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I have something controversial to say: I'm not a fan of most Christmas music. There’s nothing worse than walking into a department store and hearing a bunch of needless fa-la-la's or “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer” on a loop. That’s not to say all Christmas music sucks, though. There are plenty of holiday jams that won’t make your eyes roll out of your head.
Below, we’ve crafted a holiday that is actually good. Take “Snowman” by SIA, for example. The pop track is a sparkling party-starter—don’t be surprised if you find yourself rocking around the Christmas tree. There are also old-school cuts like Stevie Wonder’s “Someday at Christmas” and Nat King Cole's “The Christmas Song.” If you’re hosting a party, you can impress your younger guests with modern hits like Taylor Swift’s “Christmas Tree Farm.” Or, just hit play on John Legend’s album, A Legendary Christmas.
This year, give yourself the gift of music by putting the played-out tracks to rest. Try something new! Your ears will thank you.
Move over Santa Claus, the snowman is the star of the show in this song. “Snowman” is the perfect mix of cheeky banter and Christmas spirit.
I can only assume this song was written for Legend's wife, Chrissy Teigen, but who’s to say you can’t pretend he’s singing to you too? “You Deserve It All” is as warm and cheery as it sounds, but maybe refrain from listening to it while shopping—you might buy everything on your wishlist.
Stevie Wonder’s 1967 hit, “Someday At Christmas,” is unfortunately as relevant today as it was when he wrote the song. The hopeful track pleads for peace in a world riddled with violence, and that message is one that’s certainly worth listening to.
What can I say? It’s a classic. You’d be hard-pressed to not “fa la la la la la la la la,” right along with him.
Did you know Taylor Swift has a Christmas song? I didn’t until last week, when I was introduced to this dazzling track. It might be new on my radar, but Swift's dreamy lyrics have already bumped the tune to the top of my holiday playlist.
All there is to say about this is that it's Hozier. If the man read me my credit card bill every month, I'd pay it with chill vibes and good spirits.
Norah Jones and The Chipmunks feels like an uncomfortable pairing, but Jones's jazzy, slowed down take on the (whiney) classic is refreshingly nostalgic and modern at the same time.
No one is ever going to match the brilliance of the original, but the Pistol Annie's do a stripped back version of the track that's breathtaking in its own way.
Lean into the sad boy vibes this holiday season with a toned down version of "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" from Manchester Orchestra. The track dials back the nostalgia and focuses solely on the wistful emotions behind the lyrics to the point that it nearly becomes a melancholic lullaby.
Is it bold for a track title to self-proclaim as the Christmas song? Yes. Is roasting chestnuts a fairly outdated tradition that doesn’t actually taste very good in practice? Also yes. But, this iconic tune deserves all of the liberties it takes and more. Nat King Cole’s warm vocals paired with the romantic string accompaniment make for as sweet a combo as Santa’s cookies and milk.
A great unifier not only for its bilingual lyrics but also for its universal charm, José Feliciano’s Feliz Navidad has become a staple in the library of holiday pop songs that don’t suck.
Originally written for soldiers overseas during World War II, this classic croon has become an anthem for all the lonely hearts who can’t be home for the holidays.
While it’s more of a breakup ballad than it is a Christmas song, anyone who has to endure the acute ache of going through a split during the holiday season deserves a song of their own.
This is the original (and perhaps the only) holiday diss track. Essentially one long series of back-handed compliments sung in a hilarious baritone, this song is sure to make even Mr. Grinch himself crack a smile.
In 1977, the modern art-rock star and the old-school silky-voiced crooner joined forces in one of the most unexpectedly successful duets of all time. This famed medley of "Little Drummer Boy" and "Peace on Earth" is not only one of Bowie's most commercially successful songs in his storied career, but it marked one of the last vocal recordings Crosby ever made—having been recorded a month before his death.
When the old Christmas love songs won’t cut it, there’s always this one from Lizzo. And in true Lizzo form, she doesn’t mince words when it comes to capturing those who feel bitter about Christmas feels.
