It’s now December, and we all know what that means. For 30 straight days, you won’t be able to escape Now That’s What I Call Christmas on repeat. But not all Christmas music is terrible, and there’s a lot more of it out there than you might think. That’s why we’ve put together a list of 10 festive songs that you’re unlikely to hear on a TV advert or blasting out in a department store this Christmas. Merry December everybody.
Marika Hackman – Driving Under Stars
The mere thought of Chris Rea is enough to make most people cringe, and that’s why we’re lucky to have Marika Hackman. Back in 2016, she gifted us with a cracking EP of festive music, including a song about driving home for Christmas that wasn’t lousy.
Run DMC – Christmas In Hollis
Run DMC were the first hip-hop act to do many things. They were the first to have a gold album, a top 10 album, to feature on MTV and to grace the cover of Rolling Stone. They were also (to the best of our knowledge) the first hip-hop act to have a Christmas song – something we don’t think there’s enough of.
Julian Casablancas – ‘I Wish It Was Christmas Today’
Julian Casablancas’ 2009 Christmas single boasts a fantastic piece of cover art that can rival any of the classic Christmas releases, and it sounds great too. Casablanca’s trademark garage sound + sleighbells = ‘I Wish It Was Christmas Today’.
Toots and the Maytals – ‘Happy Christmas (The Christmas song)’
A reggae Christmas? Count us in. Sadly, unless you’re getting out of the country, the closest you’ll get to a Jamaica this Christmas is watching Cool Runnings on ITV 2.
Mark Kozelek – ‘Christmas song’
Try imagining Mark Kozelek on Christmas day. Imagine him wearing a Christmas jumper and paper hat with a deadpan expression on his face while he pulls a cracker with an elderly relative. Imagine how unamused he would be unwrapping a War On Drugs album from his secret Santa, and explaining to a distant cousin that he is “still into his music” as they watch the Batman and Robin episode of Only Fools and Horses. Have a listen to his Christmas album though, and you’ll find that even the grouchiest man in folk has a secret soft spot for Christmas.
James Brown – ‘Soulful Christmas’
James Brown made no less than THREE full-length albums of Christmas music, so why don’t we hear them? There should be more funk during the festive season, so get some of the Godfather of Soul‘s Christmas tunes in your playlist this year.
Bright Eyes – ‘Blue Christmas’
On paper, a Bright Eyes cover of ‘Blue Christmas’ sounds a bit bleak, but in reality, it’s a lot less melancholic than the famous Elvis version. The rest of their 2002 record A Christmas Album doesn’t exactly make for cheery listening, but ‘Blue Christmas’ will bring a nice country vibe to your holidays.
Low – ‘Just Like Christmas’
Again, a Low Christmas song might not sound like much fun, but ‘Just Like Christmas’ is another upbeat indie gem, taken from their 1999 EP Christmas. Give it a spin and watch the snow (or rain) fall.
Tyler, The Creator – ‘I Am The Grinch’
We’re not sure who’s idea it was to put Tyler, The Creator in charge of soundtracking the new Grinch film, but it’s an unusual move that has certainly paid off. Tyler didn’t stop there though – he’s just released a new EP of Grinch inspired music for your Christmas listening this year.
