10 worst Christmas carols

1. "The Christmas Shoes" by NewSong

Almost universally loathed by critics, this song tells a tear-jerking story about a boy buying shoes for his dying mother so she can look nice when she "meets Jesus." Critics call it "emotional manipulation wrapped in tinsel."

2. "Wonderful Christmastime" by Paul McCartney

Despite being a former Beatle, McCartney is frequently mocked for this track. The main complaints are the "cheesy," repetitive synthesizer loop and the overly simplistic lyrics. Some say it sounds like it was written and recorded in five minutes.

3. "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer" by Elmo & Patsy

This novelty song is a holiday staple, but many find the dark "comedy" of a grandmother being killed by Santa's sleigh to be tacky, repetitive, and just plain annoying after one listen.

4. "Do They Know It's Christmas?" by Band Aid

While it was recorded for a noble cause (famine relief in Ethiopia), the song has been heavily criticized in recent years for its patronizing and geographically inaccurate lyrics, such as "There won't be snow in Africa this Christmastime."

5. "Dominick the Donkey" by Lou Monte

This Italian-themed novelty song features a persistent "hee-haw" braying sound effect. For many, the repetitive braying is the ultimate "nails on a chalkboard" experience.

6. "Santa Baby" (The Madonna Version)

While Eartha Kitt's original is a classic, Madonna’s 1987 cover is often panned for her exaggerated "baby voice" and overly flirtatious tone, which many find cringeworthy.

7. "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas" by Gayla Peevey

Another "love it or hate it" novelty hit. The high-pitched, nasal vocals of the 10-year-old singer and the relentless repetition of the word "hippopotamus" make this a skip for many adults.

8. "All I Want for Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth" by Spike Jones

The forced lisping and whistling "s" sounds in this 1947 novelty track were meant to be cute, but modern audiences often find them incredibly grating.

9. "The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late)" by Alvin and the Chipmunks

While kids love it, the sped-up, high-pitched "squeaky" voices of the Chipmunks are a major source of stress for retail workers and parents who have to hear it on loop.

10. "Please Daddy (Don’t Get Drunk This Christmas)" by John Denver

Commonly cited as one of the most inappropriately depressing Christmas songs, it features a child pleading with their alcoholic father not to pass out under the tree. It’s a real "mood-killer" for holiday parties.