The 10 best Christmas songs… ever!

The 10 best Christmas songs

You may be sick of the Christmas music that’s dominating airwaves just now. But in case you’re not, here’s a countdown of the top 10 – decided by us!

By Ernie Richardson

There’s something uniquely pleasurable about Christmas music. It combines an overriding sense of good cheer with a rare ability to capture all that’s lovely about the season.

It combines an overriding sense of good cheer with a rare ability to capture all that’s lovely about the season.  

Of course, the fact it appears on the radio and in shops sometime around late October can be a bit jarring. There’s a high chance you’ll be sick of it by the time the big day finally comes around.

But let’s forget all that for a moment and focus on what we love about festive music-making. To get you in the spirit, here’s the Just Recruitment Christmas Songs Top 10. Why not see if you and your colleagues agree with our choices?

10. Must Be Santa by Hal Moore and Bill Fredericks

A classic call-and-respond structure makes this a favourite Christmas sing-along. Bob Dylan’s version brings welcome cool to proceedings, while Bryan Adams’s recent cover is pleasingly rocky. But for many, Tommy Steele’s 1960s release remains the benchmark. Horses for courses, we suppose.

9. Fairytale of New York by Jim Finer and Shane MacGowan

This song provoked some controversy among our choosers. Just Recruitment editor Tim Gibson claims to dislike it to such an extent that he’d cheerfully include it in a list of the “World’s Worst Christmas Songs”. But for many, it’s the finest festive tune ever written, with Shane MacGowan’s meandering brogue just enhancing the fun.

8. Last Christmas by Wham!

Given a boost in recent years thanks to the film of the same name, Last Christmas is a stalwart of music radio during the festive season. Made all the more poignant by George Michael’s untimely passing, it’s a worthy addition to our list.

7. All I want for Christmas Is You by Mariah Carey

It’s hard to believe All I Want for Christmas Is You has only been around since 1994, so permanent a fixture has it become in Christmas playlists. Mariah Carey pretty much wrote it to order as a big seasonal hit to keep her record label happy. Backed up by a brilliant video, the song has more than delivered.

6. Rocking Around the Christmas Tree by Johnny Marks

Performed by Brenda Lee in 1958, Rocking Around the Christmas Tree feels as fresh today as it did back then. If ever a song deserved the moniker of “timeless classic”, this is it. And if you can’t find a video of Lee performing it, have some fun with this Mel Smith and Kim Wilde cover instead.

5. Blue Christmas by Billy Hayes and Jay W. Johnson

Hauntingly beautiful with a country-and-western vibe, Blue Christmas is an Elvis classic that repays a listen at any time of the year. For extra enjoyment, check out his duet with Martina McBride – a refreshing change of gear from jingle bells and holly trees.

4. Do They Know It’s Christmas? by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure

For anyone who grew up in the 1980s, Do They Know It’s Christmas? is the defining song not just of the season but of the whole era. Bob Geldof channelled his fury at the famine in Ethiopia to bring his rock-music chums together. The result is one of the most high-profile acts of charity ever seen, not to mention a crackingly good song.

3. The Christmas Song by Robert Wells and Mel Tormé

“Chestnuts roasting on an open fire…” Who doesn’t know the opening phrases from Nat King Cole’s classic Christmas favourite? Listening to The Christmas Song is like taking a swig from a cup of mulled wine: warming, comforting and profoundly festive. A must-have for any seasonal playlist.

2. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane

First sung by Judy Garland in 1944 and made famous by Frank Sinatra, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas is a jazzy little number that always hits the right notes. For all the strengths of the classic renditions, we reckon you can’t go far wrong by dusting off the Bublé to experience this song at its very best.

1. White Christmas by Irving Berlin

Choosing our Number One was always going to be tricky, so we’ve been led by the numbers. The Bing Crosby version of White Christmas is reported to have sold 50m copies – making it the best-selling song in the world, ever. Add in the 50m additional copies sold of versions by other artists (the little-known Garth Brooks cover has an oddly compelling homespun vibe) and you can’t deny that this is a Christmas hit like no other.

