9 Modern Christmas Songs and Covers to Keep You in the Holiday Spirit—Ranked by Festive Vibes!

Christmas music is officially in full swing. Whether you enjoy the classic tunes by Frank Sinatra, or you love to belt out modern songs like Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas,” there is a holiday tune for everyone.

But if you’re looking for a new wave of Christmas music that you can’t always get on your local Christmas radio station, we’ve got you covered. Check out this roundup of the best modern Christmas songs and covers of classic songs that are perfect to listen to this Christmas.

9. “Candy Cane Lane” — Sia

Release Date: 2017

As a track on Sia’s 2017 album, Everyday Is Christmas, “Candy Cane Lane” is a spirited tune that is perfect for the holiday season. Along with the track, Sia released a claymation video featuring a clay figure of her with red and green hair. Check out the track and video for some Christmas magic.

8. “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” — Michael Bublé

Release Date: 2011 

There have been dozens of covers of this song originally sung by Judy Garland in Meet Me in St. Louis, including versions by Frank Sinatra, Sam Smith and The Backstreet Boys. But Michael Bublé’s take is charming in its own right and makes it the perfect listen.

Bublé’s cover entered the Billboard Hot 100 charts and landed at No. 41, and it remained on the charts for four weeks. The song was released on the artist’s album titled Christmas, released in 2011, which features covers of all your favorite classic Christmas songs.

7. “Mistletoe” — Lucy Hale

Release Date: 2014

This track released by country singer and actress Lucy Hale is a peppy tune about a couple going through a snowstorm together, just hoping they don’t run out of mistletoe. The adorable track was released as a single in 2014, following her debut album Road Between.

6. “Christmases When You Were Mine” — Taylor Swift

Release Date: 2007

This tearful ballad by pop star Taylor Swift was released back in 2007 during Swift’s country era. Written by Swift, “Christmases When You Were Mine” is a track on the album, The Taylor Swift Holiday Collection, and focuses on the narrator missing someone they are still in love with during the Christmas season.

5. “Mistletoe” — Justin Bieber

Release Date: 2011

It’s a Christmas classic if you grew up during the peak of Justin Bieber’s career and often replayed during this time of year. “Mistletoe” is the lead single on his second studio album, Under the Mistletoe, which was released in 2011.

Bieber has shared that the similar titles of the song “Mistletoe” and the album Under the Mistletoe, have confounded fans. “People get confused: My song is ‘Mistletoe,’ my album is Under the Mistletoe, so don’t get it confused,” Bieber explained. “Don’t get it twisted.”

4. “Santa Tell Me” — Ariana Grande

Release Date: 2014

This unique Christmas song by Ariana Grande gives a different take on a love song, where Grande pleads to Santa not to let her fall in love if they won’t be together by next Christmas. The Christmas single hit the Hot 100 chart and peaked at No. 11, remaining on the charts for a total of 25 weeks.

3. “Underneath the Tree” — Kelly Clarkson

Release Date: 2013 

The original Christmas song “Underneath the Tree” was released in 2013 as a part of Clarkson’s holiday album, Wrapped In Red. The song peaked at No. 11 on the Hot 100 chart and stayed on it for 28 weeks.

2. “All I Want For Christmas Is You” — Mariah Carey

Release Date: 1994

It’s a Christmas classic and has led to Mariah Carey being dubbed the unofficial Queen of Christmas. “All I Want For Christmas Is You” is a track you will hear year-round, as it’s beloved by many. Released on Carey’s fourth studio album, Merry Christmas, it’s the most remembered of her songs.

Although Carey has multiple No. 1 hits, this track has been the most present on the charts, lasting for 67 weeks. And despite it being released 30 years ago in 1994, “All I Want For Christmas Is You” didn’t peak at No. 1 until 2019.

1. “Like It’s Christmas” — Jonas Brothers

Release Date: 2019 

The Jonas Brothers have released quite a few Christmas singles over the years, but “Like It’s Christmas” has a magical feeling. Dropped in 2019, this track details the feeling of loving someone so much that every day feels like Christmas. 

“Like It’s Christmas” peaked at No. 40 on the Hot 100 chart, remaining on the charts for seven weeks total. They announced the song’s release by writing in a post, “Mariah Carey has given the world the green light, so the holiday season has begun!!! Our brand new original Christmas song #LikeItsChristmas is out on Friday people ??????.”

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