Original Christmas Songs

I am tired of hearing the same old Christmas songs on the radio.  It seems that there are 15 songs and they have been re-recorded by at least 247 different artists.  I know there has to be more creativity that that.

What are some of your favorite original Christmas songs, and who sings them?  I don't care if they are rock, hard rock, pop, CCM, big band, or even country.  I'd like to put together a compilation that is absolutely amazing with the best Christmas songs that people either have forgotten, never heard, or are somewhat hits.  I am not looking for comedy tracks, though.  They can be love songs, religious, or even about Santa as our American traditions are about all of that.

Can you help by listing some of yours?

"Tulkoon Joulu", originally written by Finnish gospel artist Pekka Simojoki, has been my favourite Christmas song for over 20 years now. I think I was 8 years old or something like that when I heard it for the first time and was just blown away. And here we have that awesome metal version of it

And here is an english version of that same song. Raskasta Joulua- project made a whole album in English under the monikeer Ragnarok Juletide. They chose several songs from their Finnish albums and just had the originally Finnish songs translated.

Sadly, neither of those tickled my fancy as they really don't have that same holiday vibe as what I am looking for.  It is hard to describe.

I just know that I want to find some great non-traditional songs to make a super long playlist.  I get tired of hearing the same redundant songs performed by different artists over and over.  I don't need another version of "Silent Night" or "Frosty The Snowman" ever.  They have been done to death.

I love this one.. Is this the only hit they ever had??



Mr. Thorogood:

Here's one I found that is an old song but it is arranged different. Love Donnie Iris!

Here's a nice take on a Charlie Brown classic:



And I know you said you dont want ones done and redone over and over but this arrangment is very good as well. In fact, I've never heard one like it, it sounds like a Chicago original to me. Had I not known the lyrics I would think it was an all new song.



And I just found this album is included with an Amazon Prime membership! Going to download it now!

Here is one I wrote and performed.  I am playing ALL instruments as well.  It is a parody of a classic George Thorogood song.. Enjoy!




And here is one I wrote in honor of the movie "A Christmas Story".  It is fun and silly.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrK6JUS6gDk

I know you said no comedy but Theocracy - Rudolph vs. Frosty is SO well done.

This has been put since 2008, but I just recently heard it. Love it. The singer is Marc Martel. He sang on Rose's "Songs for the Ritually Abused" as well as toured with the Queen Extravaganza. He's a dead ringer for Freddie Mercury.

I believe that song was used in the movie The Nativity Story.  I like it!  It is different and has a great message.  That is definitely more in the spirit of what I am looking for!

I saw that he released an Christmas album last year. The songs are much more scaled back arrangement wise, but he has a beautiful voice and sometimes it sounds like Freddie Mercury released a Christmas album.

I know Fernando Ortega did a version of this song, but this is a version I like of a old song.

I've never heard this song before as far as I know!  It counts as a new song to me!

I agree with you that anything fresh is hard to come by. Here's a couple that might fit what you're looking for thematically despite being released as regular album tracks. 

I found Christmas albums by .38 Special, Lynrd Skynrd, Cheap Trick, and even Gwen Stefani.  While they are mostly rehashed classic Christmas fodder, each group did a couple of originals that are worthy of a monster sized Christmas playlist.

Phil Keaggy - And On That Day

To be honest, I just never got into Keaggy's music.  Yes, he is a great guitarist, but his songs just never clicked for me.  I can be rather thick-headed, I know.

This is one that you may have heard a few years back. It's a take on Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah". It might fall in line with your post.

It sort of works, but it is still a remake of a song that has already been recorded many times.