As soon as Halloween ended, many malls and shopping centers put holiday music on a constant loop that will likely last through the end of the year. Some people love it. Some people hate it. Regardless, the music industry’s top artists feed the cycle with new covers of holiday music favorites. We’ve compiled a list of the best of these covers to help you create the perfect playlist for the season.
1. “The Christmas Can-Can” by Straight No Chaser: This medley of Christmas songs parodies the inundation of holiday music at this time of year. If you’re a holiday music cynic, this tune’s for you.
2. “White Christmas” by Otis Redding: For a soulful version of a Christmas favorite, listen to Otis Redding’s “White Christmas.” Redding brings his signature mix of melancholy and soul to a classic.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0AS5CIRdM4
3. “The Christmas Waltz” by She & Him: You likely know the lead singer, Zooey Deschanel, from her starring role on “The New Girl” or, for all those Christmas buffs out there, “Elf” where she played Will Farrell’s love interest. But for the past four years, she has recorded and performed with her music partner, M. Ward, in their band She & Him. “The Christmas Waltz” is the perfect introduction to their album “A Very She & Him Christmas,” which released last year.
4. “Baby It’s Cold Outside” by Lady Antebellum: The Grammy-winning country trio added its talents to the holiday music arsenal with a version of “Baby It’s Cold Outside.”
5. “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” by Michael Bublé: This millennium’s favorite crooner started his career covering standards and dabbled in it once again with his 2011 Christmas album. “Christmas” shows off Bublé’s taste for a great horn section to couple with his smooth vocals.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5aw2yuYAKoE
6. “Mele Kalikimaka” by Jimmy Buffett: If the holiday season has you stressed out, nobody can make you relax and forget about your worries better than Jimmy Buffett.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mAAUhzR-7c8
7. “Silver Bells” by Blake Shelton: “The Voice” coach joins up with a former contestant of the show, Xenia Martinez, for this holiday classic. The two have very different voices – one pure country, the other a raspy alternative – but the mix works to bring this song to life.
8. “O Holy Night” by ‘NSync: The ’90s boy band offers up a five-part harmony, a cappella performance that punctuates an already beautiful Christmas ballad.
9. “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town” by Bruce Springsteen: In this live version, Springsteen’s excitement is infectious. Santa Claus’ arrival at the end of the song puts Springsteen in a giggle fit, and you can’t help but laugh along with him by the end.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xOe4GRyebo
10. “Do You Hear What I Hear” by Whitney Houston: On a song that often produces drab covers, Whitney Houston’s powerful pipes bring a depth that keeps the listener interested.
Did we forget your favorite holiday cover song? Add it below in the comments section.
Nicole Trifone contributed to this article.
