The Best Under The Radar Christmas Songs

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Christmas music is exhausting and it's not really fair. We've just become so sick of the same songs one month a year for our entire lives. If you are 36 years old, that's basically three full years of your life, you've been trapped by Christmas music. If you work in retail, it's even worse. Not only is it the busiest and most stressful time at work, but you are hearing the same songs on a loop during the entire time. Even the best popular Christmas songs like Wham's Last Christmas or Run-DMC's Christmas In Hollis turn into Mambo No. 5 if you have hear them enough times.

Here are some of my favorites that are off the beaten path. I still love the holidays even if I am tired of the music. So I make a playlist of songs I like that you might not hear as you are make those last minute shopping trips for the relatives you like the least.

X'Mas Time (It Sure Doesn't Feel Like Christmas) by The Mighty, Mighty Bosstones

This is my all-time favorite Christmas song. It's incredibly sad but also beautiful. I love any movie or show that offers a perspective that allows me to look at the world a little differently. That's really all we can ask from art, right? Take a couple minutes and really listen to the words of this one. It will make you appreciate what you have and if you don't have much this year, just know you aren't alone.

Come On! Let's Boogey To The Elf Dance! by Sufjan Stevens

This song might have the dumbest title in music history. As depressing as the Bosstones song was, this one is just fun. I wish Sufjan Stevens would do more upbeat music. He can get stuck in some depressing melodies and he really does have a great voice. Listen to the harmonies in this song. 

Run Run Rudolph by She & Him

This is a pretty great remake of an already good Christmas song. I also could be blinded by how attractive Zooey Deschanel is. But I think it would hold up even if she looked like me. I know She & Him gets (well deserved) shit for being too hipster but having them do holiday songs does strip some of that annoying try-hard elements away.

What Are You Doing New Year's Eve? by The Head And The Heart

I know, I know. Another hipster duet singing a standard Christmas song with a fireplace in the YouTube video. Hear me out though! This is a good song and pairs wonderfully with the She & Him song in any Christmas playlist. This is especially perfect Christmas wrapping music. Relaxing with a nice cocktail while getting the gifts ready is one of my favorite hour or two of the whole month. That excitement in hoping you got someone something really special. Maybe it's a big gift you've been saving money for a while to get? Or it's a gift you took a chance on that you hope the person will like? So often, it's the anticipation that is the real moment.

Hazy Shade Of Winter by The Bangles

This isn't a Christmas song? Fuck you! They even sing about the Salvation Army! Originally a Simon & Garfunkel song, The Bangles remade this for a very good Robert Downey, Jr. movie called Less Than Zero in the late 80's. I know it's not intended to be a traditional Christmas song but sometimes those are the best ones. I'm also ok if someone wants to say Lethal Weapon is a Christmas movie. Why not?

Finally, Susanna Hoffs might be the perfect girl from the 1980's.

Frosty The Snowman by Fiona Apple

Making this list, I realize I am a sucker for brunettes who sing Christmas songs. Fiona Apple is so wildly talented that as successful as she has been, I think she should have been an even greater star. I know this is easily the most standard song on this list but her version is fantastic.

If you like any of these, add them to your list. But I am just as curious to see if people have random Christmas songs in their playlists. If so, throw them in the comments. I'm always looking for new songs so I can avoid hearing Michael Buble.