Trans Siberian Orchestra Songs Ranked
Trans-Siberian Orchestra is an American rock band founded in 1996 by producer, composer, and lyricist Paul O’Neill, who brought together Jon Oliva and Al Pitrelli (both members of Savatage) and keyboardist and co-producer Robert Kinkel to form the core of the creative team. O’Neill died on April 5, 2017. The band gained popularity when they began touring in 1999 after completing their second album, The Christmas Attic, the year previous. In 2007, the Washington Post referred to them as “an arena-rock juggernaut” and described their music as “Pink Floyd meets Yes and The Who at Radio City Music Hall.” TSO has sold more than 10 million concert tickets and over 10 million albums. The band has released a series of rock operas: Christmas Eve and Other Stories, The Christmas Attic, Beethoven’s Last Night, The Lost Christmas Eve, their two-disc Night Castle, and Letters From the Labyrinth. Trans-Siberian Orchestra is also known for its extensive charity work and elaborate concerts, which include a string section, a light show, lasers, “enough pyro to be seen from the International Space Station”, moving trusses, video screens, and effects synchronized to music.
Both Billboard Magazine and Pollstar have ranked them as one of the top ten ticket-selling bands in the first decade of the new millennium. Their path to success was unusual in that TSO is the first major rock band to go straight to theaters and arenas, having never played at a club, never having an opening act, and never being an opening act. Here are all of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra songs ranked.
Don’t miss out on the music of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra below! Click to enjoy great music from this rock juggernaut!
15. Midnight Clear (The Lost Christmas Eve, 2004)
“The great thing about this group is the diversity of styles utilized in the music. Most notable are the metal and rock influences, but there’s elements of blues, jazz and classical music too, with singers coming from all kinds of musical backgrounds.”
14. This Christmas Day (Christmas Eve and Other Stories, 1996)
“Nobody does Christmas like Trans Siberian Orchestra. The Christmas Angel story which features this song is one of the most uplifting and inspirational songs I have ever hears. It actually brought tears to my eyes the first time I heard it. A truly powerful performance that brings the meaning of Christmas home through their powerful brand of music.”
13. Mephistopheles Return (Beethoven’s Last Night, 2000)
“My favorite song would have to be Mephistopheles’ Return, where there is a very interesting choral round at the end of the song, but the album is best taken as a whole piece of work, it flows quite nicely that way and there are few weak tracks.”
12. Toccata – Carpimus Noctem (Night Castle 2009)
“TSO hits a homerun with this song. Just amazing mix of instruments. This is one of the best TSO songs on the album. My teenage daughters begged me to buy the song so they could use it in a video project for school. I would recommend it to anyone in a heartbeat.”
See more: Trans Siberian Orchestra Albums Ranked
11. A Star to Follow (Christmas Eve and Other Stories, 1996)
“Trans-Siberian Orchestra is one of the finest out there! I sometime listen even when Christmas is over. Would love to go see them live someday.”
10. A Last Illusion (Beethoven’s Last Night, 2000)
“This is a great mix of Beethoven classics. As always, the Trans-Siberian Orchestra does an excellent job of taking classical pieces and updating them for today’s listener.”
9. Nutrocker (Night Castle, 2009)
“How can someone come up with something so good. I almost cried it was so good. Best rendition of this christmas classic ever. I’d love for them to come up with a Christmas album.”
8. O’ Come All Ye Faithful / O’Holy Night (Christmas Eve and Other Stories, 1996)
“Simply Christmas music at its best. I am a new TSO fan, so have not sampled a lot of their music, but so far this arrangement and their Christmas Canon Rock version are my favorites. Great song, should be a staple of any Christmas selection.”
7. Queen of the Winter Night (The Lost Christmas Eve, 2004)
“I did a mix of Queen of winter night and wizards in winter for this years Spice on ice , and when I found the song I thought I had to have it “
6. Old City Bar (Christmas Eve and Other Stories, 1996)
“If you want to arrange it, this world you can change it…” One of the best lyrics for any song, ever. This song gets me into a great frame of mind, no matter what time of year it is.”
See more: Rush Albums Ranked
5. Promises to Keep (Christmas Eve and Other Stories, 1996)
“I love this song. It’s beautiful and sweet. I don’t like the live version though. This song is so beautiful it makes me cry every time I hear it.”
4. Believe (Night Castle, 2009)
“I loved the raspiness of the singers voice, the lyrics are so beautiful, and of course the music is fantastic. Sometime a particular piece will bring me to tears because I find it so moving.”
3. Wizards in Winter (The Lost Christmas Eve, 2004)
“It really makes the Holiday season listening to an upbeat, good song such as this one. I love the tune and the ending of this song! I don’t like the live version of this song.”
2. A Mad Russian’s Christmas (Christmas Eve and Other Stories, 1996)
“Starts slow … piano chords then pops in the Orchestra. This rhythm continues through 1:14 when tempo become jumpy, toe taping true to Trans-Siberian MO. Around 3:25 tapers off then back to rambunctious at 3:42. Again, this is not traditional Christmas music but sounds certainly to keep Spirits high during a season that tends to bring depression.”
1. Christmas Eve Sarajevo (NOW! Christmas 4, 2009)
“Cool Christmas memory… I was walking in an outdoor mall in Richmond, VA last Christmas, and they have a giant Christmas tree there, specially programmed to flash its lights in perfect time while this song rocks out – I was spell-bound watching the music and lights in perfect symmetry – made me love this great song even more. You’ll never get tired of this, if you love good, dramatic music!”
