Some people love traditional Christmas holiday music, and view it as one of the joys of the season. Others cringe when they hear it, longing for something fresh and modern to make the Yuletide bright. If that’s you, you’ve come to right place. Our ace correspondent Lindsey Graham (no, not THAT Lindsey Graham, our Lindsey Graham) is sharing a curated list of the best new Christmas 2020 songs and music, new releases from Little Nas X, Kelly Clarkson, Shawn Mendes and Mariah Carey. Yep, you heard that right: Mariah Carey has a new Christmas song! We’ve included Spotify and YouTube links, so you can listen to these top tunes, or watch the music videos. Or both! Pour yourself some eggnog, and let the party begin!
The Best New Christmas Holiday Music This Year
Here are our picks for the best new Christmas 2020 songs, albums and music, including new releases from Little Nas X, Kelly Clarkson, Shawn Mendes, Dolly Parton, the Jonas Brothers, Meghan Trainor and Mariah Carey.
The best new Christmas holiday music, songs and albums of the year 2020.
1. “We Need A Little Christmas”, Pentatonix
The new holiday album from Pentatonix features 13 Christmas holiday songs, including “Amazing Grace (Our Chains Are Gone)”. We love the title track to start off our list of the best new Christmas holiday music, songs and albums of 2020.
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2. “The Christmas Song”, Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello
This cover of Nat King Cole’s iconic song dropped on December 5, 2020. It was followed a couple of days later with the release of a rom-com music video with vintage-style footage. Both are perfect for those looking to generate a While You Were Sleeping vibe this season.
3. “Take Me Home for Christmas”, Dan + Shay
In this original song, written during the pandemic, the lead singer – Shay Mooney – is pining to spend the Christmas holidays with his new love.
Photo Courtesy Warner Music Nashville.
4. “I Need You Christmas”, The Jonas Brothers
Kevin, Joe and Nick Jonas have dropped a new holiday single. The video for the track features “newly-unearthed” footage from the brothers’ home videos from childhood.
5. “Here This Christmas”, Gwen Stephani
Stefani released her new song “Here This Christmas” last month. It’s the theme song for this year’s Hallmark Channel “Countdown to Christmas.” The track also appears on the new reissue of Stefani’s 2017 holiday album, You Make It Feel like Christmas, which includes a new version of the Christmas staple, “Sleigh Ride.”
6. “Oh, Santa!”, Mariah Carey ft. Ariana Grande and Jennifer Hudson
Spoiler alert, dear reader: this one’s really catchy. Like, it might be the next overplayed Mariah Carey song of the holiday season. Just sayin’. Carey has debuted a new remix of Oh Santa! featuring Ariana Grande and Jennifer Hudson. Three divas and a holiday sing-along? We are So. All. In.
7. “Holiday”, Lil Nas X
“Holiday,” a Christmas-themed single with a wild music video, is Little Nas X’s first new music release since mid-2019. The video is set on Christmas Day in the year 2220. At least now we know that Santa survives the coronavirus pandemic.
If you really love, you should gift yourself an exclusive Little Nas X Chrome Santa Hat ($23.95). ‘Cause why not?
8. “Holidays”, Meghan Trainor ft. Earth, Wind & Fire
The new Christmas single from Meghan Trainor, “Holidays,” features the iconic R&B group Earth, Wind and Fire. It’s the first release from her new Christmas 2020 holiday album, A Very Trainor Christmas.
“Lemme hear you say, ‘I’m rеady for the holiday’ / Call the family up, tell ’em we’re on our way,” say Earth, Wind & Fire. Trainor was 5 months pregnant when she filmed the adorable video with the iconic group.
9. “Under the Mistletoe”, Kelly Clarkson and Brett Eldredge
Like almost everything that Kelly Clarkson does, this new holiday song is kind of a real jam. We’ve got it on repeat at our house. The tune is a follow-up from her 2013 Christmas holiday album, Wrapped in Red. Clarkson co-wrote the new song with her guitarist Aben Eubanks.
10. “Christmas Is”, Dolly Parton ft. Miley Cyrus
This is our favorite cut from A Holly Dolly Christmas, Dolly Parton’s first full length new Christmas album in thirty years. Miley Cyrus is Parton’s goddaughter, and their duet is a tender and warm message that we need to celebrate the holiday with “kindness, love and compassion.”
If you can’t get enough of the fabulous Ms. Parton, get the album and catch her other surprising duet: she and TV host and comedian Jimmy Fallon offer their take on Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You.” No, we are not kidding.
11. “Naughty List”, Liam Payne ft. Dixie D’Amelio
This original song has only been out for a few weeks, and it’s already the subject of a love-it-or-hate-it heated debate on social. Listen for yourself and decide which side you’re on.
In the video that accompanies the track, the TikTok star and former One Direction member sings alongside friends in a photo booth, in a snow globe and amid a festive party scene.
12. “It’s Not Christmas Till Somebody Cries”, Carly Rae Jepsen
The lyrics of this original Christmas holiday song include a verse about grandpa eating weed gummies. If that’s your thing, then this is your new holiday jam. The zany video sees each member of Jepsen’s family eventually breaking into tears at their annual Christmas celebration (the character of Jepsen’s boyfriend actually cries the entire time).
The message? In an interview Jepsen says: “if things go south [at your family gathering this year], just remember, ‘the secret is to sing a little song to survive… that it’s not Christmas till somebody cries!’”
the best new 2020 Christmas holiday music, songs and albums
So, will we be singing and dancing to any of these in a year’s time? Which one’s your favorite? Whatever your jam, all of us here at Dandelion Chandelier are wishing you happy holidays. Stay safe and strong out there, dear reader.
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