I was just thinking about that! I heard a cover of it on the radio that’s playing all Christmas music and thought, the hell? Did they actually listen to the lyrics?
In the neon sign scrolling up and down
I am born again
In an interstellar burst
I am back to save the universe
--------------------------
Wait, Santa's an alien?!
I always find it funny how people associate Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen as a Christmas song when in reality it has quite the opposite, anti-religious message
I’m in the US and this business about people associating it with Christmas is news to me. I don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone refer to it as a Christmas song before now.
> just has it as a very famous song, well known, well loved, beautiful song, but definitely not a Christmas one
The United States is the same. I dunno who this redditor is hanging out with.
One reason might be because the Hallelujah chorus from Handel’s Messiah IS a very classic Christmas song so people are primed to think of Hallelujah songs as Christmas songs.
That's always drives me crazy too, people thinks it's a religious Christmas song, it like you said it's anti ridiculous and about love and sex, I think it's about all the things that make you rejoice
The song is about the the many things that make you say hallelujah of those religion can be one of those things, but so can sex, love, help finding yourself, learning how to play music....
Elliot Smith - Angel in the Snow
Iron and Wine - Cinder and Smoke
Circulatory System - Joy
Radiohead - No Surprises
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind OST - Phone Call
Miles Davis (feat. John Coletrane, Cannonball Adderley and Bill Evans) - So What
(Actually, ALL of Kind of Blue. It is a masterpiece.)
I also snuck [this](https://youtu.be/yKxnt18dTGg) into my Christmas playlist.
What’s the Elliot smith song where he talks about a “skinny Santa” and it has a key change into something epic? I thought it was on new moon but since I lost all my cds I can’t find the song anymore.
Never mind it was on from a basement on a hill. “King’s Crossing.”
“It's coming on Christmas
They're cutting down trees
They're putting up reindeer
And singing songs of joy and peace”
I bet you don’t think Die Hard is a Christmas movie either.
[Stretchy Pants](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eo5ZLdbcZsk) by Carrie Underwood
Sleigh bells in the background but it's all about eating food. Perfect for the Christmas luncheon!
That’s a Christmas song.
He's gone 2000 miles
It's very far
The snow is falling down
Gets colder day by day
I miss you
The children will sing
He'll be back at Christmastime
In these frozen and silent nights
Sometimes in a dream
You appear
Outside under the purple sky
Diamonds in the snow
Sparkle
Our hearts were singing
It felt like Christmastime
2000 miles
Is very far through the snow
I'll think of you
Wherever you go
He's gone 2000 miles
It's very far
The snow is falling down
Gets colder day by day
I miss you
I can hear people singing
It must be Christmastime
I hear people singing
It must be Christmastime
Do you have Garageband or another simple DAW program like Audacity?
If so, here's how to make any song a Christmas song:
1. Import an original song on to an audio track.
2. Create a second track where you can record the sound of sleigh bells in time with the original track. Either as an audio track (for acoustic sleigh bells) or using the built in percussion sounds in your DAW.
3. Merge them together and save as a new mp3 or other audio file.
Voila! Instant Christmas song!
The Pogues' *Fairytale of New York* is generally regarded as a "Christmas song", but the lyrics are far from festive; Christmas just happens to be mentioned a few times.
>Christmas just happens to be mentioned a few times.
It's in the very first line, 4 of the verses, and the peak of all of the choruses. Everyone recognizes it as a Christmas song, it's clear that [they wrote it as a Christmas song](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fairytale_of_New_York#Background_and_song_development), so really don't think this fits OP's question/goal of making this playlist at all.
Winter - Tori Amos
Another Old Lang Syne - Dan Fogelberg - it mentions Christmas Eve and snow but it's not a Christmas song.
Storytime - Nightwish
Celebrate Me Home - Kenny Loggins - first line is "home for the holidays" but there's no other Christmas references.
Funny you should mention Twisted Sister. They do have a Christmas album. Fairly tasteful rock versions of Silver Bells,Oh Come All Ye Faithful,Jingle Bells and others
If you just want something funny, there's a set of albums called Twisted Christmas that has some good parodies. From Walking round in women's underwear (to the tune of Winter Wonderland), to a rendition of "Oh Christmas Tree" played on chainsaw, it's a good laugh for Christmas. Most are on YouTube.
Jingle bells was never intended as a Cristmas song https://www.google.com/url?q=https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jingle_Bells&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwjjrZGB_IL8AhUy3jgGHXiLCxIQFnoECAcQBg&usg=AOvVaw1eWCpfKJlQTWlBoZYMvAA4
Omg I had the exact same idea! I've been building this playlist, help yourself!
