MUMBAI: Christmas, a time of cheerfulness, gaiety and reminisces.  The season and festival unsurprisingly has its roots strongly embedded in Western culture- the birth of Jesus Christ and rock and pop music that has used Christmas as a theme.

Radioandmusic.com selects 10 Christmas songs- not in any order- that have entertained audiences over the years. We hope you agree.

1. Blue Christmas (1948. Written by Billy Hayes and Jay W. Johnson. ): A Christmas staple of an old love song- of the sad kind- of not spending the Christmas with one’s loved one. Numerous artists have recorded and performed the song including top artists like Elvis Presley, Jim Reeves and The Beach Boys -whose versions are sure to please the older generation- to Michael Buble in 2011.

2. Happy X-Mas (War is Over) (1971. John Lennon and Yoko Ono): Lennon’s plaintive protest against the Vietnam War has become a Christmas standard especially among the rock crowd. While hardly mushy, it sing-a-long lines like ‘War is Over/ If You Want It’ by the Harlem Community Choir and Ono’s distinct vocals and hard hitting video leaves a lasting legacy.

3. Merry Christmas Everybody (1973. Slade). Not many will be aware of this holiday cruncher by British glam-Heavy Metal band Slade. The song was a runaway platinum hit and released multiple times as it is cash cow for labels and the band. The band was huge in UK but not so successful in the US. Goes well with the chums and beer.

4. Last Christmas (1984. Wham!) This was the undisputed romantic ‘modern Western Music’ ballad before cable TV, FM radio and globalization happened. Most of us who grew up in the 80’s- the girls, the break-dancers to road side Romeos- knew the song by heart. George Michael’s mushy singing, a very hummable tune and one of the first generation music videos helped the song and the duo become a global hit.

No one could escape the song. It is still played and loved in India- discovered by new generation and clung on to by the older ones. It’s practically stale proof despite our Anu Malik making cringe-worthy Bollywood song out of the tune and singing it himself.

5. Pretty Paper (1963. Willie Nelson). A gem of a song with an interesting history. The song was written by Country Music great Willie Nelson before he got his break. It was recorded by pop legend Roy Orbison who took it to No. 15 on the Billboard in 1963. Sixteen years on, Nelson included the song in his own Christmas album.

6. Merry Christmas (I Don’t Want To Fight Tonight) (1989. Ramones): Pioneers of punk music America’s Ramones blitzkrieg Christmas (from their ‘Brain Drain’ album) song defines what the band and their music is all about- less than 3 minutes long, fuzz guitars and drums played at break-neck speed, a cool and humorous title and enough energy to power a tank. Definitely should not be played after a church service. Or should it be?

7. Mary’s Born Child (1956. Jester Hairston) The disco version of the Christmas by German pop band BoneyM was a runaway hit when it was released in 1978. Though the band gradually fell out of public favour, their music has had incredible staying power. Mary’s Born Child (Oh My Lord) epitomizes the band’s talent- strong vocals, catchy beat with thumping bassline (and bass vocals) that can make anyone dance all the way to the New Year.

8. All I Want For Christmas Is You (1994. Mariah Carey) This lead single from Mariah Carey off her ‘Merry Christmas’ (1994) is a bubbly, makes-you-feel-good hit. With sales of more than 12 million copies, the song has been lauded by critics as one of the best ever ‘modern’ Christmas songs that would easily withstand many Christmases. Carey’s strong vocals, choir backing and heavy synth work make it an essential part of any contemporary Christmas playlist.

9. Silent Night (1818. German carol composed in Austria) One of the most popular Christmas carol (originally ‘Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht‘) the song has been performed by countless choirs and artists across the world since it was first performed on Christmas Eve at Salzburg in 1818.

The lyrics were written by a young priest Joseph Mohr and   melody composed by Franz Xaver Gruber, a schoolmaster and organist. The carol was translated in English by John Freeman Young in 1859.

The song has been covered by everybody from Frank Sinatra, Perry Como, Jim Reeves to Beyonce Knowles, Chistina Aguilera, Charlotte Church and Justin Beiber.

So popular is this carol that UNESCO declared it an intangible cultural heritage 2011.

10. Do They Know It’s Christmas (1984. Band Aid). This is a song that was instrumental in making pop songs and stars more than objects of entertainment. The charity single in support of victims of famine in Ethopia, was initiated by Bob Geldof (of Live Aid fame) who wrote the lyrics and Ultravox member Midge Ure, who wrote the melody.

The song was recorded on 25 November and released four days later.  It topped the UK charts in the Christmas week of 1984 selling a million copies in one week. A galaxy of UK’s pop artists (and two from the US- Kool & The Gang and Jody Watley) took part in the project. The stars included Boy George (Culture Club), Paul Young, Simon Le Bon and Roger Taylor (Duran Duran), Bono and Adam Clayton (U2), Phil Collins, George Michael, Paul McCartney and David Bowie and many others.

The single raised $ 14 million and paved way for bigger initiatives like USA For Africa and many others that followed since.