The best alternate Christmas songs for your festive playlist

 

Well it’s official. The festive period is upon us. Lights and trees are going up, the radio is awash with festive tunes, and the Coca Cola truck is on the telly! Everyone loves a Christmas song, but I’m sure that the majority of us are already saturated with the sounds of Slade and Wham - fantastic as they are.

So we’ve dug through the archives to pull together a list of some of the best Christmas songs you might not hear on the radio 100 times this year. There’s some inventive covers and a few originals included so sit back while the turkeys cooking and enjoy!

Julian Casablancas - 'I Wish it was Christmas Today' - It takes someone as cool as Casablancas to pull off a Christmas song with this much style. Released around the time of his critically acclaimed solo album ‘Phrazes of the Young’, it veers away from any whiff of pastiche with a driving rattle and a heady sense of urgency as Casablancas drawls “I don’t care about anything except hearing those sleigh bells ring a ding ding". Lyrically adventurous? No. Brilliant? Yes!

Bright Eyes - 'God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman' - In 2002, Bright Eyes didn’t just release a Christmas song but unleashed a whole album of them. This cover is a highlight and finds Conor Oberst master reinvention as he turns the classic carol into a moody and rollicking indie ballad complete with wavery vocals and a flute solo. 

Mason Jennings - 'Santa Claus is Coming to Town' - Jennings tackles one of the most covered of all the Christmas songs, and his take is rootsier than a cabin in the wilderness. A gently plucked acoustic guitar and his baritone drawl provide an enjoyably relaxing reinvention.

Blossoms - 'It’s Going to be a Cold Winter' - It wouldn’t be a festive playlist without at least one moment of festive cynicism. Tom Ogden signals the songs intent with the opening lyrics “Let’s get this Christmas over with, how I miss the summer”. Heavily inspired by the Waitresses festive smash ‘Wrapping Paper’, this 80s indebted number is good fun and somehow leaves the listener doubting the integrity of the singer's claims - only someone who loves Christmas could write a tune this festive!

First Aid Kit - 'Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas' - Another atmospheric reimagining of a classic, this beautiful ballad is given a lush orchestral backing as the hugely talented Soderberg sisters blend their stunning understated guitars and harmonized vocals to put their own distinctive stamp on this track.

The Punch Brothers - 'O Come O Come Emmanuel' - It’s one thing to cover a festive hit but tackling a well loved carol is an even harder proposition. Here the Punch Brothers replace the traditional choral elements and replace them with raw vocals and plucked banjo strings. It works magnificently.

Gabrielle Aplin and Hannah Grace - 'In the Bleak Midwinter' - Perhaps the loveliest track in this playlist is this truly stunning harmony from the very talented Aplin and Grace. The softly plucked acoustic guitar and slide guitar solo provides a pretty backdrop but you’ll hardly notice them as attention is drawn to the intertwining vocals that are simultaneously powerful and delicate. A really beautiful soundtrack for festive reflection.

Jack Johnson - 'Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer' - Johnson’s Brush Fire Records have released 2 compilations of their artists tackling festive covers, and so it feels fitting to include an effort by the man himself. This upbeat and jolly take on the children’s favourite is quintessentially Johnson with palm muted guitar rhythms, melodic and soothing vocals, and a beachside vibe.

Amy Winehouse - 'I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus' - Winehouse’s talent is so missed and her vocal performance here is another reminder why. Gone is the twee of the original and in is a jazz soaked twist featuring a classic Winehouse vocal soar.

George Ezra - 'White Christmas' - Before he was famous for the feel good summer anthems that made his sophomore album ‘Staying at Tamaras’ such a huge hit, Ezra found fame for the depth of his distinctive baritone vocal. He uses his secret weapon to maximum effect here to create a smooth laid back take on the all time favourite Bing Crosby classic.

Richard Hawley - ‘Hushabye Mountain’ - From one smooth baritone to another, here Hawley puts his spin on this famous number from ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’ with wonderful assistance from Lisa Hannigan. Ok, so it’s not technically a Christmas song, but the jingly instrumental and gentle swaying rhythms make this the perfect soundtrack to a peaceful stroll on Christmas Eve.

The Head and the Heart - ‘What are you Doing New Years Eve?’ - When Christmas Day has come and gone, and existence is a go-between the sofa and fridge for cheese and leftover feasts, thoughts turn to New Year’s Eve. Although for most of us the answer to the question in this song is likely to be staying at home this year, the Head and the Heart's saloon take on this American classic will have you remembering old times seeing in the new year in style.