As you spend time with family, friends and loved ones this holiday season, hopefully you’ll have some good holiday music playing as a backdrop. Here are some of our favorites.

Boyz II Men featuring Brian McKnight – Let It Snow (1993)

From the most successful R&B group of all time, this Christmas song was an instant classic.

The Illtown Family – Real Christmas (1995)

Naughty by Nature started their own label, Illtown Records in the mid 1990’s and released this soulful Christmas song featuring Gordon Chambers and Next.

Johnny Gill – Give Love on Christmas Day (1997)

Originally recorded in 1970 by The Jacksons for their Christmas album, Johnny included this cover as a bonus track on his Favorites compilation album.

http://youtu.be/iJCkexYZUQw

Chris Brown – This Christmas (2007)

This soul stirring holiday standard has been covered by everyone from Patti Labelle to Ashanti. While nobody can sing it quite like Donny Hathaway, Chris Brown offers his modern interpretation without sacrificing the feel good soulful vibe of the original.

R. Kelly – A Love Letter Christmas (2010)

In true Chi-town steppers fashion, the Pied Piper released this song as a holiday remix of sorts to the title track of his tenth studio album, Love Letter.

http://youtu.be/F5fm1KAVdV8

Faith Evans – Happy Holiday (2005)

Faith picked this song as one of her favorite songs that she’s recorded in a YouKnowIGotSoul exclusive.

“This is a song from my Christmas album “A Faithful Christmas” that I co-wrote with my daughter, Chyna. It talks about not forgetting about those who are less fortunate, and remembering the reason for the season.”

Alicia Keys – Little Drummer Girl (1996)

This song was featured on So So Def’s Christmas compilation album, 12 Soulful Nights of Christmas. Alicia put her own little spin on the Christmas classic, Little Drummer Boy.