There's a time and a place for "Jingle Bell Rock" and "White Christmas" — most likely a busy store while you're doing some last-minute gift shopping. But when it comes to curating your at-home Christmas playlist, you might want something a little more modern. A little more diva. A little more... Cher singing about celebrating the holiday in a dance club?
So, if you’re looking to add some more pop to your holiday playlist, check out some newer Christmas songs below. Ranging from two Beatles' takes on Christmas, to Mariah Carey's holiday classic, to a more naughty than nice song from Sabrina Carpenter, there's plenty to choose from. Get ready for nostalgia, (mostly) positive vibes, and a much more banging Christmas playlist.
How can we not start with the greatest modern Christmas song of all time??
"DJ Play a Christmas Song," by Cher
Cher released her first Christmas album in 2023. It features covers and originals, including this very Cher track about celebrating the holiday at a nightclub.
"Also It's Christmas," by Matt Rogers
Speaking of Christmas in the club, there's comedian Matt Rogers' humorous and very catchy "Also It's Christmas."
"Merry Xmas Everybody," by Slade
The British band Slade released "Merry Xmas Everybody" in 1973. This is one you might think you don't know, but have almost certainly heard.
"I Wish It Was Christmas Today," by Julian Casablancas
In 2009, The Strokes frontman Julian Casablancas covered this song, which was originally a Saturday Night Live segment back in 2000.
"Sleigh Ride," by TLC
"Sleigh Ride" is a classic Christmas song, but TLC modernized it in 1993. While many of the lyrics remain the same, Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes' rap verse in particular brings something new.
"Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)," by Darlene Love
Take it back to the 1960s with this upbeat classic from Darlene Love.
"This Christmas," by Donny Hathaway
Or, take it back to the '70s with another undeniable classic: Donny Hathaway's "This Christmas"
"Cuddle Up, Cozy Down Christmas," by Dolly Parton & Michael Bublé
Dolly Parton and Michael Bublé know their way around a Christmas song — they've both released a lot of 'em! This one from 2020 is perhaps best described as... surprisingly sexual?
"Groovy Xmas," by The Linda Lindas
The teen punk band The Linda Lindas gave the world another rock take on Christmas music with 2022's "Groovy Xmas."
"That's Christmas to Me," by Pentatonix
Your holiday playlist is probably not very heavy on a cappella. Change that with Pentatonix's "That's Christmas to Me".
"Winter White Hymnal," by Fleet Foxes
"Haunting" and "dark" are not usually words associated with Christmas songs, but maybe you're looking to switch it up. This Fleet Foxes song certainly has some strong winter imagery.
"Night Before Christmas," by Sam Smith
Sam Smith released the original Christmas song "Night Before Christmas" in 2022. It's a romantic one about dancing in the kitchen and not feeling cold when you're with the person you love.
"Santa, Can't You Hear Me," by Kelly Clarkson & Ariana Grande
Kelly Clarkson and Ariana Grande — two artists with Christmas hits of their own, as you'll see further down the list — came together for a holiday duet with 2021's "Santa, Can't You Hear Me".
"Hey Sis, It's Christmas," by RuPaul feat. Markaholic
Did you know that RuPaul has three Christmas albums? Check out one of the famous drag queen's seasonal songs with "Hey Sis, It's Christmas".
"A Nonsense Christmas," by Sabrina Carpenter
Sabrina Carpenter released a holiday remix of her song "Nonsense" with "A Nonsense Chrsitmas". And it's not your grandma's Christmas song with lyrics like, "I might change your contact to 'Has a huge North Pole'" and "You said you like my stockings better on the floor."
“Merry Christmas,” by Ed Sheeran & Elton John
In 2021, Ed Sheeran teamed up with music legend Elton John for "Merry Christmas," a holiday song which also reflects on that very rough year.
“Underneath the Tree,” by Kelly Clarkson
Kelly Clarkson's hit from her 2013 Christmas album, Wrapped in Red, has a similar theme to Mariah Carey's classic: All she needs underneath her Christmas tree is her boo.
"One More Sleep," by Leona Lewis
Leona Lewis may be best known for her song "Bleeding Love," but she joined the ranks of pop stars with great Christmas albums with 2013's Christmas, with Love. Her single "One More Sleep" is about love and the excitement of the night before Christmas.
“How Could This Be Christmas?” by Mandy Moore
Mandy Moore released a slower, sadder take on the holiday pop song with 2020's "How Could This Be Christmas?" Keep tissues at the ready.
“Christmas Lights,” by Coldplay
Speaking of holiday songs that are kind of a bummer... "Christmas Lights" by Coldplay is a Christmas-themed breakup song. Listen as Chris Martin takes you on a journey of a man not exactly enjoying the holiday sights all alone.
“Cozy Little Christmas,” by Katy Perry
On a completely different note: Leave it to Katy Perry to pair her Christmas song with a video in which she and a nude Santa get a couples massage from fake reindeer.
“Wonderful Christmastime,” by Paul McCartney
Enjoy an earlier Christmas pop song with Paul McCartney's "Wonderful Christmastime" from 1979.
"Wonderful Christmastime," by Harry Styles
Make McCartney's modern Xmas song even more modern with Harry Styles' cover.
"Happy Xmas (War Is Over)," by John Lennon and Yoko Ono feat. the Harlem Community Choir
Paul McCartney's not the only Beatle to release a Christmas song that's still heard every year. But John Lennon and Yoko Ono's "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)" is the only one on this list that doubles as a war protest song.
