Christmas is just around the corner, and you know what that means — it’s time to bring out your Christmas playlists! While we’ve all got our own musical tastes, I wanted to recommend some Christmas songs that come from a variety of genres. From old rock to pop to rap, here’s a bunch of Christmas bangers that you might want to add to your list!
- “Don’t shoot me santa” by the killers
-
What a title, am I right? Sounds violent, but the song itself has a comedic tone with some impressive vocals from The Killers‘s lead singer Brandon Richard Flowers. It’s a fun, upbeat song that alternative fans will surely love!
- “Christmas drag” by i don’t know how but they found us
-
Off I Don’t Know How But They Found Us‘s Christmas EP, “Christmas Drag” is another lively alternative song that reflects on missing someone during the holidays. While the holidays are meant to spend time with family and friends, this song touches on absence while still maintaining a hopeful note. It’s definitely a song that deserves a spot on your playlist!
- “I AM THE GRINCH” BY TYLER THE CREATOR, FLETCHER JONES
-
Featured on the The Grinch‘s soundtrack, this hip-hop song is rapped from the Grinch’s perspective, and its upbeat melody makes for a fun experience! Tyler the Creator has an additional song for the 2018 animated film called You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch that I also suggest you check out!
- “CHRISTMAS IN HOLLIS” by rUN-d.m.c.
-
Featured on the compilation album A Very Special Christmas that was meant for charity, “Christmas in Hollis” is another hip hop song that follows a playful Christmas narrative set in Hollis, Queens, New York where Run-D.M.C. is originally from. Please check this one out, as it’s one of my favorites off this list!
- “Silent night” by the temptations
-
There’s been a lot of renditions of this classic Christmas song, but without a doubt, The Temptations‘s cover is my favorite! It has a warm, cozy vibe to it, and it’s best if you listen to it with a cup of hot cocoa, perhaps ;)
- “Give love on christmas day” by the jackson 5
-
Sung by 12-year-old Michael Jackson with The Jackson 5, this song is wonderfully festive! As a big fan of Michael Jackson growing up, this is also a classic song that I’ve got on repeat on my Christmas playlist. Heart-warming and fun, this song should hopefully find itself on one of your playlists…
- “christmas (baby please come home)” by darlene love
-
Another one of my favorites! Darlene Love’s voice is *chef’s kiss.* There have been a plethora of renditions of this song, but I always gravitate back to Love’s cover. Make sure to check it out!
- “GINGERBREAD MAN” by Melanie martinez
-
I’m a big Melanie Martinez fan, and this Christmas single is a song I listen to all year round — it’s just that good! Using a gingerbread man as a potential love interest, Martinez creates a sensual atmosphere as she sings about the kind of man (or gingerbread man, in this case) she needs. It slaps!
- “Wish list” by neon trees
-
I’ve been listening to Neon Trees since I was a kid, and I was really excited to hear they dropped some holiday singles. A mix of alternative and pop, this song also touches on being alone during the holidays and desiring a romantic relationship. It’s a bittersweet song that gets swooped up in a fun, upbeat melody. Have a listen!
- “ONE MORE SLEEP” BY LEONA LEWIS
-
This original song off of Leona Lewis‘s Christmas, With Love, is about waiting one more night until her lover returns home to her, and it’s also one of my favorite Christmas songs to play at family parties. Festive, sweet, and catchy, this one would easily blend in with your Christmas playlist!
- “Glow” by Kelly clarkson, Chris stapleton
-
This laidback Christmas song has notes of country vibes to it, and Kelly Clarkson and Chris Stapleton‘s voices blend so well together! It’s both romantic and hopeful, and it’s a relaxing song I like to put on even when it’s not Christmas. I’m sure you’d enjoy it!
- “Christmas time again” by lynyrd skynyrd
-
Within the classic rock genre, this Christmas song by Lynyrd Skynyrd should make its way onto your playlist! The vocals are smooth, and it makes the song more emotionally charged when it’s coupled with such romantic lyrics. Please give this a listen!
I hope you decide to check these songs out for the holidays and hopefully add them to your playlists! Happy holidays and merry Christmas!