With the holidays in near view, Christmas music is everywhere: stores, restaurants, your car radio and even the EHS cafeteria. Classic songs that have been hummed to for years start rolling out again this time of year, so get ready, because Santa Claus is coming to town with these old favorites.

‘Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree’ was written by songwriter Johnny Marks. The song was first sung by vocalist Brenda Lee in 1958. As the title would entail, the song is about rocking out during Christmas. It also makes an allusion to ‘Deck the Halls,’ written in english for the first time, by musician Thomas Oliphant in 1862.

‘Deck the Halls,’ is another upbeat song, though this ballad tells the story of a rowdier party it would seem, with the original lyrics containing such phrases as, “Fill the meadcup, drain the barrel,” and “laughing, quaffing all together.” However, it would be ridiculous to deny the catchy nature of the ever-present “Fa, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la!”

For when you want to slow it down a little bit, there’s ‘White Christmas’ by Bing Crosby. Written in 1942 by composer Irving Berlin, the song was originally not very much of a success; a far cry from its current place on many Christmas shelves. In fact, ‘White Christmas is the best-selling single to date. The song depicts an old-fashioned Christmas scene with a picturesque, snow-caked wonderland in the background.

These songs, among many others, make up some of the most famous songs in American history. Which is saying something, what with everyone groaning when they come on the radio Nov 23.