Christmas Playlist Spectacular 2006
There are huge numbers of Christmas recordings floating around this planet. The unwritten rule seems to be that all recording artists must cut at least one Christmas album in their lifetime. Some artists, like Trans-Siberian Orchestra, have made a career out of doing nothing but Christmas music.
Around this time each year a multitude of 24-hour Christmas channels pop up on the radio and Holiday music becomes inescapable, whether you celebrate Christmas or not. For some, the constant barrage is welcome, while others find it maddening. I’ve tried to do my part here by creating a bunch of Christmas music playlists separated by genre. Each 15 song playlist will fit on a CD and can help you filter out the stuff you’re simply not interested in. So whether you’re a fan of the classics, blues, rock, indie, hip-hop, punk, metal, reggae, country, bluegrass or soul, it’s all right here at your fingertips. Combine genres and explore full albums to create your ultimate Christmas mix tape.
The Acoustic Instrumental Christmas Playlist
If you’re looking for low-key, sophistcated background music to provide a Christmas atmosphere in your home, then this is the playlist for you. It features 15 Grade A instrumental tracks by the likes of John Fahey, Vince Guaraldi, David Grisman, Steve Glotzer, Leo Kottke, Michael Hedges, Charles Hammer and others.
The Alternative Rock Christmas Playlist
This playlist contains 15 of the very best Christmas recordings given to us by some of the most memorable alternative rock bands of the last three decades. Includes Smashing Pumpkins, U2, The Alarm, No Doubt, The Waitresses, Barenaked Ladies, Cracker, Fountains of Wayne, Blink 182, Eve 6, Aimee Mann and more.
The Bluegrass Christmas Playlist
If you’ll be spending Christmas in the mountains this Holiday season, especially in a log cabin, this is the perfect playlist to set the mood for your environment. It includes The Del McCoury Band, Emmylou Harris, The Osborne Brothers, The Groovegrass Boyz, Lynn Morris, Jeannie Kendall, James King Band, Rhonda Vincent and more.
The Blues Christmas Playlist
If you’re having a blue Christmas and need tunage to go with the mood, then look no further than this hour-long playlist composed of the best blues Christmas songs available on Yahoo Music Unlimited. It includes tracks by B.B. King, John Lee Hooker, Guitar Slim, Blind Lemon Jefferson, Gatemouth Moore, Blind Blake, Charley Jordan, Big Dave McLean and more.
The Bubblegum Pop Christmas Playlist
I’ll freely admit that I’m not into commercial pop, but millions of you are, so this playlist is made up of Christmas songs by 15 chart-topping bubblegum pop artists. Includes Britney Spears, 98 Degrees, Mariah Carey, Hanson, Jessica Simpson, Clay Aiken, *NSYNC, Celine Dion and others.
The Childrens Christmas Playlist
No one loves Christmas more than Children. And music should be a part of their Christmas experience. This playlist features only the most catchy Christmas dittys, and will create memories that will last a lifetime. Includes The Chipmunks, Raffi, Burl Ives, Jingle Babies and others performing the songs you know by heart.
The Classic Rock Christmas Playlist
This playlist contains 15 of the best-known AOR radio Christmas season hits. Includes 53 minutes of music by The Kinks, Bruce Springsteen, Elton John, Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Queen, The Pretenders, The Who, The Band, The Beach Boys and many more.
The Christmas Classics Playlist
This is the Chritmas playlist of choice for the older generation, but also appeals across the generation gap. You’ve probably heard these growing up, so the nostalgia value is big. Includes classics by Bing Crosby, Perry Como, Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Gene Autry, Elvis Presley, Jose Feliciano, Jerry Vale, Burl Ives, Johnny Mathis and more.
The Country Christmas Playlist
Much of America grew up on country music, and country musicians never pass up an opportunity to record a Christmas album. This playlist contains twanged-out Christmas tunes as recorded by Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, George Strait, Vince Gill, Dolly Parton, Lonestar, Travis Tritt, Ricky Van Shelton and many others.
