The holidays bring with them a surge of nostalgia, warmth, and joy—and nothing embodies the festive spirit quite like music. At the Recorded Sound Archives (RSA), we couldn’t resist the charm of holiday melodies as we embarked on a delightful journey to celebrate the season through music.

Discover RSA Staff’s Favorite 10 Holiday Songs

1. Silent Night, Holy Night by Frank Sinatra
2. Santa Claus is Coming to Town by the Boston Pops Orchestra
3. Sleigh Ride by Charlie Bertini; Randy Morris; Dave Gannett
4. The Little Drummer Boy by The Boston Pops Orchestra
5. White Christmas by Frank Sinatra
6. Silent Night by Helen Traubel
7. A Christmas Carol by Richard Hale and Lionel Barrymore
8. Christmas Boogie by Sugar “Chile” Robinson
9. I want a Hippopotamus for Christmas by Gayla Peevey
10. Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer by Gene Autry and the Pinafores

The Magic of Holiday Music

Music has an incredible way of weaving emotions into our lives. This year’s celebration reflects the broad spectrum of holiday cheer, from playful jingles to timeless ballads.

Our team shared touching memories tied to these songs. For some, they evoked childhood moments spent with loved ones. For others, these melodies reminded them of classic holiday traditions or the warmth of giving and receiving during the season. The diversity of our choices reflects how holiday music speaks to each person in a unique way.

What Makes Holiday Tunes Special?

Holiday music spans decades, blending vintage charm with modern classics. From soothing croons to festive rhythms, each track celebrates the season’s magic in its own way. Discover more songs within our vintage holiday music collection.

Share Your Favorites With Us!

Now it’s your turn! What holiday tunes make your season bright? We’d love to hear your favorites in the comments. Let’s keep spreading the joy of the season through music.

From all of us at the RSA, we wish you a harmonious holiday season filled with love, laughter, and your favorite tunes.

Now you can celebrate the 4th of July and your Jewish heritage at the same time.

This new compilation of songs from the Judaica Sound Archives at Florida Atlantic University Libraries in Boca Raton, FL is about the American Jewish experience.

It contains  Yiddish songs recorded during the early 20th century and expresses a Jewish immigrant perspective on New York, Coney Island and other things distinctly American.

You will also hear American patriotic songs sung by Jewish performers, Mike Burstyn singing about America in Hebrew and, from FAU’s Recorded Sound Archives Vintage 78s Collection, a very young Frank Sinatra singing “America the Beautiful.”

Click on the image above to hear this special compilation of songs from the JSA.

1. My America’s Free: Written byJerome Lipman and Irving Lewis. Sung by Molly Picon and Seymour Rechtzeit with the Abraham Ellstein Orchestra and Dave Tarras on clarinet. This upbeat tune lists some of the many things to love about America…..especially freedom!

2. Ich Dank dir Got fur America: Sung by Leibele Waldman.

3. America: Sung by Yiddish Theater star, Josef Feldman.

4. Yankee Doodle: This well-known Anglo-American song from the revolutionary War era is sung by Jewish singer/educator, Judy Caplan Ginsburgh.

5. I’m Going to Miami: Benny Bell tells a story of his trip to Miami Beach, Florida by train.

6. Hot Dogs and Knishes: Aaron Lebedeff sings this comic Yiddish song about Coney Island, NY.

7. Hurray far NY: This recording is from a 1967 recording of Pesach Burstein’s Yiddish Theater performance from “The Vilna Komiker.”

8. America Ich Lieb Dich (America I Love You): Sung by Yiddish Theater star, Gus Goldstein.

9. Ragtime Fiddle: Written by Irving Berlin and sung by Simon Paskal

10. Carry Me Back to Old Virginny: Originally a song sung by Confederate soldiers during the Civil War, it was recast in 1878 from the slave’s perspective. This 1916 recording by Jewish opera star, Alma Gluck, is said to have been the first operatic celebrity recording to ever sell a million copies.

11. Tell That to the Marines: Written during WWI,  sung by Al Jolson.

12. God Bless the USA: This recordingis from the Judy Caplan Ginsburgh album, Musical America.

13. America America: Mike Burstyn’s tribute to the land of his birth sung in Hebrew.

14. America the Beautiful: This recording by a very young Frank Sinatra is from FAU’s Recorded Sound Archives Vintage 78rpm music collection.