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'It Doesn’t Often Snow at Christmas' by Pet Shop Boys -

"Christmas is not all it’s cracked up to be/ Families fighting around a plastic tree." Sounds like an accurate description!

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'Blue Xmas (To Whom It May Concern)' by Miles Davis -

The legendary trumpeter teams up with jazz vocalist Bob Dorough in this tune that touches on poverty, homelessness, hunger, consumerism, and greed. 

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'Christmas With The Devil' by Spinal Tap -

The fictional metal band says the devil has all the best tunes, and this spoof satanic tune proves it. "The elves are dressed in leather and the angels are in chains / The sugar plums are rancid and the stockings are in flames." Not bad for a Christmas song, right?

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'I Don’t Believe in Santa Claus' by The Vandals -

The California punk rockers go straight to the point in this anti-consumerist tune: "I don't believe in Santa Clause / His corporate image forced upon / The blinded spending masses / To enslave the lower classes."

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'I Hate You This Christmas' by Kate Nash -

The British singer-songwriter sings about being broken-hearted during the holidays. Breaking up during Christmas time sucks, and Nash sings about it like no other. 

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'Christmas in Hollywood' by Hollywood Undead -

This tune by Hollywood Undead blends rock, rap, and bells, in a rather debauched approach to the holidays. 

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'Thank God It’s Not Christmas' by Sparks -

This song by the duo Sparks goes: "Thank God it's not Christmas / When there is only you / And nothing else to do / Thank God it's not Christmas / Where there's just you to do / The rest is closed to public view."

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'Don’t Shoot Me, Santa' by The Killers -

This is a rather dark and funny song by The Killers. The lyrics go "Don't shoot me, Santa Claus / Well, no one else around believes me / But the children on the street, they tease me / And I couldn't let 'em off that easy."

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'Xmas Eve (She Got Up and Left Me)' by Rancid -

The punk rockers sing about being dumped on Christmas Eve. Ouch. 

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'Another Lonely Christmas' by Prince -

This Prince song is one for the broken-hearted. "Every Christmas night for seven years now / I drink banana daiquiris till I'm blind," sings the Purple One.

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'I Won’t Be Home for Christmas' by Blink-182 -

"It's Christmas time again / It's time to be nice to the people you can't stand all year / I'm growing tired of all this Christmas cheer / You people scare me / Please stay away from my home / If you don't wanna get beat down / Just leave the presents and then leave me alone." How's that for some Christmas cheer?

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'Yule Shoot Your Eye Out' by Fall Out Boy -

'Yule Shoot Your Eye Out' is a Christmas breakup tune. This song originally featured in the 2003 compilation 'A Santa Cause: It’s A Punk Rock Christmas,' part of the proceeds of which were donated to an AIDS charity. 

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'I Was Thinking I Could Clean Up for Christmas' by Aimee Mann -

The song goes "So I was thinking I could clean up for Christmas / Then, baby, I'm done /
'Cause I can't live loaded and I can't live sober / 
And I've been this way since the end of October."

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'Things I Want' by Sum 41 and Tenacious D -

This hilarious song lists probably the coolest Christmas wish list ever. Who doesn't want "A Motley Crue lunch box filled with sticky buns" or "A bumper pool table and a robot pelican?"

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'Fairytale of New York' by The Pogues feat. Kirsty MacColl -

This 1987 song is a timeless classic, but 'Fairytale of New York' is not your average Christmas song. The chorus goes: "The boys of the NYPD choir were singing, "Galway Bay" / And the bells were ringing out / For Christmas Day." Shane MacGowan passed away in November 2023, so this song is even more relevant this Christmas. 

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'Christmas Is Going To The Dogs' by Eels -

This song is in the soundtrack of 'How The Grinch Stole Christmas' (2000). That says something about it, right? 

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'Kidnap the Sandy Claws' by Danny Elfman -

If you think kidnapping Santa would be a great idea, then this song is perfect for you. It's part of the soundtrack of Tim Burton's 'The Nightmare Before Christmas' (1993).

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'Christmas in Jail (Ain’t That a Pain)' by Leroy Carr -

The blues singer and pianist sings about spending Christmas behind bars. "This food here Santa, it ain't fit to eat / Won't you come and bring me a plate of turkey meat."

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'Christmas Without Daddy' by Loretta Lynn -

Country legend Loretta Lynn released this sad song in 1966 as part of her 'Country Christmas' album. "Christmas Day is getting closer but there's sadness mixed with joy." Many of us can relate.

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'Christmas In Hollis' by Run D.M.C. -

We had to include this rap tune on this list. Summing up Christmastime in Hollis Queens: "
Mom's cooking chicken and collard greens / Rice and stuffing, macaroni and cheese / And Santa put gifts under Christmas trees."

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'Father Christmas' by The Kinks -

Father Christmas being mugged by a bunch of kids? Sounds like something the Kinks would sing about. 

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'No Xmas For John Quays' by The Fall -

The English band sings about Christmas and an addict named John Quays, infusing the Christmas spirit with drugs. 

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'The Christmas Song' by Weezer -

Yet another pretty miserable Christmas song. "You told me you would be here by my side / Warming my heart on this cold winter's night / Here I sit waiting beside the tree, all by myself."

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'The Little Boy That Santa Claus Forgot' by Nat King Cole -

Nat King Cole has recorded many Christmas songs, including this heart-wrenching tune about a boy who didn't have a father and whose Santa forgot to bring a present. Yes, it's pretty sad.  

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'The Season’s Upon Us' by Dropkick Murphys -

The Celtic punk rockers paint a hilarious picture of Christmas: "My nephew’s a horrible wise little twit / He once gave me a nice giftwrapped box full of [expletive] / He likes to pelt carolers with icy snowballs / I’d like to take him out back and deck more than the halls."

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'Merry Christmas (I Don't Want to Fight Tonight)' by Ramones -

The New York punk rockers released this tune in 1989. Its message is pretty Christmassy, but it sounds nothing like mainstream Christmas music. 

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'Santa Claus Wants Some Lovin'' by Albert King -

The iconic blues guitarist remind us that "Santa" is human, after all. "I don’t want no turkey, don’t care about no cake / I just want you to come here Mama, 'fore the children wake."

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'St. Stephen’s Day Murders' by The Chieftains feat. Elvis Costello -

"For that is the time to eat, drink and be merry till the beer is all spilled and the whiskey has flowed / And the whole family tree you neglected to bury are feeding their faces until they explode." This one is definitely worth adding to your Christmas playlist. 

Sources: (Billboard) (UDiscoverMusic) (Music Magpie) (MusicFeeds)

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