3 Christmas Songs From the 1950s That Are as Good Now as They Were Then

The 1950s were a long time ago. They are as far from us today as the mid-1800s were from the ’50s. That’s a wild thought. But because of the power of recorded music, we are able to enjoy some of the songs from that decade today as if they came out a few weeks ago.

Here below, we wanted to explore three songs from the 1950s. But not just songs—Christmas songs! It’s that time of year to dive into holiday playlists and when it comes to Christmas songs, more often than not the older the songs, the better. Classic nostalgia is what so many of us want this time of year. Indeed, these are three Christmas songs from the 1950s that are as good now as they were then.

[RELATED: 3 Classic Rock Christmas Songs that Go Hard]

“I’ll Be Home for Christmas (If Only In My Dreams)” by Frank Sinatra from A Jolly Christmas from Frank Sinatra (1957)

There are few singers you’d rather hear croon out Christmas songs than the iconic lounge singer Frank Sinatra. His voice just sounds like Americana nostalgia. For decades, he has been heard in living rooms all across the country thanks to his smooth singing style. And on this song, his talent is at the forefront. Released on his 1957 album A Jolly Christmas from Frank Sinatra, he sings the song that was originally recorded by Bing Crosby in 1943, offering,

I’ll be home for Christmas
You can plan on me
Please have snow and mistletoe
And presents on the tree

Christmas eve will find me
Where the love light gleams
I’ll be home for Christmas
If only in my dreams

“Frosty the Snowman” by Nat King Cole (1950)

This classic winter song, which was first recorded by by Gene Autry in 1950, was cut shortly after in the same year by Nat King Cole. With his warm, lively voice, Cole sings the classic story about the snowman who came to life. It’s a vision so many of us think about during the holidays as the white powder falls from the sky. As kids, we run out to roll the snow into big orbs to create our snowman and maybe, just maybe, he’ll come to life as Cole sings. Indeed, he offers,

Frosty the snowman was a jolly happy soul
With a corncob pipe and a button nose and two eyes made out of coal
Frosty the snowman is a fairy tale they say
He was made of snow but the children know how he came to life one day

“Blue Christmas” by Elvis Presley from Elvis’ Christmas Album (1957)

While most Christmas songs are peppy and happy, this one from “The King” is on the more melancholy side. Using his deep voice, Elvis sings about being lonesome on the holiday without the love of his life. He’s so compelling the tune ends up feeling inviting and cozy. How does he do it? However he does, on this tune, he sings,

I’ll have a blue Christmas without you
I’ll be so blue just thinking about you
Decorations of red on a green Christmas tree
Won’t be the same dear, if you’re not here with me

And when those blue snowflakes start falling
That’s when those blue memories start calling
You’ll be doing all right
With your Christmas of white
But I’ll have a blue, blue, blue, blue Christmas

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