‘Tis the season! It’s Christmas time and with it comes all the classic holiday songs. While we could do a list of all our favorite songs we already know for years, I’d rather focus on the new stuff.
So I took some time to listen to holiday songs released this year and put together a list of the tracks that stood out to me the most.
Check out our favorite songs celebrating the holidays for 2021:
Boris – Last Christmas
This is one of my mom’s favorite songs and I feel like it has a lot to do with the campy production and vocals from George Michael that are richer than a hot chocolate at the Christkindlmarkt. I don’t know much of Boris’ work, but the atmospheric production and all the noise that comes with feels a lot closer to how I would feel if I was singing to an ex lover about how she broke my heart and how I’d like to do better this year. Plus the jingling bells peeking through that raucous is just perfect to me.
[bandcamp width=100% height=120 album=2551728842 size=large bgcol=ffffff linkcol=0687f5 tracklist=false artwork=small track=520051635]
The Buckleys – Boogie Woogie Santa Claus
While the Mabel Scott original has a lot more swag and swing, I think The Buckleys did a good job with their a honky tonk reimagining. Christmas and Rock & Roll just go together, and this another proof of that.
HAIM – “The Chanukah Song”
Sandler we love you pic.twitter.com/QGBAwqOZld
— HAIM (@HAIMtheband) December 3, 2021
Though this isn’t being released as a formal holiday single, it’s undeniable that HAIM did a really fine job with their update to Adam Sandler’s classic, “The Chanukah Song.” Sisters Este, Danielle and Alana give shout outs to their fellow peoples, including Maya Rudolph, Eugene and Dan Levy, and Japanese Breakfast’s Michelle Zauner among others.
This my favorite way to celebrate the season AND announce a new tour.
Jimmy Fallon ft. Ariana Grande & Megan Thee Stallion – It Was A…(Masked Christmas)
The Megan Thee Stallion and Ariana Grande partnership is always a good one, even if it’s for a silly song with Jimmy Fallon. The Late Night host is the lead singer with a ton of auto-tune, which is fine, but it’s Ariana’s Pop stylings and a good and comical verse from thee Hottie and we’ve got a topical song that fits right in with 2021.
Plus Megan Thee Stallion kills it with that nurse’s outfit and the vaccine nails.
Laufey & dodie – “Love To Keep Me Warm”
When I first pressed play on this song, I had to do a “daaaaaamn.” I can’t say I’m familiar with Icelandic-Chinese singer-songwriter, musician, cellist, guitarist and pianist Laufey or UK artist dodie, but this combo is a beautiful sounding pairing. Their takin on the holiday classic “Winter Weather” just feels like Christmas and that’s all you need to know.
