There are hundreds and hundreds of Christmas songs out there from beloved alternative and indie artists, but a lot of the time, they are covers of classics we’ve already heard a thousand times. While there are some amazing songs in that group, this list is restricted to artists who took that extra step to add a new, original Christmas song to the canon.
The Waitresses – Christmas Wrapping
All indie/alternative Christmas songs answer to this one. Recorded in 1981 for a ZE Records compilation, “Christmas Wrapping” is a rare case where a one-off Christmas novelty track becomes a band’s biggest hit. The Waitresses were ahead of their time, combining some surprisingly funky riffs and semi-rapped lyrics about a woman who just doesn’t have time for Christmas this year…until she does.
Run DMC – Christmas in Hollis
What “Christmas Wrapping” is to alternative/indie rock, “Christmas in Hollis” is to rap. Released in 1987, it wasn’t the first Christmas rap song by any means, but it quickly became the definitive one.
Eels – Everything’s Gonna Be Cool This Christmas
A 1998 B-Side, “Everything’s Gonna Be Cool This Christmas” is a happy rocker with an uplifting message. It perfectly encapsulates everything great about Mark Oliver Everett’s songwriting and production.
The Vandals – Grandpa’s Last X-Mas
A fun punk-rock Christmas ditty (for fan’s of dark humor, at least), “Grandpa’s Last Christmas” is about having to be nice to relatives who may not deserve it because they may not be around next year.
The Pogues (feat. Kirsty MacColl) – Fairytale of New York
“Fairytale of New York” is exactly what you might expect a Christmas song from The Pogues would be, but also so much more. It is also the only Christmas song that involves a drunk tank and questionable rhyming with the word “maggot”.
Low – Just Like Christmas
Low’s Christmas EP, released in 1999, is one of my favorite Christmas recordings of all time. A mix of original songs and brilliant covers, the EP delivers plenty of Low’s trademark slow-burn style. The best song of the bunch, however, is a light piece of lo-fi pop that fits perfectly on any Christmas playlist.
Sufjan Stevens – Come On! Let’s Boogie to the Elf Dance
Are there better songs on Sufjan Stevens’ 2006 Christmas masterpiece, Songs for Christmas? Sure, probably. The 42-song collection is full of covers and originals, all done with Stevens unique touch. But out of all those songs, this one is the most fun and ultimately, that’s what Christmas is all about.
Fountains of Wayne – I Want An Alien For Christmas
You can never have too many songs written by the late Adam Schlesinger in your life. The talented (and prolific) songwriter had the ability to write the catchiest hooks imaginable, along with clever, and sometimes hilarious, lyrics.
The Damned – There Ain’t No Sanity Clause
Troubled by a litany of issues, including a vampire, The Damned come to the only possible conclusion: “There Ain’t No Sanity Clause”.
The Ramones – Merry Christmas (I Don’t Want to Fight Tonight)
Why wouldn’t you want to have a track from The Ramones in your Christmas playlist? You know you’re gonna get a few minutes of three-chord power punk fun topped with tongue-in-cheek lyrics.