10 Sleighing Christmas Tunes To Start The Festivities Early

A winter wonderland appears on our doorstep when we Google Mariah Carey, so Christmas is almost here—alright, all, nearly. We still have Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday to click through first, but it’s sneaking upon us fast. Our stockings are stuffed with music, and we’re no Scrooge. If we were, we would hide these festive tunes from you, but where’s the fun in that? We’re sharing the carols, and so are these early-bird artists. Sing along! 

Blue Christmas …duh – Megan Moroney

Sure, Santa’s workshop vibes lean rugged with classic work boots, but if country artist Megan Moroney had it her way, he’d lasso those red country boots. After all, a little seasonal Yeehaw can’t hurt anyone—and might even help the most mischievous of us get kicked off the naughty list. Megan’s new three-track Christmas EP, crafted under the magic touch of the lovely Kristian Bush, delivers just the right holiday blend. ‘Christmas Morning’ takes the lack of springing-out-of-bed sensation of the day as a metaphor for an on-the-rocks relationship, making it the perfect lead-in to her cover of ‘Blue Christmas.’ Whereas ‘All I Want for Christmas is a Cowboy’ swings to the other end of the feels, gift-wrapping our dream man with a giant bow.

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‘1 Wish’ – Ava Max 

Grant us ‘1 Wish,’ and we’re summoning a mystical loop button that repeats Ava Max carols. No prompts are needed. Suppose we’re being a little more realistic. We’re tossing it into the cauldron of Halloween releases from October 31st because nothing’s spookier than a snowman’s spirit thawing right as the pumpkins are still warm. 

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‘Santa Baby’ – Laufey 

When Bill Murray ushers one in, we follow—but this time, we’re accompanying Santa to a kooky twist on the classic ‘Santa Baby’ with Laufey’s voice steering the sleigh. This is her fourth dive into the A Very Laufey Holiday lore, starting way back in 2021 with a bit of help from dodie for ‘Love To Keep Me Warm.’ Now, the holiday party guest list is growing, and so are the presents. Laufey’s online store has basically everything we’re hoping to find under the tree: her signature bow splashed onto an apron to two different holiday-themed vinyls—you name it. We’re dropping hints at every chance that we get to let our friends know we’re mega fans. 

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‘Your Angel’ – Kassi Ashton

Typically, we’re spreading our wings in the icy snow, but for Kassi Ashton, we’d give that up to be ‘Your Angel.’ She spills the tea on the Christmas commitmentphobes, whose stockings are stuffed with coal rather than sweet good morning texts. Where are their usual lurking spots? Kassi flips Hollywood’s glistening town of stars (Northern stars, to be exact) into a simmering pot of “holiday hell.” And that haunting guitar riff running through it? Yeah, we can’t get enough.

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‘Home For Christmas’ – Jordana Bryant

It seems Jordana Bryant reached her gingerbread house just after a long road trip that started one year ago with ‘Driving Home For Christmas.’ She’s now announcing that she’s ‘Home for Christmas.’ Her lover, though? Not so much. Don’t worry; they didn’t go full ghost, but there’s still a lingering sadness, even in long-distance relationships. 

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When Christmas Comes Around… Again – Kelly Clarkson

Lady in red Kelly Clarkson is making sure she leaves a giant tick next to our most wanted gift: new music from her! While ‘You For Christmas’ came out a month ago, the deluxe album of the Grammy-nominated (yes, it’s just that big) When Christmas Comes Around… got a festive makeover last week, touseled with tinsel. Along with the original tune (her latest foray since last year’s chemistry), we’re her plus one for a wintry ‘Sleigh Ride.’

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‘Winter Wonderland’ – Sophia Scott

Ghosts of songwriters (we bet you thought we’d slip in a mistletoe kiss here) past don’t need an Ouji board to show up around this time of year. They’re living in the melodies they wrote. But what if we were to tell you that one’s hitting their 40th anniversary? Well, that’s George Michael’s ‘Winter Wonderland;’ no country superstar is better to cover it than Sophia Scott. It’s part of a two-for-one release, getting our candy-cane cravings set as we munch down on Sophia’s take of Wham!’s ‘Last Christmas.’

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‘Reindeer Rebellion’ – Ava Della Pietra

Code merry—we’ve got a herd of twerking reindeer prancing wild, spitting chants, and flinging presents everywhere until they’ve created a whole mountain of stolen goods. Don’t you agree that Ava Della Pietra and her clang of Rudolfs are as cute as they come? With the music video directed by Azzie Scott, we double-dare you to spread the cheer early by joining the pack in antler onesies. 

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‘December (Live)’ – Annie Tracy

Some of us with sweltering climates are likelier to fire up the BBQ by the beach than splurge on snow gear. Enter Annie Tracy’s genius idea: a mountain landscape backdrop that crumbles like a snowman in July if you zoom out just a tad. It’s what she does for ‘December (Live)’ about loving a person through every season, especially the one the year rings out on. 

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Carols and Candlelight – Gabby Barrett

Last week, Gabby Barrett joined forces with the type of men who can make even ivory keys look snazzy: The Piano Guys. Yep, them, and together, they struck the perfect key on ‘O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.’ Well, now, that melodic fire is blazing even brighter, spitting out flames until we’re declaring a Carols and Candlelight. It’s what Gabby called her first-ever Christmas album (and additionally, our night when listening to it). While we don’t have to memorize entirely new lyrics as the album is full of covers, Gabby’s glistening twang shines through—plus, there’s a special guest appearance from Cade Foehner. 

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Want more music? We got you!

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