Christmas music is the sole reason why Christmas is my favorite holiday! Of course, I love the classics like “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree” and “Jingle Bell Rock” but there are a multitude of modern Christmas songs that need appreciation. Here are couple of my favorite Christmas songs (in no specific order) from the 80’s on:
“Underneath The Tree” by Kelly Clarkson
Featured in her 2013 Christmas album Wrapped in Red, “Underneath The Tree” is a festive pop anthem by Kelly Clarkson. She wrote it alongside Greg Kurstin. The song is all about celebrating love and togetherness during the holiday season.
All of Kelly Clarkson’s songs are hits but “Underneath The Tree” is on the top of my list! Her powerful vocals combined with the festive, Christmas-y bells create a new modern Christmas classic. There’s a reason why it tops charts across the globe!
“Santa Tell Me” by Ariana Grande
Released in 2014, “Santa Tell Me” was sung by Ariana Grande. With lyrics about wanting to avoid heartbreak during the holidays, the relatable song peaked at number five on the Billboard Global 100.
“Santa Tell Me” has a warm, festive melody that captures listeners' attention. Ariana Grande is one of my all time favorite artists so I might have a little bit of bias, but you can’t lie, the song sure is catchy. It has both a nostalgic yet fresh feel that ensures broad appeal, including me!
“Last Christmas” by Wham!
Fun fact! “Last Christmas” didn’t even reach number one on the UK Billboard Charts until 2021! The song was released on December 3, 1984 and wasn’t even meant to be a Christmas song. The song is about a failed romance that just so happened to begin on December 25th.
This song has the perfect balance of heartbreak and hope. The catchy use of synths, drum machines, and keyboard riffs makes a warm and wintry atmosphere without the song feeling too dated. To top it off, George Michael’s vocals elevate the simple pop song into something special.
“Mistletoe” by Justin Bieber
Justin Bieber’s “Mistletoe” was released in 2011. Bieber’s maturing voice adds youthful charm to the song which made it popular in and outside his audience. Being so, it set the record for the highest debut for a Christmas song on the Billboard Hot 100!
With more laid back vibes, this song is perfect for cozy winter nights. Its gentle guitar strums combined with his youthful sound brings joy and nostalgia to old and new fans of Bieber! According to my peers, “Old JB songs hit. They’re so good!”
Honorable Mention: “A Nonsense Christmas”
As an honorable mention before ending off the list, Sabrina Carpenter’s special, “A Nonsense Christmas” on Netflix features a variety of Christmas classics, like “Santa Baby”, "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus”, “Last Christmas”, and more! Sung by Sabrina Carpenter herself along with wonderful artists like Shania Twain, Chappell Roan, and others. Her beautiful vocals pair perfectly with these few other artists which make it a worthwhile listen and watch!
“All I Want For Christmas Is You” by Mariah Carey
Probably the most classic modern Christmas hit, “All I Want For Christmas Is You” was released in 1994 by Mariah Carey. The track combines elements of 1960’s pop and soul with an upbeat melody to create a festive staple worldwide.
Of course, I can’t make a Christmas song list without this song! “All I Want For Christmas Is You” captures the magic, love, and joy of the holiday season that everyone is searching for. Some might say it’s overplayed, but it’s still impossible not to feel festive when you hear those opening chimes.
If you want to listen to these songs and more like them, I’ve added them to a playlist that you can find down below!
