Humanities › Literature Classic Rockers' Favorite Christmas Songs Traditional Christmas music meets classic rock Share Flipboard Email Print Literature Best Sellers Best Selling Authors Best Seller Reviews Book Clubs & Classes Classic Literature Plays & Drama Poetry Quotations Shakespeare Short Stories Children's Books By Dave White Dave White is a longtime radio DJ and music journalist who covered classic rock for more than four decades. our editorial process Dave White Updated March 18, 2019 Most of the classic rock artists who have recorded Christmas albums have included some original tunes, but they have also turned to some of the traditional favorites, usually with their own unique interpretations. Here are some of the holiday tunes that are most popular among classic rock artists at Christmastime. 01 of 11 "Silent Night" Legacy Records One of the most popular songs of the season is one of the favorites of classic rockers. Jimi Hendrix and the Band of Gypsies from the 1969 EP Merry Christmas And Happy New YearSteve Lukather from SantamentalThe Ventures from Christmas JoyJoe Satriani from Merry AxemasElvin Bishop from A Rock 'N' Roll ChristmasKeith Emerson from A Classic Rock ChristmasJorma Kaukonen from ChristmasChicago from Chicago Christmas: What's It Gonna Be Santa 02 of 11 "Jingle Bells" Favored Nations Entertainment It just wouldn't be Christmas, classic rock or otherwise, without a laugh-filled dash through the snow. Brian Setzer Orchestra from Christmas Rocks: The Best-Of CollectionCanned Heat from Christmas AlbumBooker T. & The MGs from In The Christmas SpiritSteve Lukather from SantamentalThe Ventures from Christmas Joy 03 of 11 "We Three Kings" Capitol Records This traditional song is a particular favorite of artists from various genres. Jethro Tull from The Jethro Tull Christmas AlbumBlackmore's Night from Winter CarolsThe Ventures from Christmas JoyBeach Boys from Christmas With The Beach BoysBooker T. And The MGs from In The Christmas Spirit 04 of 11 "The Christmas Song" Stax Records Chestnuts roasting, Jack Frost nipping ... yeah, that one. ASCAP says it's the most performed holiday song. Chicago from Chicago Christmas: What's It Gonna Be SantaSteve Lukather from Merry Axemas, Vol. 2 – More Guitars For ChristmasBooker T. & The MGs from In The Christmas SpiritThe Ventures from Christmas Joy 05 of 11 "Joy To The World" Cleopatra Records This upbeat holiday tune lends itself well to a variety of classic rock sub-genres. Steve Morse from Southern Rock ChristmasThe Ventures from Christmas JoySteve Lukather from Santamental 06 of 11 "O Holy Night" Surfdog Records It's one of the most often heard traditional carols, and it gets some interesting treatment from these artists. Richie Sambora from Merry Axemas – A Guitar ChristmasBlackmore's Night from Winter CarolsBrian Setzer Orchestra from Boogie Woogie Christmas.38 Special from A Wild-Eyed Christmas Night 07 of 11 "Little Drummer Boy" Rhino Records You're not likely to hear arrangements like these in stores or on the radio. Jimi Hendrix from Merry Christmas And Happy New YearAlex Lifeson from Merry Axemas - A Guitar Christmas.38 Special from A Wild-Eyed Christmas NightChicago from Chicago Christmas: What's It Gonna Be SantaElvin Bishop from The Alligator Records Christmas Collection 08 of 11 "Please Come Home For Christmas" Electra Records Something about the sentiment makes this a popular pick for rockers. Edgar Winter from Harlem NocturnePat Benatar from Synchronistic WanderingsEagles from Selected Works 1972-1999 09 of 11 "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" Fuel 2000 Records Good King Wenceslas would probably approve of these arrangements. Blackmore's Night from Winter CarolsChicago from Chicago Christmas: What's It Going To Be SantaJethro Tull from The Jethro Tull Christmas Album.38 Special from A Wild-Eyed Christmas Night 10 of 11 "Greensleeves" Sanctuary Records This classical-based favorite has captured the fancy of a diverse mix of classic rock artists. Lynyrd Skynyrd from Christmas Time AgainJethro Tull from The Jethro Tull Christmas AlbumSteve Lukather from Santamental 11 of 11 "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)" Universal Records In its own way, this John Lennon song has become something of a modern-day traditional holiday tune. John & Yoko and The Plastic Ono Band from Lennon LegendMoody Blues from DecemberTommy Shaw, Steve Lukather, Marco Mendoza, Kenny Aronoff from We Wish You A Metal Xmas...And A Headbanging New YearJimmy Buffett from Christmas IslandCarly Simon from Christmas Is Almost Here Cite this Article Format mla apa chicago Your Citation White, Dave. "Classic Rockers' Favorite Christmas Songs." ThoughtCo, Feb. 16, 2021, thoughtco.com/classic-rockers-favorite-christmas-songs-748312. White, Dave. (2021, February 16). Classic Rockers' Favorite Christmas Songs. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/classic-rockers-favorite-christmas-songs-748312 White, Dave. "Classic Rockers' Favorite Christmas Songs." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/classic-rockers-favorite-christmas-songs-748312 (accessed February 25, 2021). copy citation