November 30, 2021

About the Author: Stefan Joubert

Passionate manager of LSI. Discover your voice, regardless of age or talent. Contact now at enrol@londonsinginginstitute.co.uk to start your singing lessons in London or online!

With the festive season just around the corner, vocalists are all brushing up their repertoire of the best Christmas songs! Whether you are actively gigging or simply wish to sing your heart out with friends, family, or even get into the Christmas spirit yourself, this list is for you. Here we have compiled some of the best and most loved classics every vocalist should try.

Ella Fitzgerald – Winter Wonderland

For the jazz singer in all of us, this is a beautiful song to learn! Taken from Fitzgerald’s album, ‘Ella Wishes You a Swinging Christmas’, ‘Winter Wonderland’ will let you explore some lovely scales and intervals. Written by Felix Bernard and Richard B. Smith, it allows for plenty of improvisation, exploring your range and vocalising. A more understated alternative to some of the pop Christmas classics, it is well worth exploring in your adult singing lessons.

WHAM! – Last Christmas

An undying staple in everyone’s Christmas playlist, this is the perfect choice for those of us who enjoy singing our hearts out about love and heartbreak! Written and produced by George Michael featuring his stunning vocals and signature sound, it has been covered by countless artists since. We are sure this song will be a hit at any Christmas party or karaoke! Make sure to practice now so you can really hit all those notes and impress your listeners.

Bing Crosby – Santa Claus is Coming to Town

This cheery Christmas jingle was released in 1934, written by J. Fred Coots and Haven Gillespie. It has since enjoyed huge popularity, being covered by artists like Jackson 5 and Michael Buble among so many others. We love the warmth and endearing nature of the original. This could be a great song to practice your harmonies too – listen carefully to the backing vocals on the Bing Crosby version! Songs with simple melodies like this allow plenty of room to harmonise and improvise, which can really help to improve your pitch.

Joni Mitchell – River

One of the best Christmas songs to challenge your vocal range and technique! Absolutely beautifully written by Joni Mitchell, this song is a quiet classic that doesn’t quite come with the cheesiness and novelty of other festive tunes. A lovely choice for vocalists who can accompany themselves on piano too – this will be a great challenge to take on, but very worth it!

Eartha Kitt – Santa Baby

Santa Baby is the perfect choice for those of you who wish to add a bit of sultriness to their festive season! This flirty holiday number by Eartha Kitt was clearly ahead of its time. Released in 1953, its ‘controversial’ lyrical content triggered temporary bans across the South of the United States. It’s a relatively easy song to sing, placing more emphasis on your expression. If you’re really looking to get spoiled this Christmas, you could even use it as a subtle hint for your significant other!

Marvin Gaye – Purple Snowflakes

Add some Motown soul and challenge your vocals with this underrated Christmas song by Marvin Gaye! You can expect some more challenging scales and intervals, a testament to Marvin’s vocal and musical prowess. A great choice for any aspiring jazz, blues and soul singer. This festive number will be a fantastic exercise for your adult singing lessons.

The Pogues – Fairytale of New York

The perfect song to learn as a duet, this Irish folk ballad is a love song and a breakup story all in one! It is the most played Christmas song of the 21st Century in the UK and guaranteed to get people dancing and singing along. For an extra challenge, you could try re-enacting both parties of the duet, which will be a handy exercise for those looking to improve their acting and musical theatre skills.

Chris Rea – Driving Home for Christmas

No matter if you’re excitedly commuting home from work or travelling across the country to see your loved ones this holiday season, Chris Rea’s ‘Driving Home for Christmas’ is a must-have for any commute! This heart-warming tune is easily one of the best Christmas songs, enjoying an undying popularity since its release in 1988. A simple, enjoyable, and wholesome song to include in your festive repertoire.

Dean Martin – Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!

Who could forget this little number! It has been performed by many artists, but you may be surprised to find that the lyricist Sammy Cahn and composer Jule Styne wrote it during a heatwave, as they dreamt of colder weather conditions. Although the song doesn’t specifically mention Christmas, it is widely regarded as a Christmas song due to its cosy nature and winter themes. Definitely one to enjoy singing with friends and family this holiday season!

Mariah Carey – All I Want for Christmas Is You

Last but by no means least, this classic by Mariah Carey is the perfect match for the vocal diva in all of us! You may love it, or you may roll your eyes at it every time it comes back on the radio year after year. Regardless of your preference, this song is infectious enough to have become the best-selling Christmas single by a female artist. So go on, give into the dance pop energy of this track, dance along and set yourself a little vocal challenge with its signature runs, falsetto notes and belts.

Learn the best Christmas songs with London Singing Institute!

Singing lessons are not just for Christmas! If you’re looking to give yourself or others the gift of singing, we have the best adult singing courses for any vocalist. Our teachers will create an encouraging, non-judgmental environment for everyone to become their best, whether you are an experienced singer or are just starting to learn. From group classes where you can meet like-minded individuals to private lessons and even intensive courses, we cover all popular genres! We will teach you the proper technique, vocal health and help you discover that golden tone that truly makes you unique. Plus, you will learn to analyse and understand music, composition, and theory, boosting your creativity and musical talent.

You can learn within our beautiful central London premises or online, from the comfort of your own home. Contact us today!

Tags: Singing Tips, Singing advice, Christmas songs

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Tags: Singing Tips, Singing advice, Christmas songs