10 Non-Traditional Christmas Songs
Perfect for Your Holiday Playlist
Another Christmas is just around the corner. Once again, you’ll need a holiday playlist. Maybe you have one already, and you’re burnt out on Mariah Carey and songs like “Frosty the Snowman”. That’s understandable. Some of those songs are unavoidable. And while Lennon and McCartney gave us some classic non-traditional tracks, those songs also tend to be in heavy rotation during the winter months.
So here are 10 non-traditional Christmas tracks that haven’t been played to death. Songs that are perfect for a holiday gathering, or just listening to as you decorate the inside (or outside) of your home. The best of the best, in my humble opinion. Just a slice of fresh Christmas pie I thought I’d share with everyone. Hope you enjoy!
10. THE CHANUKAH SONG
ADAM SANDLER
Adam Sandler scored a holiday hit with this live and comical song. It may even be his biggest song to date. Since it’s technically not a Christmas song, and instead a song for all the Jewish children who don’t have a Christmas tree, you may not find it on many holiday playlists. It is a “holiday season” song however. Sandler references Christmas several times in the lyrics, and packs quite a few wholesome laughs throughout. I have heard it played on the radio around the holidays, adding to the notion that it feels like it belongs next to the likes of “Winter Wonderland” on your playlist. “The Chanukah Song” was popular enough to spawn three sequel songs to it, although the original is undoubtedly the best one.
9. My December
Linkin Park
Do all Christmas songs need to be happy? I don’t think so. I mean, the winter can bring about plenty of other emotions, and it’s okay to sing about those too. Linkin Park‘s late lead singer Chester Bennington was a master at writing sad songs. He wore his pain on his sleeve. This song happens to be a piano ballad that paints some somber but beautiful imagery set in the month of December. It may not be the song that gets people at your Christmas party laughing and singing along, but it’s certainly a powerful tune that may work better as you relax at home before the guests arrive. If it doesn’t end up on your holiday playlist, it certainly belongs on your alt-rock one.
8. Snowman
Sia
Sia has a knack for writing a catchy pop hit. A few years back she set her sights on creating a memorable holiday single, and she pulled it off seamlessly. “Snowman” is an infectiously catchy piano number that tells a love story centered around, you guessed it, a snowman. Personally, I find this song to be musically superior to “Frosty the Snowman”, but it doesn’t have nostalgia on it’s side. It very much belongs on your Christmas playlist though. You’ll be glad you added it after a few listens.
7. christmas lights
Coldplay
I may catch some flack for this one, but that’s alright. “Christmas Lights” by Coldplay is the band at their best. While they still fill stadiums globally, they’ve also gone on to be as widely despised as acts such as Nickelback and Imagine Dragons. There was a time though when Chris Martin and company were held in the most high of regards amongst critics and alt rock listeners alike. This beautiful Christmas track was born near the end of that era and continues to shine amongst the best non-traditional holiday songs out there.
6. Believe in Me
Fun.
Remember the band called fun.? They had a massive hit with the single, “We Are Young”, followed by a few minor hits before they split. Well, during their short stint together they managed to put out a pretty catchy Christmas alt rocker. This particular song never gained much traction but it showed up on my radar at some point. It’s a song about Santa, and well, believing in him. Pretty straight-forward, and equally catchy. Yes, lyrically a kids song, but so what? Christmas has very much become a kid-centric holiday, so it’s perfect for that playlist you’re putting together.
5. Christmastime
the smashing pumpkins
No one was expecting a Christmas song by the Smashing Pumpkins but they gave us one anyway. And a very memorable song at that. They may be notorious as a 90’s alternative rock band, but this B-side isn’t guitar heavy, and instead is laced with piano, flutes, sleigh bells, and other holiday feel sounds. Unlike most of the Pumpkins’ catalogue, the lyrics on “Christmastime” are heartwarming, fun, and suitable for the little ones. It’s time this song started popping up on more Christmas playlists. Even the brand new Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special included the song in a key scene.
4. the Christmas Song
The Raveonettes
The Raveonettes were popular for a hot minute back in the mid-00’s. This Danish rock duo sound like a throwback to the 1950’s and scored a few semi-successful hits in the UK over the years. One non-hit that gained an internet following is their Christmas single, aptly called “the Christmas Song”. Catchy, and dreamy, with an Everly Brothers type vibe, this jingle has all of the elements necessary to be a Christmas classic. Yet, it seems to be missing from those party playlists and songs on rotation at stores during the holiday season. That needs to change. Give it a few listens and see what you’ve been missing. 
3. 2,000 MILES
Pretenders
Even though this single from beloved British-American rock the Pretenders charted in different parts of the globe, you still might be pressed to find it next to Mariah Carey on your friends’ holiday playlist. Admittedly, it does get some love over retail store speakers during the winter months, but it deserves better than that. The song is actually a tribute to the band’s guitarist who died the year prior. However, the snowy music video and Christmas references in the lyrics have made this non-traditional Christmas song a Christmas song nonetheless. If it’s not already on your holiday playlist, well, it should be.
2. KEEGAN'S CHRISTMAS
MARCY PLAYGROUND
Even though Marcy Playground have been unfairly dubbed as one-hit-wonders for their smash hit single “Sex and Candy”, they actually have a knack for writing songs that should-be-hits. They scored a few songs that charted after the aforementioned song, but nothing made as big of waves. One song that began popping up on alternative rock Christmas stations is their holiday jingle titled “Keegan’s Christmas”.
The song is named after singer John Wozniak‘s son, and possesses an incredibly infectious melody with endearing lyrics. It perfectly captures the the sense of joy kids feel as the holiday draws nearer. Here’s yet another 90’s alt rock band delivering a Christmas jingle that is unquestionably good enough to sit next to classics such as “Sleigh Ride” on your playlist.
1. Merry XMas Everybody
Slade
Slade‘s early 70’s glam rock sound brought them massive success in the UK, while some of their singles show up on classic rock playlists here in the US. One of those singles, and possibly their biggest, was a Christmas number titled “Merry Xmas Everybody”. As the cover above states, it is “the Greatest Christmas Single of All Time”. Well, maybe not the greatest of all time, but it’s maybe the best non-traditional Christmas song that should be on every holiday playlist.
The song is just incredibly catchy, fun, and bursting at the seems with good holiday vibes. It’s a rocker, but also possesses all the necessary qualities to be the quintessential example of what a perfect non-traditional Christmas song sounds like. The popular 90’s English band Oasis did an acoustic cover of this one years later that is also a worthy addition to your playlist as well.
The following playlist contains most of the songs above, plus some other very familiar Christmas Tracks:
