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Top 10 Alternative Christmas Songs

3,111 views · Published 13 December 2016 · 2:13 · Indexed 24 October 2026

Channel: BBC The Social · 2016 · Entertainment

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Don't get us wrong, some Christmas songs are stone-cold classics, but some are more tired and worn out than Santa's slippers. Our resident music buff Neil Wilson has  picked 10 alternative Christmas classics for you to enjoy. Check out the full playlist here: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxVo5mjK4eg&list=PL6PE5ps8YJBXhgaNsL5Fajgdrk-ZFoAHg  

 
1. Tom Waits - Christmas Card from a Hooker In Minneapolis. 
A lesser known dismal opus for the down and outs at Christmas.   
2.Frightened Rabbit – It's Christmas So We'll Stop. 
A perfect mix of self loathing, heady optimism, and choral singing.  
3. Run The Jewels – A Christmas Fucking Miracle. 
Nowadays it feels like Christmas is more about what expensive presents you can buy.  So leave it up to Run The Jewels to tear the whole thing down.
4.Tim Minchin – White Wine In The Sun Christmas without Jesus? 
This piano driven, heartfelt ballad is all about family. 
5. LCD Soundsystem – Christmas Will Break Your Heart. 
Get ready for a pretty bleak listen from James Murphy who checks in on the lonely side of Christmas. 
6. There Will Be Fireworks – In Exceslis Deo. 
Hands down one of the best Christmas songs ever written.  If this doesn't get the hairs on your neck standing up, nothing will.
7. Sufjan Stevens – That Was The Worst Christmas Ever 
Definitely less ho-ho-ho and more 'sigh' but it highlights the complexities of being an adult at Christmas. 
8. Mark Kozelek – Do You Hear What I Hear 
There's a myriad of Christmas covers out there but I'll highlight this one for the finger picking on the guitar which adds a real earthiness to Mark's warm voice. 
9. Eels – Everything's Gonna Be Cool This Christmas 
This is a great track for when you need a little bit of rock and roll to go with your turkey and mistletoe. 
10. The Futureheads – Christmas Was Better In The '80's 
Nostalgia is one of the great things about time of year and The Futureheads cram that feeling into a post-punk Christmas anthem. 

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