7 Best Christmas Songs Without Words: No-Words Xmas Hits

Hey music aficionados and DJ maestros! 🎧 Deck the halls with boughs of melody, as I unveil the 7 best Christmas songs without words to grace your festive mixes.

Revel in the euphony of pure instrumental bliss, and let these enchanting tunes set the backdrop for your holiday huddles. Get ready to jingle all the way!

Here are the best Christmas songs without words that you can check out:

List Of Best Christmas Songs Without Words

Best Christmas songs without words in a list format:

Carol of the Bells

Brace yourselves, folks! First up is the mesmerizing Carol of the Bells. Originally composed by Mykola Leontovych in 1914, this gem has an enchanting repetitive four-note motif. Check out the transfixing version by Mannheim Steamroller from their album “Christmas” released in 1984 under the American Gramaphone label. The chimes will make your soul dance!

Linus and Lucy

Ready to jive? Linus and Lucy by Vince Guaraldi is a jazzy delight. It’s not traditionally a Christmas song, but gained fame in the beloved 1965 TV special “A Charlie Brown Christmas”. You’ll find this masterpiece on the album “A Charlie Brown Christmas”, released under Fantasy Records. Those piano notes are pure gold, my friends!

Sleigh Ride

Ah, Sleigh Ride – a sparkling classic by Leroy Anderson. Composed in 1948, it’s got all the mirth of a snowy escapade. The version by Arthur Fiedler and the Boston Pops Orchestra, from the 1949 album “Holiday Pops” under RCA Victor, is an absolute crowd-pleaser. Those horse clopping sounds and trumpet neighs – sheer brilliance!

Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy

Immerse yourself in the mystical Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. This piece, from the 1892 ballet “The Nutcracker”, is like stepping into a magical realm. You must listen to the recording by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in the album “The Nutcracker” (1986) under Telarc. Truly ethereal!

Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24

Rock on with Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24 by Trans-Siberian Orchestra. This electrifying track blends “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen” and “Carol of the Bells” into a rock symphony. It’s from their 1996 album “Christmas Eve and Other Stories” released by Lava Records/Atlantic Records. It’s a high-octane sonic gift, folks!

Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring

Let the serene sounds of Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring by Johann Sebastian Bach wash over you. Originally composed in the 1700s, it’s timeless. Seek out the recording by Alexis Weissenberg from his album “Piano Transcriptions” (1981), released under EMI Classics. Its divine piano harmonies are like a gentle snowfall. Ahh!

Greensleeves (What Child is This)

Last, but certainly not least, Greensleeves which you may know as What Child is This. Its origins are traditional, and the familiar melody takes you back in time. A must-listen is the rendition by the Canadian Brass from their 1990 album “The Christmas Album” under Philips Records. The brass ensemble is resplendent! 🎺

Fun Facts: Top Christmas Tunes Without Words

Carol of the Bells

An Ancient Ukrainian Chant

Did you know that Carol of the Bells has its roots in an ancient Ukrainian chant called “Shchedryk”? The original song celebrated the arrival of spring and was associated with a generous harvest. It wasn’t until Peter J. Wilhousky gave it the iconic English lyrics in 1936 that it transformed into the Christmas classic we know today!

Linus and Lucy

Peanuts’ Timeless Favorite

Vince Guaraldi’s Linus and Lucy is so deeply ingrained in popular culture that it’s impossible not to associate it with the Peanuts gang. Here’s a fun fact: the song was not originally written for the Christmas special! It was composed two years prior and was later chosen for “A Charlie Brown Christmas” because of its catchy, playful vibe.

Sleigh Ride

Composed in a Heat Wave

Can you imagine Sleigh Ride being composed during a sizzling summer heatwave? That’s exactly when Leroy Anderson penned this winter wonder in 1946! He was inspired by the imagery of a snow-covered landscape and wanted to create a piece that evoked the joy of a wintry sleigh ride – regardless of the weather outside.

Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy

The Celesta’s Magic

The haunting sound that makes Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy so enchanting is produced by a unique instrument called the celesta. Tchaikovsky was among the first composers to use this instrument, and its bell-like tones perfectly captured the ethereal nature of the Sugar Plum Fairy. He considered the celesta to be the signature instrument of the piece.

Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24

Inspired by War

Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24 isn’t just a rocking Christmas tune; it’s also inspired by true events during the Bosnian War. The song’s producer, Paul O’Neill, was moved by a story of a cellist, Vedran Smailović, who played Christmas carols in the war-torn streets of Sarajevo. This inspired him to create a piece that symbolized the power of music amidst chaos.

Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring

Not Originally a Piano Piece

While many of us know Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring as a piano piece, it was originally composed by Bach as the closing choral movement for two of his cantatas. The piece was later arranged for solo piano by Dame Myra Hess and it was her piano transcription that propelled the piece to worldwide recognition.

Greensleeves (What Child is This)

A King’s Composition?

There is a rumor that Greensleeves was composed by King Henry VIII for Anne Boleyn, but this is likely a myth. The song’s style and form are characteristic of the Elizabethan era, which came after Henry’s time. Regardless, it has remained a captivating piece, and its transformation into a Christmas carol is just one of its many lives!

What a symphonic journey through the wonderland of Christmas melodies!

May these tuneful treasures and fun facts spark joy and harmony in your festive celebrations.

Keep the music playing!

Thanks for reading.

TBone