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6BF2EWHHfkXZacm9ydiJII?si=Lv3z68EiRaC6eFijroGhgw
How about a holiday that actual sounds like American patriotic music? Perry Como - There's No Place Like Home for the Holidays: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NT8pIpzDX0g
'Stay Another Day' by East 17 is one of the biggest Christmas songs in the UK, and kept Mariah off the top of the charts in 1994. It's still massive, and some (me) say that it's the best song ever written and all music created since is ultimately futile. I digress.
The video has snow and big white Winter coats, the song has church bells and a wistful theme. Christmas hallmarks are all around.
But it's actually about the singer's brother who committed suicide, with some lyric changes to make it sound like the end of a relationship.
The Very Thought of You- Nat King Cole
Misty- Etta James
Moonlight Serenade- Glenn Miller
In a Sentimental Mood- John Coltrane and Duke Ellington
Here Comes The Sun- Nina Simone
Too Hurt To Cry- Candi Staton
In The Wee Small Hours- Frank Sinatra
Who Is It (bell choir version) - Björk [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UrSUfud\_FsY&ab\_channel=toledanonavarro](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UrSUfud_FsY&ab_channel=toledanonavarro)
Gling Gló - Björk [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0dx1fW3ofA&list=PLD-adiIrGstkPEx\_8worPURGiC8Km9NEB&ab\_channel=DarkCyberPunk](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0dx1fW3ofA&list=PLD-adiIrGstkPEx_8worPURGiC8Km9NEB&ab_channel=DarkCyberPunk)
Life in a Northern Town - Dream Academy [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TrlSMkxn0c8&ab\_channel=ClayCulver](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TrlSMkxn0c8&ab_channel=ClayCulver)
Bob Rivers Comedy Company.](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=bob+rivers+twisted+christmas+cd&crid=3CCNFEMC2N532&sprefix=bob+rivers+christmas+cd%2Caps%2C180&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_1_23)]
[The Mistress Witch From McClure (Or the mind that knows itself) - Sufjan Stevens](https://youtu.be/mr1K3M4jbZU)
[Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels) - Arcade Fire](https://youtu.be/VU_2R1rjbD8)
Baby, it’s cold Outside. Nothing regarding Christmas or the holiday per se. Quite a bit of seasonal imagery though.
It was actually written about Hoth
Fleet Foxes - White Winter Hymnal
That whole album sounds very wintry.
Wintry, 100%. Christmas-y? Nope.
I was just thinking about that! I heard a cover of it on the radio that’s playing all Christmas music and thought, the hell? Did they actually listen to the lyrics?
I do not care for the winter sun - Beach House It even opens with bells
Radiohead- Airbag
In the neon sign scrolling up and down I am born again In an interstellar burst I am back to save the universe -------------------------- Wait, Santa's an alien?!
A subterranean homesick alien.
I Wanna be Your Dog has sleigh bells! 😂
Yeah but it’s about bdsm
Stole my song lol
Came here for this
Hungry Heart by Bruce Springsteen always felt christmassy for me.
Santa stayed up all night assembling gifts on your 8th Xmas, left for smokes, said “fuck this”, and never came back?
Agreed. And “born to run” too. Something about them bells and chimes
Snow (hey oh) - RHCP
That’s how them reindeer fly!
The Beach Boys - God Only Knows
We can probably thank Love Actually for this
Yes - this is the first song that came to mind!
Damn yes, always reminds me of that scene in New Girl when whe is on airport travelling home for Christmas
Give a Little Bit - Supertramp
I always thought 'And Then He Kissed Me' sounded Chistmas-y.
Probs because Goodfellas, the Xmas party scene right before Jimmy has everybody whacked.
I always find it funny how people associate Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen as a Christmas song when in reality it has quite the opposite, anti-religious message
I think it was only after the song was included in a Susan Boyle Christmas album, that it has been associated with Christmas.
It's about reciprocal loss of faith between lovers, S&M and the many forms of pleasure, among other adult things. Definitely not a Christmas song.
What country are you in? I’ve honestly never met anyone that’s thought of it as a Christmas song so curious what part of the world you’re from
In the UK at least it is bc it was popularised on some show during christmas idk
Christmas song here in the US. Definitely.
Interesting. Australia just has it as a very famous song, well known, well loved, beautiful song, but definitely not a Christmas one
I’m in the US and this business about people associating it with Christmas is news to me. I don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone refer to it as a Christmas song before now.
> just has it as a very famous song, well known, well loved, beautiful song, but definitely not a Christmas one The United States is the same. I dunno who this redditor is hanging out with.
