Had enough of all the drabby church hymns during the holidays? Need to say “bye-bye” to Bublé? ORANGE has got you covered with 10 of the most underappreciated Christmas songs to jam to this holiday season.
Story by Henry Youtt
1. “I Do Not Care For the Winter Sun” by Beach House
Curled up in bed or crouched by the fireplace, let this indie-pop duo’s staple dreamy melodies be the soundtrack to your holiday plans this Christmas.
2. “Father Christmas” by The Kinks
Christmas rocks, and The Kinks make that very clear with merrily-shouted vocals and sweet guitar riffs on this obscurely festive track.
3. “8 Days of Christmas” by Destiny’s Child
Beyoncé is the reason for the season, and anyone who tells you different obviously hasn’t heard Destiny’s Child’s reboot of this classic holiday hymn.
4. “A Christmas Duel” by The Hives and Cyndi Lauper
Although this may not be the best song to play around family or even on the big day, the pseudo-merriment of this aggressively lighthearted track will surely help you survive the interpersonal conflicts that arise as the season approaches.
5. “I Want To Come Home For Christmas” by Marvin Gaye
Between glittering anthems of holiday merriment, Gaye’s song brings a more reflective and brooding, but still hopeful, tone to the season.
6. “Christmas in Hollis” by RUN-DMC
Christmastime hip-hop is the genre you didn’t know you desperately needed. Don’t miss the lyrical genius of “My name’s DMC with the mic in my hand / And I’m chillin’ and coolin’ just like a snowman.”
7. “Christmas Tree” by Lady Gaga feat. Space Cowboy
Though the pop titan has made her very own holiday album, this unreleased track still reigns supreme— it’s bound to be a very Gaga Christmas.
8. “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town” by Bruce Springsteen
With all the celebrity reboots of Christmas classics, it has become difficult to stand out among the innumerable spirited tunes. Still, Springsteen’s cover of “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town” is certainly a diamond in the rough.
9. “Oh Santa!” by Mariah Carey
Nothing can top “All I Want For Christmas Is You,” but this follow-up holiday bop brings even more reason to be merry.
10. “This Christmas” by Boyz II Men
With classic 90s R&B boy band Boyz II Men on your playlist, waiting patiently for a Christmas miracle has never been so groovy.
John • Dec 19, 2019 at 7:18 am
Great list! I love non-traditional Christmas songs. Here’s a playlist of some lesser-known Christmas music: https://open.spotify.com/user/qaz23/playlist/22Hs4AlaOFExwI0cOEBHSj
John • Dec 20, 2018 at 7:42 am
Great list! I love non-traditional Christmas music. Here’s a playlist of some lesser-known Christmas songs: https://open.spotify.com/user/qaz23/playlist/22Hs4AlaOFExwI0cOEBHSj