Modern Christmas Music Playlists
A mix of traditional Christmas songs and new creations, by modern artists and in different styles from pop to jazz to hip hop. These playlists include everyone from Britney Spears and Cold Play to Snoop Dogg and Wyclef Jean. While older generations may not love them, they're a great way to get your kids into the Christmas spirit.
The Christmas Pop Playlist
A few of the hits in this playlist, such as Mariah Carey's rendition of All I Want for Christmas Is You, may be familiar to many. Others, like Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree by Hannah Montana or My Only Wish by Britney Spears may be tough for older generations to stomach. But they're sure to be a hit with youngsters. Go ahead, throw a few into your mix!
- Ave Maria by Josh Groban
- All I want for Christmas Is You by Mariah Carey
- Boots by The Killers
- Oi to the World by No Doubt
- Christmas Lights by Cold Play
- Little Drummer Girl by Alicia Keys
- Christmas: Baby Please Come Home by U2
- Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas by Christina Aguilera
- Shake Up Christmas by Train
- Peppermint Winter by Owl City
- Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree by Hannah Montana
- Mistletoe by Colbie Caillat
- My Only Wish by Britney Spears
- 8 Days of Christmas by Destiny's Child
The Jazzy Christmas Playlist
Excellent renditions by well known jazz favorites. You're likely to hear these songs in Pottery Barn or Restoration Hardware. Wynton Marsalis, Charlie Parker, and Kenny Burrell all make it into this very nice playlist.
- We Free Kings by Rahsaan Roland Kirk Quartet
- White Christmas by Charlie Parker
- Christmas Time Is Here by Vince Guaraldi Trio
- Let It Snow! by Ella Fitzgerald
- God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen by Jimmy Smith
- Zat You, Santa Claus? by Louis Armstrong & The Commanders
- Santa Claus Is Coming to Town by Bill Evans
- I'll Be Home for Christmas by Diana Krall
- Go Tell It On the Mountain by Wynton Marsalis
- Silent Night by Kenny Burrell
- Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas by Ella Fitzgerald
- The Christmas Song by Chris Botti
The Reggae Christmas Playlist
If you can't go without reggae music and won't listen to any other variety, then you'll love this playlist...all reggae, by the best artists in the industry.
- White Christmas by Bob Marley
- Give Love on Christmas by Fiona
- Jingle Bells by Roy Richards
- Christmas Feeling Ska by Toots & The Maytals
- The Night Before Christmas by Eek-A-Mouse
- Wish You a Merry Christmas by Jacob Miller
- Praise Jah, It's Christmas by Alton Ellis
- Warm Jamaican Christmas by Wayne Wonder
- Blue Christmas by John Holt
- Rub a Dub Christmas by Sugar Minott
The Hip Hop Christmas Playlist
This isn't your momma's Christmas playlist! In fact, some of the songs such as Santa Claus Goes to the Ghetto by Snoop Dogg include explicit lyrics. Kanye West's Christmas in Harlem is another you probably don't want to play for the kids, where he calls himself "Bad Santa". But for hip hop fans, it makes a very good collection.
- Christmas In Harlem by Kanye West
- 8 Days of Christmas by Destiny's Child
- Little Drummer Boy by Wyclef Jean
- Santa Claus Goes to the Ghetto by Snoop Dogg
- Christmas in Hollis by Run-DMC
- Player's Ball by Outcast
- Littel Drummer Girl by Alicia Keys
- Santa Claus Go Straight to the Ghetto by James Brown
- World Christmas by R. Kelly
- Christmas Rappin by Kurtis Blow
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