Turn up the glitter: holiday music from Mariah Carey, Cher and Dolly Parton can transform a quiet evening into a full-room singalong. Their festive records range from chart-topping pop to dance-floor beats and cosy country duets, offering LGBTQ+ listeners and anyone else a soundtrack for celebrating in their own way.
Essential Takeaways
- Mariah’s seasonal staple: “All I Want for Christmas Is You” first appeared on the UK chart in 1994 and eventually reached number one.
- Cher goes dance-floor ready: Her first holiday album mixes seasonal standards with new songs and high-profile guests.
- Dolly brings the warmth: A Holly Dolly Christmas, released in 2020, features a duet with Michael Bublé.
- Modern favourites endure: Official Charts includes songs by Ariana Grande and Kelly Clarkson among the leading Christmas hits of the 21st century.
Mariah Carey’s Christmas anthem still has staying power
That opening piano line can make a room feel instantly more festive. Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You” first appeared on the UK chart in December 1994, and its long return visits have helped make it one of the season’s most recognisable pop songs.
Official Charts records that the single reached number one in 2020, 26 years after its first chart appearance. It took 70 weeks in the Top 40 to get there, setting a record for the longest wait before a song reached the top spot. That’s a remarkable second act for a song that’s now a familiar cue to dig out the decorations. (Official Charts)
Cher swaps the fireside for the dance floor
Not every Christmas playlist needs to be all soft lights and quiet ballads. Cher’s first holiday album, Christmas, brings a more dance-friendly sound to seasonal songs, with “DJ Play a Christmas Song” setting the tone as a neo-disco opener. (Apple Music)
The album also features guests including Stevie Wonder, Cyndi Lauper, Darlene Love and Michael Bublé. Cher joins Darlene Love on “Christmas (Baby, Please Come Home)”, giving the collection a mix of familiar festive material and new collaborations. It’s an easy pick for anyone who prefers their Christmas cheer with a beat. (Apple Music)
Dolly Parton makes room for a cosy duet
For a softer mood, Dolly Parton’s A Holly Dolly Christmas offers a blend of original songs and traditional favourites. Released in 2020, the album includes “Cuddle Up, Cozy Down Christmas”, a duet with Michael Bublé that sounds well suited to a slower evening at home. (Dolly Parton)
The record also features guests including Miley Cyrus, Willie Nelson and Dolly’s brother Randy. It earned a Grammy nomination for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards, a nod that adds another milestone to its festive run. (Dolly Parton; Recording Academy)
Modern pop keeps the Christmas playlist fresh
The seasonal soundtrack isn’t frozen in time. Official Charts includes Ariana Grande’s “Santa Tell Me” and Kelly Clarkson’s “Underneath the Tree” among the leading Christmas songs of the 21st century, based on UK sales and streaming figures for the period covered. (Official Charts)
Kylie Minogue’s “Every Day’s Like Christmas” is another option for a pop-leaning playlist; Official Charts listed it on the track listing for her Christmas album. Put these newer songs alongside established favourites and you’ve got a playlist with room for a big chorus, a dance break and a little nostalgia. (Official Charts)
Choose the mood, then press play
The best festive playlist is the one that suits the gathering. Mariah’s anthem is made for a roomful of people who know the chorus, Cher brings club energy, and Dolly offers something gentler. And when tastes differ, a playlist that moves between styles can be a kinder compromise than arguing over the remote.
There’s also no need to keep the music strictly traditional. Contemporary chart favourites sit comfortably beside older standards, and a dance track can be just the thing when the evening needs a lift. Pick a few songs for each mood, then let your guests take a turn at the controls.
A little sparkle, a big chorus or a cosy duet: there’s a festive sound for every kind of celebration.
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