EVEN before the first strand of garland is hung or the first holiday gift has been purchased, you know the season has arrived by sounds of Christmas on radio airwaves.Recently, many stations have moved up their holiday play-lists to begin them right after Thanksgiving or right around the first of December.

These songs carry clear through to the big night on December 25, when there’s often little else on the radio than merry holiday songs. This means you are certain to hear a variety of Christmas music for nearly a month. But which are the favourites among the Christmas revellers?

According to a variety of informal polls of music lovers, there are certain songs that stand apart from the other classics being broadcast.

Here’s the top 12 Christmas songs you’re bound to hear, specifying preferred artist rendition.

- “Blue Christmas,” Elvis Presley

- “All I Want for Christmas is You,” Mariah Carey

- “White Christmas,” Bing Crosby

- “The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire),” Nat King Cole

- “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” The Carpenters

- “Last Christmas,” Wham

- “Happy Xmas (War is Over),” John Lennon

- “Do They Know It’s Christmas,” Band Aid

- “The Chanukah Song,” Adam Sandler

- “Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy,” David Bowie and Bing Crosby

- “Jingle Bell Christmas,” Bobby Helms

- “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer,” Gene Autry

Here are the lyrics to another popular Christmas tune: “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree,” performed by Brenda Lee.

ROCKIN’ AROUND THE CHRISTMAS TREE

“Rockin’ around the Christmas tree

At the Christmas party hop,

Mistletoe hung where you can see,

Every couple tries to stop,

Rockin’ around the Christmas tree,

Let the Christmas spirit ring,

Later we’ll have some pumpkin pie,

And we’ll do some caroling.

You will get a sentimental feeling when you hear,

Voices singing, “Let’s be jolly,

Deck the halls with boughs of holly”,

Rockin’ around the Christmas tree,

Have a happy holiday,

Everyone dancin’ merrily,

In the new old-fashioned way.

Interlude

You will get a sentimental feeling when you hear,

Voices singing, “Let’s be jolly,

Deck the halls with boughs of holly”,

Rockin’ around the Christmas tree,

Have a happy holiday,

Everyone dancin’ merrily,

In the new old-fashioned way.