Songs in the Key of Hanukkah by Sasha Baron Cohen

Thanksgiving has officially come and gone, and now I feel the time is appropriate to start talking about Christmas and Channukah. I think many would agree with me that before Thanksgiving, it's really just too early.

After scouring the Internet, reading blogs, looking at iTunes playlists and asking friends I've compiled an extensive list of holiday songs that don't suck (according to me). This list includes classics that never get old, sarcastic songs, punk covers, indie covers, funny songs and even a handful of Channukah songs that I feel are appropriate and don’t cross that cheese ball line. (I’ve placed them at the bottom of the list.)

Please feel free to share more. I want this list to serve as a resource for retailers to keep their employees from ripping their ears out, or folks who want to make a soundtrack to a party where people might actually have a good time. I’ve also included links to CD compilations (click on the captions under the images) and iTunes playlists that are acceptable.

A punk Christmas: Oi to the World! by the Vandals

1. "Happy Christmas (War is Over)" - John Lennon
2. "Don't Shoot Me Santa Claus" - The Killers
3. "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" - Brenda Lee
4. "Christmas in Hollis" - Run DMC
5. "Baby Please Come Home" - Bon Jovi
6. "Run Run Rudolph" - Chuck Berry
7. "Christmas is Creepy" - Fred Figglehorn
8. "Baby It's Cold Outside" - Dean Martin
9. "All That I Want" - The Weepies
10. "Little Drummer Machine Boy" - Beck
11. "We Three Kings - Blackmore's Night
12. "Merry Christmas Baby" - Otis Redding
13. "Sleigh Ride" - The Ventures
14. "Jingle Bell Rock" - The Brian Seltzer Orchestra
15. "Santa Baby" - Eartha Kitt
16. "Gabriel's Message" - Sting
17. "Trepak" - The British Tuba (Tchaikovsky arr. Smalley)
18. "Come on Let's Boogie to the Elf Dance" - Sufjan Stevens
19. "Christmas Time (Don’t Let the Bells End) - The Darkness

An indie Christmas with Sufjan Stevens

20. "You're a Mean One Mister Grinch - Dweezil Zappa
21. "Little Drummer Boy - Apocalyptica
22. "The Christmas Song" - Stevie Wonder
23. "X-Mas" - Gotthard
24. "White Christmas" - Bing Crosby
25. "Coventry Carol" - Loreena McKennitt
26. "Someday At Christmas" - Pearl Jam
27. "Mary Did You Know" - Kutless
28. "Carol Of The Bells" - Sixpence None the Richer
29. "Christmas Celebration" - Weezer
30. “Sleigh Rid" - Squirrel Nut Zippers
31. “I Saw Mummy Kissing Santa Claus" - Amy Winehouse
32. "Fairytale of New York" - The Pogues
33. “Chiron Beta Prime” - Jonathan Coulton
34. "Do They Know It's Christmas" (original version) - Band Aid
35. "Oi to the World" - The Vandals and No Doubt
36. "Feliz Navidad" - José Feliciano
37. "12 Days of Christmas" - Straight no Chaser
38. "Xmas Curtain" - My Morning Jacket
39. "Christmas Is Coming - Blitzen Trapper

An indie Christmukkah with the O.C.

40. "Just Like Christmas" – Low
41. “Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas" - Ella Fitzgerald
42. "The Christmas Song" - The Ravonettes
43. "Last Christmas" - Jimmy Eat World
44. "Christmas with you is the Best" - The Long Winter
45. "Christmas Is Going to the Dogs" – Eels
46. “Christmas at Ground Zero”- Weird Al
47. “The Chipmunk Song” (A.k.a. Christmas Don’t Be Late) – Alvin & the Chipmunks
48. “Monster’s Holiday” – Bobby “Boris” Pickett
49. “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” - Bruce Springsteen
50. Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer” Elmo & Patsy
51. “Fa La Freezing” – My First Earthquake
52. “Thank God it’s Christmas” – Queen
53. “Little Drummer Boy” Joan Jett and the Blackhearts
54. “Christmas Wrapping” – The Waitress
55. “2000 Miles” – the Pretenders
56. “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” – Jackson 5
57. “Christmastime is Here” – Vince Guaraldi Trio
58. “It’s Hard to be a Jew on Christmas” – South Park
59. "Feliz Hannukah" by 2 Live Jews

Barenaked Ladies Chrismas and Hannukah songs

60. "Relics of Love and Light" - Idan Raichel & Avivit Caspi
61. "Ocho Kandelikas" Alisa Fineman
62. "Rock of Ages" - Ben Kweller
63. "The Chanukah Song" (original and part 1 live version - Adam Sandler
64. "Dreidel" - Erran Baron Cohen (featuring Jules Brookes)