Ah yes, classic cheesy Christmas schmaltz from The Carpenters. It must be December.
Christmas sucks for the brokenhearted. We've all been there. Might as well make the best of it with this Fitz & the Tantrums soul ballad.
This Killers song is for the true lovers of alternative Christmas tracks. Also, the thought Santa as a low-key criminal is pretty funny (and the plot of Bad Santa).
This 2015 song features the lyrics “Are you down for some of these milk and cookies?", which is really the only way anyone should ever address Santa Claus.
Though it wasn't specifically intended to be one, My Favorite Things, has become a Christmas song. Yes, over the years there have been many covers—like one from Kelly Clarkson—but Julie Andrews will always be the OG.
In 1967, Barbra Streisand recorded A Christmas Album, which included Jingle Bells, sung at such a fast pace it’ll get your heart rate going as effectively as a quick jaunt around the block.
This is about as political as a Christmas song gets. This 1971 song was inspired by John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s protest against America’s involvement in the Vietnam War.
And if you want an updated—though pointedly less political version—there's Celine Dion's cover. What it lacks in politics it makes up with 100 percent more Celine.
Dolly’s entry into the great holiday songbook wasn’t even initially intended for Christmas. As a bit of a showender for The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, the soundtrack version is a solo performance from Parton. Her version was co-opted into the melancholy Christmas single-anthem that is pro-getting drunk on apple wine.
If this isn’t on your Christmas playlist, it’s a tragedy. While “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” has been recorded more times than probably any of us can count, it’s the emotional Judy Garland version from Meet Me in St. Louis that stands above the rest.
Fun fact: Barenaked Ladies came out with a Christmas album. More fun fact: the best song on it is the irresistible harmony between the band and McLachlan, whose angelic voice lends itself perfectly to anything to do with Christmas.
Kelly loves a bop, and “Underneath the Tree” is just happy, Christmas noise. While her album Wrapped in Red is a testament that Clarkson should throw her hat in the ring for all Christmas music, this one is just especially fun.
Sufjan Stevens’s take on what most people know as the song that plays at New Years is a folksy banjo-laden track that feels simplified and stripped down in the same way you’d imagine a big group of friends would perform it at their own New Years party.
If you could imagine a British Celtic punk band coming out with a Christmas song, it’s probably going to be “Fairytale of New York.” What starts out as a slow jam moves into full Irish vibes about a minute in. With the exception of one ~problematic~ line, “Fairytale of New York” is a drunken beautiful mess of an ode to Christmas.
Musgraves’s 2016 holiday album, A Very Kacey Christmas, is a late entry into the canon, but it’s entirely deserving. Especially this cut, which hones in on the nuanced pain that the annual event can cause.
Off the best Christmas album of all time, A Christmas Gift For You From Phil Spector, the New York girl group logs this ebullient holiday party jam that will get even Grinch to twist it out on the dance floor.
Elvis’ Christmas Album is, arguably, the best testament to the King’s artistic interests of all his albums as it masterfully tackles rockabilly, gospel, country, pop, and gospel across its 12 tracks. The most enduring cut, though, is the equal parts woeful and hopeful Blue Christmas. Give it a listen and you’ll see why.
Jingle Bells is hardly the grooviest of all holiday songs, but the soul legend’s trusty backing outfit revamped the familiar tune in new, delicate, Motown-inspired ways.
One of six original cuts on the group’s 1964 holiday LP—the aptly-titled Beach Boys’ Christmas Album—”Santa’s Beard” is the darkly funny tale of Mike Love taking his younger brother to the mall to meet Santa. When the kid tugs that fake facial hair right off, his life is changed forever.
The ultimate Christmas song and a masterclass in stately, elegant singing. They don’t make them like this anymore—Crosby released the dreamy ballad in 1941—which makes enjoying this each year even more necessary.
