With Thanksgiving behind us, radio stations have no reason to hold back on their excess of Christmas music. While there are many classic Christmas songs that contribute to a distinct and traditional Christmas vibe, many of them are covers and lack originality. 

In order to remain in the Christmas spirit, without going crazy from the voices of Bing Cosby and Frank Sinatra, go punk for Christmas. 

“Lucky People” by Waterparks

Despite not being centered around the idea of Christmas, “Lucky People” by Waterparks will always have a place on my Christmas playlist. By singing “merry Christmas” while also having a cheery melody, the song is a perfect break from the predictable and outdated Christmas music that dominates radio stations as soon as shoppers wake up for Black Friday and in some unfortunate cases even earlier. 

“Father Christmas” by The Kinks

Starting off with little bells that sound like snow, the soundtrack is ambushed with guitar. The rest of the song continues this trend of balancing Christmas and punk. There are a couple of guitar solos throughout the song as well, and despite being more on the alt-rock side of things, “Father Christmas” could sneak its way onto any Christmas playlist.

“Yule Shoot Your Eye Out” by Fall Out Boy

As part of the alt-rock trinity, it’d be a crime to not include Fall Out Boys on any punk playlist. “Yule Shoot Your Eye Out” pays homage to the movie “A Christmas Story,” using one of its most iconic lines as a title for the song.

The song’s intro sets it up to be an ordinary Christmas song, but once the lyrics set in the angst rises. If you’re not quite in the holiday spirit, this song works as a song to channel negative emotions into while still living up the Christmas season.

“My Christmas List” by Simple Plan

At the end of Simple Plan’s album “No Pads, No Helmets, Just Balls,” is a surprise song that rings in the winter season, in a very honest way. Even though I listen to a CD of the album year-round, I rarely skip the last track “My Christmas List.”

The song is comedic, fun, and true to the spirit of Christmas. Bells start out the song making it fit with other music of the holiday season, but the rest of the musical aspects stay true to Simple Plan’s grunge vibe and the album this song is on.

“Christmas Every Day” Simple Plan

Another song from Simple Plan, “Christmas Every Day” depicts a sentiment of wanting the holiday to last forever. Paying an ode to classic Christmas aspects, the song mentions mistletoe and Santa Clause in a different way than the holiday music found streaming through the radio. 

“Santa Baby” by Me First and the Gimme Gimmes

“Santa Baby” is a classic song for the winter season, but Me First and the Gimme Gimmes put a fresh punk-rock spin on the song. It’s the perfect cover of the original to satisfy your punk music cravings while still appreciating the classics. Most of the lyrics stay the same while the music is rearranged with a killer guitar to blend the classic genre and punk rock together in perfect harmony.

“I Won’t Be Home For Christmas” by Blink-182

The first few seconds of this tune are almost mocking other Christmas music, paired with jingle bells that are quickly interrupted by guitar. 

From a musical standpoint, having the foundation of guitar overlaid with great vocals and unexpected lyrics is so much fun. Early on are complaints of carollers that cracked me up the first time listening to the song.