Sick of Slade? Made miserable by Mariah Carey? We've got your back with a suitably seasonal and yet alternative playlist of the best Christmas songs of all time, from Stormzy's "Xmas Shut up" to Frank Sinatra's “Whatever Happened To Christmas?”, as chosen by the Editors of GQ. Work your way through this today and concentrate on eating and drinking yourself into a merry slumber and save the family arguments for something other than the soundtrack...
"The Road To Hell" by Chris Rea
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"I always play this on my way to visit my step family. First song on the M4 playlist. Volume 30, fan on for dramatic effect." Grace Gilfeather, Fashion Editor
"Merry Christmas Baby" by Otis Redding
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"No one sings like Otis, with just the right shade of sad and happy at the same time. Pour a port (or Bellini in the morning) and put this on on the 25th. You won't regret it." Paul Henderson, Associate Editor
"Xmas Shut Up" by Stormzy
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"Stormzy's special Christmas mash up for BBC Radio 1Xtra from 2015 is without a doubt the seasonal song that's brought the most cheer to GQ HQ this year. His repeated references to "my young Elves" and the line "where do you know me from? North Pole" are particularly memorable." Eleanor Halls, Staff Writer
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“Whatever Happened To Christmas?” by Frank Sinatra
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"The best Christmas song ever is “Whatever Happened To Christmas?” Written by Jimmy Webb and performed by Frank Sinatra, it is unusually both a torch song dedicated to the season of good cheer and a reflective meditation on the emotional aftermath of all that festive fun. Save it up for Boxing Day and crack open a box of Kleenex." Bill Prince, Deputy Editor
Fairytale of New York by The Pogues featuring Kirsty MacColl
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"This song manages to seem uplifting despite the fact that if you actually listen to the lyrics, it's the most depressing song ever written. It starts off with a man in a drunk tank saying he won't live to see another Christmas!" Stuart McGurk, Senior Commissioning Editor
Why Christmas songs are the best part of the festive season Christmas Why Christmas songs are the best part of the festive season
"Rockin' Robin" by Bobby Day
"Best Christmas song hands down, always a winning choice to get the party started." Carlotta Constant, Junior Fashion Editor
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"8 Days Of Christmas" by Destiny's Child
"While this does admittedly err dangerously close to Mariah Carey territory, Destiny's Child's rendition of the classic song never fails to get everyone up and dancing on Christmas evening." Kathleen Johnston, Social Content Editor
"New Year's Resolution" by Otis Redding & Carla Thomas
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"Two amazing voices, simple but stirring lyrics: a moment of calm in the festive insanity before you move on to yet another year. “Let’s turn over a new leaf, and baby let’s make promises that we can keep, and call it a New Year’s Resolution.” Spin and savour." Becky Lucas, Insight and Strategy Editor
"Blue Christmas" by Bright Eyes
"Not the cheeriest, but there's something quite comforting about playing a song about a broken heart on Christmas day, between all the Mariah and Slade." Anna Conrad, News and Features Editor
"Keeping the Dream Alive" by Münchener Freiheit
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"Keeping the Dream Alive by Münchener Freiheit, or just Freiheit as they were known in Britain, was a sleeper hit in the UK in 1988. It has nothing to do with Christmas, but is now widely regarded as a de facto Christmas song. It’s a sickly Euro synth-pop dollop of nonsense, but oddly uplifting. They had massive hair and hoped for a better tomorrow. You had to be there, I guess…" George Chesterton, Managing Editor
"My Only Wish (This Year)" by Britney Spears
"A early 00s bubblegum teen bop from the princess of pop- what’s not to love?"Angelo Mitakos, Fashion Assistant at GQ Style
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"A Snowflake Fell (And It Felt Like A Kiss)" by Glasvegas
"With sleigh bells on every track and gems including "Please Come Back Home", this entire EP is properly Christmassy." Aaron Callow, Chief Sub Editor
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Good morning, and Merry Christmas. Most of the Lifehacker staff is off today, but before we went our separate ways, we had a fast and furious Slack session about our favorite Christmas songs, the better to compile them into one festive, rather confusing Spotify playlist.
As you can see below, tastes here run the gamut, and some of our personal picks could arguably be counted among the worst Christmas songs of all time. But no matter! They’re our Christmas songs, and we love them.
But what are your Christmas songs? Do you eschew Christmas music altogether? Stick strictly to Bob Dylan’s mess of a holiday album? Stan for the Chipmunks? Sound off in the comments, and have a happy holiday.
CHRISTMAS is very much upon us - and as tis the season, you might wanna start putting on some festive tunes to celebrate.
Whether you need to create an atmosphere at a party or play some music while putting up the Christmas tree, these tracks will keep you smiling all the way through December...
Alamy Celebrate Christmas with these festive songs that will be bound to get the party started
What are the best songs for Christmas parties?
Want to bring some festive cheer to your office party or house gathering? Grab a glass of mulled wine and dance the night away with these songs...
Baby, It's Cold Outside - Dean Martin Santa Baby - Kylie Minogue Fairytale Of New York - The Pogues and Kirsty MacColl Last Christmas - Wham! Merry Christmas Everybody Jingle Bell Rock - Bobby Helms 8 Days Of Christmas - Destiny's Child Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree - Brenda Lee Let It Snow - Dean Martin All I Want For Christmas Is You - Mariah Carey
Getty - Contributor Need a musical backdrop for the big day? We've got you covered
What are the best Christmas songs for kids?
Keep your kids entertained with these family-friendly Christmas tunes...
Frosty The Snowman - Gene Autry and the Cass County Boys The Little Drummer Boy - Harry Simeone Do They Know It's Christmas - Band Aid White Christmas - Bing Crosby Santa Claus Is Coming To Town - Jackson 5 Mary's Boy Child - Harry Belafonte I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday - Wizzard Jingle Bells - Glenn Miller Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer - Gene Autry The 12 Days Of Christmas
Handout Michael Buble's Christmas album is a firm favourite in many British households
Which popular carols and hymns are sung on Christmas?
Silent Night We Wish You A Merry Christmas Away In a Manger Hark The Herald Angels Sing O Come All Ye Faithful The First Noel Joy To The World While Shepherds Watched Once In Royal Davids City Good King Wenceslas
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Where can I find some ready-made Christmas playlists?
Reluctant to put your own Christmas playlist together? Luckily there are many ready made albums and compilations to dive into.
It wouldn't be the festive season without Michael Buble's album, which contains songs including Feliz Navidad and Holly Jolly Christmas.
Justin Bieber, Mariah Carey, Elvis Presley and Ella Fitzgerald are among the other artists to have compilations dedicated to the winter celebration.
If this doesn't satisfy your Xmas cravings, search for playlists on Spotify for a wide variety of different tracks.
