Here are 10 recommended holiday songs for your iPods. These treats will surely satisfy your taste buds across the rock and roll spectrum. Enjoy these yummy classic rock, hard rock, punk rock, alternative rock, and thrash metal offerings.
1. The Ramones “Merry Christmas (I Don’t Want To Fight Tonight)” from Brain Drain [1989]. The greatest Punk Rock band of all time constructed arguably the best holiday song ever. When this tune pops up on the old radio dial after Thanksgiving, you can’t help but smile and “Blitzkrieg Bop” along.
2. John Lennon And The Plastic Ono Band With The Harlem Community Choir “Happy Christmas (War Is Over)” from Lennon Legend [1997]. While, there have been many covers of this tune, nothing compares to the original version—Sorry Kip Winger.
3. Twisted Sister “Oh Come All Ye Faithful” from A Twisted Christmas [2006]. Dee Snider and the cross dressing SMF’s still bring the pain like it is 1986. A Twisted Christmas has quickly earned itself the reputation as one of the best holiday records ever released, from start to finish. This modified version of “Faithful” is performed to the drum beat and guitar riffs of “We’re Not Gonna Take It.”
4. Chuck Billy, Scott Ian, Jon Donais, Chris Wyse, and John Tempesta “Silent Night” from We Wish You A Metal Xmas And A Headbanging New Year [2008]. It is brutal, exhilarating, and absolutely ridiculous…you’ll love it!
5. Bruce Spingsteen “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town” from My Hometown (Single) [1998]. The Boss rocks the socks off the fireplace mantle on this stadium rock delicacy.
6. Skid Row “Jingle Bells” from Monster Ballads Xmas [2007]. Yes, it is a heavy metal sin to place a Sebastian Bach-less Skid Row on any countdown, but this is the best version of “Jingle Bells” out there.
7. Pearl Jam “Don’t Believe In Christmas” from Fan Club Christmas Single [2002]. Every year Pearl Jam sends a holiday treat to loyal (and paying) fan club members. They sent a cover of this classic from The Sonics in 2002. The song begins at 5:48 below:
8. Elvis Presley “Blue Christmas” from It’s Christmas Time [1999]. Whether you are a metal head, punk rocker, or pop lover, you should pay your respects every once in a while to “The King of Rock N Roll”—it is only right to give him thanks and praise. After all, if Elvis never existed, there would never have been devil worshiping in thrash metal or sex in rap videos…Consider this your 2oth Century American Culture lesson for today.
9. Trans-Siberian Orchestra “Christmas Canon Rock” from The Lost Christmas Eve [2004]. Talented, cheesy, and awesome! Do you think their success has anything to do with the three hot blonds that front the band?
10. Blink 182 “I Won’t Be Home For Christmas” from I Won’t Be Home For Christmas (Single) [2001]. Rob Zombie once said, “You can’t strip to Blink 182.” For some reason that quote has always stuck with me, just like this holiday b-side has on my iPod.
Holy smokes, how did I leave #1 off of my list! Nice list, there’s some fun ones in there.
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