America's most ironic holiday is over (hint: it was Thanksgiving) which means that legally everyone can now start listening to Christmas music until the end of December. I love Christmas music; I can't get enough of it. And I'm not talking about the really Jesus-y ones either. You won't hear me listening to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir's album of classic carols or any of their albums in fact. My preferred Christmas songs come in two flavors: cool covers, and sweet originals. Or sweet covers and cool originals. Either way, here's a list of songs to improve your holiday listening experience.

7. Trans-Siberian Orchestra - "Carol of the Bells"

This is the very first Christmas song I listen to every year (if I can help it) and then I listen to it twenty more times. "Carol of the Bells" is already one of my favorite Christmas carols on its own, so obviously when it is covered by shredding guitars it is going to remain one of my favorites. I don't agree with everything Trans-Siberian Orchestra plays so I'm not sure if I could sit through an entire concert, but I would pay just to see this song played, and then leave immediately afterwards.

6. Thrice - "Happy Christmas (War is Over)"

"Happy Christmas (War is Over)" was originally written and performed by John Lennon and Yoko Ono and The Plastic Ono Band. Thankfully Thrice came along and released a cover that you can listen to without supporting Yoko Ono. If you liked that song but you're not very familiar with Thrice, I cannot stress enough how toned-down of a sound that is for them. They're generally more of a punk/metal fusion alt-rock type of thing, and I love them with all my cold little black heart, but I recognize that they're not for everyone.

Bonus: Hey guess, who else does "Carol of the Bells"? With lyrics this time, too.

5. Death Cab For Cutie - "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)"

What, did you think I only listen to rock covers of things? I have a very profound interest in indie music as well. In fact I try not to limit myself to genres of music because it's very easy to write off an entire group and then miss out on some good stuff. Anyway, here is another cover. In this case I would encourage you to listen to the original as well, performed by Darlene Love who I'm happy to say is not Yoko Ono.

4. Bright Eyes - "Blue Christmas"

How do you make a "Blue Christmas" even bluer? Have Conor Oberst sing it, of course! If you don't know, Bright Eyes makes some of the most beautifully depressing songs there are, but like the haunting kind you definitely want to listen to. I'm sorry, it's hard to sell other people on Bright Eyes. You either like them right away or you want to jump out of the car; that's just how it goes sometimes.

3. Jimmy Eat World - "Last Christmas"

Let's face it, you're probably going to get this song stuck in your head at some point during the holidays so you might as well make it this version, which I find to be more enjoyable than all others. Of course I am also biased to like things by Jimmy Eat World. Fun fact: if you abbreviate Jimmy Eat World it spells JEW. Coincidence? Most likely.

2. Sufjan Stevens - "Come On! Let's Boogey to the Elf Dance!"

Sufjan Stevens actually has a ridiculous amount of Christmas music. Like, eight or nine albums' worth of covers and originals. I literally picked this one at random from my iTunes and just went with it. For a guy with such a quiet voice he uses a crazy amount of exclamation points in his song titles. Also a crazy amount of words in his song titles. But don't get me wrong, Sufjan is my jam.

1. The Killers - "Don't Shoot Me Santa"

This is easily my favorite non-carol Christmas song there is. I listen to it dozens of times while it's appropriate and am guilty of listening to it out of season as well. The Killers are somewhere in my top-some number of bands. I just know I love them a whole bunch. This is also the funniest song/video on the list and probably the handsomest too. Just look at that Brandon Flowers, damn.