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Judy Garland, "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"

It's hard not to tear up when Judy Garland sings "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" in "Meet Me in St. Louis." The song distills the melancholia that can settle on even the jolliest soul during the holiday season. While the words are cheerful, Garland's performance is breathtaking and heartbreaking. Since it debuted in the 1944 film, it has been a Christmas classic covered by Sam Smith, Christina Aguilera and Frank Sinatra, though few have surpassed Garland's tear-jerking performance.

Bessie Smith, "At the Christmas Ball"

It's no fun to get the blues at Christmas, unless Bessie Smith is singing them. The legendary blues singer gave a Christmas gift to the world with her song, "At the Christmas Ball." She recorded the song two years after she became a superstar thanks to her hit album "Down-Hearted Blues." The song is a hearty ode to the season and all its merrymaking, with Smith offering sage advice like, "If your partner don't act fair, don't worry there's some more over there" and reminding listeners that "Christmas comes but once a year, and to me it brings good cheer/And to everyone who likes wine and beer." One of the greatest of all time.

John and Yoko, The Plastic Ono Band with the Harlem Community Choir, "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)"

It's hard to believe this anti-war classic is almost 50 years old, but its resonance has not dimmed even in the slightest during that time. When John Lennon and Yoko Ono were engaging in various protest activities — think their late '60s bed-ins — they were also making music designed to reach the masses but convey a serious message. Layering Christmas wishes with a pointed desire for peace, the couple took aim at the Vietnam War and encouraged people to think about a greater global context at a time of celebration.

Bing Crosby, "White Christmas"

Irving Berlin penned "White Christmas" for the classic Christmas movie "Holiday Inn," and Bing Crosby delivered a beautifully memorable, if slightly mournful, take on the tune. Crosby got a second shot at the song on the set of "White Christmas," where he knocked it out of the park (again). Since then the song has become a standard, performed by artists ranging from Kelly Clarkson to Frank Sinatra, Jim Carrey and Michael Bublé. The nostalgic song is so popular that it holds the Guinness World Record as the best-selling single of all time.

Run-DMC, "Christmas in Hollis"

The 1987 Special Olympics charity album, "A Very Special Christmas," had some incredible contributions from A-list artists like Madonna, Whitney Houston, Bruce Springsteen and Stevie Nicks. But their songs (mostly covers) were all overshadowed by the standout track "Christmas in Hollis" from upstarts Run-DMC, who were still relatively new on the scene. The song, based on the neighborhood of Hollis, Queens, sampled Clarence Carter's "Back Door Santa" (more on that below) and sounded unlike any other Christmas tune out there. While Run-DMC weren't the first group to make a Christmas rap song (that honor goes to Kurtis Blow's "Christmas Rappin'"), they made a memorable, honest, and fun song. Or, as , "The beat is dope. The flow is dope. The rhymes are dope." Plus, the video featured his mom.

Wham!, "Last Christmas"

Look, the holidays aren't a great time for everyone — especially when images of happy families and couples are continually thrust in your face. Never mind; let the '80s heartbreak stylings of Wham! soothe you. From the attempts to show a brave face ("Tell me baby / Do you recognize me?") to the devastating letdown ("Well, it's been a year / It doesn't surprise me"), it's a full picture of romantic ups and downs. It may have been beaten to #1 in the U.K. by "Do They Know It's Christmas," but it's still number one for the lovelorn.

Big Star, "Jesus Christ"

If you're looking for a Christmas song that you can play all year — or want a gentle reminder of what believers call "the reason for the season" — look no further than Big Star's "Jesus Christ." The song was an incongruous presence on the highly influential band's summery third album, "Third/Sister Lovers," featuring angels from the realms of glory and stars shining brightly on King David's city. There seemed to be no particular reason that the '70s Nashville rockers included an ode to the nativity in the middle of their final album, but we're glad they did.

David Bowie and Bing Crosby, "Little Drummer Boy/Peace on Earth"

Traditionally, "Little Drummer Boy" is known as one of the most interminable Christmas carols. But then came David Bowie and Bing Crosby, who transformed the drudgery into a joyous and uplifting song. The unlikely pairing came about thanks to Bowie's mom, who loved Bing Crosby and convinced her son to perform on Crosby's 1977 TV special, "Merrie Olde Christmas." Bowie loved his mom but drew the line at singing the dreaded "Little Drummer Boy," so some quick-thinking writers whipped together an entirely new song. The tune was called "Peace on Earth" and Bowie sang it in perfect counter-harmony to Crosby's "Little Drummer Boy." The result is beautiful.

