Folks, it’s that time of year where we dust off our ugly sweaters, “ooh” and “ahh” at colorful lights, and (naturally) subject our ears to music filled with jingle bells and lyrics of snow and love. Although I doubt you need very much help picking out which songs to ignite that festivity inside, I have compiled a guide on different categories of holiday music in hopes that it can steer you down new paths or help you revisit old ones.
And just because I love you, I put this unofficial guide into a convenient playlist for your listening pleasure. Enjoy!
For those who love the classics: The holidays wouldn’t be the same without listening to these tunes at least a few times. And although more and more covers of these songs are released each year, you just can’t beat the original sometimes.
- “Last Christmas” – Wham!
- “Santa Baby” – Eartha Kitt
- “Do they Know It’s Christmas?” – Band Aid
- “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” – Darlene Love
- “Little Saint Nick” – The Beach Boys
- “What Christmas Means to Me” – Stevie Wonder
- “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree” – Brenda Lee
For those who appreciate a good cover: These covers of classic holiday songs breathe life back into well-known titles that have become a little stale.
- “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town” – Bruce Springsteen
- “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” – Cat Power
- “Please Come Home for Christmas” – The Eagles
- “I’ll Be Home For Christmas” – Kacey Musgraves and Lana Del Rey
- “Blue Christmas” – Bright Eyes
- “If We Get Through December” – Phoebe Bridgers
- “Frosty the Snowman” – Fiona Apple
For those who wished for new music under the tree: Sometimes listening to entirely new songs is the best option. The following songs were released in the past decade and are good additions to your usual song roster.
- “Merry Christmas, I Love You” – Robert Finley
- “Better Than Snow” – Norah Jones, Laufey
- “Lights On” – Tyler, the Creator, Ryan Beatty, Santigold
- “Christmas Treat” – Julia Casablancas
- “Did I Make You Cry on Christmas Day? (Well, You Deserved it!)” – Sufjan Stevens
- “two queens in a king sized bed” – girl in red
For those wanting something to listen to even after the New Year: Who says the fun has to stop after December has passed? These tunes are not exclusive to any holiday and can be enjoyed during all the chilly months, making them a little bit more bearable!
- “White Winter Hymnal” – Fleet Foxes
- “Winter Song” – The Head and the Heart
- “Last Snowstorm of the Year” – Hippocampus
- “Winterlude” – Bob Dylan
- “January Hymn” – The Decemberists
- “The New Year” – Death Cab for Cutie
- “Snow Song” – Adrianne Lenker
