My favorite original Christmas songs you might not know about
When it comes to setting the mood for any holiday or celebration, to me it is all about the perfect playlist.
Thanks to Apple Music, I’m able to create my own Christmas playlist filled with all of my favorite songs. I’ve also fallen in love with their curated (ugh I really hate that word when it is used for anything other than relating to a museum, but it’s the only one that really applies) playlists. In particular, their Holiday Cocktail Party playlist is a wonderful mix of swingy Christmas classics that are a little more obscure and haven’t been overplayed since November.
I’m getting my classic Christmas song fix from that playlist, but there’s also something so fun about discovering original Christmas songs. After all, there are only so many versions of “Santa Baby” and “Baby It’s Cold Outside” sung by Top 40 artists that this gal can take.
I know a lot of times it can feel like a money grab when an artist does a Christmas album, particularly when it’s filled with tired covers. That to me is what makes the potential for a great original so exciting and welcome.
Here are some of my favorite original Christmas songs that deserve a spot in your holiday music rotation.
“Christmas Cookies” by RuPaul
RuPaul’s Christmas album “Slay Belles” came out a couple of years ago, and this is my favorite song from it. It has everything: double entendre, shoop shoops, and a talk break.
“Sunshine” by Sia
I was very excited about Sia’s original Christmas album, released earlier this fall. It is so Sia and exactly what I’d expect from her. I love a lot of the songs, but this one stays with me.
“Santa Stole My Lady” by Fitz and the Tantrums
This song isn’t very new at all, but new to me. I watched them perform it during the Disney Christmas special this month, and the saxophone and bells are so darn good. Apparently this was also in a “New Girl” episode. Who knew?
“Christmas Pics” by Barenaked Ladies
The entire “Barenaked for the Holidays” album is a really fun mix of interfaith classics and originals that we enjoy each year. We even had the chance to see BNL perform around Christmastime at the Fox Theatre, where they sang almost the whole album. I love that it has that timeless feel with the music, but the lyrics talk about all of the crazy family moments that can happen during the holidays in between trying to snap memories. The album is over 10 years old, but still stands the test of time.
“Underneath the Tree” by Kelly Clarkson
What can I say, Kelly is a queen. She sings the hell out of this original song from her album “Wrapped in Red,” which features a handful of other originals plus several covers. Kelly will always be linked to Christmas thanks to a song of hers appearing in “Love Actually,” and she continued her reign with her Christmas album.
And here’s one you most definitely (or mostefinitely) know and love, but maybe forgot about in a sea of Nat King Cole and Andy Williams:
“All Alone on Christmas” by Darlene Love
Okay, this is a Christmas JAM. That saxophone, that voice, those jingle bells. This song first came into my life when it was introduced on the “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York” soundtrack and is also featured prominently in “Love Actually,” so talk about a double Christmas movie whammy. Did you know that this song was written by Steve “Little Steven” Van Zandt and features members of The E Street Band and The Miami Horns?
Sometimes it’s nice to listen to a swingy Christmas song and watch the snow fall, but if you’re driving from house to house all the days of Christmas and need a pick-me-up, “All Alone on Christmas” is the best ever.
