As the great Andy Williams once said, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year.” The Christmas season has always been my favorite time of the year, which probably explains why I start building my holiday songs playlist way earlier than I should admit. With the iconic movies, traditions, and general chaos of the holiday, everything just feels a little lighter once December hits. And of course let’s not forget the music.
I’ve gone through plenty of holiday playlists, and while the classics (All I Want for Christmas Is You, Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree, some Michael Bublé of course) are essentials, there are countless tracks that tend to fly under the popular radar. Here are five holiday songs and covers you may not know, but are absolutely worth adding to your rotation to get you in that perfect jolly holiday mood. If you want some extra flare, Providence hosts a live music performance at the Library.
A Great Big Sled—The Killers
This one’s for the Killers fans. While most people know them for their karaoke staple Mr. Brightside, their catalog goes way beyond that, including this holiday hit. A Great Big Sled is upbeat, fun, and doesn’t fall into the “sleepy Christmas song” category. You’ll definitely catch yourself humming it for the rest of the day.
The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don’t Be Late)—Alvin and the Chipmunks
Look, I know. But hear me out. I completely forgot about this song until I heard it again last holiday season and instantly grabbed my phone to add it back to my holiday playlist. This song is peak childhood nostalgia. The chipmunk voices are an acquired taste, but even if you didn’t grow up watching the Alvin and the Chipmunks movies, this one hits.
The Polar Express Soundtrack
Soundtracks don’t get enough attention when people build holiday playlists. For me, nothing screams Christmas more than The Polar Express movie, and the music is a big reason why. . My personal favorites: Hot Chocolate, The Polar Express, and When Christmas Comes to Town. Nevertheless, any song from this iconic soundtrack is sure to deliver instant holiday cheer.
Santa Claus Is Coming to Town—Bruce Springsteen
The original version of this song is definitely a classic, but Springsteen’s cover brings that unique rock-and-roll twist that you can’t get anywhere else. If your dad is anything like mine, he’ll be thrilled to hear this one blasting from your speakers.
Extraordinary Merry Christmas—Glee Cast
This pick is admittedly niche—shoutout to the Glee fans. Even if Glee wasn’t your thing (but honestly, give it a try), you’ve definitely seen some viral clips from the show floating around TikTok. Say what you want about Glee, but the soundtrack is unmatched, and this original Christmas song is no exception. It’s cheery, lively, and a perfect way to switch up your holiday rotation.
This holiday season, you don’t have to find yourself caught in cycling through the same few holiday songs every department store in America plays on loop. This is your sign to get on Spotify, Apple Music, or whatever music streaming service you use, and go give some of these more underground songs a listen. And if you want to keep building out the perfect December playlist, don’t miss this collection of pop-girl Christmas EP recommendations. You may just find a new favorite holiday song for this winter season.