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The countdown to Christmas has officially begun. To be honest, for many, it started months ago, but for some of us, like this writer, it doesn’t start until the first of December. Does that sound crazy or crazy rational to you? Hear me out. I promise I’m not a scrooge. It’s just that the “holiday season” seems to start earlier every year and it’s simply unfair to the other holidays that deserve their day in the sun (or night in the moonlight if you’re a serious Halloween-er).
My reasoning goes that if a holiday season is as long as a calendar season, it kind of loses a bit of its sparkle and shine and we all want all of the sparkle and shine, right? That’s what makes this time of year so…magical. I for one could use all of the magic I can get my hands on so since we’re well into December, let’s dive into many people’s favorite ways to celebrate the holidays by listening to the best new holiday songs!
It will come as no surprise to learn that Holiday Music is one of the most popular genres of music out there. There are a multitude of songs and sounds to choose from – whether you make a playlist or listen to one put together by a professional music curator. Seriously, there are 21 million Christmas playlists on Spotify. But if you’re looking to take charge of your holiday listening with new renditions of classics or new songs, we’ve got you covered. Get ready to feel like “it’s the most wonderful time of the year” and go “walking in a winter wonderland” with new songs and albums from Elton John and Ed Sheeran, Kelly Clarkson, and more.
Elton John & Ed Sheeran — “Merry Christmas”
The first of three new Christmas songs that these English superstars wrote together is “Merry Christmas,” and it hits all the right notes — acknowledging challenges faced, hope for the future, and filled with love. It’s Ed Sheeran’s first Christmas song, and he recently shared with Jimmy Fallon that he’d always been a bit intimidated by the idea of writing a Christmas song, but we guess when Elton John calls and asks you, you say yes.
It’s worth mentioning that this isn’t Sir Elton’s first foray into holiday tunes. He released the seriously underrated “Step Into Christmas” back in 1973. We see no reason for you not to play both over and over this season.
Buy the song on Amazon.
Kelly Clarkson — ‘When Christmas Comes Around’
With her second Christmas album, Kelly Clarkson shares her versions of classics and soon-to-be classics (aka new songs). With fan favorites such as “It’s Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas,” “Last Christmas” (which she moves from pop to jazz), and “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree,” Clarkson gets the chance to show off those gorgeous pipes. In new duets like “Glow,” with Chris Stapleton, and “Santa Can’t You Hear Me,” with fellow vocal powerhouse and The Voice judge, Ariana Grande, she shows how she shares the stage. But what sets this album apart are her new Christmas songs about divorce.
Why isn’t this already a thing? Christmas songs about divorce — filling a gap not only in the marketplace but in the hearts of many. As beautiful as the holiday season is, it can also be brutal if you’re navigating a breakup or divorce, or just missing your former partner. Be sure to check out “Christmas Isn’t Canceled (Just You)” and “Merry Christmas (To the One I Used to Know)” if for no other reason than to hear you’re not alone from one of the best female vocalists of all time.
Buy the album on Amazon.
John Legend — “You Deserve It All”
We think it’s safe to assume that this holiday song is the latest in a long line of love songs penned for John Legend’s supermodel wife, Chrissy Teigen because he’s proven himself to be pretty adept at that task. And we’re kind of loving how he acknowledges as much with the lyric “this is my love language.” (Note to self — ask Santa for someone whose love language is songwriting!) Yes, it’s got the jingly bells at the top of the song but otherwise, it’s as holiday-agnostic as you’re likely to find in the holiday category, which, if we’re honest, is long overdue.
Take a listen to “You Deserve It All.”
Train — “Mittens” (from the holiday movie ‘Christmas in Tahoe’)
Since Train’s Pat Monahan is both starring in and executive producing the new Hallmark holiday movie Christmas in Tahoe, it’s only fitting that he’s also recorded a new holiday song to accompany it. “Mittens” is an upbeat, cheerful holiday bop with the real meaning of the holidays behind it. He’s donating 100% of the proceeds (from the film) to Keep Tahoe Blue: League to Save Lake Tahoe. Learn more here: keeptahoeblue.org.
Download “Mittens.”
Leslie Jordan, Cheyenne Jackson — “Little Drummer Boy/Peace on Earth”
While he’s best known for his uproarious role on Will and Grace as Karen Walker’s arch-nemesis, Beverely Leslie, Leslie Jordan is so much more. His undeniably popular Instagram posts throughout the first year of the pandemic showed his self-deprecating humor (the back and forth with his crush Dylan McDermott were hilarious), his sweetness, and his affinity for music. So much love for music, in fact, that he released his debut country album, Company’s Comin’, last year.
His choice to take on a Christmas classic made famous by Bing Crosby and David Bowie is no small task, but we’re glad Leslie and Broadway star Cheyenne Jackson decided to give it a go because this version is so much fun to listen to.
It’s availble to download on Amazon.
Various Artists — ‘Christmas With Motown’
There are few record labels whose name embodies a sound the way that the iconic label Motown does. When you hear the word Motown, you know you’re going to get the best of R&B past, present, and future. So if you’re looking for Christmas songs, both old (The Jackson 5 “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town,” The Supremes “Silver Bells,” Smokey Robinson and the Miracles “Deck the Halls”) and new (Asiahan “All I Want,” Njomza “Christmas Blues”) this is new compilation is a great album to check out.
Buy the complete colleciton here.
Dan + Shay — ‘Officially Christmas’
The country-pop duo, Dan + Shay, join the roster of Christmas songs with their delightful three-song EP, Officially Christmas. Featuring the smash, “Take Me Home for Christmas” — seriously, it’s got over 20 million streams on Spotify already — as well as two other tracks, it’s a great addition to your tree trimming soundtrack.
Get it on Amazon.
Straight No Chaser — “Christmas Like”
This festive parody of the impossible to ignore “Fancy Like” by Walker Hayes (aka the Applebees song) by a capella group Straight No Chaser, will put the giggle in your holiday wiggle.
You can get it on Amazon.
Darren Criss — ‘A Very Darren Crissmas’
We’re big fans of clever wordplay so it’s no surprise that we send out a very merry high five to actor, singer, songwriter Darren Criss for the titling of his Christmas album, A Very Darren Crissmas. It’s a cheerful combination of big band arrangements, ballads, country, and pop, with additional highlights from duet partners Adam Lambert, Rachel Evan Wood, and Lainey Wilson. There is one downside though, we’d suggest you avoid his questionable choice of a dance cover of Joni Mitchell’s gorgeous “River.”
Buy the album on Amazon.
Sia — ‘Everyday Is Christmas’ (Snowman Deluxe Edition)
If you compiled a list of artists so big they only need to go by one name, you’d surely think of Cher, Adele, Madonna, Bono, Prince, Beyoncé, Eminem, and an incredible Australian import known as Sia. Sia, recognizable for the half black and half white half wig she wears to remain anonymous, released the Everyday is Christmas Snowman Deluxe edition last month. It’s a refresh of her 2018 Christmas album, with three new tracks including a stripped-down version of her monster hit “Snowman” which gained a huge following thanks to a TikTok challenge.
Get your digital copy on Amazon.
Foo Fighters — Hanukkah Sessions
Hanukkah gets the short end of the stick when it comes to “the holidays” and that can be a major bummer if it’s the holiday you celebrate, but thanks to the genius of Dave Grohl (you may have heard of him – lead singer of the Foo Fighters, drummer of Nirvana, all-around good guy) and Greg Kurstin (Grammy award-winning producer, member of the indie-pop band The Bird and The Bee) we can now look forward to the Hanukkah Sessions.
But what are the Hanukkah Sessions you might ask? Eight crazy nights of ridiculously fun and fantastic covers of songs by Jewish artists. Grohl and Kurstin (who is Jewish) debuted this series last year and our hearts were filled with nauchus (IYKYK) to see it return. This year’s setlist included raucous performances of songs by Lisa Loeb, The Ramones, Barry Manilow, Van Halen, Amy Winehouse, Billy Joel, The Clash, and KISS. Head to Foo Fighters’ Instagram to watch and sing along. These tributes are a true Hanukkah miracle.
Although it’s not readily available to download, you can listen to their renditions on Foo Fighters’ official Instagram page.
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