The Grooviest Christmas Hits of the 1970s
The 1970s gifted us with some truly iconic Christmas tunes that still get us grooving during the holiday season.
From John Lennon’s heart-warming Happy Xmas (War Is Over) to Boney M’s disco wonderland Mary’s Boy Child, these festive anthems capture the spirit of the era perfectly.
Glam rock gods like Elton John and Greg Lake also lent their talents to beloved songs. So grab some eggnog, crank up the speakers, and let’s jingle all the way back to the 70s for a nostalgic Christmas playlist!
1. Santa Claus Is Coming to Town – The Jackson 5 (1970)
Ahhh, who can resist tapping their toes to The Jackson 5’s funky 1970 rendition of Santa Claus Is Coming to Town? This feel-good jam featured the one-and-only Michael Jackson showcasing his incredible vocals as a child star.
The Motown legends injected the classic Christmas tune with so much soul and energy, you can’t help but groove along!
From those trademark “hi hi hi” vocal riffs to the irresistible danceability, it’s a true holiday staple that still delights nearly 50 years later.
2. Silent Night – The Temptations (1970)
Talk about giving Silent Night a whole new groove! In 1970, The Temptations blessed us with their velvety smooth take on this beloved Christmas carol.
The iconic Motown vocal group lent their signature harmonies and rich musical textures to this timeless classic. You can just close your eyes and imagine gathered around a warm fire, admiring the tree lights as those unmistakable falsettos work their magic.
The Tempts’ Silent Night is a true Christmas gift that keeps on giving year after year.
3. Jingle Bells – Smokey Robinson (1970)
Leave it to the one-and-only Smokey Robinson to make Jingle Bells even more irresistibly catchy! In 1970, Smokey and The Miracles blessed the world with their infectiously soulful spin on this holiday staple.
Smokey’s signature silky vocals glide over the playful melodies as The Miracles provide their trademark tight harmonies.
From the first joyful “ding-ding-ding” to the very last note, this rendition is a pure celebration of the festive season that’ll have you dancing around the Christmas tree.
4. Holly Leaves and Christmas Trees – Elvis Presley (1971)
There’s nothing quite like Elvis crooning about the warm fuzzies of the festive season! In 1971, The King gifted us with the nostalgic gem Holly Leaves and Christmas Trees.
Elvis’ rich, emotive vocals breathe life into the lyrics evoking cozy holiday imagery and warm childhood memories.
As he tenderly sings about holly leaves and twinkling trees, you can’t help but get swept up in the magic and togetherness of Christmas. It’s a timeless tune that’ll have you longing for family gatherings and decorating the tree.
5. Step Into Christmas – Elton John (1974)
Only the fabulous Elton John could make rocking around the Christmas tree sound so insanely cool!
Released in 1974, his glam rock meets holiday cheer hit Step Into Christmas is an instant festive pick-me-up. From the opening riffs, you’re transported to a tinsel-tossed party where Sir Elton is decked out in his most outrageous ensemble.
His signature soaring vocals and that passionate energy turn this into a full-blown celebration. Crank this one up and you’ll be stomping and clapping in no time!
6. Wonderful Christmastime – Paul McCartney (1979)
Could Paul McCartney make a more aptly titled Christmas bop than Wonderful Christmastime?
This 1979 synth-laden New Wave meets festive season gem is just pure concentrated cheer from the legendary Beatle. McCartney’s unmistakable vocals bring such warmth and nostalgic charm to the playful melodies.
Those iconic opening synth riffs instantly trigger visions of twinkling trees and kids tearing open presents. You can’t not get caught up in the singalong spirit of this upbeat number!
7. Mary’s Boy Child – Boney M (1978)
Get ready to groove to one of the grooviest festive anthems ever! Boney M’s 1978 disco-fused rendition of Mary’s Boy Child is an iconic Christmas delight. This feel-good hit took the traditional Harry Belafonte calypso melody and infused it with unstoppable dancefloor energy.
Those uplifting lyrics celebrating the birth of Jesus blend seamlessly with Boney M’s high-octane performance. From those soaring lead vocals to the pulsating rhythm, you can’t resist getting swept up in the pure joy!
Fun fact: It topped the UK charts and became a beloved holiday season staple overnight.
8. Happy Xmas, War Is Over – John Lenon and Yoko Ono (1972)
Leave it to John Lennon and Yoko Ono to gift us a poignant Christmas classic carrying a powerful message of peace.
Their iconic 1972 single Happy Xmas (War Is Over) is a festive anthem like no other. Backed by the Harlem Community Choir’s rich harmonies, it merges Yuletide cheer with a plea to end conflict worldwide.
