Entertainment

Every State's Absolute Fave Christmas Song

by Kadeen Griffiths

It's the most wonderful time of the year, you guys. I hope you've strapped yourself in for a thousand and one Frozen references and for having to listen to the same five Christmas songs in every store between now and the actual holiday. In fact, we're only four days into December and already Mariah Carey has thrown a diva fit at a Christmas tree lighting (allegedly) and Ariana Grande has released an original Christmas song, so the sleigh bells are in the air. Of course, listening to the same five Christmas songs has been going on since roughly two seconds after Thanksgiving ended, but that's not the point. The point is, it's that time of year again — and that those Christmas songs are timeless.

They're so timeless, in fact, that every state across America has its own favorite. Through data analysis of search terms, I was able to determine exactly which Christmas song is beloved by which state. Is Hawaii a huge fan of "O Holy Night?" Does New York love to jam out to "All I Want for Christmas Is You?" The popularity of the songs below might come as a surprise to you, but at least one thing is for certain: It doesn't matter how many times you have to listen to the same tune again and again. Some things never go out of style.

As for whether or not you agree with what the rest of your state likes, well, that's for you to decide. If you hate it, it's probably time to move.

Alabama

Song: "The Little Drummer Boy"

I just assume this is because "pah-rum-pum-pum-pum" is just as fun to say as Alabama.

Arkansas

Song: "Do You Hear What I Hear?"

Arkansas has really good taste in religious Christmas songs, that's all I have to say here.

California

Song: "Here Comes Santa Claus."

I was almost hoping that California would prefer "Let It Snow!" just for the sheer punny goodness of that. Alas, they let me down.

Connecticut

Song: "Dominick the Donkey"

This is a surprising choice, to say the least, but it's not my place to question Connecticut.

Florida

Song: "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus"

If anyone was going to see Mommy kissing the actual Santa Claus, then it probably would happen in Florida.

Hawaii

Song: "All I Want for Christmas Is You"

That's right. Hawaii is a bigger fan of Mariah Carey than everyone else. I wasn't expecting this one, but I can dig it.

Idaho

Song: "The First Noel"

I happen to think "The First Noel" is a beautiful song, so good job, Idaho.

Illinois

Song: "We Need a Little Christmas"

This song is a staple of elementary school concerts everywhere, but that's just because it's family-friendly and wholesome. Which makes it an interesting choice for the state that houses Chicago.

Indiana

Song: "Silent Night"

Indiana and "Silent Night" go together like bark on a tree. Or decorations on a Christmas tree, as the case may be.

Kentucky

Song: "Frosty the Snowman"

I couldn't explain this one if I tried, but I don't have to. Who doesn't like Frosty the Snowman? Who doesn't like snowmen in general, in a post-Frozen world?

Louisiana

Song: "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree"

If there's one city you can count on to be rockin', it's definitely New Orleans.

Maine

Song: "Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!"

Maine knows all about that snow, you guys.

Maryland

Song: "O Christmas Tree"

Maryland is basically half the capital city, so it's nice they went with a somber, traditional song — though they could have chosen something nondenominational.

Massachusetts

Song: "Baby, It's Cold Outside"

Now that you can hear this song covered by children that sound like Idina Menzel and Michael Bublé, don't you just want to move to Massachusetts?

Michigan

Song: "Silver Bells"

Just listening to this song brings a tear to my eye. I don't know. It's just so hauntingly beautiful.

Mississippi

Song: "Joy to the World."

Mississippi is located in the Bible Belt, so it comes as no surprise that they'd choose a religious song as their favorite. "Joy to the World" happens to be among the most upbeat ones as well.

Missouri

Song: "All I Want for Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth"

Adorable. That is all.

Nebraska

Song: "The Twelve Days of Christmas"

I expected "The Twelve Days of Christmas" to come out of New York, to be honest, but Nebraska works just as well.

Nevada

Song: "Jingle Bell Rock"

Do you hear that, guys? Nevada is officially the Mean Girls capital of the world. Although, that comes as no surprise. Las Vegas is here.

New Hampshire

Song: "Sleigh Ride"

Do people do a lot of sleigh riding in New Hampshire? Because, if so, cool.

New Jersey

Song: "Last Christmas"

Is New Jersey the state of holiday heartbreak? Don't worry, NJ. This year, you'll give your heart to someone special.

New York

Song: "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year"

In retrospect, this song matches New York perfectly. After all, it's one of the three they constantly play at the Macy's on 34th Street. (Yes, that Macy's.)

North Carolina

Song: "I'll Be Home for Christmas"

Getting home to North Carolina for Christmas must be an adventure in and of itself.

Ohio

Song: "The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late)"

Did you know that this song was called something other than just "The Chipmunk Christmas Song?" Because I didn't.

Oklahoma

Song: "We Wish You a Merry Christmas"

It's the perfect song for carolers, so this should come as no surprise from the state that has its own musical.

Pennsylvania

Song: "Deck the Halls"

From this, I assume that Pennsylvania is the Christmas tree capital of the world. No one correct me if I am wrong.

Rhode Island

Song: "Winter Wonderland"

Actual fact: Rhode Island does turn into a winter wonderland every year around this time.

South Carolina

Song: "Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer"

Wow, South Carolina. Wow. Also, ha.

South Dakota

Song: "Jingle Bells"

South Dakota has chosen, perhaps, the most ubiquitous Christmas song in all the world, and I love them for it.

Tennessee

Song: "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"

If Tennessee isn't officially the sweetest state in the country now, then I don't want to know which actually one is.

Texas

Song: "Feliz Navidad"

This is the only Spanish Christmas song that basically every American knows all the words to — plus it's fun to yell — so I can see why Texans love it so.

Utah

Song: "Carol of the Bells"

Sounds about right.

Vermont

Song: "Santa Baby"

The fact that Vermont loves "Santa Baby" as much as I do is the highlight of my day.

Virginia

Song: "Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town"

Clearly, Virginia takes Santa Claus very seriously and holds on to its belief in him for years after the rest of us lose it. Virginia, you give the child in me hope.

Washington

Song: "White Christmas"

Washington doesn't need to dream of a white Christmas. They just need to wait.

West Virginia

Song: "Blue Christmas"

Cheer up, West Virginia. Cheer up and slow dance to this somber holiday melody.

Wisconsin

Song: "Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer"

There are reindeer farms in Wisconsin. That is all.

Others

Sadly, there were thirteen states that had no particular love for any specific Christmas songs. Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, and Wyoming might have been left out, but I doubt it's because they don't have a favorite. Instead, I prefer to imagine that each of them like so many of the songs above that it was impossible for the states to come together and pick just one. If you live in one of those states, you can look down upon the rest of us for playing favorites with amazing Christmas music. For shame.

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