Modern Christmas Hits
Christmas hits from the past few years have a harder task in evoking the festive feeling, but a fair few have been able to sneak in through the chimney.
It is more difficult than ever to make a Christmas hit these days. I wonder if this comes down to multiple factors. Firstly, the saturation of the music industry is so rife now that almost every artist has taken the festive route, be that a mere single or an entire EP/album. Add to that the allure of a Christmas hit – nostalgia. Our favourite Christmas tunes offer us comforting, loving and fond memories of Christmases past. However, in recent years, some artists have really polished some musical gems, utilising their expertise in what makes a Christmas hit so powerful. Here are five tracks that fit this bill.
santa doesn’t know you like i do - Sabrina Carpenter
Sabrina Carpenter released her Christmas EP titled fruitcake in 2023, and “santa doesn’t know you like i do” was its shining star. The song is conceptually sound, competing with Father Christmas for the affection of her true love at Christmas. It is a heartwarming, playful and soft love song that provides such comfort to the ears. Sabrina Carpenter shows off her masterful musical mindset by making sure to incorporate jingle bells, and even a breathy spoken word bridge that is reminiscent of classics of the past. The song is a definite hit, and fills your heart with warmth on every listen.
Christmas Magic - Perrie
Ex-Little Mix member Perrie Edwards has had a hit-and-miss solo career, but her Christmas song ‘Christmas Magic’ is an undeniable festive smash. Utilising a mid-tempo, upbeat melody along with prominent horns and bells makes for the ultimate December recipe for success. The main draw for this track about asking Santa to bring her lover home for the season is Perrie’s exceptional vocals. The singer turns it up a notch with a key change and a whistle note – no doubt a nod to the festive monarch herself, Mariah Carey – that can’t help but put a smile on your face.
Santa, Can’t You Hear Me - Kelly Clarkson, Ariana Grande
Put two powerhouse vocals on a Christmas track and you have no idea how it will turn out. Will it be overbearing? Who will outshine who? Is it a mere platform to show off? Luckily, the song speaks for itself, answering in all the right ways. Ariana and Kelly blend so beautifully on this track as both alternate their registers on the harmonies, and allow the other their moments to shine. The song came out in 2021 and has been on my playlist ever since. Their live rendition is even better. The song feels full, strong and gleeful, what more could you ask for?
A Timeless Christmas - Coco Jones
Coco Jones is such a diamond in the R&B realm, so it was really nice to see her bring forth her smooth vocals and infectious rhythmic prowess to Christmastime. This track feels incredibly magical and theatrical, with the use of strings really filling out the accompaniment. It almost felt to me as though the artist took inspiration from Disney films of the past. In this way, she nods to the importance of how a festive track is meant to feel, both nostalgic and reminiscent of wonder and optimism in childhood.
Underneath the Christmas Lights - Sia
Taking it back a couple of years to 2018, Sia brought out an entire Christmas album titled Everyday Is Christmas with 13 original tracks. The songs are all really beautiful and so I would definitely recommend a listen. I chose “Underneath the Christmas Lights” as a different option to my previous picks, as it is a festive ballad that really reminds me of the season every year I listen. The song is carried through by a tender piano melody, and Sia’s earnest vocals, especially in the pre-chorus. It is intimate, personal and simple, which is sometimes a much-needed contrast to the constant and overwhelming glee of other tracks.
I hope these tracks make it onto your playlist for this Christmas, and encourage you to delve deeper into what it is you love about Christmas songs so much. Is it the nostalgia? The instruments? The magic? The vocals? Or something different?