Dolly Parton: Her Top 20 Christmas Songs

Author Nancy Brooks // Country Writer, Beasley Media Group

November 30th, 2020 12:00 AM

Now that Thanksgiving is behind us and we get into Christmas music, I wanted to share some Dolly Parton Christmas songs.

I have spent the majority of my life as a Dolly Parton fan. From a young age I have been studying, listening to and enjoying the work and music of Parton.

I discovered Miss Dolly when I was just 11 years old. My mother was an immigrant to America from the Netherlands, and it was Parton’s music that we listened to together as she explored all American music had to offer.

Years later, I moved to Nashville and got into the music business. I have interviewed Parton more times than I can count, written several magazine articles on the country icon and even got the opportunity to work personally on a tour project with her in 2016. She’s as kind and fun as you would think she is.

So, it’s safe to say that I am a pretty good gauge on Dolly’s music and her Christmas music has played in my home for my friends and family for many years. I bought her first Christmas project on vinyl the day it came out in 1984 when vinyl was the way to listen to music.

It is with great joy that I count down what I believe are Dolly Parton’s very best Christmas songs.

• 20. “Cuddle Up, Cozy Down Christmas” (with Michael Bublé) – 2020

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  A new Christmas standard; it's a duet with Michael Bublé. The cartoon video is just as fun as the song.

• 19. “The Little Drummer Boy” 1990

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  A classic performed to perfection by a classic.

• 18. “O Little Town of Bethlehem” – 1990

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  I just love this song and Dolly’s version brings me right into the manger.
• 17. “Christmas on the Square” – 2020

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  This musical just premiered on Netflix this month (2020). A wonderful movie and a wonderful song.

• 16. “Holly Jolly Christmas” – 2020

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  Dolly’s version holds up nicely, and Burl Ives would surely be proud.

• 15. “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town” – 1990

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  Dolly’s 1990 Christmas album seemed to be aimed at children as a chorus of some of her siblings’ children sang along in the studio with “Aunt Granny,” a nickname her young family members use for Parton.
• 14. “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” – 1990

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  Another great remake from her 'Home For Christmas' album.

• 13. “White Christmas” (Dolly Parton solo) – 1984

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  Parton’s tender version of this holiday classic.

• 12. “Once Upon a Christmas” – 1984

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  This is an original song written by Dolly for her and Kenny Rogers’ 'Once upon A Christmas' album. It has now become a classic.
• 11. “With Bells On” – 1984

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  Another original from 'Once Upon A Christmas' album.

• 10. “I Believe in Santa Claus” – 1984

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  'Once Upon A Christmas' has sold millions of copies since its release, and this song is a big reason why. The album's release was accompanied by a CBS television special, Kenny & Dolly: A Christmas to Remember.

• 9. “All I Want for Christmas Is You” (with Jimmy Fallon) – 2020

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  A song she tapped late night talk show host Jimmy Fallon to sing with her because he asked her to sing the Mariah Carey song on his show a year earlier and she didn’t know it. She knows it now.
• 8. “You Are My Christmas” (featuring Randy Parton) – 2020

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  A beautiful song she sings with her brother Randy. Back in the 1970’s Randy was in his big sister’s band.

• 7. “The Greatest Gift Of All” – 1984

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  Dolly wrote this for the 'Once Upon A Christmas' album.

• 6. “I Believe in Santa Claus” – 1984

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  Duet with Kenny Rogers – This one makes me believe in Santa, and it'll probably do the same for you.
• 5. “Go Tell It on the Mountain” – 1990

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  A traditional classic Parton really dives into. I just love the Christmas morning church vibe it gives me.

• 4. “A Christmas to Remember” – 1984

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  Duet with Kenny Rogers. Parton wrote this one too. It was the title of she and Kenny’s TV special in 1984.

• 3. “Mary, Did You Know?” – 2020

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  The first song she released to tease the new Christmas album back in October. I been listening to it since and it just makes you feel good in these weird times.
• 2. “Hard Candy Christmas” – 1984

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  First recorded for the 1982 movie 'The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.' It was later put on her 1984 duet album with Kenny Rogers. It’s been redone by many over the years including Reba in 2016.

• 1. “Christmas Without You” – 1984

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  Not a Christmas has gone by since 1984 where I didn’t listen to and sing along with this song. I’ve played it on vinyl, cassette, CD and now on iTunes. It’s one of my favorite Christmas songs of all time and you know who wrote it? Yep, Dolly Parton!

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Author Nancy Brooks // Country Writer, Beasley Media Group

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• Winter Guide
• Winter Guide - Family Fun

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Dolly Parton