Andy Williams - Christmas
Andy Williams delivers some of the cleanest notes and smoothest vibrato ever recorded by a crooner, and his timeless holiday release, The Andy Williams Christmas Album, stands as one of the top five Christmas albums of all time. From start to finish, this record captures warmth, joy, elegance, and pure vocal perfection, showcasing Williams at the absolute height of his powers. These songs have become part of the very fabric of the holiday season, played year after year and cherished across generations. If you don’t already own this album, it’s an essential addition to your Christmas collection—a true cornerstone of holiday music history.
4) O Holy Night
One of the most moving performances on The Andy Williams Christmas Album is “O Holy Night.” Here, Andy Williams sounds almost angelic—his voice shining with clarity, control, and warmth. Among the great crooners, Williams arguably possessed the cleanest and purest tone, delivered with effortless precision and grace. He sounds simply flawless throughout the performance, culminating in a breathtaking final moment where he lifts into one of the most stunning male falsetto notes ever recorded, soaring on the word “Divine.”
3) Happy Holiday
“Happy Holiday / The Holiday Season” is another undeniable Christmas classic, and Andy Williams’ version has become a seasonal staple. It’s played every year and has appeared in countless movies and TV shows, helping define the sound of the holidays for generations. Williams brings such a joyful, upbeat energy to the performance—you can genuinely hear how much fun he’s having as he sings, which makes the song feel endlessly uplifting and inspiring. One of the most charming lyrics, “So leave a peppermint stick for old St. Nick,” perfectly captures the song’s playful spirit. Midway through, the drums kick in and the arrangement shifts into afresh swing feel, giving the tune new momentum and sparkle. It’s pure holiday joy and a truly great Christmas song.
2) Jingle Bells
Jingle Bells as performed by Kay Thompson and Williams is another wildly fun and inventive holiday track, made even more memorable by its extended spoken-style introduction before bursting into the lyrics, “Come on, we’re going for a sleigh ride.” The playful theatrical buildup immediately pulls you in and sets the tone for what feels like a musical joyride. The song became so beloved that South Park famously featured it in one of their Christmas episodes—a testament to its enduring pop-culture charm. Thompson’s fast-paced delivery gives “Jingle Bells” a completely fresh spin, then cleverly slows the tempo only to speed it back up again.
1) Most Wonderful Time
It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year is by far Andy Williams’ most famous Christmas song—and one of the most iconic holiday recordings ever made. The classic received a massive boost in popularity after being featured in Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, introducing it to an entirely new generation and cementing its place in modern Christmas culture.
Williams’ signature smile practically gleams through the recording—you can hear the warmth, joy, and genuine delight in every phrase. The song was originally written for The Andy Williams Show, where it quickly gained traction before becoming a timeless seasonal anthem. The arrangement features a wonderful bridge with a female voice and a new male vocalist, adding texture and momentum before returning to its triumphant close. One of the most evocative, almost Charles Dickens-inspired lines is: “There’ll be scary ghost stories and tales of the glories of Christmases long, long ago,” perfectly capturing nostalgia, tradition, and holiday magic. This song isn’t just a classic—it’s undeniably one of the greatest Christmas songs ever written.
