Christmas music can be polarizing and, let’s face it, pretty annoying.

It’s unfair that an icon like Mariah Carey is now best known for her infectious but over-the-top 1994 holiday anthem “All I Want for Christmas Is You.”

We’re just as sick of this song as we are of Wham’s Last Christmas. And there’s only so much Michael Bublé you can take without wondering if your family is trying to torture you.

Luckily, we don’t have to settle for the same old Christmas standards, as countless artists have written incredible Christmas songs over the years. This is hardly surprising; Whether you’re filled with joy or resentment, this time of year brings big emotions.

So we put the eggnog aside for a while and put together a few of our favorite Christmas classics.

Disclaimer: We don’t have to tell you why “Fairytale Of New York” or “How To Make Gravy” deserve a spot on your festive playlist, so they won’t be listed here.

Stella Donnelly – Season’s Greetings

Christmas Day can be unpleasant. Even if there’s no humidity to make you stick to chairs, the tension between family members can lead to heat and cold sweats.

With jangly indie pop, Perth artist Stella Donnelly sings about an estranged family member who rocks out to festivities while expressing old resentments. If this all sounds painfully familiar, don’t worry: she turns it into a cathartic singalong, expressing her terrible mood with a few choice curses. — Jared Richards

Old 97s – I don’t know what Christmas is (but the Christmas season is here)

Bookending 2022’s surprisingly entertaining The Guardians of the Galaxy Christmas special features two great numbers from alt-country rockers Old 97’s.

This tone-setting musical opening turns the myth of Santa Claus on its head as aliens unfamiliar with Christmas attempt to explain Christmas through song. It’s funny, youthful and sentimental at the same time. Just don’t blame us if your kids start singing about poking Santa in the eyes. — Christian Harimanov

Barry Gordon – Zoomah, Santa Claus from Mars

Barry Gordon’s single Nuttin’ For Christmas sold millions of copies when it was released in 1955, but unfortunately it’s also so irritating that it makes you want to light the Christmas tree. However, this obscure B-side from the following year is an absolute blast.

The theme is so outlandish that regardless of how it sounds, it would make for an intriguing Christmas oddity. The real appeal, however, lies in the performance of seven-year-old Gordon, who sings with enough class and cool to rival Sinatra. — Dan Condon

Sara Storer – Christmas in the Country

Known for her vivid storytelling and deep connection to country life, Sara Storer captures the essence of a rural Australian Christmas with Christmas In The Country (Jimmy’s Christmas), co-written and recorded with Australian musical titan Shane Howard became.

It is a warm and resonant song that reflects the unique traditions and images of an Australian Christmas, the summer heat, backyard barbecues, rubber trees and close-knit communities celebrating and commiserating together. — Kath Devaney

Joni Mitchell – River

Trust Joni Mitchell, one of the most profoundly sensitive songwriters of all time, to enshrine her flag in the Christmas carol canon with a nuanced tearjerker.

Combining heartbreak with a lonely piano rendition of Jingle Bells, River makes you feel like you’re having a terrible time while everyone else is just “Joy To The World.” — Al Newstead

Adam Sandler – The Hanukkah Song

For some, it’s time to move on from the Chrissy ham and head to a Chinese restaurant instead.

For anyone who didn’t make the naughty or nice list, light this Adam Sandler Festivus favorite and remind good little Jewish girls and boys of all the celebrities whose menorahs will also be lit. Happy Hanukkah, drink your gin and tonic-ah and smoke your marijuana-kah! — Sam Wicks

Sharon Jones – There are no chimneys in the projects

How do you choose a favorite track from Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings’ extraordinary 2015 festive album It’s a Holiday Soul Party?

Silent Night has never sounded so violent; Big light bulbs will shock Grandma on Christmas Day but set everyone else on their feet; The ballad World of Love seems to have been written precisely for the global pain of 2024; And she somehow delivers an upbeat, rocking version of “White Christmas” that rivals Otis Redding’s perfect version.

But year after year I come back to the absolute hit of Ain’t No Chimneys in the Projects. With Sharon’s deep soul belt and powerful horn blasts, this is an ear-splitting funk track as well as a little commentary on poverty and hard-working parents trying to keep the magic alive for their children. — Katherine Smyrk

Jimmy Eat World – Last Christmas

For my money, this version by US emo rockers Jimmy Eat World is even better than the original by Wham!.

They ramp up the tension, add layered synths, and maintain the campy, heartbreaking fidelity while bringing something new to the table, as all good covers should. — Al Newstead

Sufjan Stevens – Christmas Unicorn

Sufjan Stevens has made a lot of Christmas music, but no song stands out like this 12-minute electronic epic.

Lyrics about being a “brave pill seller” or the interpolation of “Love Will Tear Us Apart” may not make you understand what exactly a Christmas unicorn is, but understanding is not necessary (there are academic papers on the subject, however) . ).

Just let the strange, mythical and happy world – with a touch of melancholy – overwhelm you. Isn’t this Christmas in the truest sense of the word? — Jared Richards

Polish Club – All I want for Christmas is you

We think Mariah would approve of this crunchy rock makeover with Novak’s powerful, soulful vocals.

The cameo-filled music video is also a blast. — Al Newstead