Mariah Carey has already decked her halls, but plenty of other musicians are getting into the spirit of the season with original holiday songs this year.
Jack Antonoff’s band, Bleachers, dropped a single titled “Merry Christmas, Please Don’t Call” in November. The producer shed light on the inspiration behind the song in a lengthy Instagram post.
“‘Merry christmas, please dont call’ is finally here. took a long long time to finish writing this. Years,” he wrote. “Those who have heard bits and pieces at shows know the different versions and how the lyrics moved more or less hopeful/upsetting. can be hard to tell the story of someone you dont want around and still find a reason to tell it. maybe thats what it took so long to frame. had to also hold the hope of rearranging ones life. hi and goodmorning over here.”
He continued, “So this for anyone who has come to realize someone’s been chipping away at the them [sic] and does not intend to stop. something that happened to me a few years ago and was not fit for a bleachers album … was an island .. like a christmas song. i love how xmas songs are about hoping life gets better next time, hoping your baby comes home on xmas (or at least new years), hoping youre less on the floor next xmas…. that felt like the place to tell the story. so to anyone trying to drag you down, this is my best shot at closing the door to be more intact this xmas. dont call on the holdidays [sic] motherf—er! love you all!”
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In a separate post on the Bleachers account, Antonoff wrote that he was glad the song was “finally” out in the universe. “Here it is. for everyone who experiences the holidays as a time to clean out those who have done you wrong,” he noted.
As Bleachers joined the holiday music charts, news broke that Jason Kelce’s festive track with Stevie Nicks, “Maybe This Christmas,” dethroned Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You” from the No. 1 spot on iTunes.
“You know, I’ve fought my whole life to be the Queen of Christmas,” Jason teased during an episode of his and Travis Kelce’s “New Heights” podcast. “And the fact that we’re finally there is just really special.”
Scroll on for more of the best original holiday songs of 2024:
‘Merry Christmas, Please Don’t Call’ – Bleachers
Not every Christmas is filled with cheer, as Antonoff exemplifies on this sorrowful single.
‘All I Want for Christmas Is a Cowboy’ – Megan Moroney
Moroney puts her playful country twang on the familiar holiday theme, teasing in the chorus, “Please Santa, please / All I want for Christmas is a cowboy / Who only wants me.”
‘Santa Drives an Astro Van’ – Mt. Joy and Jason Kelce
You don’t have to be a Philadelphia Eagles fan to enjoy this playful reimagining of Mt. Joy’s 2018 hit, but you do have to say “Go Birds” after listening.
‘You for Christmas’ – Kelly Clarkson
Clarkson became queen of her own Christmas kingdom with 2013’s Wrapped in Red and 2021’s When Christmas Comes Around, and her latest holiday tune is the perfect cozy addition.
‘Glow’ – Little Big Town
The country group sprinkled this joyful earworm into their first-ever holiday album, released in October, and the celebrations will continue with the upcoming NBC special Little Big Town’s Christmas at the Opry, airing December 16.
‘Save the Snowman’ – Dan + Shay
For those who watch Frosty the Snowman religiously each year, this song is sure to melt your heart. (It’s giving Hot Frosty — but not in a fun way.)
‘Maybe This Christmas’ – Michael Buble and Carly Pearce
At the 2024 CMA Awards, Pearce filled Us in on the inspiration behind the Christmas collab. “It speaks to the not-so-pretty parts of maybe feeling loneliness or heartache or grief during the holidays, which I think so many people feel,” she said.
‘December 25th’ – Charlie Puth
Another reminder that the holidays aren’t always so happy, Puth sings about spending Christmas alone after a breakup, confessing, “December 25th is the day that always hurts me the most.”
‘1 Wish’ – Ava Max
Max gifted Us with an upbeat jingle that was made to be blasted through a department store in the weeks leading up to Christmas Day.
‘Santa Is Me’ – Coco Jones
Jones brings the soul to the holiday season and declares the only thing on her wish list is a little self-love.
‘Loud Little Town’ – Jason Kelce and Kylie Kelce
Songwriter Brandon Beaver praised Jason’s “stellar artistic instincts” for recruiting his wife to join him on this sweet duet, which showcases the couple coming together in perfect harmony. (Don’t mind Us, just imagining Jason and Kylie’s holiday sing-alongs with Travis and Taylor Swift.)
‘Happy Trails’ – Orville Peck
Sharing a clip of himself knitting via Instagram, the masked cowboy joked that he provided “the sad holiday song you’ve been yarning for.”
‘Evergreen’ – Tiera Kennedy
Like the title suggests, Kennedy’s original song serves as a reminder that the time spent with loved ones during the holidays never gets old. “Material things don’t last, but the people around you and the memories you make do,” she said in a press release.
