There are so many fascinating backstories of some of the most popular or well-known Christmas songs.

1. "Silent Night"

It was composed in 1818 by Franz Xaver Gruber, lyrics by Joseph Mohr. The lyrics are a poem that Joseph originally wrote about the night the angels announced the birth of the long-awaited Messiah. The song was first performed on Christmas Eve at St. Nicholas parish church in Austria.

1859, Episcopal priest John Freeman Young, Trinity Church, New York City. He wrote and published the English translation, that is sung today.

2. "Santa Claus is Coming to Town"

Song was written by Haven Gillespie and J. Fred Coots on a New York subway car in October 1933. Eddie Cantor was given the song in 1934 to perform on his radio show. But even with the popularity, the songwriters had no luck in getting it recorded and sold. The record labels felt the appeal was too narrow. Eddie Canter performed it live but was never given the opportunity to record the song, it was finally recorded by Tom Stack.

3. "Rudolph, the Red Nose Reindeer"

Rudolph, the Red Nose Reindeer, was a story before it ever became a song. It was written by Robert L. May, a copywriter for Montgomery Ward in 1939. The beginning of the 20th century, Montgomery Wards hired outside firms to create Christmas coloring books for Santa to give to all the kids when their parents came to shop. Due to the Great Depression, Montgomery Wards appointed their copywriter Robert L. Mays to write the new story.

Robert L. Mays was influenced by The Ugly Duckling and also his own personal experience to create the misfit Rudolph, the Red Nose Reindeer. During the 1939 Christmas season, 2.4 million copies were sold, by 1946 6 million copies were in circulation. But unfortunately, because the rights belonged solely to Montgomery Wards, Robert L. May did not see any profit from it. But all that changes in 1947, when May convinced the corporate president, Sewell Avery to sign the copywrites over to him.

Robert L. Mays in 1947 convinced his brother in law, songwriter Johnny Marks to write a song based on the book. But, it was not till 1949 that Gene Autry, persuaded by his wife recorded the song. The song in its first year sold 2 million copies and became one of the best selling songs of all time.

4. "Jingle Bell Rock"

This song was recorded in 1957 by Bobby Helms. The song was written by Joe Beal, public relations man from Massachusetts and Jim Boothe an advertising writer from Texas. It is considered to be the first mainstream Rock and Roll Christmas song. It was released two days before Christmas and reached #6 on the pop charts.

5. "Away in the Manger"

Legend says that Martin Luther, a German religious reformer, in 1887 not only wrote this song but would also sing it to his children each night. It is actually believed to be written by an anonymous American in the Mid-1800s.

The tune was composed by J.E. Clark and Charles Hutchinson Gabriel, a music director for Grace Methodist Episcopal Church, published a new version of the hymn that included the third verse.

The legend of the author of this song will probably never be solved. But, it's an inspirational song that tells the humble beginnings of Jesus.