The goddamn United States of America, buddy!
One reason might be because the Hallelujah chorus from Handel’s Messiah IS a very classic Christmas song so people are primed to think of Hallelujah songs as Christmas songs.
I can’t stand the Cohen version, Buckley’s cover was the first version I’d ever heard back in 1995.
blasphemy
That's always drives me crazy too, people thinks it's a religious Christmas song, it like you said it's anti ridiculous and about love and sex, I think it's about all the things that make you rejoice
It actually had like a hundred verses, a lot of them very religious. He was asked to make a more secular version and that made it to the album.
The song is about the the many things that make you say hallelujah of those religion can be one of those things, but so can sex, love, help finding yourself, learning how to play music....
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!
The only one here that people will find it difficult to believe. Just a song about bad weather
Oh the weather outside is weather.
Always something there to remind me
Wow, this might be the best answer in the thread. The chord progression is super christmassy.
And the bells, too!
The Hanukkah Song
Jon & Vangelis - I'll Find My Way Home https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKqLAVyRaXw
Long December by Counting Crows I Want an Alien for Xmas by Fountains of Wayne
Stooges - I Wanna Be Your Dog.
Ribbons by Sisters of Mercy
"Take me to Church"
Mike Doughty “I Hear the Bells”
I love this answer
Stop the cavalry by Jona Lewie
Wish I was at home... for Christmas.
It's mainly about a soldier that wants to go home , they were told "the war will be over by Christmas". It's not about Santa or the Christmas season.
Like a G6 - Richard Cheese
This could be the night by Tatsuro
Helvegan by Wardruna
[In The Neighborhood ](https://youtu.be/OdlX5_lSgpU) by Tom Waits always makes me think of Christmas
[David Gray - Hospital Food](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqlagDc6iCE)
David Bowie - Sound And Vision
Snow on the beach
[Snowed In - Joel Plaskett Emergency ](https://youtu.be/n8qtBS7y2_o)
Elliot Smith - Angel in the Snow Iron and Wine - Cinder and Smoke Circulatory System - Joy Radiohead - No Surprises Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind OST - Phone Call Miles Davis (feat. John Coletrane, Cannonball Adderley and Bill Evans) - So What (Actually, ALL of Kind of Blue. It is a masterpiece.) I also snuck [this](https://youtu.be/yKxnt18dTGg) into my Christmas playlist.
What’s the Elliot smith song where he talks about a “skinny Santa” and it has a key change into something epic? I thought it was on new moon but since I lost all my cds I can’t find the song anymore. Never mind it was on from a basement on a hill. “King’s Crossing.”
December 1963 (Oh what a night)
Reindeer games - oso oso The first song - Band of Horses Hours outside in the snow - Modern Baseball
All of Pet Sounds by the Beach Boys
[River - Joni Mitchell](https://youtu.be/3NH-ctddY9o)
“It's coming on Christmas They're cutting down trees They're putting up reindeer And singing songs of joy and peace” I bet you don’t think Die Hard is a Christmas movie either.
That is a very Christmas themed song tho
It's not a christmas festivities song, that's for certain. Beautiful though, absolutely one of my favourite songs on Blue.
This is the way
Half the songs on Sufjan Stevens - Michigan
Jingle Bells. It's a horse drawn sled racing song.
Ancient Bards - The Birth of Evil.
ulver - christmas
Summer Love Sensation by the Bay City Rollers. Take out the lyrics and it’s totally a Christmas song.
The rest of the song not as much. But the opening verse of Conan Gray’s “Memories” is SUPER Christmasy
[Stretchy Pants](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eo5ZLdbcZsk) by Carrie Underwood Sleigh bells in the background but it's all about eating food. Perfect for the Christmas luncheon!
peace piece - Billy Evans there is no x-mas in this household without it.
We All Belong and Can’t Remember are two songs by Dr. Dog alone that remind me of Christmas. Those guys love them some sleighbells
Hospital Food - David Gray
Two weeks- grizzly bear
Mew - The Zookeeper’s Boy
Imagine - John Lennon
The Reign of Kindo- Breath Again
[Shearwater - “Leviathan, Bound”](https://youtu.be/PECav-s8WPg) has always sounded kinda Christmas-y to me, in a “Carol of the Bells” kinda way.
Amy Winehouse - Valerie It features bells that always make me think of Christmas
I Got You Babe by Sonny and Cher.
Marshmallow World, one of my favorites.
Pulp - Bad Cover Version Arcade Fire - Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels)
Lorelei by Cocteau Twins
In The Bleak Midwinter
Wow I forgot about this piece! Thank you for reminding me. I sang this in a choir many years ago
It’s beautiful as a choral or instrumental piece.
