Typically, when imagining a Christmas song, slow, classic, calming tunes come to mind, maybe a popular remix of one, or an Ariana Grande song. Songs for the holiday season tend to get a little repetitive, some may even consider them annoying. However, there are some hidden treasures in the Christmas music genre. Many rock and punk bands have written or covered their own holiday songs and, especially for those who enjoy heavier music, they’re all perfect for getting a refreshing feel for the holidays. 

My Chemical Romance, an emo rock band, covered a classic in 2004. On a compilation album titled ‘Gift Wrapped’, featuring many artists like ‘Relient K’ and ‘The Used’. My Chemical Romance, on this album, covered ‘All I Want for Christmas Is You’ originally by Mariah Carey, and they put an incredible spin on the classic, utilizing drums and guitars, switching up the tempos and vocals. Another band ‘Batfoot!’ covered the song as well, providing a more punk take on it.

The band ‘Relient K’ released their own Christmas EP in 2007, titled ‘Let It Snow Baby… Let It Reindeer’. Considered to be alternative, or pop-punk, the EP features their own spins of classics like ‘12 Days of Christmas’ and ‘Deck the Halls’, and a cover of ‘I’m Getting Nuttin’ for Christmas’, a comical song about not getting anything for Christmas for being bad throughout the year.  

‘The Vandals’, an American punk rock band, has a semi-popular holiday song titled ‘Oi to the World!’, which tells a story of conflicts on Christmas in the punk community. Through the story told, the song spreads a message of unity and inclusivity during the holiday season, that despite differences between the punks and skins (two subcultures in the punk community) in the story they both deserve acceptance. Ska Punk band, fronted by Gwen Stefani, ‘No Doubt’ covered ‘Oi to the World!’ as well.

These songs create a fun way to shake things up for the holidays and are worth checking out to broaden your music taste and enjoy the holidays in a new way!  

Check them out!