Reflecting on it in 2020, guitarist Dave Hill told Classic Rock that the “song lifted a nation. It beat Wizzard’s “I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday” to the top spot in the charts in 1973 and hasn’t looked back since. The iconic glam rock group didn’t want to release this record initially. – Tim Peacock Slade – Merry Xmas Everybody Driven by guitarist Rick Neilsen’s power chords, the album’s titular song is a seasonal sizzler which shows exactly why “Christmas Christmas” is so good they really should name it twice. Legendary Illinois power-popsters Cheap Trick had Xmas all wrapped up with 2017’s Christmas Christmas. This Christmas classic has become a lightning rod of controversy in recent years, but as Nick Cave wrote in 2020, “the idea that a word, or a line, in a song can simply be changed for another and not do it significant damage is a notion that can only be upheld by those that know nothing about the fragile nature of songwriting.” – Sam Armstrong Cheap Trick: Christmas Christmas – Tim PeacockĬlick to load video The Pogues feat. The little ditty is based around a synthesizer line, and its lyrics have a wonderfully simple message: “We’re here tonight/And that’s enough.” – Sam Armstrong Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers: Christmas All Over AgainĪ rousing, Tom Petty-penned anthem with a few tinges of Phil Spector thrown in for good measure, this was initially the lead cut from A&M’s star-studded 1992 A Very Special Christmas compilation, released in aid of the Special Olympics. The Beatles’ Paul McCartney’s classic Christmas song isn’t exactly a rock tune, but it’s worthy of inclusion nonetheless. – Tim Peacock Paul McCartney: Wonderful Christmastime Co-written by Ellie Greenwich, Jeff Barry, and Phil Spector, the song was reputedly originally penned for Ronnie Spector. But Bono and co’s emotional, widescreen take of Darlene Love’s cult classic from 1963 is just as affecting. Mariah Carey made a fantastic version, of course. – Sam Armstrong U2: Christmas (Baby Come Home Please) Featuring the Harlem Community Choir, the song focused on the Vietnam War at the time of its initial release, but remains sadly relevant and necessary decades later. Part of John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s peace efforts, the Christmas song “Happy Xmas (War Is Over)” has become a staple of holiday season playlists.

– Tim PeacockĬlick to load video John Lennon: Happy Xmas (War Is Over) It’s since been covered by Sheryl Crow, Bryan Adams, Billy Idol and many more. Chuck Berry: Run Rudolph Runįirst released by Chess Records in time for Christmas 1958, this exuberant rocker – co-written by Johnny Marks of “Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer” fame – is quintessential Chuck Berry. Listen to the best Christmas rock songs on Spotify, and scroll down for our list of the best Christmas rock songs. This Christmas, enjoy some rock around the Christmas tree. No “Little Drummer Boy,” “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town,” or “Silent Night.” No Judy Garland singing “Have Yourself A Merry Christmas” or Nat King Cole going on about chestnuts roasting over an open fire. With Christmas coming, we’ll be ticking off the turkey, the tree, and all the trimmings, but what of the perfect music to provide the soundtrack for our festive fun? Most of us fall back on a solid Christmas hits collection regardless of our party’s persuasion, but what if we went one louder and gifted you the best Christmas rock songs ever? There’s no traditional Christmas carols here. It’s not just Santa Claus making lists and checking them twice.

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