The Ultimate Modern Christmas Playlist

Thanksgiving is over, which can mean one single fact: it’s time for Christmas music 24/7! With some Christmas songs growing extremely tired, the time has finally come for a revamped Christmas playlist full of original songs and modern covers of classic songs alike. A Spotify playlist containing these songs will be linked at the bottom of the post and can also be found here: The Ultimate Modern Christmas Spotify Playlist.

1. Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy – Pentatonix

This a cappella cover is the perfect entrance to the playlist, with the members of Pentatonix bringing us along on a roller coaster of hymns and beats.

2. All I Want For Christmas Is You – Mariah Carey

The OG bop that gave Mariah Carey the moniker Queen of Christmas. No explanation needed.

3. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing – Pentatonix

Pentatonix takes us to church in the best way possible. Making us want to clap and dance, Pentatonix has expertly renovated a classic into a version accessible to newer audiences.

4. Everyday is Christmas – Sia

Cover Art for “Everyday is Christmas”

When Sia’s debut holiday album was released on November 17, 2017, I immediately fell in love. From typical Sia ballads to upbeat bops, we were in for a treat. This titular track is no exception. Sia slides over lines like she’s ice skating, and the result is a slightly dark yet intriguingly beautiful piece of art.

5. Underneath the Tree – Kelly Clarkson

Pretty much a classic at this point, Kelly Clarkson is coming for Mariah Carey’s crown.

6. Winter Things – Ariana Grande

Ariana Grande takes us on an adventure of love and passion during the warm Los Angeles winter season, and we’re left all the better because of it.

7. Coldest Winter – Pentatonix

A third Pentatonix song?! Listen through the song in its entirety and you’ll understand its inclusion. The harmonies are too beautiful to leave it out. Plus, the music video is stunning.

8. Carol of the Bells  – August Burns Red

Guitar, meet “Carol of the Bells.” “Carol of the Bells,” meet guitar. You two have always needed each other.

9. Deck the Rooftop – Glee Cast

A new rendition of “Deck the Halls,” our fave McKinley High students give us our yearly doses of “fa la las.”

10. Baby It’s Cold Outside – Idina Menzel & Michael Bublé

Younger audience may only know Idina Menzel for her role as Elsa in Frozen, but hidden in her discography is her gem of a holiday album, which includes this jam featuring Michael Bublé – who serves as King of Christmas and counterpart to Mariah Carey.

11. Believe – Josh Groban (from The Polar Express)

Everyone needs a reminder to believe in hope, love, and Christmas on occasion, and this reminder is especially important when it comes in the form of “Believe” from The Polar Express and you grew up watching the film every year.

12. That’s Christmas To Me – Pentatonix

I know, I know. This is the fourth Pentatonix song on this list, but I promise it’s the last. The emotions in this song were too good to not include in the playlist.

13. Merry Xmas – Fetty Wap feat. Monty

Fetty Wap departs from the usual style of Christmas music, and in this case it worked in his favor. The hip hop feel leaves a refreshing aftertaste in the midst of more classic songs.

14. Do You Want to Build a Snowman? – Kristen Bell, Agatha Lee Monn, & Katie Lopez (from Frozen)

Yes, yes I do.

15. Do You Hear What I Hear? – Idina Menzel

No, I sure don’t. All joking aside, Idina Menzel’s Christmas album really is unappreciated and this is another jam that deserves more attention.

16. Ho Ho Ho – Sia

Remember when I said Sia had upbeat bops on her album? This is the cream of the Christmas crop. Wielding fun Christmas noises in the background, Sia bops about Christmas get togethers and casual drinking around the holidays. “This is Christmas, baby,” she gleefully sings.

17. Where Are You Christmas – Faith Hill (from How the Grinch Stole Christmas)

Another classic like “Believe.” Childhood memories flood into my head when I hear this emotional ballad.

18. Santa Tell Me – Ariana Grande

This song predates “Winter Things” by a few years, but it should not be discredited. Hailing from early in Ariana’s career, a certain innocence is imbued in the piece and it just exudes cheerfulness.

19. Last Christmas – Glee Cast

More emotional than “Deck the Rooftop,” the cast of Glee showcases their variety of emotional performances.

20. Oh Santa! – Mariah Carey

The Queen of Christmas is back at it with a banger some two decades after the release of “All I Want For Christmas Is You.”

21. Let It Go – Multi-Language Medley (from Frozen)

This powerful anthem is elevated even further when 25 languages come together to seamlessly deliver a message of unity and love.

22. You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grinch – Lindsey Stirling feat. Sabrina Carpenter

Far different than Faith Hill’s emotional song surrounding the Grinch, “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch” serves forceful vocals courtesy of Sabrina Carpenter while Lindsey Stirling effortlessly soars on her violin.

23. Candy Cane Lane – Sia

If it were up to me, I would have all 10 songs from Everyday is Christmas on this list. They’re that good. “Candy Cane Lane” is a nice mashup of the slower and more upbeat songs on the album, with an upbeat chorus and slower bridges. Closing out the album, it leaves you fulfilled and fully engrossed in the holiday spirit.

If this playlist appeals to you, feel free to use the following Spotify playlist consisting of the songs listed above.

Written by Preston Smith

capricorn, coffee addict, cat owner

twitter & instagram: @psm_writes
www.psmwrites.com

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