The Hip-Hop/Funk Christmas Playlist
If you like infectious grooves in your Christmas music, look no further. This hip-hop/funk Christmas playlist includes Run-D.M.C., Bootsy Collins, James Brown, B2K, 3LW and more.
The Indie Christmas Playlist
Indie musicians have also contributed to the Christmas music genre. If you hate Christmas but love indie music, this playlist can help bring you back into the light. Includes recordings by Low, Of Montreal, Death Cab For Cutie, Eels, The Flaming Lips, The Ravonettes, Remy Zero, Mogwai, Dressy Bessy and more.
The Metal/Punk Christmas Playlist
Heavy Metal and Punk Rock are not genres you usually associate with Christmas, but songs do exist. This playlist includes Christmas songs by Joey Ramone, Spinal Tap, Savatage, Fear, King Diamond, Twisted Sister, Jingle Punx, Trans-Siberian Orchestra and more.
The Novelty Christmas Playlist
So you laughed the first time you heard “Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer”, but now 25+ years later it cotributes to the teeth-grinding you’ve been doing in your sleep. Such is the impact of the Christmas novelty song. This playlist includes the previously mentioned track by Elmo and Patsy, as well tunes by Singing Dogs, Weird Al Yankovic, El Vez, William Hung, Pull My Finger, Bob & Doug McKenzie, Bob Rivers and others.
The Reggae Christmas Playlist
There are a lot more reggae Christmas songs around than one would think. This playlist is mostly made up of songs from reggae Christmas compilation albums and is perfect for those of you lucky enough to live on a tropical island. Includes Bob Marley, Yellowman, Jacob Miller, Freddie McGregor, Silvertones and more.
The Soul Christmas Playlist
If you want your Christmas music delivered with feeling, this is your playlist. It contains the soulful stylings of some of the biggest names in R&B and Soul. Includes Stevie Wonder, Otis Redding, Smokey Robinson, Aaron Neville, The O’Jays, Luther Vandross, The Supremes and more.
The Southern Rock Christmas Playlist
Last but not least, I give you 15 southern rock Christmas songs. I was only able to find four southern rock Christmas albums on Yahoo Music Unlimited, but between the 4, they get the job done. Includes, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Marshall Tucker Band, .38 Special and The Charlie Daniels Band.
Continue below for Track Listings:
The Acoustic Intrumental Christmas Playlist
1. Greensleeves - Andy Timmons
2. Medley: Christmas Time’s A-Coming/Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer - John Fahey
3. Jingle Bells - Steve Glotzer
4. The Christmas Song - David Grisman
5. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing - Charles Hammer
6. Jesu, Joy Of Man’s Desiring - Stevan Pasero/Chamber Nouveau
7. Joy To The World - Various Artists
8. Accordian Bells - Leo Kottke
9. The First Noel - Charles Hammer
10. What Child Is This - Michael Hedges
11. Medley: Deck The Halls With Boughs Of Holly/We Wish You A Merry Christmas - John Fahey
12. Christmastime Is Here - Vince Guaraldi A Charlie Brown Christmas
13. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas - Various Artists
14. O Little Town Of Bethlehem - Charles Hammer
15. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen - Various Artists
The Alternative Rock Christmas Playlist
1. Christmastime - Smashing Pumpkins
2. Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) - U2
3. Happy Xmas (War Is Over) - The Alarm
4. Oi To The World - No Doubt
5. Christmas Wrapping - The Waitresses
6. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen/We Three Kings - Barenaked
