’s watching the same thing. Attention spans are splintered and all over the place.”

This explains why Billboard’s Greatest of All Time Holiday 100 Songs chart shows that “just about everything is old,” says Bailey-Lemansky. Classics like Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You” have dominated the Billboard Christmas charts almost continuously since Billboard started charting Christmas music. Similarly, Michael Bublé’s 2011 classic-filled Christmas album remains No. 1 on the Top Holiday Albums chart week after week.

The shift to streaming has also changed the music landscape. While artists like Carey once earned significant royalties, today’s streaming revenues provide only “micropayments,” says Bailey-Lemansky. Instead, touring and licensing deals drive the real revenue. The Queen of Christmas herself has actively kept her “All I Want for Christmas is You” song alive, embarking on a multi-city tour this year to celebrate its 30th anniversary.

Why Christmas Classics are Likely to Endure

The two performing professors aren’t convinced that new holiday songs will easily replace the old favorites. Caspi and Bailey-Lemansky have performed together over the decades, first in the 80s band Bouncing Off Bob and currently in the band Jon Caspi & The First Gun; Caspi is the lead vocalist and guitarist while Bailey-Lemansky plays keyboard. Bailey-Lemansky also has written a Christmas song, “You & Me & X-Mas Time” penned in the 80s. This holiday season, the band expects to do a rockabilly version of “Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer” at a December gig because it’s fun and everybody knows the lyrics.

As Caspi explains: “Why the old music endures is because Christmas – not for everybody – but for most people, is a very positive association. It’s a time like when you’re little, you’re all excited because Santa is coming, and then you’re going to get gifts and family members are there, and there’s lights everywhere. It’s this magical experience and hearing the soundtrack to that warm time in our lives takes us right back.”

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