The Holiday Playlist You Never Knew You Needed

It’s that time of year again, the beloved Christmas season. How does it get here so fast every time? Prepping for Christmas celebrations can be an absolute nightmare, as well as getting in the Christmas mood, and the one thing most people forget to do is put together a Christmas playlist of songs they actually enjoy. We all love the generic Christmas tunes, but whacking them on every year becomes increasingly tiresome when we hear five versions of the exact same song on the same playlist. We’ve decided to help you out here and make your lives that much easier: we’ve collated a list for “an alternative Christmas”, a holiday playlist free of all the generic junk you love to hate, so that when it comes to Christmas Day you can switch on over to these tracks for the holiday playlist you never knew you needed…

Love To Keep Me Warm – Laufey & dodie

Released in December of last year, this track marks Los Angeles-based artist Laufey’s second collaboration with another artist, her first being with the London Philharmonia Orchestra on her track “Let You Break My Heart Again''. Laufey joined forces with English singer-songwriter dodie to produce this beautiful listen that gives a “warm cup of hot cocoa on a winter day” vibes, the perfect musical backdrop for those Christmas drinks to get you in the mood for the season. The song was originally written by Ted Shapiro, a musical composer and lyricist known for his work on popular hits for singers in the 20th century.

ugly xmas sweater party – girlhouse

girlhouse delivers captivating vocals in this track about conflict faced in a relationship, with contradictory sentiments about the period being considered the “most wonderful time of the year”. The song begins with a thrilling drop of electric guitar and ends with a chilling piano instrumentation of “Joy To The World''. girlhouse provides listeners with their honest perspective on relationship difficulties through heartbreaking lyrics, such as “all of our lies are covered in tinsel now”.

So Much Wine – Phoebe Bridgers (cover)

Phoebe Bridgers tears our hearts out yet again in this rendition of the 2000s track, So Much Wine, originally by American duo The Handsome Family. Phoebe’s cover is slower and sombre, highlighting the haunting lyrics of “there’s only so much wine you can drink in one life”. The track was co-produced with Tony Burg and Ethan Gruska, and features bandmates Marshall Vore and Harrison Whitford, partner Paul Mescal, and Andrew Bird, who worked with Phoebe on turning an Emily Dickinson poem into a song. Only just released, the track ‘So Much Wine’ accompanies five other beautiful songs in a Christmas EP that Phoebe puts out every year. As always, Phoebe donates all proceeds from her holiday covers to the Los Angeles LGBT Center, which provides support to those struggling with substance abuse and those with HIV.

Wintering – The 1975

The internationally adored British band, The 1975, have blown listeners away with their newest album, “Being Funny In a Foreign Language”. The eighth song on the album is the upbeat, quirky “Wintering”. Written as a Christmas song, the band describes it as perfectly capturing the fluctuating dynamics of family moments throughout this hectic season. The song was originally written under The 1975’s moniker, Drive Like I Do, one of the first names for the band.

When Christmas Comes Again – grentperez

Grant Perez, known better by the moniker grentperez, is a Canadian-born, Filipino up-and-coming artist who first started gaining traction through posting covers to his YouTube channel. The singer went viral after the release of his series ‘Sing You To Sleep’ that he posted in 2020 to aid others falling asleep throughout the stress of the ongoing pandemic at the time. Grant teamed up with British artist and producer Maths Time Joy to create this feel good Christmas tune that you’ll love to have a boogie to.

Winter Song – Sam Fender

Canadian artist Sam Fender delivers a moving rendition of Alan Hull and Lindisfarne’s emotional 1970s folk track, "Winter Song”. The song highlights how, behind all the merry joy and warmth that many feel at Christmas, so many others are not so lucky to experience it the same way. With homelessness an ever increasing issue in the UK, this track is a song for the people whose voices are often left unheard, especially at this time of year. Sam collaborated with People of The Streets (POTS) for his cover, a social enterprise that puts human stories at the heart of the public conversation on homelessness through photography – all photos in the music video are taken by homeless individuals.

Snow (String version) – Sleeping At Last

This track will have you caught in a Christmassy bliss, with its poetic lyrics and soft piano taking you on a comforting, thought-provoking journey. With the original version brought out a number of years ago, Sleeping At Last has recently released the beautiful ‘Strings Version’, with strings by Sharon Gerber and Anya Gerber. Sleeping At Last wanted to address this track to those who struggle at this time of year, and to act as a touching reminder that they are not alone. Focused primarily on the theme of hope, ‘Snow (String version)’ will require tissues at the ready.

Tinsel Dresses – Charlie Bennett

British singer Charlie Bennet was first scouted by the BBC for the programme Little Mix: The Search, a show that sought to discover up and coming artists in the UK. Charlie has gained an impressive traction across YouTube and Bandcamp, and his latest single Tinsel Dresses, a sentimental track set against the backdrop of Christmas time, has received a glowing response from listeners. Make sure to watch this space for more exciting things to come from this fresh new artist.

We’re The Lucky Ones – The Marías

This track by bilingual band The Marías is delicate heartbreaking musical poetry about the fragility of life, appreciating those who are with us at Christmas and remembering those who are no longer with us. The lyrics evoke a yearning to be grateful and happy whilst also experiencing the sadness felt by those in remembrance of others at this time of year.

christmas morning – luz

Written by luz when she was just 17, this is a love confession about a girl she was secretly in love with, but had not come out to friends and family at the time – the track evokes the longing to be with someone when it feels like there are barriers in your way. luz’s perfect vocals accompanied by gentle piano create a heartwarming listen, perfect for Christmas time.

Home To You (This Christmas) – Sigrid

Norwegian icon Sigrid puts a wintery spin on her 2019 track ‘Home To You’, with the opening lyrics: “Couldn’t wait till I got outside, searching for those Christmas lights”. With cosy vibes to get you in the mood for Christmas day, this track was originally written about Sigrid’s hometown in Ålesund.

two queens in a king sized bed – girl in red

girl in red provides us a warm, easy Christmas track perfect to dance to while it's below freezing outside, full of recollections of being in bed on Christmas morning with someone you love. With distant sleigh bells and church bells ringing in the background, girl in red compares her track to the sounds of a city celebrating Christmas in harmony, similar to the feeling experienced at the end of A Christmas Carol.

Christmas Lights – Zach Seabugh

Singer-songwriter hailing from Nashville, Zach Seabugh has dropped his single, Christmas Lights, just in time for the holidays. Zach delivers an honest perspective about love and heartbreak along to a beat that will make you want to dance and shout the lyrics out at the top of your lungs. Keep this one on repeat.

I Don’t Feel Like Going Home For Christmas – Ben Zaidi

Ben Zaidi’s new single gives us an emotional, melancholic take on Christmas, singing about the difficulties and realities that sometimes come with the holidays and spending time with family. Despite the sad message of the song, the melody and accompanying chords deliver a dreamlike, comforting experience, with storytelling lyrics you can snuggle up to in the festive period.

Want to listen to the playlist over on Spotify? We've got your covered! Remeber to like it to find it easily on Christmas Day.