7. Do They Know It’s Christmas? - Midge Ure
8. Home On Christmas Day - Cyndi Lauper
9. Merry Christmas Emily - Cracker
10. Valley Winter Song - Fountains Of Wayne
11. Xmas Time Is Here Again - My Morning Jacket
12. I Won’t Be Home For Christmas - Blink 182
13. Noel! Noel! - Eve 6
14. Snoopy’s Christmas - Smash Mouth
15. Whatever Happened To Christmas - Aimee Mann
The Bluegrass Christmas Playlist
1. Bluegrass Christmas - The Del McCoury Band
2. Christmas Time’s A-Coming - Emmylou Harris
3. Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer -Lynn Morris
4. Christmas Time On Rocky Top - The Osborne Brothers
5. Silver Bells - Ron Stewart
6. Smoky Mountain Christmas - Jeannie Kendall
7. Our 12 Days Of Bluegrass Christmas - The Del McCoury Band/Mac Wiseman
8. Call Collect On Christmas - James King Band
9. I’ll Be Home For Christmas - Cyndi Wheeler/The Del McCoury Band
10. Blue Christmas - Open Road
11. Christmas Is Near - Open Road
12. Here Comes Santa Claus - The Shankman Twins
13. The First Noel/It Came Upon A Midnight Clear/Joy To The World - Doyle Lawson And Quicksilver
14. O Christmas Tree - Rhonda Vincent
15. Auld Lang Syne -Groovegrass Boyz
The Blues Christmas Playlist
1. Back Door Santa - B.B. King
2. Blues For Christmas - John Lee Hooker
3. Christmas Time Blues - Guitar Slim
4. Christmas Eve Blues - Blind Lemon Jefferson
5. Christmas Blues - Gatemouth Moore
6. The Twelve Blue Days of Christmas - Jack De Keyzer
7. Happy Christmas Tears - Little Jimmy King
8. Lonesome Christmas Blues - Blind Blake
9. Christmas Tree Blues - Charley Jordan
10. Country Christmas Blues - Rick Fines
11. I Told Santa Claus - Roomful Of Blues
12. Santa Come Down - Big Dave McLean
13. Santa Needs Some Lovin’ - Matthew Robinson
14. Lonesome Christmas - Lowell Fulson
15. Winter Wonderland - Various Artists Santa’s Got Mojo
The Bubblegum Pop Christmas Playlist
1. My Only Wish (This Year) - Britney Spears
2. Christmas Wish - 98 Degrees
3. Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) - Mariah Carey
4. Merry Christmas Baby - Hanson
5. The Magic Of Christmas Day (God Bless Us Everyone) - Céline Dion
6. This Year - Christina Aguilera
7. Baby, It’s Cold Outside - Jessica Simpson
8. Sleigh Ride - Clay Aiken
9. Let It Snow - Boyz II Men
10. Home For Christmas - *NSYNC
11. Winter Wonderland - Billy Gilman
12. Little Drummer Boy - Whitney Houston One
13. The Christmas Song (Chestnuts) - Amy Grant
14. The First Noel - Vanessa Williams
15. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas - Gloria Estefan
The Childrens Christmas Playlist
1. All I Want For Christmas (Is My Two Front Teeth) - The Chipmunks
2. Frosty The Snowman - Raffi
3. Here Comes Santa Claws - Jingle Cats
4. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town - Santa Claus Christmas Party Singers
5. Jolly Old St. Nicolas - Various Artists
6. Little Drummer Boy - Various Artists
7. Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer - Burl Ives
8. My Two Front Teeth - Spike Jones
9. We Wish You A Merry Christmas - DJ’s Choice Kids Christmas Party
10. Jingle Bells - Jingle Babies
11. Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree - Danny Kee
12. Twelve Days Of Christmas - Bing Crosby
13. Here Comes Santa Claus - Gene Autry
14. Silver Bells - Bing Crosby/Ella Fitzgerald
15. Away In A Manger - Anne Shelton
The Classic Rock Christmas Playlist
1. Father Christmas - The Kinks
2. Merry Christmas Baby - Bruce Springsteen
3. Step Into Christmas - Elton John
4. I Believe In Father Christmas - Emerson, Lake & Palmer
5. Thank God It’s Christmas - Queen
6. 2000 Miles - The Pretenders
