12 Best '80s Christmas Songs for the Most Totally Tubular Holiday
'Tis the season for a little Wham.
Picture this: It's December. You turn on your car radio. The first few synth-pop notes of "Last Christmas" by Wham! start playing. What do you do? Why, you turn the volume up and you sing every single lyric at the top of your lungs, that's what you do! Because it's Christmastime and there's nothing quite like '80s Christmas songs to put you in a rockin' good mood.
Some of the best Christmas songs from the 1980s are totally tubular originals like supergroup Band Aid's "Do They Know It's Christmas?" and the utterly charming New Wave "Christmas Wrapping" by the Waitresses. Others are rad renditions on popular Christmas songs like the powerhouse Whitney Houston's rendition of "Do You Hear What I Hear?" but what they all have in common is they are full of yuletide cheer and a lot of hairspray.
So pull out that old walkman while you trim that tree, tease those bangs as high as the mistletoe, and get ready to simply have the most wonderful Christmastime with all the hits featuring Bruce Springsteen, Eurythmics, and so many more artists of the decade. Oh, and turn on some '80s Christmas movies while you're at it. Then you'll really go back to the future this holiday season. Bodacious!
Add these songs to your Christmas playlist:
"Christmas Wrapping" by The Waitresses
Is there any better ending to a song about spending Christmas alone than running into your crush at the all-night grocery because you both forgot to buy cranberries? This catchy bop will have hopeful every holiday.
"Do They Know It's Christmas?" by Band Aid
Did you know this charity song raised over $8 million dollars for Ethiopia in its first year of release in 1984? It also happens to feature some of the most popular British and Irish musicians of the day including Boy George and George Michael.
"Last Christmas" by Wham!
Speaking of George Michael, you can't get through the holiday season without hearing his voice at least once a week on this now classic. And remember: Be sure to give your heart to someone special.
"Deck the Halls" by Mannheim Steamroller
It's the greatest synthpop Christmas song of them all. Composer Chip Davis found fame in the mid '80s when his ensemble released a holiday album reinterpreting the classics. "Deck the Halls" is now the iconic track that everyone remembers.
"Wonderful Christmastime" by Paul McCartney
Paul McCartney's first solo album was released in 1980 featuring this gem. You could say it helped usher in the '80s synthesizer sound that is so prevalent in songs of this decade. It also makes them so very catchy!
"Merry Christmas Baby" by Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band
This groove is actually a cover! Recorded live and featured on the compilation A Very Special Christmas to raise money for the Special Olympics, Bruce and company give it their own special Jersey spin.
"Christmas in Hollis" by Run-DMC
This might be the only hip hop song to appear on this list, but it's worth putting on repeat to get a little taste of Hollis, Queens. You get to hear all about their Christmas menu in detail, which sounds absolutely incredible.
"Winter Wonderland" by Eurythmics
Also featured on A Very Special Christmas (seriously, the whole album is worth a listen!), you'll hear a uniquely synthetic cover of the classic. You can't help but swoon over Annie Lenox's sultry voice over the beat.
"Do You Hear What I Hear?" by Whitney Houston
There are many covers of this classic, but none of them have quite the power that Whitney can deliver. While she later released several other Christmas songs, this was her first. It also appeared on (surprise!) A Very Special Christmas.
"Little Drummer Boy" by Joan Jett & The Blackhearts
A little bit gritty and a whole lot rocking, this rendition of the classic is not what you'd normally expect for a Christmas song. But it's exactly what you'd expect from Joan Jett!
"2000 Miles" by Pretenders
Honestly, it was very hard to choose between this and their cover of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.” Chrissie Hynde's more melancholy vocals make your heart ache (in a good way!) in this original tune.
"Hard Candy Christmas" by Dolly Parton
Seriously, is any song list complete without Dolly? Leave it to our favorite country songstress to make a sad song sounds so sweet. But it's worth a listen if you want to appreciate what you have in life.
AnnMarie Mattila is the Senior Editor for The Pioneer Woman, covering a wide range of topics from food and cooking to home, beauty, style, and more.
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