12 Days of #108Mas: The 5 – Original XMas Songs from the 2010s

December 20, 2020

I’m pretty sure literally everyone in the music industry has their own holiday album at this point. Look, it’s an excellent cash grab. Release covers of a bunch of old standards and we’ll listen to ’em. It happens every year and in a year where musicians had a lot of time on their hands and no touring revenue, I’d expect even more. But we’re here to talk about those brave few that have written their own Christmas songs during my lifetime. And for this group, we’re going 2010-2019.

5. Cheap Trick – I Want You For Christmas

In a year where all your local rib, wing, and whatever fests have been canceled, you likely haven’t thought much about Cheap Trick. But this is a fun track that, as you probably guessed, is a take on their hit I Want You To Want Me.

4. John Legend – Merry Merry Christmas

To me, this track has a very New Orleans jazz vibe, along with a little soul and gospel. He wrote this with Earl King and Raphael Saadiq. Saadiq was in Tony! Toni! Tone! back in the day, but has since become quite the producer. He does a great job on this one.

3. Sia – Candy Cane Lane

I honestly figured this was a cover the first time I heard this, despite it being my first time hearing the song. It has such a great 60s pop vibe and I’m a sucker for a claymation video whether it be fun like this one or a terrifying Tool video.

2. JD McPherson – Hey Skinny Santa!

I’m a fan of that great ’50s rockabilly sound and JD always brings that. He actually put out a full Christmas album and it’s awesome if that’s your type of music. Give it a look, it’s called “Socks”. But picking which track here is easy, since this song is about getting #108thicc and they mention Maxwell Street Polish.