Although some of these have been kicking around for so long they're traditional at this point. I'm limiting this list to original songs rather than modern covers of Christams standards - that list would be too long.
Christmas Wrapping by the Waitresses - I love everything about this song. The sick bass line, the clever lyrics, the sax breaks, and Patty Donahue's voice. I get that some people don't like it, but that's because they're wrong.
Christmas is a Time To Say I Love You by Billy Squire - when Don't Say No came out I pretty much played the groove off the vinyl so I am at least a passing fan of Mr. Squire, but this is his best song. Such simple songwriting. It never wears out its welcome.
Thanks For Christmas - XTC. XTC is one of my favorite bands and any time I hear them played by someone else it makes me happy. My favorite part of the song is the bridge "You've been saving your love up/ Let it out, 'cause christmas time is here."
Father Christmas - the Kinks. When I was a kid this felt so subversive and "punk." But it's still a really good song. Because it's by the Kinks so of course it's really good.
All I want For Christmas is You - Mariah Carey and others. This is probably pretty much a traditional Christmas song at this point. Certainly mainstream. Probably as standard as Bing Crosby at this point, but I love it. It's exuberant, joyous, well written and performed. I'm not a fan of her in general though.
At the Closing of the Year - Wendy and Lisa. This dream pop gem opens the movie TOYS. It's not a very good movie but it's so wacky and ambitious that I appreciate the attempt. This song is too complex to become a carol, but no Christmas mix is complete without it.
I Saw My Baby Wearing Santa's Beard - They Might Be Giants - I've always loved TMBG and Lincoln is my favorite album by them. This song has a less sincere sentiment than most of the others on this list, but it's a hell of a lot funnier than "Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer."
Beatles Christmas records 1964-1967 - Not technically songs, but I don't go a Christmas season without listening to them and even the little musical doodles they toss off effortlessly sound like they could be classics if they were fully realized and arranged. The first two Christmas records were too canned and the last two were too sad. These middle ones are endlessly entertaining.
Fairy Tale of New York - the Pogues. I used to spend a lot of time, money and brain cells in a pub where this was played year round. The song not only reminds me of Christmas but of the days when I could while away my evenings with pals in a bar without a care in the world.
and finally...
Simply Having A Wonderful Christmas Time - Paul McCartney. Look I get it. People hate this song. It's trite. It's overplayed every year. It's underwritten.Those tacky synth hits sound tacky and cheap. I don't care. This song is the musical equivalent of egg nog. Sticky sweet, makes you a little sick to your stomach, but it's not Christmas without it.
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