Hi guys! My name is Sam, and I love Christmas *AND* pop music. That means Mariah Carey's "All I Want For Christmas Is You" is basically my national anthem. Like any good gay, I listen to it pretty much year round. What can I say, a good song is a good song!
Now listen, I could listen to that track on repeat 'til the day I die, and I would be happy. But sometimes I want to mix it up! There are a bevy of amazing Christmas pop tracks out there that AREN'T "All I Want For Christmas Is You." Since I'm feeling festive, I've decided to share some of my favorites with you.
1. "Santa Tell Me" by Ariana Grande
If we're being honest, this is one of Ariana's best songs. PERIOD.
2. "Last Christmas" by Carly Rae Jepsen
Carly captures the angst of Christmas perfectly in this cover. Very underrated, just like pretty much everything she does.
3. "Oh Santa!" by Mariah Carey
Just because we're leaving off her signature track, doesn't mean we couldn't include some Mariah! I'm a huge fan of this festive, up-tempo track.
4. "White Christmas" by Lady Gaga
TBH, I skipped over pretty much all of Gaga's Cheek to Cheek era for my sanity. Having said that, her jazzy take on "White Christmas" is sublime.
5. "Underneath the Tree" by Kelly Clarkson
Kelly Clarkson gives Mariah a run for her money as the Queen of Christmas. This song slaps.
6. "My Only Wish (This Year)" by Britney Spears
This isn't just a great Christmas song, it's a great Britney record. I give it 10s across the board.
7. "Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays" by NSYNC
A classic. I don't have much more to say.
8. "100 Degrees" by Kylie Minogue feat. Dannii Minogue
Leave it to Kylie Minogue to turn Christmas into a big disco party. Also, fun fact, she re-recorded this song without the word "Christmas" and turned it into a club banger. We stan!
9. "Santa's Coming For Us" by Sia
Ominous song title, great pop song. One of the best on this list.
10. "Where Are You Christmas?" by Faith Hill
Like Faith Hill, this song has aged like fine wine. Sad Christmas songs are sometimes the best Christmas songs.
11. "Christmas C'mon" by Lindsey Stirling feat. Becky G
Pop violinist Lindsey Stirling + "Shower" vocalist Becky G = Christmas excellence. I love math!
12. "Mistletoe" by Justin Bieber
I miss OG Biebs, TBH.
13. "Christmas Tree" by Lady Gaga
This was the most insane era of Gaga where you literally never knew what she was going to do. Sexualizing a Christmas tree? SURE!
14. "Christmas Makes Me Cry" by Kacey Musgraves
We all need to stan Kacey in 2019. Start early with this track and then stream Golden Hour.
15. "One More Sleep" by Leona Lewis
Solid track! I think it's time for a Leona Lewis comeback.
16. "Santa Baby" by Ariana Grande feat. Liz Gillies
Yup, more Ariana Grande. Somehow, she takes "Santa Baby" and runs with it, making it her own.
17. "8 Days of Christmas" by Destiny's Child
I love this because it's not generic pop, it feels VERY Destiny's Child.
18. "(Happy Xmas) War is Over" by Miley Cyrus, Mark Ronson feat. Sean Ono Lennon
Miley and Mark teamed with John Lennon's son (John recorded the original) to cover a Christmas classic.
19. "Last Xmas" by Allie X
MORE OF YOU NEED TO STAN ALLIE X. Here is your entry point.
20. "Man With The Bag" by Jessie J
Jessie J...solid track...let's keep things moving along...
21. "Don't Shoot Me Santa" by The Killers
The Killers used to release a Christmas single every year, and they typically were VERY good. This might be my favorite.
22. "Wrapped in Red" by Kelly Clarkson
Another Kelly track, because why the hell not?!
23. "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" by Sam Smith
This is a very straightforward take on a Christmas classic, but Sam Smith has PIPES!!! So a win in my book.
24. "December" by Ariana Grande
One last Christmas track from Ariana — honestly, there are a few more of hers worth including ("Snow In California" for starters). Mariah better watch her back!