Alternate Christmas Songs You Need To Hear

christmas, death cab for cutie, http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post, hurts, marina and the diamonds, one republic, playlist, she & him, stephen walking, televisor, the killers, train

I have a confession. I don’t feel festive at all this year, perhaps from a lack of sixth form where I’d be excited to break up for Christmas. For over ten years I’ve been listening to the same Christmas music every December, I felt I needed some new Christmas music instead of the usual Mariah Carey or Slade. I went on a search for some different Christmas songs, and here they are.

Just call me Scrooge 😦

Besides, I’m doing a lot of writing this December and I’m too afraid to listen to the usual Christmas music because I don’t want to accidentally write about a Christmas stocking in a dystopian setting (so I’ve been listening to M.I.A.’s Matangi religiously, which is equally as bizarre).

My favourite of this listing would be number 8, it’s brilliant and been a firm favourite since it’s release.

Enough of that, let’s get started.

1. Shake Up Christmas – Train

I guess the thing about this song is that it still embodies the fun and feel-good factor of a Christmas while not being too overt that it feels exactly like all the usual Christmas songs.

2. Christmas Without You – OneRepublic

This is a really nice Christmas song, it avoids the typical ‘Santa is coming woooo’ and focuses on love (or perhaps the lack of) on Christmas. It’s a nice one to listen to if you’ve spent too long shimmying to ‘Step Into Christmas’ and need a rest.

3. A Great Big Sled – The Killers

I’m a huge fan of The Killers and this song is perhaps evidence as to why. It’s just so damn good. I love the contrast between The Killers’ usual sound and the Christmas bells in the background. It’s a good Christmas song if you’re more into alternative style music.

4. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas – Marina and The Diamonds

As you may already know, I’m likewise a huge Marina fan. This cover is tender and peaceful, you can just imagine putting this on as you sit by the fire with some hot chocolate. It’s lovely.

5. Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) – Death Cab for Cutie

6. Sleigh Ride – Stephen Walking

If you want to get turnt at Christmas then this is the song for you. Otherwise, it’s incredibly bizarre and slightly confusing BUT you just have to groove along.

7. We Wish You A Merry Christmas – Televisor

Like No.6, it’s another ‘remix’ of a Christmas classic. This is groovy as heck, it’s nice to see Christmas music breaking into this genre. Although, similar to 6, it’s slightly confusing and you may have to have a rest after listening. 

8. All I Want For Christmas Is New Year’s Day – Hurts

9. Baby, It’s Cold Outside – She & Him

This is wonderful, Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward are fantastic and the music video is like a 2 minute Disney film. It’s a brilliant take on the traditional song.

10. Is This Christmas – The Wombats

The Wombats make me feel happy so their Christmas song is the ultimate source of Christmas joy. It’s great when bands release their own Christmas songs instead of covers, and this is the ultimate angsty Christmas song we all desire.


That’s all for now, there won’t be a post on the 25th because, of course, it’s Christmas. On the 26th if all goes well I’ll have a review of the Doctor Who Christmas special, and then following that the Best Of 2015 posts (Albums, Films, etc) leading up to the New Year. 

Bye!

Totally Culture
Curtis