You know Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen, Comet and Cupid and Donner and Blitzen ... because they're part of one of the 12 songs played on the radio during the holiday season. Usually starting on November 1, every radio station plays the same rotation of songs up until the New Year. We all know it gets old after the first week and by Christmas, everyone is tired of it. But if you delve a little deeper into the limited genre of holiday music, there are some really fantastic songs and covers that will make you want to listen to Christmas music all year round. Here are a few songs to get your holiday party playlist started:
From the band that brought you "Animal" comes a fast-paced Christmas love song about someone who just wants to see his true love for the holiday season.
2. That's Christmas to Me by Pentatonix
This is original song off of acapella band Pentatonix's Christmas album, also titled That's Christmas to Me. The nostalgic lyrics will make you think of Christmas at home when you were still in elementary school.
3. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas by Sam Smith
Sam Smith can do no wrong. His cover of this holiday classic is hauntingly beautiful and will make you want to curl up by a fireplace somewhere and drink a mug of hot chocolate while admiring your decorated tree.
4. Baby, It's Cold Outside by She & Him
Leave it to Zooey Deschanel to make a quirky cover of any song. This rendition is also interesting because the male and female voice parts are switched.
5. Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing by Sufjan Stevens
This non-secular song is simple, elegant and emulates the reverent and exciting religious aspect of the holiday season.
6. Happy Christmas (War Is Over) by Maroon 5
If you need a reprieve from hearing Sugar on the radio every 20 minutes, listen to this song. You will gain all of your respect for Maroon 5 back after you hear their powerful cover of this Christmas staple.
7. Christmas Lights by Coldplay
Coldplay's original holiday song is a great addition to the genre. It's a melancholy song about a man who loses the love of his life during the holiday season but is still determined to have a good Christmas. I give it two thumbs up.
8. Cold December Night by Michael Bublé
This is an original off of Bublé's Christmas album. It's a fun song about wanting something a little different for Christmas when you get older.
9. Love In Snow by Steve Everett
Another really cute song about finding someone to love during the holiday season. Also, it can be construed to be a song about a strange coincidence about meeting someone new in the winter every year.
10. Shake Up Christmas by Train
You might recognize this as the song that Coca-Cola used in their Christmas commercial a few years ago. It still rings true all these years later as a message to spread joy during the holiday season.
11. Thank God It's Christmas by Queen
Queen just kills it with every single one of their songs so you know that this is going to be amazing.
12. I'll Be Home For Christmas by Sufjan Stevens
Yes, Sufjan Stevens is on this list twice, but his cover of I'll Be Home For Christmas is etherial and grand and has a certain sound that's just left of center that makes you want to listen to the song more than once.
13. Merry Christmas Darling by Christina Perri
I'm rounding off this list with a classic that isn't heard enough sung by Christina Perri, whose voice makes the song itself ten times better.