 

If you enjoyed this article, you may also like:
Have a very merry Christmas with these seven great British traditions
Five ways to make your car ready for winter

 

Published: 28 November 2024
© Copyright Just Recruitment Group Ltd 2024

Jobs currently available

New job
General Workshop Engineer
Sector: Engineering and Manufacturing
Salary: £27,000 per annum
Location: Colchester, Essex
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: TB18
About the role

Just Recruitment is seeking a General Workshop Engineer for a Colchester-based company. Ideally, you will have general engineering workshop experience and be looking for opportunities for professional growth and development within a specialist field.

If you are a skilled individual with a passion for precision and a desire to create exceptional tooling, we want to hear from you!

Please note that you need to have your own transport due to the company’s rural location.

Working hours: Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 5.30pm (40 hour week).

Key responsibilities include:

  • Operating Specialised Machinery, which may include:
    • CNC engraving machines.
    • Chemical etching equipment.
    • Grinding and polishing equipment.
    • Operating a Band Saw.
  • Precision Finishing: Perform detailed manual finishing, deburring, and hand-tooling to achieve the highest standards of accuracy and sharpness.
  • Some physical lifting will be involved.
  • Quality Control: Conduct stringent quality checks at every stage of the production process, ensuring dies meet exact specifications and the company’s high-quality benchmarks.
  • Maintenance: Assist with routine maintenance and calibration of machinery to ensure optimal performance.
  • Collaboration: Work closely with the design and production team to ensure seamless workflow and project delivery.
  • Problem Solving: Identify and resolve any issues arising during the die-making process to maintain production schedules and quality.

Company benefits include:

  • A supportive, collaborative, and friendly team environment.
  • The chance to work with cutting-edge technology and contribute to exciting projects.
  • 28 days paid annual leave, including bank holidays, plus a day off on your birthday.
  • Uniform provided after successful probation.
  • Employee assistance programme.
  • Health cash plan.
  • DIS insurance after 2 years.

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
The salary advertised is the bracket available for this position. 
We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more
Design Technician
Sector: Engineering & Technical
Location: Ipswich
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: JC26
About the role

Just Recruitment seeks a Design Technician to produce, check and process technical drawings for a company based in Ipswich, Suffolk, as part of its wider technical department.

Ideally, you will have a construction or architectural background, strong CAD skills, and excellent overall computer literacy.

Duties include:

  • Produce, check and process incoming design drawing requests, technical documentation and technical calculations.
  • Liaise with clients and Area Technical Managers.
  • Deal with telephone and email enquiries.
  • Keep up to date with Part L and Thermal Calculations.
  • Keep up to date with industry Codes of Practice and Building Regulations.

Essential key experience & skills required are:

  • Basic level CAD experience.
  • Ability to read and understand architectural drawings.
  • Advanced level of grammar and spelling.

Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm.
Includes an end-of-year bonus and an excellent benefits package.
Hybrid working is available after successful completion of the probationary period, with a minimum of three days in the office and up to two days working from home.

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more
Warehouse Operative
Sector: Warehouse
Location: Sudbury
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: 913735
About the role

Just Recruitment is partnering with an expanding manufacturing company on the outskirts of Sudbury to recruit a dedicated and reliable Warehouse Operative on a permanent basis.

The key purpose of this role is to support the business with the movement of raw materials and finished products as required.

In order to be considered for this role, you must possess a valid counterbalance forklift licence.

Key duties include:

  • Carrying out warehousing tasks, including order picking, storage allocation and record keeping.
  • Carrying out dispatch duties, including consolidating finished goods for daily loads.
  • Taking responsibility for ensuring goods are checked in and out using the stock management system.
  • Replenishing stock throughout the day and assisting with stock checks.

Role requirements include:

  • Counterbalance forklift driving licence and experience in driving forklift trucks.
  • The ability to follow written instructions, quality and safety standards.
  • The ability to communicate with colleagues at all levels and the confidence to escalate any issues to ensure quality and safety.
  • Computer literate - able to input data into the systems and maintain accurate records.
  • Conscientious with strong attention to detail.

This role operates on a three-week rotating shift pattern, Monday to Friday:

  • Weeks 1 & 2: 8:00am – 5:00pm
  • Week 3: 4:30pm – 1:30am

This role offers a competitive basic salary, shift allowance, and benefits package — an excellent opportunity to join a growing business.

