Here is our holiday music guide

Ask Grammy Award-winning music executive Kevin Liles about Christmas music, and he is making a list and checking it twice.
                                                 

Having worked with a long list of superstars — such as Jay-Z, Kanye West, and Mariah Carey, Migos, Fetty Wap, and Trey Songz, the industry veteran understands that certain songs of the season evoke rich memories.

“Holiday music is special because it has such a nostalgic feel to it,” said the co-founder and CEO of 300 Entertainment. “A good holiday song done right can stand the test of time.”

As an example, he points to Carey’s 1994 mega-hit “All I Want for Christmas is You.” The bouncy ditty (complete with ringing bells) joins traditional tunes such as Nat King Cole’s “The Christmas Song,” in having sold millions of copies for decades. Both songs are currently on Billboard's Holiday 100 Songs chart and remain perennial favorites.

Here are some other holiday tunes recommended by us, music experts, and our readers that we will have on repeat this season.

To unwrap the gift of seasonal R&B standards, consider soulful songs such as “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer” by The Temptations and Donny Hathaway’s horn laden “This Christmas,” released in 1971.

The experts say don’t be shy about putting new songs into your holiday rotation. Motown legend Smokey Robinson has a new EP, "Christmas Everyday." Demo Taped, a 19-year-old from Atlanta signed to 300 Entertainment, is known for electronic pop, but has recently released “Christmas Just Ain’t Christmas,” a hit originally performed by the O’Jays.