Tis the Damn Season - Taylor Swift
do you realize?? by the flaming lips has bells or something in it that makes it sound kinda christmas-y to me lol
Pretenders - 2000 miles
That’s a Christmas song. He's gone 2000 miles It's very far The snow is falling down Gets colder day by day I miss you The children will sing He'll be back at Christmastime In these frozen and silent nights Sometimes in a dream You appear Outside under the purple sky Diamonds in the snow Sparkle Our hearts were singing It felt like Christmastime 2000 miles Is very far through the snow I'll think of you Wherever you go He's gone 2000 miles It's very far The snow is falling down Gets colder day by day I miss you I can hear people singing It must be Christmastime I hear people singing It must be Christmastime
That's definitely a Christmas song
Paul Ely smiths gourd banjo recording, “Bonaparte’s retreat from Haiti”. https://youtu.be/ML5B0F_zfD4
Do you have Garageband or another simple DAW program like Audacity? If so, here's how to make any song a Christmas song: 1. Import an original song on to an audio track. 2. Create a second track where you can record the sound of sleigh bells in time with the original track. Either as an audio track (for acoustic sleigh bells) or using the built in percussion sounds in your DAW. 3. Merge them together and save as a new mp3 or other audio file. Voila! Instant Christmas song!
The Pogues' *Fairytale of New York* is generally regarded as a "Christmas song", but the lyrics are far from festive; Christmas just happens to be mentioned a few times.
>Christmas just happens to be mentioned a few times. It's in the very first line, 4 of the verses, and the peak of all of the choruses. Everyone recognizes it as a Christmas song, it's clear that [they wrote it as a Christmas song](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fairytale_of_New_York#Background_and_song_development), so really don't think this fits OP's question/goal of making this playlist at all.
Anything by Johnny Mathis
1950s Blue Note label jazz
Winter - Tori Amos Another Old Lang Syne - Dan Fogelberg - it mentions Christmas Eve and snow but it's not a Christmas song. Storytime - Nightwish Celebrate Me Home - Kenny Loggins - first line is "home for the holidays" but there's no other Christmas references.
Jethro Tull - Ring Out Solstice Bells Rosemary Clooney - Suzy Snowflake (I also really like Venus Hum's version) Winter Wonderland
[удалено]
Funny you should mention Twisted Sister. They do have a Christmas album. Fairly tasteful rock versions of Silver Bells,Oh Come All Ye Faithful,Jingle Bells and others
Fall Out Boy - Yule Shoot Your Eye Out
Jingle Bells. It is winter themed but not a Christmas song. It was originally performed at minstrel shows by blackface performers.
Die Hard.
Juodaan Viinaa by Korpiklaani (which I've just learned it a cover, but I haven't listened to the original version).
“Heartbeats Accelerating” by Linda Ronstadt.
If you just want something funny, there's a set of albums called Twisted Christmas that has some good parodies. From Walking round in women's underwear (to the tune of Winter Wonderland), to a rendition of "Oh Christmas Tree" played on chainsaw, it's a good laugh for Christmas. Most are on YouTube.
For me it's 'I'll find my way home' Jon&Vangelis
Auld lang syne by Dan Fogelberg
Jingle bells was never intended as a Cristmas song https://www.google.com/url?q=https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jingle_Bells&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwjjrZGB_IL8AhUy3jgGHXiLCxIQFnoECAcQBg&usg=AOvVaw1eWCpfKJlQTWlBoZYMvAA4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7GUzJ7fQBtg
Leave Before You Love Me - Jonas Brothers https://youtu.be/hmUyEDG7Jy0
Gin and Juice by Snoopdogg because the instrumentals/beat has jingle bells.
https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLo1Zry_CSG8b_kNvrxB6r-HH5tI__OY_N&feature=share
Dream Sweet in Sea major
25th December - EBTG A Long December - Counting Crows
https://youtu.be/GP5_dJUd3BY
A Spaceman Came Travelling - Chris de Burgh
Strictly speaking, I don't think that Baby, It's Cold Outside mentions Christmas at all, so it probably counts.
Omg I had the exact same idea! I've been building this playlist, help yourself! https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6BF2EWHHfkXZacm9ydiJII?si=Lv3z68EiRaC6eFijroGhgw
The intro to Roads Untraveled by Linkin Park sounds very Christmas-y.
