The 10 Best Alternative Christmas Songs

Love it or loathe it, the festive season is here, bringing with it the usual dose of overconsumption, subsequent indigestion, financial stress, and family tensions. ’Tis the season to be jolly, folks.

But among the many things to dislike about this time of year, perhaps the most irritating is the same handful of supposedly merry songs that follow you everywhere you go. There’s no escape through December - no respite, no safe space. From radio to TV, social media, and even in stores, we’re bombarded from the moment we wake to the moment we sleep with cheesy, over-commercialised pop drivel.

If you’re nodding along enthusiastically, remembering all the times you’ve rolled your eyes when Mariah starts to wail, take comfort in knowing that you’re not alone.

This one’s for the real ones, the Grinch-like souls who prefer their Christmas playlist with edge, and all of you doing the lord’s work by reaching for the aux cable the second a certain track by Wham starts to play (If you know, you know). Blast these alternative Christmas tracks out loud and revel in this joyous time of year without having to suffer the usual festive soundtrack. 

10. Julian Casablancas - I wish it was Christmas today

The icon of cool, Julian Casablancas of The Strokes, kicks us off nicely with this punky nod to the festive season. We can imagine the scenes now, pogoing with your elderly nan in the living room, belly full of sprouts, celebrations, and Baileys... A perfect storm for disaster? Or a grand old way to spice up the routine family get-together. You decide.

9. Sufjan Stevens - Hey guys! It’s Christmas time!

As far as modern-day singer-songwriters go, you couldn’t have wanted for a better artist to release an alternative Christmas track than Canadian talent Sufjan Stevens. The man was destined to create a yuletide record, with his delicate, ethereal voice and his atmospheric arrangements, layered with strings, woodwinds, bells, and choirs. Tell us this song doesn’t evoke images of a wintry festive scene, and we’ll call you a liar. 

Check out some of his other Christmas tracks, the likes of 'Put the Lights on the tree', 'Only at Christmas Time', and 'That Was the Worst Christmas Ever!'. Excellent. 

8. The Coral - She died on Christmas Day

Psychedelic folk-rock band, The Coral, have recently penned their own take on a Christmas classic, albeit with a darker twist. Though its title doesn’t exude festive vibes, the track itself is quite an upbeat and trippy number - exactly the type of track you’d expect to hear from the influential Wirral-formed quintet. 

7. Ramones - Merry Christmas ( I don't want to fight tonight)

After a brief lull in our top 10, at number 7, we’re slipping the leather jackets back on and moshing around the Christmas tree once more to another festive punk number, courtesy of New York’s favourite shaggy-haired outfit, the Ramones. A record centred on avoiding family conflicts at Christmas, the lyrics serve as a heartfelt plea for a ceasefire from the usual holiday tensions. Aww, cute. 

6. Zero & Window Kid - Violent fight 

Changing gears again now, here’s a track to stick on when the conversation starts to get a bit dry after your turkey and pigs in blankets. Set the Christmas tree lights to strobe mode and get weird in front of your family to this weighty-bassline banger. Bags and bags and bags and bags and bags of Christmas cheer. 

5. The Smashing Pumpkins - Christmastime 

Billy Corgan singing a Christmas song? Yes, please! The idea of this eccentric rock superstar, the leader of one of the 90s' most bizarre and striking alternative acts, singing a tender Christmas song, packed with keys and harmonies and jingle bells, should be enough to make you want to rush and listen to it alone.

A track written specifically to be included on the A Very Special Christmas album series, the record helped to raise funds to support an organisation that provides sports programs for athletes with intellectual disabilities. 

4. LCD Soundsystem - Christmas will break your heart

LCD Soundsystem step away from their usual kinetic, dance-punk energy for this melancholic ode to the festive season. With frontman James Murphy’s unmistakable vocal still on duty, the rest of the group turn their hand to creating a spacious and intimate number thats easy to sway along to. A poignant Christmas single exploring the loneliness that can befall anyone during the season of cheer. 

3. Korn - Kidnap the santy claws

Up until now, the heavier side of the musical spectrum has been noticeably absent from our top ten list. To fix that, here’s nu-metal band Korn getting dark and plotting to abduct the big bearded fella. Sound familiar? You might remember it from the alternative Christmas film The Nightmare Before Christmas. Korn covered the track for the 2008 tribute album, Nightmare Revisited.

2. The Futureheads - Christmas was better in the ‘80s

Hands down, in our most humble opinion, one of the best indie-rock Christmas songs out there. The endearing accent of a Geordie getting all nostalgic about Christmas’ been and gone, when everything wasn’t so dependent on spending loads of money, set to the sound of rousing guitars and pounding percussion… It was a hard not to rank this at number one our list. 

Enjoy this track? The Futureheads have just released a brand new album of Christmas covers, full of pearlers. 

1. Yellowman - Santa Claus never comes to the ghetto

Let’s have it right, Christmas and reggae go hand in hand. Not convinced? Allow us to change your mind. Our top pick of alternative Christmas songs is the “King of Dancehall”, bonafide legend of reggae, Yellowman’s Santa Claus Never Comes To The Ghetto. What better way to bring warmth to what’s likely to be a cold, damp, grey and miserable Christmas Day, than by filling your gaff with the sunshine sound of the Caribbean. Nothing but good vibes in this one. Exactly what jesus would’ve wanted. 

For more Christmas reggae jams, check out Yellowman’s A Very, Very Yellow Christmas, from which the above track is taken. 

Be haunted by the usual Christmas music riff raff no more (no thanks necessary). There’s obviously many more alternative Christmas songs out there to appease your need for uplifting seasonal vibes, without having to revert to the Now That’s What I call Music playlist, this is just our a pick of our faves.

Now you’ve got tunes sorted for the rest of the festive season, let us assist you in finding some killer Christmas events to get to over the next few weeks. Have a scan over our roundup of the best Christmas events happening in the UK this year.

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