10 Great Christmas Songs You Might Not Know
Aside from trees, decorations and food, Christmas is also known for special songs that we normally only hear at the end of the year.
Some songs have become classics, and they are often played in stores, restaurants and on the radio. However, modern musicians have continued to write fresh holiday songs every year.
This time, we'll highlight 10 Christmas songs that are not as well known as the traditional ones you probably hear every year. Some are great for dancing and celebrating, while others are slower and deal with the variety of emotions the holiday can bring.
Check them out and you might discover a new favorite!
Slower Christmas songs
Harvey Danger - Sometimes You Have to Work on Christmas (2009)
Christmas is generally a holiday for spending time with your family and friends. But depending on your situation, it's possible that you won't be able to.
The person in this song cannot see his family because they are far away in another city. Instead, he is spending the holiday with the customers at the movie theater where he works.
Well, life is not so wonderful
For 15 soggy patrons
Who have no better place to be
Not to mention me
I'm working for a holiday wage
My family is two time zones away
Full lyrics: https://genius.com/Harvey-danger-sometimes-you-have-to-work-on-christmas-sometimes-lyrics
Cam - Believe (2021)
This is an inspirational holiday song about holding onto positive thoughts even in difficult times. The song's simple arrangement makes it easier to understand the lyrics.
So I will open up my heart like a kid on Christmas Eve
When the dreams are as real as the lights up on the tree
And what you choose to look for is what you're gonna see
So if only for tonight, I will believe
Full lyrics: https://genius.com/Cam-believe-lyrics
The Both - Nothing Left to Do (Let's Make This Christmas Blue) (2014)
Here is another song about feelings of loneliness on Christmas. Rather than family, the singer seems to be missing a romantic partner from their past.
The song's slow pace should make it easier for learners to understand the words sung by the two vocalists.
Every year passes, everyone's frozen
But not like you
I'm doing fine, but at Christmas time
I don't know what I'm supposed to do
With all the gifts that I'll never give to you
Full lyrics: https://genius.com/The-both-nothing-left-to-do-lets-make-this-christmas-blue-lyrics
Low - Just Like Christmas (1999)
The rhythm of this song might remind you of a train moving along tracks. That's probably because the singer is describing a train ride from Stockholm to Oslo* as it begins to snow.
This song has a fuzzy, unclear feeling, almost like someone's childhood memory from many years ago.
*Stockholm is the capital city of Sweden, and Oslo is the capital city of Norway.
By the time we got to Oslo
Snow was gone
And we got lost
The beds were small
But we felt so young
It was just like Christmas
Full lyrics: https://genius.com/Low-just-like-christmas-lyrics
Lizzo - Never Felt Like Christmas (2015)
Despite its popularity, not everybody loves Christmas. That is how the person in this funny song used to feel.
Things changed, however, when she met someone special. Instead of doing regular, boring activities on Christmas, she now celebrates it with enthusiasm.
Never cared for jingle bells or picking out a tree
I would rather paint my nails and watch some bad TV
But ever since we shared a kiss, I've been spreading the news
It never felt like Christmas 'til I spent it with you
Full lyrics: https://songmeanings.com/songs/view/3530822107859594119/
Uptempo Christmas songs
!!! - And Anyway It's Christmas (2013)
The singer of this song is thinking back to a special girl he met at a holiday party.
I don't wait for signs
But sometimes you just know
When someone like
Someone like you
Is beneath mistletoe
"Mistletoe" is a word you will hear often in Christmas songs. It is a plant that grows on certain trees and produces berries in the winter. Some western cultures have a special custom involving mistletoe: when two people stand underneath it together, they must kiss!
Lil Jon - All I Really Want for Christmas (ft. Kool-Aid Man) (2018)
This one is a special collaboration!
Lil Jon is a rapper and producer from Atlanta, USA, who is known for making very energetic club music. Kool-Aid Man, however, is not a musician at all; he's actually a mascot for a drink called Kool-Aid that is popular with kids. He's also famous for smashing through walls while shouting his catchphrase ("Oh yeah!"), which you can see in the video!
If you like holiday songs with lots of energy, this is the song for you!
Everybody in here VIP
Old Saint Nick, that's the MC
Gotta see him turnt on some old CDs
Playin' all your favorite songs from A to Z
*"Turnt" is a slang term for describing someone who is wild or very excited. Also, "Saint Nick" is one of Santa Claus' popular nicknames.
Full lyrics: https://genius.com/Lil-jon-all-i-really-want-for-christmas-lyrics
Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings - Ain't No Chimneys in the Projects (2015)
Santa Claus is famous for leaving presents for boys and girls by entering their homes through the chimneys on their roofs. But what if your home doesn't have a chimney? How will you get presents then?
That's exactly what the singer of this soul song asked her mother when she was a little girl.
When I was a child I used to wonder
How Santa put my toys under the tree
I said, "Momma, can you tell me how this can be?"
When there ain't no chimneys in the projects?
Listen to find out her mother's response!
By the way, this song title contains a double negative, which you can read about in this article.
Full lyrics: https://genius.com/Sharon-jones-and-the-dap-kings-aint-no-chimneys-in-the-projects-lyrics
Lloyd - She's All I Want for Christmas (2011)
Many Christmas songs tend to include sleigh bells to remind you of Santa's sleigh flying through the night on Christmas Eve. With this song, however, you likely wouldn't know it's about Christmas unless you are listening carefully to the lyrics.
Baby, I had a talk with Santa last night
And I told him I only need a thing from him this year
And I told him all I wanna be is by your side
And Santa, I just need you to get her off my mind
As a bonus, this song also includes a countdown to the new year at the end!
Full lyrics: https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/lloyd/shesalliwantforchristmas.html
Sia - Santa's Coming for Us (2017)
The final song on this list is a fun pop tune that also has a fun video; it is made to look like classic American sitcoms (short for "situation comedies") from the 1950s and 60s. It also includes appearances from several actors you may recognize from TV series and films.
Send your letters off to Santa, baby
Tell him all your secret wishes too
Send your letters off to Santa, baby
Hopin' all your wildest dreams come true
Full lyrics: https://genius.com/Sia-santas-coming-for-us-lyrics
Merry, musical Christmas
If you're tired of hearing the same holiday songs every year, do a little searching and you will find many you have never heard before.
As we've seen in this list, Christmas music can come in a wide variety of musical styles. So it doesn't matter if your favorite genre is country, hip hop, rock or something else; there is a good chance someone has made a holiday song (or maybe a full album!) in that style.
Happy holidays!
