Belated Christmas Bops

Feeling the Christmas blues? Sounds like you need a sick playlist to jam along to. Here are some contemporary tunes to help you reminisce on the good ol’ holidays.

 

“Santa’s Coming For Us” – Sia

 

Contrary to its title, which sounds like a dark, cautionary tale of Santa coming to kidnap children, this song is actually cheerful and upbeat. If you love Sia’s distinctive voice, you’ll certainly enjoy this unconventional new holiday favorite. Sia takes all of the Christmas clichés — Santa’s coming to town, send your letters, etc. — and breathes new life into them with her unique vocals.

 

“Last Christmas” – Ariana Grande

 

Ariana’s extraordinary vocals, combined with a pop beat, spice up this Christmas classic while keeping the essence of the original intact. “Last Christmas” is also the perfect post-breakup song – it’s practically a cheery, Christmas-themed version of Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive.”

 

“You Make it Feel Like Christmas” – Gwen Stefani ft. Blake Shelton

 

Warning: only listen to this song if you like country music. Blake “Sexiest Man Alive” Shelton gives this song its authentic country flavor, though the beat is pure pop. If you ever feel the urge to hear a man serenade his girlfriend with confessions of how wonderful both she and Christmas are (the correlation remains unclear), then this jam is for you.

 

“Santa Baby” – Rev Run & the Christmas All Stars

 

Run-D.M.C., Mase, Diddy, Snoop Dogg, Salt-N-Pepa, Onyx, and Keith Murray come together to create a soulful rap masterpiece that paints Santa Claus in a whole new light. Not only is Santa Salt-N-Pepa’s “baby” in this innovative hit, he is also referred to as “my man,” “a fly guy,” “brotha,” and the “homeboy next door.” Christmas will never be the same.

 

“You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch” – Lindsey Stirling ft. Sabrina Carpenter

 

It’s the same song we know and love, only with modern vocals and an incredible violin backdrop. In case you weren’t watching America’s Got Talent seven years ago, Lindsey Stirling is a self-declared hip-hop violinist who enlisted Sabrina Carpenter’s singing chops for this unique take on the holiday classic.

 

“Santa Tell Me” – Ariana Grande

 

Ari wants a long-term beau, and she’s not going to waste her time on anything less. Disheartened from her experiences last Christmas, she implores Santa not to make her fall in love unless this mysterious lover will remain with her through New Year’s Day. Although Ari may be confusing the roles of Santa and Cupid, her reasonable request captures the timeless teenage struggle of “catching feels.” Questionable music video, slightly sentimental lyrics, but definitely a solid Christmas jam.

 

“Mistletoe” – Justin Bieber

 

Let’s take a journey back to 2011, when Bieber was notorious for his swoon-worthy locks and excessive use of the word “shawty.” By listening to this song, you, too, can imagine that 17 year old JB’s one holiday wish is to kiss you — his shawty, his love — under the mistletoe. I mean, he’s following his heart like the Wise Men followed a star. How much more romantic does it really get?