7. Christmas Must Be Tonight - The Band
8. Christmas - The Who Tommy Acid Rock
9. Little Saint Nick - The Beach Boys
10. I Wanna Be Santa Claus - Ringo Starr
11. Run Rudolph Run - Chuck Berry
12. Pretty Paper - Roy Orbison
13. Little Drummer Boy/Silent Night/Auld Lang Syne - Jimi Hendrix
14. Lonely Without You (This Christmas) - Mick Jagger
15. Come On Christmas - Cheap Trick
The Christmas Classics Playlist
1. White Christmas - Bing Crosby
2. (There’s No Place Like) Home For The Holidays - Perry Como
3. Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! - Dean Martin
4. The Christmas Song (Merry Christmas To You) - Nat King Cole
5. Mistletoe And Holly - Frank Sinatra
6. Rudolph, The Red-Nosed Reindeer - Gene Autry
7. Blue Christmas - Elvis Presley
8. Feliz Navidad - Jose Feliciano
9. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas - Jerry Vale
10. A Holly Jolly Christmas -Burl Ives
11. Silver Bells - Johnny Mathis
12. The Twelve Days Of Christmas - Ray Conniff
13. Jingle Bell Rock - Brenda Lee
14. Baby, It’s Cold Outside - Dean Martin
15. It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas - Bing Crosby
The Country Christmas Playlist
1. Silent Night - Johnny Cash
2. Frosty The Snowman - Willie Nelson
3. Two-Step `Round The Christmas Tree - Michael Martin Murphey
4. The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire) - Dwight Yoakam
5. White Christmas - George Strait
6. Little Drummer Boy - Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
7. It Won’t Be The Same This Year - Vince Gill
8. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town - Dolly Parton
9. This Christmas Time - Lonestar
10. Jingle Bell Rock - Bobby Helms
11. Winter Wonderland - Travis Tritt
12. Christmas Can’t Be Far Away - Eddy Arnold
13. Blue Christmas - Ricky Van Shelton
14. Jingle Bells - Kenny Chesney
15. Blame It On The Mistletoe - Toby Keith
The Hip-Hop/Funk Christmas Playlist
1. Christmas In Hollis - Run-D.M.C.
2. Merry Christmas Baby - Bootsy Collins
3. Christmas Rappin’ - Kurtis Blow
4. Santa Claus Go Straight To The Ghetto - James Brown
5. Boot-Off (AKA Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer) - Bootsy Collins
6. Santa Hooked Me Up - B2K
7. Christmas Is - Run-D.M.C.
8. Xmas In Tha Hood - 3LW
9. Christmas Is Love - James Brown
10. Winterfunkyland (AKA Winter Wonderland) - Bootsy Collins
11. 8 Days of Christmas - Destiny’s Child
12. Go Power At Christmas Time - James Brown
13. Let’s Make Christmas Mean Something This Year - James Brown
14. Dis-Christmiss (AKA This Christmas) - Bootsy Collins
15. Let’s Unite The Whole World At Christmas - James Brown
The Indie Christmas Playlist
1. Just Like Christmas -Low
2. Christmas Isn’t Safe For Animals - Of Montreal
3. Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) - Death Cab For Cutie
4. Christmas Is Going To The Dogs - Eels
5. A Change At Christmas (Say It Isn’t So) - The Flaming Lips
6. I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day - Pedro The Lion
7. The Christmas Song -The Raveonettes
8. All The Right Reasons - Dressy Bessy
9. Christmas - Remy Zero
10. Frosty The Snowman - Cocteau Twins
11. O Tannenbaum - They Might Be Giants
12. Christmas Song - Mogwai
13. Santa Claus - Throwing Muses
14. Deilig Er Jorden - Kings of Convenience
15. Christmas Time Is Here - Ivy
The Metal/Punk Christmas Playlist
1. Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) - Joey Ramone
2. Christmas With The Devil - Spinal Tap
3. Christmas Night Of Zombies - MXPX
4. Christmas Eve (Sarajevo 12/24) - Savatage
5. Heavy Metal Christmas (The Twelve Days Of Christmas) - Twisted Sister
