The holidays are here and slowly making their way into everyone’s minds, especially when it comes to last-minute gifts. But how does one who’s tired of the traditional reindeer games get into the spirit? With some alt-rock renditions, of course! From classics redone by Creeper to newer songs that perhaps aren’t really holiday songs. Here are 11 alternative holiday songs for everyone to avoid the “bah humbug” of the season.
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My Chemical Romance — All I Want For Christmas Is You
Icons know icons. My Chemical Romance’s cover of the self-proclaimed “Queen of Christmas,” Mariah Carey, has become just as much of a staple in alt-music culture as the original version. The slow open with Gerard Way’s raspy yet yearning vocals into a cymbal kickoff of the rock version of the song brings the holiday humbug, in a good way. This rendition is nearing its’ 20th anniversary since it was unwrapped in 2004, but that just cements it as a Krampus classic.
Fall Out Boy — Yule Shoot Your Eye Out
Fall Out Boy perhaps wants a Red Ryder BB gun under their tree, just like the A Christmas Story character Ralphie pined for. The original track is a classic heartbreak holiday tune that pops off while sitting in front of the fake, 24/7 fireplace stream. Anyone who’s had a situationship or relationship go south right before the holidays knows that when Patrick Stump sings, “Don’t come home for Christmas/You’re the last thing I want to see/Underneath the tree,” you’re probably screaming along with it. The track also relates to the previously mentioned movie, where the main character might be asking for more than he can handle, which could have happened in the song, too. If anything, “Yule Shoot Your Eye Out” is and always will be a cautionary tale.
blink-182 — Happy Holidays, You Bastard
Short, frantic, and to the point, which is how some of us are as the holidays get closer and closer. Without wrapping gifts or even having any bought, a range of emotions can run through anyone’s head about how they ended up in this predicament. blink-182 still makes sure to let fans know this is a true pop-punk song by throwing in, “I hate, hate your guts/And I’ll never talk to you again,” because what’s an alternative holiday jingle without a tinge of resentment?
FELICITY — Last Christmas
There is no “Last Christmas” for the Florida trash rockers, FELICITY. They reworked the Wham! classic into a song that fans could listen to year-round, or at least for Christmas in July. Not only is there a theme of love loss in most well-known holiday tracks, but the additional screamo lends a more aggressive emotion that could be featured in a holiday horror flick.
twenty one pilots — Christmas Saves The Year
The music video for this twenty one pilots song opens with the classic claymation that we grew up with but with some creepy snowmen instead of jolly reindeer. Unlike many of the other songs on this list, this cover came out in 2020 and includes the unfortunate question some people have during the holidays, “Should I see my family?” For one reason or another, the message resonates throughout and over time, should make its way into the emo holiday round-up.
Creeper — Fairytale Of New York
The Irish-folk ballad that was originally by popular punks The Pogues was given a haunting rendition by UK goth rockers Creeper in 2017. Similar to the initial song, vocalist Will Gould and keyboardist/singer Hannah Greenwood go back and forth with the same spite and affection as late Pogues frontman Shane MacGowen and also late singer Kirsty MacColl gave in the first recording of the iconic punk song. While not often seen or talked about as a “mainstream” Christmas song, “Fairytale Of New York” is a punk classic that should be spun during the holiday season.
Anberlin — Christmas, Baby Please Come Home
This Christmas rendition is a little more hopeful than some others. The song’s beginning is a little different than most Anberlin tracks, with some funky guitar riffs that evolve into a rock takeover of the original ballad. This take on the track came out in 2005 and is still on most alt-rock fan’s holiday playlists.
No Doubt — Oi To The World
Punks need their holiday cheer, too! “Oi To The World” was No Doubt’s holiday anthem in 2003 that got people skanking around the Christmas tree. Originally, a cover of The Vandals 1996 song that was on the compilation album A Very Special Christmas 3. While you probably won’t hear this while shopping at the nearest mall during your holiday excursions, the song is upbeat and fresh and can last throughout any season with its attitude.
The Venetia Fair — You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grinch
Dramatic flair and pop-punk never go out of style. The Venetia Fair gave that with their performance of “You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grinch.” They added a bit more to this one with the use of their guitars to overexaggerate the creepy crawlies that the big green fellow gives most people. Paired with strong vocals from frontman Benny Santoro, this sleeper song elevates any playlist for the season.
The Used — Alone This Holiday
The original track appeared alongside MCR’s cover on the Gift Wrapped: 20 Songs That Keep On Giving compilation and details what it’s like to feel lonely during the most wonderful time of year. So it’s totally emo, is basically what we’re getting at. There are bells jingling throughout to remind the listener that while, yes, some of us are going through it, we are all still just a little bit festive.
Neck Deep — December
Going viral on TikTok recently, “December” isn’t a normal Christmas song. Featuring on Neck Deep’s album Life’s Not Out To Get You, it’s a letter to someone half hoping that they get what they want after leaving a relationship during the prime time of cuffing season. “It’s been a long lonely December” stands out in the chorus to bring a gut punch to the forefront of the song that makes this track a holiday hit.