Free parking is available on-site, and due to the company’s location, you must have access to your own transport.

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more
Design Engineer
Sector: Engineering and Manufacturing
Salary: Discussed on application
Location: Sudbury, Suffolk
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: TB17
About the role

Just Recruitment is recruiting for a Design Engineer to join a manufacturer based in Sudbury, Suffolk.

Due to expansion and an increased order book, an experienced Design Engineer is required to join the design team. The Design Engineer will work with other Design Engineers, Project Managers, and other internal company personnel to create final design solutions working to detailed project and technical specifications and sales layout drawings, in line with the project and production plan. They shall also provide design and technical support to the sales team for the production of functional design specifications for inclusion within sales documentation and presentations.
Previous project management experience would be advantageous as the role will sometimes require taking projects from initial concept, through design and manufacturing, and project managing the installation. This will involve liaising with external suppliers, sub-contractors and customers where required.

Key responsibilities include:

  • Mechanical engineering design using AutoCAD, Inventor, and Vault, working to project and technical specifications.
  • Provide design calculations for frame structures, airflow, and energy requirements.
  • Produce designs to the conforming standards and certification requirements.
  • Preparation of production drawings for parts, fabrications, and assemblies.
  • Creation of bills of materials.
  • Carry out drawing modifications as and when required to existing drawings using revision control, change processes and procedures.
  • Liaise with purchasing and manufacturing departments for the distribution of information and assist with technical queries.
  • Participate in project design reviews and provide technical solutions to design problems.

Experience/skills requirements include:

  • A skilled and experienced Mechanical Design Engineer using AutoCAD & Inventor/Vault/Solidworks.
  • Experienced in understanding 2D sales layout approval drawings.
  • Experience with working to standards and certifications.
  • Experience with manufacturing techniques, including sheet metal fabrication and welding.
  • Experience in M&E design for manufacturing.
  • Knowledge of building services and construction management is desirable.
  • HNC Mechanical Engineering qualified or equivalent qualification minimum.
  • Minimum 3 years of previous experience in a similar design role with transferable skills.

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more
Customer Services Executive
Sector: Customer Service
Salary: Discussed on application
Location: Sudbury, Suffolk
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: TB14
About the role

Just Recruitment is recruiting for a Customer Services Executive for a manufacturer based in Sudbury, Suffolk.

As a Customer Services Executive, you will play a key role within the sales and marketing team — delivering exceptional service to both new and existing customers while managing ongoing accounts.

You will answer customer questions, solve problems, and provide information about the company’s products and services — all while building strong relationships and ensuring long-term customer satisfaction.

Key responsibilities include:

  • Assess incoming enquiries from direct communication or the sales team
  • Create quotations and tender documentation
  • Follow up on quotations at appropriate points in the process
  • Manage the CRM system
  • Manage the lead generation tools
  • Processing incoming sales orders
  • Liaise with the order fulfilment team for the smooth supply of products to customers
  • Manage any after-sales requirements
  • Help project manage key projects and clients

Role requirements include:

  • Must possess excellent communication skills, both oral and written
  • Previous experience in a similar role is preferable
  • Experience within the engineering/manufacturing sector is preferred
  • Good knowledge of and proficiency in Microsoft Office and basic database skills
  • Must be able to understand business calculations and be competent to correspond via email in a professional manner
  • Must be an excellent face-to-face communicator
  • Telephone communication skills are of a high standard
  • One of the keys to success is to develop professional relationships with decision makers, and so the ability to ‘connect’ with people and build networks should come naturally
  • You will be based at the Sudbury office, with occasional requirements for site and customer visits

Skills and qualifications to include:

  • A highly capable person with strong planning and scheduling skills
  • Self–driven, results-oriented, and with a positive outlook and a clear focus on high-quality standards
  • An independent person with good organisation and planning skills, who is capable of objectively assessing and improving their own and the department’s performance
  • Must be reliable, tolerant, and be able to work under pressure. The ability to be professional at all times and represent the company in a professional manner is a prerequisite
  • Tenacity and the ability to see things through to the end goal are desired traits
  • Must be able to work alone as well as work within a team
  • When required, able to work extra hours to accommodate the business needs, which may include occasional travel


Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more