Seven modern holiday songs to add to your Christmas playlist

Tis the season to fill your home with holiday cheer and what better way to do that than with a good Christmas song playlist? 

In a few days, family and friends will be gathering for Christmas Day lunch. There'll be lots of food, lots of heartwarming conversations, and lots of music. 

Traditional Christmas songs like Brenda Lee's 'Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree', Bobby Helms' 'Jingle Bell Rock and Donny Hathaway's 'This Christmas' are always a hit.

Mariah Carey's 'All I Want For Christmas Is You' - which just claimed the #1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 - is also a must for every playlist. 

Check out our traditional Christmas song playlist: 10 songs you need to add to your Christmas holiday playlist

However, there are also amazing Christmas songs that have been created in the 2000s. Here's a look at some of our modern holiday tracks. 

ALSO READ: Choose your favourite song of 2023

Ariana Grande Christmas songs

Ariana Grande is often compared to Mariah Carey but could she be the next 'Queen of Christmas'? The Japanese reissue of the 30-year-old's debut holiday EP, 'Christmas Kisses', featured the hit, 'Santa Tell Me'. It remains one of Ariana's biggest Christmas songs to date. 

The EP also included a cover of Eartha Kitt and Henri René's 1953 classic, 'Santa Baby', and Wham!'s 'Last Christmas'. 

ALSO READ: Ariana Grande, Jennifer Hudson, and Mariah Carey perform 'Oh Santa!'

John Legend Christmas songs

EGOT-winner John Legend released his first Christmas album in 2018. The 14-track album included covers of 'Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas' and 'The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)'. It also produced several original songs such as 'Bring Me Love'. 

John's wife, Chrissy Teigen, featured in the song's music video. Check out the cute holiday song below. 

ALSO READ: John Legend and Chrissy Teigen welcome baby #4 via surrogate

Kelly Clarkson Christmas songs

Kelly Clarkson has released two Christmas albums. Her first album, 2013's 'Wrapped in Red', became a holiday staple in many homes. 'Underneath The Tree' is the offerings standout Christmas song. Kelly co-wrote the song with Greg Kurstin. 

ALSO READ: Listen: Kelly Clarkson releases new song 'Favorite Kind of High'

Taylor Swift Christmas songs

Taylor Swift is also a big fan of Christmas songs.  She has recovered several festive-themed tracks over the years including her first original, 'Christmas Tree Farm'. The song was inspired by Taylor's childhood.

"I actually did grow up on a Christmas tree farm. In a gingerbread house, deep within the yummy gummy gumdrop forest," she wrote in a 2019 tweet. 

ALSO READ: Taylor Swift, Trevor Noah bag Golden Globes nominations

Destiny's Child Christmas songs 

'8 Days of Christmas' by Destiny's Child is the holiday song you never know you needed.  The song featured on the group's album of the same name, which was released in 2001. Beyoncé co-wrote the song with Kelly Rowland and Errol McCalla Jr.  

ALSO READ: A-list stars support Beyoncé at 'Renaissance' concert film premiere

Katy Perry Christmas songs

If a 'Cozy Little Christmas' is what you want then look no further than this Katy Perry song. The singer wrote the song after visiting Copenhagen with her family during the festive season. Katy sings on the song: 

I don't need diamonds, no sparkly things 
'Cause you can't buy this a-feeling 
Nothing lights my fire or wraps me up, baby, like you do
Just want a cozy, a cozy little Christmas here with you
Source: LyricFind

ALSO READ: Katy Perry set to voice new character on 'Peppa Pig'

Linkin Park Christmas song

This Linking Park song is technically not a Christmas song but its theme fits in perfectly with the holiday season - especially if you're away from home this December, missing a loved one or feeling lonely. The moody lyrics of 'My December' are very different from the the upbeat tracks you would listen to during the festive season, but the song resonates with a lot of people. 

And I'd give it all away
Just to have somewhere to go to
Give it all away
To have someone to come home to

This is my December
This is my time of the year
This is my December
This is all so clear
Source: Musixmatch

ALSO READ: Beating the Christmas blues: How to effectively deal with stress and depression

Main image credit: YouTube/ John Legend

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