We’ve compiled the 12 best new Christmas classics and older staples to fill your holiday playlist.
Mary J. Blige, “This Christmas”
The R&B star is one of the biggest names to release a Christmas album this year, and a highlight is this elegant version of the Donny Hathaway classic. HP
Kelly Clarkson, “Run Run Rudolph”
Clarkson’s album “Wrapped Up In Christmas” is heavy on the ballads, but this great cover of Chuck Berry shows her feistier side. HP
Kate Nash, “I Hate You This Christmas”
When mishaps and misanthropy invade the holidays (and they often do), this punk-pop track from the Brit singer will be just the thing to help you vent. HP
Nick Lowe, “I Was Born In Bethlehem”
Taken from his new Christmas album “Quality Street,” the British veteran sings from the perspective of Jesus as he touchingly retells the story of his birth as though it were a barroom anecdote. HP
Bad Religion, “White Christmas”
Bing Crosby’s staple is given a punk makeover by the hard-core SoCal group. Very silly but certain to raise a smile. HP
!!!, “And Anyway It’s Christmas”
When singing carols gets boring, hit the dance floor with this typically groovy festive offering from the Brooklyn punk-funk group. HP
Brother Joe May, “Silent Night”
From the hefty new “I Heard the Angels Singing” gospel box set comes a haunting version of a holiday classic. MM
K. Michelle, “Christmas Night”
“I lost my love on Christmas night,” the reality star and R&B shouter laments on this sharp slow jam. MM
The Salsoul Orchestra, “The Little Drummer Boy” (DANK Remix)
1970s disco remixed for 2013 clubs, beefing up the beats without losing any of its goofy spirit. MM
Erasure, “Bells of Love”
Who better than this duo with its tinny synths and high-arcing melody to bring on the seasonal cheer? MM
Joe King Carrasco, “Tamale Christmas”
A Tex-Mex rocker offers an accordion-led hat-tip to his favorite food. It beats warmed-over turkey. MM
Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings, “Ain’t No Chimneys in the Projects”
Brooklyn’s finest neo-funk act layers strings into this crisp groove like tinsel between fir tree branches. MM
Classics
Mariah Carey, “All I Want For Christmas Is You” (1994)
Nearly 20 years on, it still encapsulates the excitement of Christmas perfectly. HP
Run DMC, “Christmas In Hollis” (1987)
Who knew that Santa liked to hang out in Queens on Christmas Eve? We have Run DMC to thank for that vital info. HP
Low, “Just Like Christmas” (1999)
Back in 1999, the Minnesota indie group released this gorgeous track, which inspires a festive feeling no matter what time of year you listen to it. HP
Wham! “Last Christmas” (1984)
Covered by someone almost every year (usually with dire results), the George Michael-sung original is still the best by some distance. HP
Darlene Love, “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” (1963)
Phil Spector produces and Love delivers one of her finest vocals. It simply isn’t Christmas without this song. HP
Glasvegas – “F–k You, It’s Over” *(2008)
Breakups are bad enough, but breakups at Christmas are the worst. Which is why the Scottish-rockers wrote this devastatingly powerful holiday anthem. One for those who don’t feel like celebrating. HP
The Pretenders, “2,000 Miles” (1984)
Missing your loved one on another continent during Christmas goes down easier with guitars this pretty. MM
Paul Simon, “Getting Ready for Christmas Day” (2010)
Simon expertly threads a sampled sermon (by Rev. J.M. Gates) through his resonant tales of missed holiday connections. MM
Archers of Loaf, “Assassination on X-Mas Eve” (1996)
Classic ’90s indie rock, with squalling guitars, croaking voice and a storyline in which Santa gets offed. MM
Lloyd, “She’s All I Want for Christmas” (2011)
The Atlanta R&B singer goes full Michael Jackson for this disco blast — “Off the Wall” strewn in colored lights. MM
The Drifters, “White Christmas” (1955)
Is there a better vocal entrance in a Christmas recording than Clyde McPhatter’s falsetto “I-I-I-I’m dreaming”? Not likely. MM
Prince, “Another Lonely Christmas” (1984)
Skinny-dipping and banana daiquiris — nobody celebrates the holiday like Prince, at his most forlorn on this B-side to “I Would Die 4 U.” MM