It doesn’t feel like Christmas until there’s music in the air. Whether you’re a rock and roller or pop star, there’s bound to be a Christmas song to suit your taste. Make sure you’ve got your playlist loaded up with these bang-on tunes in time for Christmas Day!
A Rock ‘n’ Roll Christmas
Whether you’re into the blues, garage rock, or more modern satirical pop-punk, we’ve got something for every Christmas-loving rock and roller in this playlist! Check out these five great Christmas rock songs.
Elvis Presley – Blue Christmas (1957)
“I’ll have a Blue Christmas without you / I’ll be so blue just thinking about you / Decorations of red on a green Christmas tree / Won’t be the same dear, if you’re not here with me”
Chuck Berry – Run Rudolph Run (1958)
“Said Santa to a boy child what have you been longing for? / All I want for Christmas is a rock and roll electric guitar / And then away went Rudolph a whizzing like a shooting star / Run, run Rudolph, Santa’s got to make it to town”
The Sonics – Don’t Believe in Christmas (1965)
“Stayed up late at night / To see Santa Claus, right / Sure thing, don’t you know / Fat boy didn’t show.”
Queen – “Thank God It’s Christmas” (1984)
Oh my friends it’s been a long hard year / But now it’s Christmas / Yes it’s Christmas / Thank God it’s Christmas”
Dropkick Murphy’s – The Season’s Upon Us (2012)
“There’s lights on the trees and there’s wreaths to be hung / There’s mischief and mayhem and songs to be sung / They call this Christmas where I’m from”
Festive Folk and Indie Tunes
Bake your cookies and pies to the bittersweet backdrop of classic folk Christmas tunes. In this mix we have an assortment of modern originals – such as from Sufjan Stevens’ beautiful album Silver and Gold, as well as unique twists on traditional Christmas songs.
Sufjan Stevens – Christmas Unicorn (2012)
“I’m a Christmas Unicorn, in a uniform made of gold / With a billy-goat beard, and a sorcerer’s shield, and mistletoe on my nose”
Sleeping At Last – Silver Bells (2012)
“Silver bells, silver bells / It’s Christmastime in the city / Ring-a-ling, hear them ring / Soon it will be Christmas day”
Peter, Paul and Mary – Light One Candle (1986)
“Don’t let the light go out! / It’s lasted for so many years! / Don’t let the light go out! / Let it shine through our hope and our tears.”
Bitter’s Kiss (feat Blue Stone) – These Bells Will Ring (2016)
“These bells will ring when peace has come / And peace will come when the world is one”
Becca Folkes – It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas
“It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas / Toys in every store / But the prettiest sight to see, is the holly that will be / On your own front door”
Songs to Make the Holiday POP!
If you’re looking for something more modern to bop along to, don’t forget these quintessential Christmas tunes. These are perfect to dance to on Christmas evening with a glass of mulled wine in hand!
Mariah Carey – All I Want For Christmas Is You (1994)
“I don’t want a lot for Christmas / There is just one thing I need / I don’t care about the presents / Underneath the Christmas tree”
Hanson – Merry Christmas Baby (1992)
“Santa comin’ down the chimney half past three / All those pretty presents for my baby and for me, oh / Merry Christmas baby, sure did treat me nice / Treat me so nice”
Justin Bieber – Mistletoe (2011)
“Word on the street Santa’s comin’ tonight / Reindeer flyin’ through the sky so high / I should be makin’ a list I know, but I’ma be under the mistletoe”
Kelly Clarkson – Underneath the Tree (2013)
“Presents, what a beautiful sight / Don’t mean a thing if you ain’t holding me tight / You’re all that I need / Underneath the tree”
Wham – Last Christmas (1986)
“Last Christmas, I gave you my heart / But the very next day you gave it away / This year, to save me from tears / I’ll give it to someone special”