CHRISTMASTIME IS HERE! We are less than 10 days away!! I've been too busy with finals, so I wasn't able to write this post starting on the actual 12 days leading up to it.
For people who really know me, it would come as no surprise that I hate most of the "popular" or "classic" Christmas songs. Here are some quick facts:
Mustering all my Christmas spirit (because it is actually my favorite holiday), I decided to do what I did for Halloween and share some great Christmas/holiday songs that you may never have heard. Don't worry - most will be fun to jam out to, and you may know some of the artists already!
- I can't stand Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas is You"...or any of her songs, really
- "Baby, It's Cold Outside" and "I saw Mommy Kissing Santa Clause" are probably the two worst Christmas songs ever written (a whole separate post could be written about THAT)
- The radio plays the same songs by different artists all month because they think there are only a few Christmas songs in existence (my mom was listening to it yesterday, and they literally played "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" by Frank Sinatra and Sam Smith back-to-back!)
- I do like a very select few of the traditional tunes, but that's not what this post is about
Mustering all my Christmas spirit (because it is actually my favorite holiday), I decided to do what I did for Halloween and share some great Christmas/holiday songs that you may never have heard. Don't worry - most will be fun to jam out to, and you may know some of the artists already!
1. Holding Off Christmas - Paper Lions
Paper Lions were one of the first bands I was ever obsessed with as a pre-teen and I haven't caught up with them lately, but they released this cute little holiday song last year. The speaker of the song is waiting for his love to arrive for the holidays and won't have Christmas without her. It's sweet.
Carols and cookies and soft candlelight mean little without you here | |
2. Fool's Holiday - All Time Low
I haven't listened to much of All Time Low (although in the search for this video, I did find myself going down that YouTube rabbit hole that included watching the lead singer's wedding video). I listen to other punk bands and I came across a Punk Goes Christmas album - this song is my FAVE from it. The drum beats and guitar riffs combined with Alex Gaskarth's soulful vocals make we want to sway at first and then they swell up to head-bang-status. This is the kind of song you cliché-ly shout from the rooftops and dramatically air-drum to, in the best way possible.
| I swear that I'm more than just broken promises |
3. Merry Christmas (I Don't Want to Fight Tonight) - Ramones
Another great jam.
I loved you from the start because Christmas ain't the time for breaking each other's hearts | |
4. Space Christmas - Allo Darlin'
Cute lil uke-playin' Kentish/Australian group = cute lil tropical space Christmas song
| Sometimes the bestest presents don't cost anything at all |
5. Little Toy Trains - Jessica Lea Mayfield
This song was originally by Roger Miller in the 60's and called "Old Toy Trains."
Close your eyes, listen to the skies | |
6. Rebel Jesus - The Wood Brothers
This song brings attention to how Christmas has become largely commercialized and less about thankfulness, family, reflection, and, for many Christians, Jesus. The speaker is an outsider, yet identifies with the rebel Jesus, questioning the status quo and what the season of Christmas has been turned into. He's basically calling all of us out for being too caught up in the materialism of life (especially around the holiday season), much like Jesus himself would probably do if he was walking on earth right now.
| In this life of hardship and of earthly toil |
7. Alone on Christmas - Phoenix
This one is from the 2015 Netflix film, A Very Murray Christmas. Bill Murray joins in during the chorus.
Time is mending (you've got to move on) | |
8. This Christmas (I'll Burn it to the Ground) - Set It Off
This scary one was inspired by The Nightmare Before Christmas as well as How the Grinch Stole Christmas. There's also a nod to a quote by the Joker! It's centered around this kid named Jack who lives in a cul de sac and gets taunted every year by the snooty neighborhood kids gloating about all the gifts they got, making him hate Christmas. Jack gets the idea to be like the Grinch, steal all the kids' gifts and trees, and burn them in front of their eyes in the middle of the cul de sac. It's great. And also an acquired taste, but if you like Tim Burton and Danny Elfman...
| You see, as my idol once said: Everything burns! |
9. The Season's Upon Us - Dropkick Murphys
I found this "American Celtic Punk" band yesterday and since I love both Celtic and punk, I was immediately into it. This song is loud and honest about the realities of having to spend time with family over the holidays - family can get annoying sometimes, but even more so during the holiday season. I just love the classic Celtic folk song sound and the tart, sarcastic lyrics. This is the "clean" version (they only bleep out one word) and it makes for a nice, lighthearted and off-color carol.
I'm so glad this day only comes once a year | |
10. Merry Christmas Everyone - Rend Collective
Yes, this awesome Irish band really did make a whole album of songs you can sing around a campfire at Christmas. This song is about love and cheer and wishing Christmas was every day of the year. You can also watch their fun video of "Joy to the World (You Are My Joy)" here!
| Time for parties and celebration |
11. Mistletoe - Tenth Avenue North
GUYS I love Tenth Avenue North and their first volume of Christmas albums came out last month! They modeled this one after 90's-era Weezer - it sounds like the perfect mix between "Hash Pipe" and "Island in the Sun", and (the title even alludes to "Undone"). Also, each song on this album, called Decade the Halls, is musically arranged to fit a different decade style, so that's super neat.
We're married, did you know? | |
12. Boots - The Killers
It's not Christmas without a new Killers single. However, this one isn't exactly "new," and the band has apparently decided to stop writing original Christmas songs from this point forward (sad!). They released a new one every year for 10 years straight, donating the proceeds to Bono's (RED) foundation. Anyway, this is my favorite of their special singles*. It truly is a wonderful life. :')
| So happy they found me *watch the sweet VEVO video here |
Honorable Mentions:
I hope you found a few new-to-you songs to add to your holiday playlist!
Thanks for reading; Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays!!
- The Killers - I Feel it in My Bones
- The Killers & Jimmy Kimmel - Joel the Lump of Coal
- The Boy Least Likely To - Christmas Isn't Christmas
- The Summer Set - This Christmas
- Yellow Card - Christmas Lights (rad video)
I hope you found a few new-to-you songs to add to your holiday playlist!
Thanks for reading; Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays!!