Music Monday, New Music Friday, Playlists

15 New Christmas Songs for Your 2020 Holiday Playlist

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Christmas Playlist 2020 Cover

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!

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Favourites, Playlists

Playlist: Black Excellence

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Black Lives Matter Music Playlist

In place of June’s Favourites list, I will be sharing multiple posts spotlighting Black creators + businesses. Today and every day, Black Lives Matter.

There’s a conversation going on right now that we all need to be part of and it covers racism, discrimination, equality and basic human rights. Why, in 2020, are Black men, women and non-binary people still being treated as “less than”? Why must they live with a weight on their shoulders simply because of the colour of their skin? We need to say their names, know their stories and uplift their legacies: George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Eric Garner, Trayvon Martin… and we need to recognize that there are far too many stories.

Change starts with each and every one of us. Over the past two weeks, the #BlackLivesMatter movement has spread internationally as people make their voice heard any way they can — through protests, signing petitions, educating themselves and their peers, lobbying government officials, and uplifting the voices at the heart of this movement. I want to do my part on this blog by amplifying my favourite Black creators and brands.

You may have heard several of these artists on previous playlists, but here’s your chance to get to know them better! Press play, check out the full tracklist and read more about three of my favourites below.

Playlist: Black Excellence — Full Tracklist

  1. “Good as Hell,” Lizzo
  2. “Do It,” Chloe x Halle
  3. “In The Morning,” Jay Prince
  4. “Chocolate.,” Kiana Ledé feat. Ari Lennox
  5. “Eleven,” Khalid feat. Summer Walker
  6. “The Worst In Me,” KAYTRANADA feat. Tinashe
  7. “COFFEE,” Kelly Rowland
  8. “When You Hold Me,” Braxton Cook
  9. “Stormy Weather,” Tinashe
  10. “Pretty Little Fears,” 6LACK feat. J. Cole
  11. “B.S.,” Jhené Aiko feat. H.E.R.
  12. “Give Me A Reason,” R.LUM.R
  13. “Addicted,” Jon Vinyl
  14. “Happy Without Me,” Chloe x Halle feat. Joey Bada$$
  15. “Savage Remix,” Megan Thee Stallion feat. Beyoncé
  16. “Sunflower Seeds,” Bryce Vine
  17. “Midsection,” KAYTRANADA feat. Pharrell Williams
  18. “Can I,” Kehlani feat. Tory Lanez
  19. “OTW,” Khalid feat. 6LACK & Ty Dolla $ign
  20. “Grinding All My Life,” Nipsey Hussle
  21. “This Is America,” Childish Gambino
  22. “If You’re Not There,” Reuben James feat. Braxton Cook
  23. “Motivation,” Normani
  24. “Die A Little Bit,” Tinashe & Ms Banks
  25. “Boys,” Lizzo
  26. “Boys Should Never Cry,” R.LUM.R
  27. “FDT,” YG & Nipsey Hussle
  28. “Hang on in There,” John Legend & The Roots
  29. “Mad,” Solange feat. Lil Wayne
  30. “Get Up, Stand Up,” Bob Marley & The Wailers
  31. “Freedom,” Beyoncé feat. Kendrick Lamar
  32. “Cold,” R.LUM.R
  33. “All The Stars,” Kendrick Lamar with SZA
  34. “Correct,” MNEK
  35. “Think About Me,” dvsn
  36. “Wrong Places,” H.E.R.
  37. “I Want You,” Tayla Parx
  38. “Build,” Justine Skye & Arin Ray
  39. “Catch Up,” Chloe x Halle & Swae Lee feat. Mike WiLL Made-It
  40. “Love’s In Need Of Love Today,” Stevie Wonder
  41. “Self,” Noname
  42. “Trip,” Ella Mai
  43. “Making A Choice,” R.LUM.R
  44. “Bigger Love,” John Legend
  45. “My Line,” Reuben James feat. Col3trane, Jay Prince, Vula & Soweto Kinch
  46. “Surfacing,” R.LUM.R
  47. “Honeymoon Phaze,” MNEK
  48. “Rocket Man” (Cover), CammWess feat. John Legend
  49. “What If I (Still Feel),” R.LUM.R
  50. “16 Shots,” Vic Mensa
  51. “Moment,” Victoria Monét

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Playlists

Playlist: December finds & faves

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December finds & faves playlist cover

There are few things I love more than the holiday season. Picture this: being at home stress-free, laying on the couch with a blanket, some eggnog or hot chocolate, the fireplace channel on TV (works just as well!) and Christmas music in the background. Doesn’t that sound amazing?! (That’s been me every day since finishing school and I’m so happy.)

Don’t know where to start with the music? My December finds & faves playlist will be the perfect soundtrack to your winter days and nights. I included some of the latest hits from the year’s top artists, plus a wide variety of Christmas classics and new releases – it’s ideal for every setting!

Scroll on to listen to this month’s playlist and discover six must-listen tracks.

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