During “the most wonderful time of the year," having the right music is essential. And nothing (apart from Lionel’s back catalogue, of course) can get you in the jolly mood quite like a festive playlist, with a soulful twist…

To help you get in the spirit, we've picked our five favourite soulful Christmas songs. Have a listen below, with a seasonal tipple or treat in hand…

1. Merry Christmas Baby - Otis Redding

Possibly the funkiest Christmas song we have ever heard, Otis Redding’s version of “Merry Christmas Baby” has a sumptuous jazzy feel and has deservedly become a Christmas favourite.

There is no one who brings the soul music – vocally and with his instruments – quite like Otis Redding. The soul legend had the unique ability to tackle almost any track make it his own, and he certainly does it here.

2. Little Drummer Boy - Destiny’s Child & Solange

Destiny’s Child’s “8 Days of Christmas” offering deserved better. The trio’s 2001 Christmas album missed out on commercial success, but it nailed the festive vibes.

The album features versions of all-time festive standards like “White Christmas” and “O’ Holy Night,” – as well as this infectiously fun take on a carol classic. It simply isn’t Christmas until we hear those echoing bells and unmistakable horn intro of “8 Days of Christmas.” This one if for the girls x

3. Luther Vandross - The Mistletoe Jam (Everybody Kiss Somebody)

This man needs no introduction. One of the all-time greats of Soul and Disco, with a uniquely emotive voice – Luther Vandross powerfully creates the warmth of Christmas in this track.

His vocals and this song are the perfect accompaniment to a Baileys by the tree with the heating on full. One of the best Christmas songs of all time.

4. The Temptations - Silent Night

Oh, wrap yourself in the blanket of those glorious voices! This one gets selected because it completely transforms what is really a fairly sombre song – a beautiful carol, but melancholic, yet this makes it something totally different.

It's a perfect arrangement, and gets a helping hand from an iconic group of soul singers, of course. A contemporary Christmas classic! We love it x

5. Aretha Franklin - This Christmas

There's nobody more qualified to add class and spice to the festive season than The Queen Of Soul herself – Aretha Franklin. We couldn’t not include Ms Franklin in our list of soulful Christmas bangers.

This cover of the Donny Hathaway track opens with Ms Franklin warning us – and her son Eddie – that he "mustn't upstage mom with those high notes". It’s that good the album should be named ‘This Christmas Wreatha’.