Her Campus Logo Her Campus Logo
Christmas tree with lights and red and gold decorations
Christmas tree with lights and red and gold decorations
Photo by Tessa Rampersad from Unsplash
Culture > Entertainment

A Very Indie Christmas: 5 Covers to Add to Your Holiday Playlist

Sarah Steen
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at NCSU chapter.

Tired of the same five Christmas songs? Here are some spins on the Holiday Classics.

Christmas tree and lights over a Christmas market
Photo by Sebi Pintilie from Pexels

The air is getting colder, semesters are reaching their end, and the holidays are quickly approaching. Every year, millions of people tune into Christmas classics to immerse themselves in the holiday spirit. However, the repetitive rotation of the same Mariah Carey and Wham! songs may cause the holidays to lose their appeal. If you are tired of hearing the same song every time you turn on the radio, here are five covers of beloved holiday classics that you should add to your next playlist! 

“Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” by Phoebe Bridgers

Originally performed by Judy Garland, “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” has been labeled a classic Christmas tune since 1944. While the original song is slow, Phoebe Bridgers takes the melancholy feel to another level, adding a sense of nostalgia that makes the cover feel unique. It is the perfect combination of slow, while still keeping the holiday feel in mind. Following the impact of this performance, avid listeners of Bridgers patiently await her annual holiday cover in hopes of discovering new feelings toward well-known classics. Whenever the holiday blues come, this cover is the perfect soundtrack for reflection.

“Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” by The Lumineers

Taking a more folksy approach, The Lumineers revive another classic from the 1900’s, while giving it a slower, more homely feeling. The Lumineers are well known for their folk-rock genre which spans across their four albums. They are able to take a cheerful song and turn it into a sentimental ballad about missing a loved one. If you are looking for a song that captures the feeling of sitting by a warm fire in a woodland cabin, then this song is great for your holiday listening. 

“The Christmas Waltz” by Laufey

Known for her jazzy take on modern music, Laufey delivers a perfect cover of “The Christmas Waltz” by Frank Sinatra. It still keeps the classic essence of the original song, but she adds a rich, wistful spin that makes all the difference. Like Bridgers, Laufey is known for releasing an annual Christmas cover. Each year, she brings a new life to an old song and fans indulge in the familiar vintage feel. Towards the end of her cover, Laufey brings in a choir of young children, similar to the choir that joined Sinatra at the end of the song’s original release. It is a beautifully done cover that everyone should listen to as they decorate their homes and participate in holiday festivities. 

“White Christmas” by Bright Eyes

This cover of  “White Christmas” ventures on a more peaceful path compared to other well-known jolly, upbeat versions by The Drifters or Michael Buble. Bright Eyes is known for their distinctive raspy, slow-tempo style demonstrated throughout their albums. In this holiday cover, these attributes continue to shine through. Their cover is very light with a gentle mix of falsetto and deep tones from the singer. Listening to this rendition brings a similar feeling to watching the snow fall down as you bundle up inside. This graceful track is perfect for a slow dance under the mistletoe or a blissful walk in the winter’s cold. 

“The Christmas Song” by Christian Lee Hutson 

Christian Lee Hutson, an introspective indie-folk artist, has reimagined a Nat King Cole classic and made it completely his own. Giving it a quieter feel, Huston uses a beautiful piano and strings arrangement to deliver a peaceful cover of “The Christmas Song”. It perfectly blends the Indie genre with holiday cheer and gives you the perfect background music for get-togethers with friends and moments of stillness during the rush of festivities. Hutson’s deep voice mirrors Nat King Cole’s voice just enough for it to feel reminiscent of the original song, but there is also a unique tone in his voice that adds a folk-like feel to the ballad.

Sarah Steen is a freshman at NC State University. She decided to join Her Campus this year in order to express her thoughts and passions monthly with her fellow peers on campus. She is excited to learn about the roles and opportunities that Her Campus has to offer. Before coming to NC State, Sarah was a part of her high school yearbook staff and student body president of her class. She is entering college as a Communications major with a concentration in Public Relations. In the future, she plans to minor in journalism and join the Public Relations Student Society of America. After graduation, she would like to do media management for a non-profit organization in either Washington D.C. or New York City. Sarah is from High Point, North Carolina, where she lived with her two parents and older brother. She is very passionate about friendship, music, pop culture and iced coffee. Her favorite musical artists are Taylor Swift, Phoebe Bridgers and Maggie Rogers, and she has seen all of them in concert. Her favorite movies are La La Land, Little Women and Someone Great. Sarah's ideal day would be spent at a coffee shop with friends on a beautiful spring day; spring is her favorite time of year!