Regardless of the date on the calendar, the Christmas season isn’t officially underway until your local radio station first plays Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas Is You.” Thanks to the power of music, while many of our holiday traditions will understandably look very different this year, Christmas carols will continue to bring us together.
As much as I love the signature songs of the season, I also love discovering original tracks and fresh takes on holiday classics to add to my annual playlist. Check out new Christmas songs from the likes of Kelly Clarkson, Sam Smith, Tori Kelly and yes, the Queen of Christmas music herself, Mariah Carey, below!
* Christmas 2020 Playlist *
“Merry Christmas to Your Face” by Jordin Sparks
Off her new holiday album Cider & Hennessy (her first full-length release since 2015!), American Idol winner Jordin Sparks sets the mood with a cute and catchy track about wanting to spend Christmas with your favourite person while opening presents, laughing and playing all day. Nothing sounds better!
“I Need You Christmas” by Jonas Brothers
Whether it’s because we’re growing up or just dealing with a drastically different “pandemic holiday,” it’s easy to miss the sweet innocence of Christmases’ past. The holidays spent “waiting for Santa to show [and] caroling late night” can sound like a distant dream sometimes. With this follow-up single to 2019’s “Like It’s Christmas,” Joe, Nick and Kevin Jonas deliver another heartwarming Christmas track about holding on to hope and that festive feeling.
“Under The Mistletoe” by Kelly Clarkson and Brett Eldredge
Kelly Clarkson is at the top of her Christmas music game! I still have her beautiful 2013 album ‘Wrapped In Red’ on repeat, and I’m so excited to add this merry new collaboration with country singer Brett Eldredge to the mix.
“Last Christmas” by Meghan Trainor
Meghan Trainor gives the Christmas classic “Last Christmas” new life on her recently-released holiday album, aptly titled ‘A Very Trainor Christmas.’ Meghan’s voice perfectly fits the vibe of the song, which will forever be one of my fave Christmas carols!
“Christmas Blues” by Sabrina Claudio and The Weeknd
Get ready to grab your special someone, turn up your speakers and slow dance by the Christmas tree! Sabrina Claudio and The Weeknd sound enchanting on this beautiful holiday song off of Sabrina’s new Christmas album of the same name.
“The Lighthouse Keeper” by Sam Smith
Every holiday playlist needs at least one mellow melody. Sam Smith, who had a massive year with the release of their third studio album, just delivered the tearjerker of the holiday season with this breathtaking new single, produced by ‘Love Goes’ collaborator Labrinth. “If any year could make me look forward to the sounds of Christmas, it would be 2020 as more than ever before we are yearning to be around our friends and family once again,” Sam said ahead of the track’s release. Amen to that.
“Joy to the World / Joyful, Joyful” by Tori Kelly
I challenge you to find a more fun rendition of “Joy to the World” — it’s an impossible task! Tori Kelly’s voice is simply incredible and will ignite an irresistible glow inside of you. I highly recommend checking out the rest of her new Christmas album, ‘A Tori Kelly Christmas,’ for 41 minutes of pure holiday vibes!
“Oh Santa!” by Mariah Carey feat. Ariana Grande and Jennifer Hudson
A long-awaited highlight of Mariah Carey’s new Apple TV+ holiday special, this Mariah x Ariana x Jennifer collab is undeniably the star-studded spectacle of the season!
“Little Drummer Boy” by Leslie Odom Jr. feat. Mzansi Youth Choir
Actor and singer Leslie Odom Jr. (who you may recognize from Hamilton, Harriet or TIFF ’20 selection One Night in Miami) recently dropped his second Christmas album, and this stunning rendition of “Little Drummer Boy” is a clear standout. The Mzansi Youth Choir from South Africa elevates the classic holiday song to magical new heights and I can only imagine how gorgeous it would sound live on a Christmas tour. More of this, please!
“Winter Wonderland” by Gwen Stefani
Gwen Stefani’s cover of “Winter Wonderland” is one of my favourites from the new deluxe edition of her 2017 holiday album, ‘You Make It Feel Like Christmas.’ This song will definitely be part of the soundtrack for every outdoor Christmas market!
“Noelle” by JoJo feat. Jacob Collier
It’s a complete injustice that this uplifting cover is only 43 seconds, but it only takes those 43 seconds to fall in love with JoJo and Jacob’s complementary voices. Hear more classics and originals, including “North Pole,” on JoJo’s new album ‘December Baby.’
“Hallelujah” by Carrie Underwood & John Legend
With a song as lovely as this, it’s like Carrie Underwood and John Legend’s voices were made for Christmas music. I’m obsessed — an instant classic!
“I’ll Be Home for Christmas” by Mabel
Even though we’ve heard it 1,000 times, this opening line — “I’m dreaming tonight of a place I love / Even more than I usually do” — is especially meaningful after our wildly unpredictable year. Oh, how nice it would to be where the “love light gleams”…
“Make It To Christmas – Stripped” by Alessia Cara
For her new Christmas EP ‘Holiday Stuff,’ Canadian songstress Alessia Cara revisited her 2019 holiday single “Make It To Christmas” — and just when you thought it couldn’t get any better, it did! This stripped version is a much-appreciated gift… tied together with a pretty bow, of course.
“Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” by Tinashe
Nine years ago, Tinashe uploaded a cover of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” to her YouTube channel “on a whim.” This year, the jolly fan-favourite cover made a reappearance, with a studio-recorded version released on Tinashe’s debut Christmas album ‘Comfort & Joy.’ This is the perfect Christmas song to play to send off your holiday guests (virtually gathered, of course) with a sincere season’s greeting!
Drop your favourite new Christmas songs in the comments below — or tweet me @angelamcleanx!
For more music content, stay tuned for my upcoming post exposing my Spotify Wrapped playlist (hint: the Canadian in me is well-represented!) and breaking down my top releases of the year.
Happy listening & Merry Christmas xx
