Jason Speakman/Men’s Health
Because one listen of “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas” is too many listens of “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas,” it’s time to create a tasteful soundtrack with the help of DJ Michael, the music supervisor for Ace Hotels.
This collection of unsung holiday tracks is perfect for putting on in the background of a relaxed (but festive!) party, on a drive over the river and through the woods to Grandmother’s house, or during those final days of work before a much-needed break.
Although not ever song screams HOLIDAYS, you’ll feel the spirit behind them, one and all.
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1
“Someday at Christmas” by Steve Wonder
Someday at Christmas man will not fail // Hate will be gone love will prevail
2
“Blue Christmas” by Elvis Presley
Won’t be the same dear, if you’re not here with me
3
“Snowflake” by Jim Reeves
Ooh, ooh, the change in the weather // Has made it better for me
4
“Imagine” by John Lennon
Imagine no possessions // I wonder if you can
5
“Wild Is the Wind” by Nina Simone
You’re spring to me // All things to me
6
“Self-Portrait in Three Colors” by Charles Mingus
7
“Moonbird” by Roger Webb
(more dreamy jazz with wintry chimes)
8
“Tell Me a Tale” by Michael Kiwanuka
Turn me around so I can be // Everything I was meant to be
9
“Happiness” by Syreeta
My happiness is knowing you are loved
10
“‘S Wonderful” by João Gilberto
Wonderful, marvelous // That you should care for me
11
“Ooo Baby Baby” by Smokey Robinson & The Miracles
I’m just about at the end of my rope // But I can’t stop trying, I can’t give up hope
12
“Wedding Bell” by Beach House
Oh, but your wish is my command
13
“The Fox in the Snow” by Belle & Sebastian
Don’t let yourself grow hungry now // Don’t let yourself grow cold
14
“Angel in the Snow” by Elliott Smith
I’d say you make a perfect // Angel in the snow
15
“Like Someone In Love” by Chet Baker
Each time I look at you I’m limp as a glove // And feeling like someone in love
16
“Simply Beautiful” by Al Green
You gotta be good to me // I’m gonna be good to you
17
“Baby” by Donnie & Joe Emerson
When we’re out in the moonlight // Looking up on the stars above
18
“This Will Be Our Year” by The Zombies
Now we’re there and we’ve only just begun
19
“Heroes” by David Bowie
We could steal time // Just for one day
20
“Tezeta (Nostalgia)” by Mulatu Astatke
(more smooth sounds of soul-warming jazz)
21
“The Homeless Wanderer” by Emahoy Tsegué-Maryam Guèbrou
22
“Greensleeves” by Vince Guaraldi Trio
23
“My Favorite Things” by John Coltrane
24
“Now My Heart Is Full” by Morrissey
Now my heart is full // Now my heart is full // And I just can’t explain
25
“Remember (Christmas)” by Harry Nilsson
Remember, life is just a memory
26
“Jingle Bells, Pt. 1” by Pastor T.L. Barrett and the Youth For Christ Choir
One horse open sleigh! // One horse open sleigh!
27
“Stone Soul Christmas” by Binky Griptite
Man, what’s the matter with you? // Don’t you know it’s Christmas?
28
“Santa Claus Go Straight to the Ghetto” by James Brown
Leave a toy for Johnny // Leave a doll for Mary // Leave something pretty for Donnie // And don’t forget about Gary
29
“Every Day Is Christmas” by Charles Bradley
Everyone is invited // Come on in and have a good time
30
“I Remember Christmas” by The Stridells
Do you remember your Christmas Day?
31
“Christmas Love” by Rotary Connection
Choir is singing songs of goodwill // Though it’s cold outside, no one feels the chill
32
“Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” by Darlene Love
Pretty lights on the tree // I’m watching them shine // You should be here with me
33
“Please Come Home For Christmas” by Charles Brown
Friends and relations // Send salutations // Sure as the stars shine up above // For this is Christmas
34
“The Tree with the Lights in It” by High Places
A tree inside your eye // A flickering of branches hold your breath and then you sigh
35
“Bells Ring” by Mazzy Star
Bells ring into the night
36
“Santa Claus Is Coming to Town” by Mason Jennings
37
“Christmas Card From a Hooker in Minneapolis” by Neko Case
hey Charley I think I’m happy // for the first time since my accident
38
“Christmas Time Is Here” by Mark Kozelek
Mark, you’re the only person I know who could take a wonderful season like Christmas and turn it into a problem
39
“Run Run Rudolph” by Cassie Ramone
Santa make him hurry, tell him he can take the freeway down
40
“Snails Christmas (I Want a New Shell)” by The Snails
41
“Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” by Phoebe Bridgers
42
“Big Bag” by Tyler, The Creator
I was wrapping gifts age six with the paper bandanas // Mom was always honest, I ain’t never had a Santa Claus
43
“Christmas in Prison” by Hiss Golden Messenger & Lucinda Williams
It was Christmas in prison // And the food was real good // We had turkey and pistols // Carved out of wood
44
“Just Like Christmas” by Low
On our way from Stockholm // Started to snow // And you said it was like Christmas
45
“Christmas Treat” by Julian Casablancas
All I know is that Santa Claus // Don’t care about breaking or applying laws
46
“Boxing Day Blues” by Courtney Barnett
I love all of your ideas // You love the idea of me
47
“A Change at Christmas (Say It Isn’t So)” by The Flaming Lips
Oh, if I could stop time // It would be a frozen moment just around Christmas
48
“Christmas Island” by Leon Redbone
How’d ya like to stay up late, like the islanders do? // Wait for Santa to sail in with your presents in a canoe
49
“Christmastime” by The Smashing Pumpkins
I remember dreaming // Wishing, hoping, praying for this day // Now I sit and watch them // The little ones I love
50
“Listening to Otis Redding at Home During Christmas” by Okkervil River
It’s Christmastime and the plane flies me over white hills // To a town in a dream where the sky, it is frozen and still
51
“Christmas in Washington” by Steve Earle
So come back Woody Guthrie // Come back to us now // Tear your eyes from paradise // And rise again somehow
Spencer Dukoff is the Deputy Editor of Content Strategy at Men’s Health.
Paul is the Food & Nutrition Editor of Men’s Health.
