Christmas music; you either love it or hate it. There are hundreds of famous artists who have dropped a festive holiday track or two but some of these noel themed goodies have received less recognition than others. Whether you're looking for new favorites to add to your go-to list or you're looking for new ones to exile along with the rest than you've come to the right place. Here's 15 underrated holiday songs to check out this season.
1. Same Old Lang Syne~ Dan Fogleberg
This 1981 addition to the world of holiday classics is perfect for giving you deep feels about the impending new year. Go on a musical journey with Dan as he runs into a high school sweetheart on Christmas Eve and they get drunk in her car and reminisce about high school. Perfect to turn on at the bar when you meet up with your old friends from high school, just don't get drunk in your car.
2. Christmas of Love~ Little Isidore and The Inquisitores
If you've ever seen the Jim Carrey version of The Grinch then you should already be familiar with this one. From the seen where the young Grinch makes Martha an angel for Secret Santa you can hear Little Isidore's Christmas of Love. Perfectly peppy, Christmas of Love is great for a party playlist.
3. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas~ Cat Power
This holiday classic got a revamp in 2013 when alt-rockers Cat Power took on the tune. Apple used it in their 2013 holiday commercial and it gave me all the feels. Definitely nothing like the original.
4. Celebrate Me Home~ Kenny Loggins
A power ballad only Kenny could make happen; Celebrate Me Home is one of the best holiday songs out there. You should make your parents play it as you walk in the house for winter break because after all they should of course be celebrating your presence for the next six weeks.
5. This Christmas~ Donny Hathaway
This Christmas season you should definitely be adding This Christmas to your holiday repertoire. It's soulful and has all the Motown vibes you did not know you were missing in your life.
https://youtu.be/JSBvJG2yLJQ?list=PLPCmaLgvRSNcowh_7gkyrneTWPkVOLQZt
6. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen~ Post Modern Jukebox
These YouTube stars took a classic humdrum Christmas song and made it jazzy and fun. Definitely not the traditional version.
https://youtu.be/8H6XEIEqYik?list=PLPCmaLgvRSNcowh_7gkyrneTWPkVOLQZt
7. Christmas Vacation~ Mavis Staples
The theme to one of American culture's finest holiday movies, Christmas Vacation is vastly underrated. it's one of those songs everybody knows but nobody plays.
https://youtu.be/YK0dLH8HxPA?list=PLPCmaLgvRSNcowh_7gkyrneTWPkVOLQZt
8. The Christmas Song~ Post Modern Jukebox ft. Christina Gatti
In case you were not aware the song about chestnuts roasting is actually called The Christmas Song. Listen to its jazzy modernized rendition from Post Modern Jukebox here.
https://youtu.be/WFAsmpMMsYQ?list=PLJZH8sevmMq4K-JEyfTCKBJskAzi3wTjm
9. Christmas in Harlem~ Kanye West
This is one of the few on the list that isn't a cover. Christmas in Harlem is completely it's own. Probably not one your grandma and pop- pop would enjoy but still festive and funky.
10. The Christmas Song~ Adam Sandler
Adam is famous for many reasons but his variety of holiday tunes is crucial. Listen to his unfortunate Christmas dilemma on his 90's SNL performance and see him later on our list with The Hanukkah Song.
https://youtu.be/Kh8c3BmSfDE?list=PLyn1b86Ad_a6KrXeRMyX2LMSgStSeQUgb
11. Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)~ Slow Club
Another hipster revamp of a classic holiday hit, Slow Club gives Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) the perfect re-imagining. Another one to add to your party playlist.
https://youtu.be/PvhiaOsWaf0?list=PLK3I4-9lY_YGJBjpWWRpzFFlHH4rtJUqv
12. Merry Christmastime~ The Shins
Well known artists The Shins take on this Beetles classic and their rendition is definitely impressive. Here is one to pull out at the family holiday, sneak in some of your music right under the unknowing elderly noses in your home.
https://youtu.be/qReziqBwEr4?list=PLK3I4-9lY_YGJBjpWWRpzFFlHH4rtJUqv
13. Holiday~ Vampire Weekend
Another one you can sneak into a family playlist, Vampire Weekend provides us with a much needed alternative Christmas Jam. Perfect for any holiday occasion.
14. The Hannukah Song~ Adam Sandler
Growing up Jewish it was painfully clear that the holiday tunes focused mainly on the Christmas side of things. Adam made up for the misconduct by making this critical staple in Jewish holiday Culture.
https://youtu.be/8eB4PkCo4Lo?t=17
15. Merry Christmas From A Family~ Robert Earl Keen
Probably the most realistic Christmas song, Robert Earl Keen offers us a pretty normal look into his family holiday. A brief synopsis: everybody is drunk and people are running to the gas station to get more booze and ciggies.
May your holiday season be merry and bright, kids!