Few do it as well as the First Lady of Jazz. Case in point: Her delightful, swinging take on the holiday classic “Winter Wonderland.” A necessary addition for every holiday dinner’s playlist.
Penned by Nelson but originally released by Roy Orbison in 1963, “Pretty Paper” is one of the finest songs ever crafted. (Nelson recorded his own version for his 1979 holiday LP.) A spacious ballad, it tells the story of a street vendor hustling to sell pencils and, yes, pretty paper during the holiday season. It’ll warm your heart and bring a tear to your eye, all at once.
This Steve Allen-penned Christmas track has gotten a lot of play over the years, bur Satchmo's inaugural version still stands above the rest.
The R&B legend's 1970 Yuletide tune is a lightly funky bounce that revels in the holiday season's possibility.
The cheeky Britpoppers' class-conscious Christmas rave-up cloaks its serious message about the haves and the have-nots in a letter to Santa.
The arena rocker's sweet ode to the Yuletide spirit imprinted itself on a generation when it doubled as the de facto Christmas card from the then-fledgeling MTV to its viewers.
The greatest pop singer of the '80s turns his holiday heartache into snowy synthpop.
Yuletide longing spins into pop gold for a 1960s pop doyenne.
Mimi's entry into the Christmas canon is filled with flirtatious coos, beltable verses, and girl-group harmonies.
Pop's preeminent bad girl Ronnie Spector shows off her winter-wonderland spirit.
One of the most buoyant takes on this ode to Father Christmas features Bruce Springsteen playfully needling his bandmates about their behavior over the past year and a joyous sax solo by Clarence Clemons.
Queens' punk-rock royalty offers up a speedy plea for Christmas peace on the domestic front.
A divisive track, to be sure, but you're probably bluffing if you don't crack a smile when singing along with Alvin's wishes for a "hooooo-laaaaa-hoooooop."
Bobby Helms's 1957 celebration of Christmas rock is well-trod territory, but Hall & Oates' blue-eyed soul version is a cut above its peers.
British glam bands from Wizzard to Slade have caught the Christmas spirit, but the outré absurdity of this retro-minded outfit provides a particularly sweet Yuletide thrill.
Flipping "Jingle Bells" into a story of the holiday season in Queens, this track isn't just one of the greatest Christmas raps—it's one of the best 20th-century holiday songs.
A fiery take on Charles Brown's brokenhearted love song from the much-missed soul revivalist.
Picking one track off these soul titans' 1970 Christmas album is harder than choosing between rum and bourbon for your eggnog, so let's just go with its opener.
The delightful collaboration between the "Rocky Mountain High" singer and Jim Henson's band of misfit puppets is full of highlights, but the album's calypso-flavored version of this Yuletide nursery rhyme features a particularly giggle-worthy star turn from Miss Piggy.
An upbeat trifle about having fun around the holidays that showcases the former Beatle's silly side.
The grain of the Reverend Al's voice and the slickness of the Eurythmics singer's belt on this Jackie DeShannon cover make for a glorious combination.
Chance meetings with cute guys in the supermarket are the stuff Yuletide fairytales are made of—especially when they're set to bubbly, sax-powered New Wave.
The 1978 special Christmas Eve on Sesame Street represents the educational show at its finest, and this original track about holding on to the Christmas spirit year-round still tugs at the heartstrings.
Otis's blazing version of this R&B Yuletide classic is spine-tingling nearly 50 years after its recording.
Elton's outsized personality and his signature holiday track's rollicking feel make for a joyous occasion.
Stevie Wonder's plea for Yuletide peace (which he recently covered with Andra Day) has extra relevance in troubled times.
Goofy Christmas tracks are in no short supply, but this perky rundown of the holiday's more hellish aspects has a relatable moment for everyone, from crying kids to hangover shakes.
Seasonally appropriate melancholia from A Charlie Brown Christmas, which is still the greatest animated salute to the spirit of the season.
This story originally appeared on Esquire
