Whether or not the holiday season is your cup of tea, there’s no denying the catchiness of a good Christmas bop. Buckle up, because Santa Claus is about to take you to church with these 10 songs that need to be on your holiday playlist!
“All I Want for Christmas is You” by Michael Bublé, 2011
I’m sure we’ve all heard Mariah Carey’s classic Christmas pop song but dare I say it: Michael Bublé does it better. In fact, his 2011 album fittingly titled Christmas is one of the best holiday albums released in the last few decades. Be sure to check out the rest of the album, including songs like “Holly Jolly Christmas” and “Have Yourself a Merry Christmas.”
“Underneath the Tree” by Kelly Clarkson, 2013
Maybe it’s because I grew up listening to bops like “Since U Been Gone” and “Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You),” but nothing quite gets to me like a good Kelly Clarkson song. Mix her powerhouse vocals with a catchy holiday tune and you end up with this masterpiece of a song!
“Mistletoe” by Justin Bieber, 2011
You had to have seen this coming. I’m adding this iconic Christmas hit to the list as a tribute to his marriage to model Hailey Baldwin last year. He may be married and all grown up now, but ‘Beliebers’ will never forget the charm of his side-swept hair that forever changed the music industry.
“The Magic of Christmas Day (God Bless Us Everyone)” by Celine Dion, 1998
Can’t forget queen Celine! Her trademark vocals do not disappoint in this original Christmas song. Written by none other than Dee Snider, the heavy metal and hard rock singer-songwriter, I guess you could say this song is something like a Christmas miracle!
“This Christmas” by Pentatonix, 2012
Pentatonix prove that acapella can only make Christmas songs better with this hit off their Christmas album, PTXmas. Fair warning, when this song comes on, you may feel compelled to belt out the lyrics and suddenly become the sixth member of Pentatonix.
“All Alone on Christmas” by Darlene Love, 1992
This song might be familiar to those of you who grew up watching Home Alone 2: Lost in New York during the holiday season. You’ll recognize this song as the one with the catchy saxophone solo that plays while Kevin is cruising down the Queensboro Bridge in a yellow cab in the city that never sleeps!
“Last Christmas” by Ariana Grande, 2013
You currently may be listening to Sweetener on repeat but never forget the gift that is Ariana Grande’s Christmas album from 2013, Christmas Kisses. This song is a completely different, fresh take on the original song by Wham! which will surely make its way on to your winter playlist if it isn’t there already.
“This Christmas” by Patti LaBelle, 1990
Now, I know I already listed a version of this song by Pentatonix above, but one of the best things about Christmas music is the abundance of varying versions and covers by different artists of all genres! This classic tune sung by none other than Patti LaBelle never fails to remind me of warm Christmas memories growing up and listening to my mom’s outdated — but fabulous — playlist of holiday hits from the ’80s and ’90s.
“Sleigh Ride” by TLC, 1992
This is probably one of the most underrated and underappreciated Christmas bops out there. If you want to channel some ’90s Christmas vibes this year, it can’t be done without this song. Be sure to check out the music video to see some of TLC’s iconic fashion statements of the ’90s, like the oversized denim overalls — my personal favourite.
“Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” by Christina Aguilera, 2000
Christina Aguilera totally kills this classic holiday carol and makes it her own jazzy bop. The song is full of her trademark ad-libbing, powerful vocals, and killer high notes, paired with a beautiful instrumental background that is reminiscent of the original song. If there’s one Christmas song on this list that makes you cry, this just might be it.
