Brooke's 12 Tracks of Christmas

With only two more sleeps until Christmas, I wanted to share 12 of my favorite Christmas songs. Sparing you of the well known masterpieces that you'll hear while doing your last minute shopping or o your daily commute, I wanted to highlight some songs that might not be as mainstream or even known by our American readers.

Brooke's 12 Tracks of Christmas

"Every Day's Like Christmas" - Kylie Minogue 

A new single off of Australian superstar Kylie Minogue's 2015 holiday album Kylie Christmas, this sing is full of warmth and bound to become a classic. The song was written by Coldplay's Chris Martin and easily gets stuck in your head.

"I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday" - Wizzard

Who's doesn't wish it could be Christmas everyday? This song has been one of my favorite Christmas songs since I was a child. It's fun and always puts me in the Christmas spirit.

"Merry Xmas Everybody" - Slade

Another 70's classic that makes me want to deck the halls with Christmas cheer. Recorded in 1973, the song went on to become Slade's biggest hit and has reentered the UK chart several times since its release.

"Christmas Wrapping" - The Waitresses

If there's one Christmas song that I could relate to on more than one occasion it's "Christmas Wrapping." The song is a tale of a woman who has no time or energy to bother with Christmas, even though it's her favorite holiday. The tone changes midway through when she bumps into the guy that had peaked her interest throughout the year, though before this meeting something always came up between the two of them.

"A Christmas Duel" - The Hives & Cyndi Lauper

This is a tale of a couple that hates each other so much that they do everything in their power to make their partner's life miserable until the are relegated to spend Christmas with each other anyway.

"Jingle Dem Bells" - Rupaul feat. Big Freedia

This song will bring the beat. Leave it to the Mother of Drag RuPaul and the Queen Diva of bounce music Big Freedia to make and obscure but catchy Christmas song that inspires you to shake your ass. Tis the season to twerk. The accompanying video was part Logo's Rupaul's Drag Race Green Screen Christmas special and is so bizarre it's brilliant.

"Winter Wonderland" - Eurythmics

"Winter Wonderland" has been a favorite of mine since I was a child. I think the version recorded by Eurythmics far surpasses any other version. Annie Lennox's vocals are always spot on and Dave Stewart's production is magical.

"Peace On Earth/Little Drummer Boy" - Bing Crosby & David Bowie

What seems like an unlikely pairing ends up being sheer perfection. Bing Crosby will forever be known as "Mr. Christmas" and David Bowie is just too cool for words.  The pair recorded this for a 1977 television special. While "Little Drummer Boy" was written in 1941, "Peace On Earth" was written specifically for the duo after Bowie voiced his dislike of "Little Drummer Boy."

Sleigh Ride - Spice Girls

The Spice Girls has always been my favorite music group (duh, I grew up in the 90's) so of course they have to be on the list. "Sleigh Ride" is such a fun song, especially when you add a bit of girl power! The song was the b-side to the girls' first UK Christmas #1 "2 Become 1." Spice Girls went on to achieve three consecutive Christmas #1s (which is a huge accomplishment across the pond).

"Not Tonight Santa" - Girls Aloud

"Not Tonight Santa" is a catchy pop tune about a girl who would rather have her boyfriend for Christmas instead of anything that Santa could possibly bring her. The track boasts lyrics like "You give me something I could never get from a Santa Claus" and "I'll let you peek inside my stocking if you show me yours." Who knew Christmas was so sexy?

"Hard Candy Christmas" - Dolly Parton

While the word 'Christmas' is in the song's title, "Hard Candy Christmas" was never intended to be a holiday song. The song was written for the musical The Best Little Whorehouse  in Texas and made popular when it was featured in the movie adaptation starring Dolly Parton. The song, about a woman falling into unfortunate circumstances has since become a feature on many holiday playlists. 

"All I Want For Christmas" - Mariah Carey

No list about Christmas music would be complete without this gem. There isn't much to say about this modern day classic - it's great! So I know I had said I'd be featuring lesser known songs, but I just couldn't leave this off the list.