That instantly recognizable opening of “So this is Christmas…” leads into Lennon’s passionate vocals imploring “War is over if you want it.” It’s an uplifting yet socially conscious masterpiece only these legendary artists could create.
9. I Want to Come Home for Christmas – Marvin Gaye (1972)
Grab the tissues, because Marvin Gaye’s stirring 1972 release I Want to Come Home for Christmas is a real tear-jerker! Co-written by Gaye himself, this melancholic yet beautiful song channels the longing of soldiers desperate to reunite with loved ones during the festive season.
You can hear the raw emotion pouring out of Gaye’s unparalleled vocals as he soulfully expresses that universal yearning for home.
With the Vietnam War raging, it struck a chord with many families separated. Nearly 50 years later, its timeless message of hope still deeply resonates.
10. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas – The Carpenters (1978)
There’s nothing quite as warm and comforting as Karen Carpenter’s angelic vocals crooning Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.
The Carpenters’ 1978 version of this beloved holiday standard is pure nostalgic bliss. Karen’s rich, velvety voice blends seamlessly with her brother Richard’s lush instrumental arrangements, enveloping you in the coziest musical embrace.
The nostalgic lyrics encouraging us to “make the yuletide gay” take on such a heartfelt sincerity. It’s a timeless rendition that perfectly captures the joy, love, and togetherness at the heart of the festive season.
11. I Believe in Father Christmas – Greg Lake (1975)
Don’t let the Christmas-y title fool you – Greg Lake’s 1975 track I Believe in Father Christmas is way more than just a festive sing-along. This haunting, introspective gem really makes you stop and ponder the reason for the season in a refreshingly deep way.
At first listen, the melancholic melodies and Lake’s soul-stirring vocals seem to be mourning the harsh realities of life compared to the magic of Christmas. He powerfully hates on things like greed and commercialism overshadowing the holiday’s purer meanings.
Over the years, music fans have interpreted this song in different ways – from an anti-commercialism protest to a metaphor for disillusionment. That artistic ambiguity is likely why it’s become such an enduring Christmas staple.
12. Lonely This Christmas – Mud (1974)
Prepare to feel all the feels with Mud’s melancholic 1975 hit Lonely This Christmas.
This sorrowful glam rock ballad shot to #1 in the UK, striking an emotional chord with its story of spending the holidays alone after a brutal breakup. Les Gray’s raspy yet impassioned vocals tug at the heartstrings as he mourns being “lonely this Christmas, without you to hold.”
It’s a poignant reminder that the festive season can be especially tough after a split. Yet Mud manages to infuse it with their signature glitz for an unexpectedly cathartic holiday classic.
13. I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday – Wizzard (1973)
Let’s be real – who among us hasn’t secretly wished Christmas could just last forever? Wizzard tapped into that whimsical sentiment perfectly with their 1973 glam rock gem I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday.
Roy Wood’s energetic vocals absolutely radiate pure unbridled festive cheer as he gleefully proclaims his desire to make the Yuletide spirit permanent. The upbeat melodies and hand-clapping rhythms are so deliriously infectious, you can’t help but get swept up in the merry vibes.
While it didn’t hit #1, this quintessentially British holiday anthem has become a beloved staple for generations of carolers.
14. Christmas Song – Gilbert O’Sullivan (1976)
In the midst of all the glitz, glamor, and over-the-top cheer that often dominates Christmas music, Gilbert O’Sullivan’s tender 1976 Christmas Song stands out as a refreshingly low-key, poignant gem.
Rather than rehashing generic festive tropes, O’Sullivan pours his soul into contemplative lyrics reflecting on the deeper values the season represents.
His warm, wistful vocals have an almost lullaby-like quality as he sings about cherishing loved ones and rediscovering humanity’s higher virtues like hope and peace.
It’s an understated yet incredibly moving composition that urges us to pause and remember the true reason for the season beyond just the commercial trappings.
15. That Christmas Feeling – Johnny Cash (1972)
You know it’s Christmas Time when you hear Johnny Cash’s iconic baritone crooning about That Christmas Feeling.
This 1972 track is like a great big warm festive hug from The Man in Black himself. With its bright, cheery melodies and nostalgic lyrics about all the cozy trappings we love – twinkling trees, joyous carolers, roaring fires.
It’s a beautiful, timeless reminder to pause and appreciate the simple joys and tender moments that make this time of year so special.
Final Thoughts
From funky hits that made you groove around the Christmas tree, to heartfelt ballads tugging at the soul – the 70s truly gifted us with an iconic festive soundtrack.
Whether it was glam rock holiday anthems, soulful renditions of beloved carols, or folk ballads evoking warm nostalgia, these timeless tunes remain beloved favorites for ringing in the yuletide season with cheer year after year. Crank up those holiday playlists and get merry!