Thanks for your interest in this topic! The poll is now closed, but you can check out the episode of the podcast in which we discuss the results by clicking here.
It might be just after Halloween, but Auntie Mame had the right idea: we need a little Christmas, right this very minute. Let’s try to inject some much-needed nostalgia and lightness into this dreadful year by leaning into familiar, comforting holiday pop songs, even earlier than we normally might.
There have been great holidays pop songs since at least the 1940s. For this extra special episode of the Great Pop Culture Debate, we’re focusing strictly on the classics ones — those released before 1980. So no Mariah, no WHAM, no Pentatonix. We covered all of those in our modern holiday pop episode last year, in and you can listen to that episode now right here. (And don’t forget Part 2, which is here.)
Below, please find a list of some of the most popular holiday pop songs from the mid-20th Century. (If the poll isn’t loading, you can also find it by clicking here.) Pick your favorites — you can choose up to 32, so fill that stocking! — and then send along to your holiday-loving friends. Did we forget your favorite? Enter it the field below, and we might discuss it on the show. Just keep in mind: the songs must have been released BEFORE 1980, and must be holiday focused. (For our purposes, “holiday” means any of the post-Thanksgiving celebrations, so Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and New Year’s Eve.)
The order of songs is randomized for every person who takes the poll, so if you’re looking for a particular song/artist try doing a Ctrl+F search. We also generally tried to keep it to one song per artist, not counting duets.
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