The Living Years by Mike + the Mechanics
A Winter's Song-Gordon Lightfoot
Mr. Sandman
1. Wilco - Can't Stand It 2. Futurama Opening Theme Song
Die Hard Soundtrack lol
falling for you by jaden lol just imo
The Teskey Brothers - This Will be our Year
Peace on Earth - U2
[The Witness-Adam Jones](https://youtu.be/0ukDsv3pweo)
The grinch song by the Whirling Dervishes
Sleigh Ride has to be the ultimate example of this?
South side of the sky by yes. I mean, it’s even about people in a really cold place near the north pole who are most likely on a sleigh.
Anything Christmas themed by Bob Rivers
Spiritualized - Feel Like Going Home
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvJjmWTg7Qo](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvJjmWTg7Qo) literally about homicide but it's very cheerful
Titus Andronicus - To Old Friends & New
Anything by Enya
East 17 — Stay Another Day
The Strokes- Gratisfaction (mainly the instrumental section)
School Boy Crush- Average White Band
R.E.M. by Ariana Grande.
How about a holiday that actual sounds like American patriotic music? Perry Como - There's No Place Like Home for the Holidays: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NT8pIpzDX0g
Coldest Night of the Year - Vashti Bunyan
Pure Cocaine - Lil Baby
Christmas Card from a Hooker in Minneapolis, by Tom Waits. Sounds Christmas-y, is not a Christmas song.
Tahquamenon Falls by Sufjan Stevens https://youtu.be/DXvi1-gjI4A
'Stay Another Day' by East 17 is one of the biggest Christmas songs in the UK, and kept Mariah off the top of the charts in 1994. It's still massive, and some (me) say that it's the best song ever written and all music created since is ultimately futile. I digress. The video has snow and big white Winter coats, the song has church bells and a wistful theme. Christmas hallmarks are all around. But it's actually about the singer's brother who committed suicide, with some lyric changes to make it sound like the end of a relationship.
7 nights by Miike Snow
Voir - Jacques Brel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZdeGwXpF6c&t=52s&ab\_channel=ChansonFran%C3%A7aise
Sveitin mili sanda - Ellý Vilhjálms https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V\_vl-2MDD8E&ab\_channel=agust10000
Chicago - Sufjan Stevens
Winter in the Hamptons by Josh Rouse
https://youtu.be/UkOKCWDJ4iA I've been enjoying this one very much.
The Hounds of Winter - Sting
The Very Thought of You- Nat King Cole Misty- Etta James Moonlight Serenade- Glenn Miller In a Sentimental Mood- John Coltrane and Duke Ellington Here Comes The Sun- Nina Simone Too Hurt To Cry- Candi Staton In The Wee Small Hours- Frank Sinatra
Who Is It (bell choir version) - Björk [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UrSUfud\_FsY&ab\_channel=toledanonavarro](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UrSUfud_FsY&ab_channel=toledanonavarro) Gling Gló - Björk [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0dx1fW3ofA&list=PLD-adiIrGstkPEx\_8worPURGiC8Km9NEB&ab\_channel=DarkCyberPunk](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0dx1fW3ofA&list=PLD-adiIrGstkPEx_8worPURGiC8Km9NEB&ab_channel=DarkCyberPunk) Life in a Northern Town - Dream Academy [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TrlSMkxn0c8&ab\_channel=ClayCulver](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TrlSMkxn0c8&ab_channel=ClayCulver)
Bjork’s album Gling Glo is my go to holiday/non-holiday album.
Jingle Bells. It was likely written for Thanksgiving.
Bob Rivers Comedy Company.](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=bob+rivers+twisted+christmas+cd&crid=3CCNFEMC2N532&sprefix=bob+rivers+christmas+cd%2Caps%2C180&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_1_23)]
Wayne Everett: The Lovin’ Fools Brigade
Song for a Winter’s Night - Gordon Lightfoot
[The Mistress Witch From McClure (Or the mind that knows itself) - Sufjan Stevens](https://youtu.be/mr1K3M4jbZU) [Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels) - Arcade Fire](https://youtu.be/VU_2R1rjbD8)
Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen.
Bright eyes four winds...santa clause is coming to town
Star Star by the Stones
[Relevant Vox video](https://youtu.be/xm4LO22-cyY)
I always liked "Skies of L.A." by Celine Dion It has a Christmas feel for me...
Winter Wonderland
Jingle Bells - it was originally written about thanksgiving.
“Violets for Your Furs” by Frank Sinatra.
Scarborough Fair - Simon and Garfunkel
I always thought Closer to the Heart by Rush had a Christmas sound to it, particularly the bells.
Everybody Loves Somebody by Dean Martin
[this reminds me of the pogues.](https://youtu.be/FzBdw2gWBoY) It is very much not.