I’ve had the same Christmas playlist on Spotify for about 4 years now, and it’s of course filled with the classics, however every year it gets an update with new songs that have come out, and old songs I just discovered. Everybody loves Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree, Jingle Bells, and Winter Wonderland, but I think Christmas playlists deserve some variety once in a while. Here I have a list of some of my favorite, more obscure Christmas songs to spice up your playlists this year.
- Candy Cane Lane
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I was first shown this song in one of the choruses I sang in in high school. It’s a lesser-known classic song recorded by a range of artists, but I think the version by The Ellas might be my favorite. It’s a fun, upbeat song and if it’s stuck in your head well past Christmas…don’t say I didn’t warn you!
- You and Me at Christmas – Why Don’t We
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This is another cute, lighthearted Christmas song that I’ve listened to since it came out. Why Don’t We has been on a steady rise to fame the past few years, and their Christmas album is no exception. It definitely isn’t the most popular in their repertoire compared to hits like “Fallin’,” “Nobody Gotta Know,” and “8 Letters,” but it’s still a fun addition to your holiday playlist.
- Night of Silence
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Night of Silence is a beautiful winter song that will make you instantly want to curl up under a blanket by the fire. Its lyrics contain lots of snowy, cold weather imagery that you can picture perfectly. It’s often paired with Silent Night, as the underlying music works for both songs. It sounds dramatic, but in my opinion, hearing the two sung together as a mash up makes for an almost angelic listening experience.
- O Holy Night – Luke Bryan
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I’m going to assume the majority of people out there who celebrate Christmas have heard O Holy Night, but not like this. Luke Bryan brings a country twist to the song, and it’s now my favorite version right behind Josh Groban’s. His voice suits it so well, it’s become a staple in my playlist.
- Something Told the Wild Geese
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This is yet another song I discovered through high school chorus. It’s not directly a Christmas song, but its wintery lyrics are enough for me. It has an almost haunting melody, but it’s a beautiful song. My favorite version to listen to is the one by The Von Trapp Children.
- We Three Kings / God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman – Anthem Lights
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If you like Pentatonix, I think you will also love Anthem Lights. They are an all-male acapella group who have a beautiful Christmas album, and this mashup is my favorite song on it. We Three Kings has always been a favorite religious Christmas song of mine, and the harmonies and crazy belted notes bring to a whole new level.
- Underneath the Christmas Lights – Sia
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When I think of Sia, I usually don’t think of Christmas music, but the truth is her Christmas album, Everyday is Christmas, is full of really great songs. Some are upbeat and catchy, while others, like this one, are slower piano ballads. This song is my favorite on the album. There’s just something about the lack of lyric variety and the high notes and harmonies that make this song insanely memorable. It’s tempting to say it’s a sad song, but to me, it somehow feels more nostalgic than anything else.
- The Twelve Pains of Christmas – Bob Rivers
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This satirical song is a classic parody of The Twelve Days of Christmas. This song takes you on a journey through 12 not so glamorous parts of the holidays such as, “rigging up the lights,” and “five months of bills.” As the song goes on, each person becomes more and more frustrated with the task they’re singing about it. It’s a hilarious take on the original song, and it’s become a favorite to listen to in my family.
Classic Christmas songs will forever be a must to listen to for me, but once in a while, it’s nice to find some variety within the ones annually played on all of the radio stations. I hope this list gave you at least a few new tunes for your holiday season!