“My Gift Is You,” by Gwen Stefani
Gwen Stefani released a Christmas album in 2017 full of classic holiday covers and new love songs, like the über-catchy “My Gift Is You.”
“Where Are You Christmas,” by Faith Hill
Anyone who saw How the Grinch Stole Christmas will remember this song from Faith Hill. In the movie it was sung by Cindy Lou Who, played by bb Taylor Momsen.
“Snowman,” by Sia
Did you know Sia has a Christmas album too?? Her single “Snowman” from the 2017 album Everyday Is Christmas had a real moment on TikTok in 2020.
“Make It to Christmas," by Alessia Cara
This song sounds upbeat, but TBH the lyrics are kind of sad. Hey, we need some musical balance, right? Alessia’s song is about hoping a relationship can survive through the holidays.
“Make You Mine This Season,” by Tegan and Sara
Tegan and Sara’s “Make You Mine This Season” is from the 2020 Kristen Stewart rom-com Happiest Season. If you’ve been searching for a fun indie pop Christmas song, here you go.
“Glittery,” by Kacey Musgraves feat. Troye Sivan
When Kacey Musgraves hosted The Kacey Musgraves Christmas Show in 2019, she duetted with Troye Sivan on “Glittery.” The song is about having a person in your life at the holidays who makes you feel ~glittery~.
“I Need You Christmas,” by the Jonas Brothers
The first Jonas Brothers song on our list can be played year-round, no judgment.
“Oh Santa,” by Mariah Carey feat. Ariana Grande and Jennifer Hudson
Three of music’s biggest stars combined their powers into one single Christmas song, which debuted during Mariah’s 2020 Christmas special, so what more is there to say, really? Get listening!
“It’s Not Christmas ’Til Somebody Cries,” by Carly Rae Jepsen
Carly Rae Jepsen joined the Christmas music party with “It’s Not Christmas ’Til Somebody Cries.” This song includes relatable lyrics like, “My boyfriend is a vegan so they fed him fish / My uncle made it worse by talking politics.” Sound familiar?
“Holiday,” by Lil Nas X
There aren’t enough rap holiday songs, IMO, but fortunately, Lil Nas X is here to add to the list. The song might not be that specifically about the holidays, but the music video where he plays a futuristic Santa definitely is.
“Santa Tell Me,” by Ariana Grande
It is hard to come out with a Christmas song that becomes an instant classic, but Ariana Grande went there with “Santa Tell Me.” The song came out in 2014, but you’ll still hear it played during holiday shopping each season.
“Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays,” by NSYNC
In 1998, a ramen-noodle-hair-era Justin Timberlake and the rest of the guys released a Christmas album that included this catchy holiday song. The video is, in a word, chaotic.
Obviously Britney Spears released a Christmas song, too! In “My Only Wish (This Year),” the singer asks Santa to leave her a boyfriend under the tree.
“Christmas Tree Farm,” by Taylor Swift
Did you know Taylor Swift spent part of her childhood living on a Christmas tree farm? You sure will after watching this video, which is full of clips of little Taylor roaming around in the snow.
“Mistletoe,” by Justin Bieber
Justin Bieber has gone through a lot over the years, but back in 2011, he was just a teenager singing about kissing under the mistletoe while fake snow floated down on him.
“You Make It Feel Like Christmas,” by Gwen Stefani feat. Blake Shelton
This duet is about both Christmas and Gwen finding love again with Blake Shelton after her divorce. “We’re gonna be a classic for all time,” she sings. But will this song be a classic for all time? So far, so good.
“Christmas in Hollis," by Run-DMC
“Christmas in Hollis” is a rare hip-hop Christmas classic. It’s a simple song about home-cooked food, snow on the ground, and Santa leaving a biiiiig bag of cash under the tree.
“What Christmas Means to Me,” by John Legend feat. Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder’s “What Christmas Means to Me” is a classic — and a modern classic, if we’re comparing the 1967 song to, say, “Silent Night.” But if you want an even more recent version, John Legend recorded the song for his 2018 album A Legendary Christmas.
"What Christmas Means to me," by Stevie Wonder
Of course, the original is well worth adding to your playlist, too.
“8 Days of Christmas,” by Destiny’s Child
Destiny’s Child recorded their own take on “The 12 Days of Christmas” with lyrics that could not be more early aughts: “On the third day of Christmas, my baby gave to me / A gift certificate to get my favorite CDs.” A Christmas time capsule!
“Christmas Makes Me Cry,” by Kacey Musgraves
If you’re feeling emosh this Christmas, this song will do the trick. You and Kacey can cry together.
“Like It’s Christmas,” by the Jonas Brothers
The Jonas Brothers had a big comeback year in 2019, and that included the release of a Christmas single about every day feeling like Christmas when you’re with the one you love. Aww.
“Christmas Wrapping,” by the Waitresses
This is that song you hear in every grocery store during the holidays but you just never knew the name of it. Well, it’s “Christmas Wrapping,” by the Waitresses. You’re welcome.
“Last Christmas,” by Wham!
Wham!’s “Last Christmas” has an overwhelmingly ’80s music video, inspired an entire movie, and will be stuck in your head until the new year.
“Last Christmas,” by Ariana Grande
Want to switch things up? Ariana also covered the Wham! classic and made it her own. Happy listening!
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