Darlene Love, "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)"

In case you didn’t already know, Darlene Love is basically the queen of Christmas (sorry Mrs. Claus!). Just ask David Letterman, who had an annual tradition of inviting her on his show every year to perform this hit. Plenty of artists have covered it over the years, but there’s nothing like the original.

The Carpenters, "Merry Christmas Darling"

This song is a must for any chilled-out Christmas playlist. It’s the ideal soundtrack for unwinding in the family room bathed in the glow from the Christmas tree after all the holiday prep is done. Just take a few minutes to enjoy this song while you bask in the spirit of the season.

Mariah Carey, "All I Want For Christmas is You"

The opening notes of Mariah’s 1994 hit spread more Christmas cheer than every mall Santa combined. It’s nearly impossible not to smile (and do a little dance) whenever it comes on. Some might say it gets overplayed every year, but there’s nothing like the excitement you feel the first time you hear it every holiday season.

Sufjan Stevens, "Christmas Unicorn"

Indie darling Sufjan Stevens clearly loves Christmas: He has made a cottage industry of releasing albums full of Christmas songs featuring multilayered, gorgeously complex sounds and whimsical lyrics. In 2012, he released "," which included a whopping 58 songs spread across five EPs. This song, one of the odder tracks in the collection, involves a Christmas unicorn with a beard and a pagan tree. Okay!

Fat Daddy, "Fat Daddy (Is Santa Claus)"

This song by Paul "Fat Daddy" Johnson, Baltimore's self-anointed "300 Pound King of Soul," was featured on "," an eclectic holiday soundtrack curated by the Christmas-loving director of "Cry Baby" and "Pink Flamingos." Johnson hosted a radio hour back in the '50s and '60s, and inspired the Motormouth Maybelle character in "Hairspray." His ode to Santa Claus is a jive-talking Christmas classic.

Beck, "The Little Drum Machine Boy"

It's not Christmas until 808 beats start mingling with the silver bells drifting through the air — that is, according to Beck's Christmas oddity, "Little Drum Machine Boy." The carol appeared on the 1996 Geffen compilation "," which also featured catchy tunes like Sonic Youth's "Santa Doesn't Cop Out On Dope" and Aimee Mann and Michael Penn's "Christmastime."

Shonen Knife, "Space Christmas"

The Osaka-based grrrl band toured with Nirvana and the Breeders back in the '90s and they are still making music today. The band is equally influenced by the Supremes, the Ramones and the Beach Boys and you can hear it all in their delightfully odd holiday song, "Space Christmas." Released in 1991, the song chirpily asks Santa to bring a space ship while riding in his "bison sleigh." I mean, if you think about it honestly, bison are just as unlikely as flying reindeer.

Brenda Lee, "I'm Gonna Lasso Santa Claus"

Speaking of children behaving badly, when Brenda Lee was just nine years old she threatened, "I'm Gonna Lasso Santa Claus." The merry tune offers an adorable lesson in assault and kidnapping, as Lee promises to "pop, pop Santa Claus with [her] water pistol gun." Unlike greedy Gayla Peevey, who wanted a hippopotamus all for herself, Lee had a bit of a Robin Hood streak. In the tune she promises to "take his bags of toys and run and bring to all the kids who don't have none." This wasn't Lee's only Christmas tune. At the age of 13 she became the first artist to record a little song called "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree."

Akim and the Teddy Vann Production Company, "Santa Claus Is a Black Man"

Another gem from John Waters' Christmas compilation features songwriter Teddy Vann and his daughter Akim, giving "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" a much-needed funk update. The song came out in 1973 and is a fresh retelling of the original's stale melodrama.

AC/DC, "Mistress for Christmas"

There was no good reason for rock legends AC/DC to put out a Christmas song, yet voilà: "Mistress for Christmas." While some people might want something with a big bow on it for Christmas (or, you know, peace on Earth), AC/DC just wanted Santa to bring them a side chick to get funky with under the Christmas tree. Sorry guys, but that's a good way to end up on the naughty list.

Fat Les, "Naughty Christmas (Goblin in the Office)"

Drop that punch, because Fat Les is serving up a cautionary tale about what happens when you drink too much at the office Christmas party. This strange supergroup was made up of Blur's bass player Alex James, actor Keith Allen, and artist Damien Hirst, with singers like Lily Allen providing extra vocals. In this Christmas warning, Lisa Moorish sings about the troubles that ensue when you have too much eggnog at work.

Lady Gaga (ft. Space Cowboy), "Christmas Tree"

This 2008 Gaga throwback is not quite the same as her , but it's another one to add to the list when you've cycled through the "" too many times.

Barbra Streisand, "Jingle Bells"

Jingle Bells is certainly not a wacky song, but Streisand’s version from her speeds the celebratory tune up so much that it sounds totally different. Typical Babs — taking a Christmas standard and making it her own.

Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, "Just Another Christmas Song"

The late, great Sharon Jones' Christmas song pays tribute to other Christmas songs. The lyrics touch on everything from Rudolph to the little drummer boy, and the soulful vocals and instrumentals give the song its own substance.

James White, "Christmas with Satan"

Back in 1981, when downtown New York was the epicenter of gritty cool, all the cool kids inexplicably decided to put out a Christmas album. Ze Records released a holiday compilation featuring underground acts like Suicide, Alan Vega, and The Waitresses with their now classic (which was later covered by ... the Spice Girls). The strangest track on the album came courtesy of James White, who spent "Christmas with Satan."

Jingle Cats, "Silent Night"

Nothing says Christmas like the sound of cats yowling along to beloved carols. The Jingle Cats were created by producer Mike Spalla, who blends actual animal sounds into songs like "Jingle Bells," "Up on The Housetop," and "Meowy Navidad."

C-3PO and R2-D2, "Sleigh Ride"

If you're looking for a Christmas song for the "Solo" fan in your life, you don't need to head to a galaxy far, far away. Instead, check out "." The cosmic 1980s holiday album tie-in features songs sung by droids. If you're looking for another "Star Wars"-themed song to add to your playlist, try "What Can You Get a Wookiee for Christmas (When He Already Owns a Comb?)".

Chris de Burgh, "A Spaceman Came A-Travelling"

In 1986, Chris de Burgh wrote the slow dance classic "Lady in Red," a touching if somewhat sentimental adult-contemporary homage to his wife. While that may be de Burgh's best-known track, it shouldn't overshadow this 1976 song, which reimagines the Christmas story as a tale of intergalactic travel. It features the angel Gabriel as a spaceship rider from another planet heralding the birth of the little baby Jesus and guiding all to the manger as his starship stood in for a guiding light. Not sure anyone slow-danced to this one.

Clarence Carter, "Back Door Santa"

This funky Christmas carol has a serious message — don't leave your woman alone when Santa comes to town. In "Back Door Santa," Clarence Carter warns, "I make all the little girls happy while the boys are out to play." It's an audaciously naughty song that shows the dark side of Jolly Old Saint Nick. The dirty-minded ditty was covered by Bon Jovi in 1987, which helped spread the song's reminder to lock your chimney up tight on Christmas Eve.

John Denver, "Please, Daddy (Don't Get Drunk This Christmas)"

Easy listening impresario John Denver really didn't want his father to get drunk on Christmas. It's the only possible explanation for why the country crooner would include the song on two separate albums — 1973's "Farewell Andromeda" and on his 1975 album "Rocky Mountain Christmas."

T. Rex, "Christmas Bop"

T. Rex's "Christmas Bop" is a holiday jam that's as festive as a candy cane and just as sweet, with its disco beat and singer Marc Bolan wailing about being cold over a chorus of "T.-Rexmas!" It's a brilliantly weird Christmas carol for a brilliantly weird act.

Cyndi Lauper, "Minnie and Santa"

Cyndi Lauper's true colors came shining through in this surprisingly raunchy Christmas ditty. In the song, Minnie promises to be "laying in wait on a bear skin rug" for Santa wearing nothing but a big red bow. Girls just wanna have fun, right? This holiday song also bears the unique distinction of being the only time in history that the phrase "cookies and milk" has sounded downright lascivious.

Dent May, "I’ll Be Stoned For Christmas"

Christmas music is usually either about spending time with people you love or being sad and alone. But Dent May’s 2014 single is about going home for the holidays and getting wasted — it’s essentially an anthem for college kids to listen to once they finish their last final of the fall semester.

The Kinks, "Father Christmas"

The Kinks offer a commentary on the materialism surrounding Christmas and Santa Claus with this 1978 track about kids beating up a mall Santa because they want cold hard cash for Christmas instead of toys. The message may not be very cheerful — but the music's so darn catchy.