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The Christmas song has been a staple of pop culture for well over 60 years, but as anyone with ears knows, they're not always a reason to be jolly.

But it is possible to make a good Christmas single. And here's MusicRadar's own festive favourites, from Ray Charles and Mariah Carey to The Killers and Run DMC…

The Pogues featuring Kirsty MacColl – Fairytale Of New York

A song to melt the hardest of hearts, set in the underbelly of New York City. An anthem for anyone who finds themselves staring into the bottom of a glass, reminiscing about lost love and wasted opportunities this Christmas. Certain to provoke raucous sing-a-longs in bars across the globe until the end of time. Here's the late Kirsty MacColl performing live with Pogues on St. Patrick's Day back in 1988. Chris Vinnicombe

Low - Just Like Christmas

Every year, there are but two Xmas traditions for me.
1 - Remember to stick Kahlua on the booze list.
2 - Attack the CD landslide and find Low's Christmas EP.
On the whole, this 2003 release is in line with the Duluth trio's trademark slowcore sound but Just Like Christmas is a revelation - rollicking Spector-style production, jangling sleigh. Mike Goldsmith

Run DMC - Christmas In Hollis

'Novelty' hip-hop is a near-impossible gig to pull off, but in 1987 Run-DMC could still rock the beats and the funnies. Christmas In Hollis is built around a sample of Clarence Carter's Back Door Santa - not about Christmas at all, fools! – and although it's (macaroni) cheesy as hell, it's all y'all need to make any old-skool yule rule. Word! Michael Leonard

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