Top 10 Christmas Songs!

With Christmas quickly approaching, I thought I'd tally up some of my favourite Christmas songs. Now, I'm not a fan of the traditional Christmas songs that are constantly playing in malls and on every radio station in existence; however, a few bands make something unique that isn't simply a cover of a traditional tune. They use their own sound and write original lyrics that are bearable (maybe even enjoyable) to listen to.

10. The Darkness - Christmas Time (Don't Let the Bells End)
I'll be honest; I didn't even know The Darkness had a Christmas song until I started compiling this list. However, they stuck to their flashy guitar riffs and 80’s glam rock, and somehow pulled off a decent Christmas song. And man, those are some awesome Christmas presents! Robot, laser gun, and a double-neck Gibson SG? I'd be willing to put up with all the crotch stuffing going on in this video if I got gifts like that for Christmas.




9. Eazy-E - Merry Mutafuckin' Christmas
I'm sorry, but I had to put this on here. But please, don't listen to it if you have any respect for me. I feel dirty just for posting it.




8. Lynyrd Skynyrd – Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
The only reason I’m really including this song is because I once performed it with a few people in my music class for our high school’s annual Christmas assembly. It turned out pretty horrible, to be honest. However, only Lynyrd Skynyrd is capable of taking an innocent, old-fashioned Christmas song and turn it into a rockin’ blues song with 2 guitar solos and a piano solo. At least those solos aren’t 9 minutes long like some of their other material…




7. Snoop Dogg – Santa Claus Goes Straight to the Ghetto
I know I was aiming to find some Christmas songs that go off the beaten path, but I was sceptical before posting this one. However, hearing Snoop say those classic lines, “On the first day of Christmas, my homeboy gave to me / A sack of the krazy glue and told me to smoke it up slowly”, really reminded me what the true meaning of Christmas is all about… World peace. And giving bottles of champagne to homeless alcoholics. God bless you, Snoop.




6. David Bowie & Bing Crosby - Little Drummer Boy
Okay, okay, I know this list wasn't intended to go back to the traditional, boring Christmas songs that we only want to hear at Middle School Christmas Pageants, but its BOWIE, PEOPLE! And Bing Crosby! How can you expect me to not include such corny and casual dialogue at the beginning of the video!? This is the true meaning of Christmas, everyone. David Bowie!




5. John Mayer - St.Patrick's Day
I know what you're thinking. “A Christmas song called St.Patrick's Day? Phil, you must be crazy!” That's what's so great about this song! If you aren't familiar, it's wonderfully written; not so much as a Christmas song, but as a holiday song. He doesn't mention the presents, the stockings over a warm fire, or the Christmas tree. He talks about the realistic things. The true emotions that come around this time of year. My favourite line is when he talks about driving around looking at all the lit up houses, because that's always been what my favourite thing to do is when the holidays come around.




4. Smashing Pumpkins - Christmastime
Okay, I know this one is mainstream and a common song heard on the radio, but I've always really enjoyed the Smashing Pumpkins. Billy Corgan's eerie voice singing such pleasant and simple lyrics really makes this an enjoyable song to listen to. However, Billy Corgan has always reminded me of a vampire. I didn’t know vampires celebrated Christmas.




3. The Killers - Don't Shoot Me Santa
This is an awesome song. Really unique compared to other Christmas songs, and a pretty funny video. As a song writer, I wish I thought about writing a song of how Santas gone crazy, held me hostage and wants to kill me with a gun... Actually, maybe it's a bit reassuring that I don't think of things like this.




2. Run DMC – Christmas in Hollis
This one’s a classic. I remember watching Much Music growing up when they had shows on like Tree Toss or Much SnowJam, and they would never skip on playing this one. And no one questions Run DMC despite the Santa being black and the incredibly poor green screening. People appreciated Run DMC’s music because they kept positive messages to younger kids. If you find massive wads of cash in dollar sign bags, give them back to their rightful owner, and karma will do the rest.




1. Jingle Cats – White Christmas
I know this seems a little anti-climactic, but this is more of a personal choice. When I was younger, this song would somehow creep its way into my holidays, and would always leave me slightly petrified. However, I’ve learned to appreciate how hilarious this video really is. Whats even funnier is that Much Music used to actually run this during their holiday specials before they stopped playing music videos. That takes guts.



Well, there you have it; the list of songs that have impacted me at some point or another in the holidays. Some of them radio hits, others outcast. I hope you enjoyed! Happy Holidays.