6. Fuck Christmas - Fear
7. No Presents For Christmas - King Diamond
8. Deck The Halls - Ted Nugent
9. Queen Of The Winter Night - Trans-Siberian Orchestra
10. God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman - John Sykes
11. Boughs Of Holly - Trans-Siberian Orchestra
12. Merry Christmas (I Don’t Want To Fight Tonight) - Joey Ramone
13. Feed The World (Do They Know It’s Christmas) - Far
14. Mrs. Santa Clause - Jingle Punx
15. December Is For Cynics - The Matches
The Novelty Christmas Playlist
1. Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer - Elmo & Patsy
2. Twelve Days Of Christmas - Bob & Doug McKenzie
3. I Want A Hippopotamus For Christmas - The Three Stooges
4. Chipmunks Roasting On An Open Fire - Bob Rivers
5. Carol Of The Bells - Jingle Dogs
6. Santa Claus Is Sometimes Brown - El Vez
7. The Night Santa Went Crazy - Weird Al Yankovic
8. Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer - William Hung
9. Smells To The World - Pull My Finger
10. Rockin’ The Nativity Scene - The Christmas Jug Band
11. I Want To Spend Christmas With Elvis - Don Kishner
12. Nut Rocker - B. Bumble & The Stingers
13. Hampsterdance Christmas (J Bigga’s Christmas Music ) - J Bigga
14. Codependent Christmas - Therapy Sisters
15. We Wish You A Merry Christmas - The Brady Bunch
The Reggae Christmas Playlist
1. Wish You A Merry Christmas/Ahamaric Temple - Jacob Miller
2. Sound The Trumpet - Bob Marley and the Wailers
3. Frosty The Snowman - The Mighty Diamonds
4. White Christmas - Dobby Dobson
5. Yellowman Is Coming To Town - Yellowman
6. Santa Claus Never Comes To The Ghetto - Yellowman
7. Ho Ho Ho - Kulcha Knox
8. Irie Christmas - Freddie McGregor
9. Jingle Bells - Various Artists
10. The Christmas Song - Beres Hammond
11. All I Want For Ismas - Jacob Miller & Ray I
12. Hi Fashion Christmas - Brentford Harmonics
13. Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer - Culture
14. Little Drummer Boy - Silvertones
15. Jamaica, Jamaica, We Don’t Got No Snow (Jingle Bells) - Yellowman
The Soul Christmas Playlist
1. Someday At Christmas - Stevie Wonder
2. White Christmas - Otis Redding
3. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town - Smokey Robinson
4. Please Come Home For Christmas - Aaron Neville
5. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas - Ray Charles
6. Dear Santa Claus - Bobby Womack
7. Santa’s On His Way (Tell Him) - The O’Jays
8. Silver Bells - The Supremes
9 God Bless The Child - Chuck Brown
10. Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer - The Temptations
11. The Christmas Song (Merry Christmas To You) - Smokey Robinson
12. Silver Bells - Stevie Wonder
13. Every Year, Every Christmas - Luther Vandross
14. Let It Snow - Smokey Robinson
15. O Holy Night - Aaron Neville
The Southern Rock Christmas Playlist
1. Santa’s Messin’ With The Kid - Lynyrd Skynyrd
2. Jingle Bell Rock - .38 Special
3. Christmas In Carolina - The Marshall Tucker Band
4. Christmas Time Again - Lynyrd Skynyrd
5. Frosty The Snowman - Charlie Daniels Band
6. A Wild-Eyed Christmas Night - .38 Special
7. White Christmas - The Marshall Tucker Band
8. Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer - Lynyrd Skynyrd
9. Little Drummer Boy - .38 Special
10. It’s Bad To Have The Blues (At Christmas Time) - Charlie Daniels Band
11. My Christmas In Custody - The Marshall Tucker Band
12. Mama’s Song - Lynyrd Skynyrd
13. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen - .38 Special
14. Hallelujah, It’s Christmas - Lynyrd Skynyrd 15. Have Yourself A Merry Little
15. Christmas - Charlie Daniels Band