Top 10 Christmas carols & songs

Bruce Springsteen performing 'Santa Claus Is Coming To Town'; 'All I want for Christmas' in Love Actually

'Tis the season for a good sing along! No better songs to get you into the Christmas spirit than good old fashioned Christmas carols and the newer songs of your childhood like 'Rudolph the rednosed reindeer'. Many of these songs date back to as far back as the 13th century, others have more of a rock beat to them - but they all certainly wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas.

1. Hark the Herald Angels Sing - generally a happy song, few can resis the urge to 'fa-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la'

2. O Come All Ye Faithful - dates back to 1743. Originally it was in French but was translated into English soon after it was written. It's been a Roman Catholic song, Protestand, Anglican and a Catholic song too.

3. Santa Clause is coming to town - brilliant in all its versions, from the classic to the rock'n'roll versions. Bruce Springstein does it best though.

4. Jingle Bells - one for the whole family to sing together. Jingle all the way...

5. Silent Night - The tale of this carols is a charming one. It was said to be written as an imporivisation when the authors found the church organ was eaten away by mice and only could only use a guitar and voices.

6. Joy to the World - Although No Doubt did a ska version this song may best be left as a Christmas Carol. But wonderful for its happy message of joy

7. Rudolph the red nose reindeer - Brilliant to take you on a drive down memory lane and a visit from the Ghost of Christmas Past.

8. Away in a Manger - Originally a Lutheran song but now more commonly known as a Nativity play favourite.

9. All I want for Christmas - Mariah Carey did it best, but just because it's Christmas... Love Actually is all around we'll listen to Love Actually's version.

10. Twelve Days of Christmas - Classic; all twelve drummers drumming, eleven pipers piping, ten lords a-leaping, nine ladies dancing, eight maids a-milking, seven swans a-swimming, six geese a-laying, five golden rings, four calling birds, three French hens, two turtle doves, and a partridge in a pear tree!