The holiday season means that you can't walk more than 10 feet without hearing one of the few Christmas standards that stand the test of time. Either you love this, or you hate this; Christmas music is a polarizing topic, and not in the Polar Express way. But if you happen to love Christmas music, you need to add these 2017 Christmas songs to to your holiday playlist.
Some of the tracks are celebs' takes on the classics like "White Christmas" or "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas." The others, however, add a completely new flavor to what you might think of as holiday music, and you should give it a shot. Branching out to listen to the new pop Christmas music might feel sacrilegious — even if the new pop songs include plenty of Biblical imagery — because it can be a little weird to try to make Christmas cool. The holiday is arguably about cozying up to the fire with your loved ones, which isn't exactly "cool" by high schoolers' standards, at least.
So, yeah, it might feel strange to listen to these modern pop Christmas songs, but they actually still capture the spirit — mostly thanks to their use of jingle bells — and they just might become the new classics. Who knows?
1Gwen Stefani Ft. Blake Shelton, "You Make It Feel Like Christmas"
If you ever wanted a glimpse into Stefani and Shelton's life together, this is your chance. Their voices and styles meld together so well, and their union makes a lot more sense thanks to this song.
2Good Charlotte, "Christmas By The Phone"
This one is everything you could have hoped for from a Good Charlotte Christmas album. Warning: it will make you feel like a tween listening to "Lifestyles of the Rich & Famous."
3Village People, "A Very Merry Christmas To You"
Christmas has a way of bringing people together, including the Village People, for a special single.
4Noah Cyrus, "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas"
If you want a poppy version of a classic, look no further than Noah Cyrus' single.
5Kelly Clarkson, "Christmas Eve"
This song from a special Spotify Sessions will make you want another Christmas album from Kelly Clarkson.
6Mariah Carey, "The Star"
Ah yes, the Queen of Christmas has returned for a new song, this time for the new movie The Star.
7Fantasia, "What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?"
As if Kelly Clarkson didn't prove this point enough already, Fantasia Barrino is further evidence that American Idol winners make great Christmas songs.
8Fifth Harmony, "Can You See"
This song, also from The Star, brings Fifth Harmony's poppy vibe to a new Christmas classic.
10Nora Jones, "It's Not Christmas 'Til You Come Home"
Nora Jones' voice was made for this song, and you should listen to her recording of it from her NYC Spotify Session.
11Hanson, "Finally It's Christmas"
It's not quite "MMMBop," but this song has the same upbeat, boyish vibe of the brothers' 1997 hit.
12Chanté Moore, "Santa Don't Sleigh"
Moore's new Christmas album brings a unique R&B vibe to a lot of the classics, and a few new ones like "Santa Don't Sleigh."
13Reba McEntire, "Hard Candy Christmas"
If anyone can re-make Dolly Parton's classic song, it's Reba McEntire. She nails it entirely.
14Josh Groban, "White Christmas"
According to Salon, this new version of Groban's take on "White Christmas" uses a 70-piece orchestra.
If you're still not sold on these songs, Frank Sinatra's classic Christmas album is still waiting for you in every aisle of every drugstore, don't worry.
