Sick of hearing the same old Christmas songs every year? Us too. Christmas is a time to celebrate with friends and family, but you can’t celebrate without a bangin’ holiday playlist. That’s why we put one together for you! No more radio Christmas hits that have you falling asleep at the dinner table. From 1970s rock to 2000s hip-hop and everything in between, this updated Christmas playlist is sure to get the parties bumping this holiday season.
“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” by DMX
After not releasing music for several years, hip-hop legend DMX blessed us with this hit version of “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. It’s catchy, it’s classic, and it’s the ideal first song to set the tone for our playlist. DMX may not have written the song, but he definitely perfected it!
“Christmas in Hollis” by Run DMC
Run DMC tells the story of Christmas in Queens, New York over one of the funkiest instrumentals in hip-hop history! This is the song that will turn your Christmas brunch into a dance party. When the beat drops, even Grandma will be twerking.
“Won’t Be Home for Christmas” by Blink-182
This list will keep you on your toes, as we do a quick change from hip-hop to pop-punk! This song hilariously describes dealing with some of the annoyances that come with Christmas, with the hook stating, “It’s time to be nice to people you can’t stand all year.” Blink-182 kills this song with thrashing power chords and their always memorable drum beats. Turn this one up if you can relate!
“Thank God It’s Christmas” by Queen
Freddie Mercury shows off his pipes in this rockin’ Christmas song by Queen. The drive behind his voice brings an incredible amount of momentum throughout the song. In a year where the whole world has been through a lot, this lyric really hits: “It’s been a long hard year, but now it’s Christmas.”
“A Great Big Sled” by The Killers
The Killers bring an awesome blend of alternative rock and Christmas cheer in this captivating song. “A Great Big Sled” gives you an epic Christmas visual with its beautiful lyrics and uber-catchy guitar licks. The Killers released Christmas songs for 8 straight years, and this song stands out as the best of the bunch.
“Player’s Ball” by Outkast
This song is the “Die Hard” of Christmas songs. What we mean by this is, they are both so good and have you so invested that you end up forgetting that it’s even about Christmas. With great puns and creative rhymes, it’s hard not to smile when listening to this beautiful tale about Christmas in the ghetto. Outkast kills it on this track.
“Oi to The World” by No Doubt
“Oi to The World” takes No Doubt’s classic formula of earthquaking basslines and brassy ska horns and combines them with a little Christmas spirit! Gwen Stefani is the ultimate badass singer to make this rocking holiday song unforgettable.
“Yule Shoot Your Eye Out” by Fall Out Boy
Another pop-punk Christmas jam! This Fall Out Boy song is essentially the opposite of Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You.” The hook says it all: “Don’t come home for Christmas. You’re the last thing I want to see underneath the tree.” Oooh… burn.
“A Pimp’s Christmas Song” by Snoop Dogg
Christmas is pimpin’ with this playlist, and Snoop Dogg is proving once again that he’s one of the greatest rappers ever. Snoop explains what a pimp’s Christmas is like over a funky instrumental.
“Merry Muthafuckin’ Xmas” by Eazy-E
Eazy-E is a hip-hop legend and his Christmas song does not disappoint. The song starts as a remix to the Christmas classic, “Jingle Bells,” but quickly turns into a Christmas gangster rap masterpiece. Apparently, rappers love Christmas as much as the rest of us.
“Intro” by Jim Jones
The introduction song to Jim Jones’ 2008 holiday album Bad Santa, “Intro,” just FEELS like Christmas. The instrumental is layered with samples of jingling bells and Christmas songs of the past. Combine that with the amazing rap flow over a difficult beat and you have one hell of a Christmas banger!
“Mistress for Christmas” by AC/DC
In 1990, AC/DC decided to release a Christmas song, putting down Hell’s Bells and picking up jingle bells (yes, we’ve been waiting all this time to make that joke). What’s more rock n’ roll than getting a mistress for Christmas? Maybe those breakfast cinnamon roll things. They rock, too.
“Merry Christmas (I Don’t Want to Fight Tonight)” by The Ramones
“Merry Christmas (I Don’t Want to Fight Tonight)” is exactly what you think it’s about. This song shows that it’s alright if your Christmas doesn’t go the way it does in every Hallmark movie. Whether you’re trying to avoid a fight with your little brother, your Aunt who eats all the cake or the family dog, just put this song on and let them know how you feel.
“This Christmas” by Ying Yang Twins
Yes, even the Ying Yang Twins have a Christmas song. And yes, it’s good. This rap version of an old Christmas song features stellar vocals at the beginning, and fun and playful holiday verses throughout.
“Christmas in Harlem” by Kanye West
Every song on this list is a banger, but we did save one of the best for last. Kanye’s “Christmas in Harlem” takes inspiration from all of the Christmas rap songs before its time, yet it creates its own breathtaking and original style. This should be a Christmas anthem. The vocals are astounding. The verses actually make you excited like when you’re a little kid again. It’s everything that makes a great Christmas song.
Did we forget any of your favorites? Email us at spencersblog@spencergifts.com and let us know what we missed. Check out Spencer’s site for all of your ugly sweaters, gag gifts, and other Christmas needs!
