Rock Christmas song suggestions

[RichardW]

My band has a gig coming up on 12/20 and we'll do a couple of Christmas tunes, probably Run Run Rudolph and Jingle Bell Rock. I was just curious what other Christmas or holiday-related rock songs folks like or have performed.

 

[MrCrane]

Not performed it, but Elton John's Step Into Christmas has a great bass line from Dee Murray

Bass Transcription: Dee Murray’s Bass Line on Elton John’s “Step Into Christmas”

 

[Oddly]

Here's a few...

 

[buldog5151bass]

I liken Springsteen's Santa Claus to Mustang Sally. "Musicians" may be sick of hearing/playing it, but it's easy to put together, and guaranteed to get the crowd going.

 

[Fishheadjoe]

Father Christmas - The Kinks
Fishheadjoe

 

[40Hz]

The important thing with Christmas season shows (IMO) is to a avoid overtly political or cynical songs about it. Most people want a little break from the news and the posturing, so it’s best keep to it fun and on the lighter side. Or so I think based on my own years of observation.

White Christmas always goes over well. Especially since it can be made to work in so many different genres ranging from Big Band to Blues to Ska. You can even start it traditional and segue into rock or whatever as it goes on. Very versatile song.

This is one of this year’s versions:

 

[Richland123]

 

[Richland123]

 

[mellowinman]

Cheech and Chong's punk version of Rudolph. I love that one.

 

[Michedelic]

You can also dig through this old chestnut to find something...


If you want to go there...

 

[Michedelic]

Big E sounds like he's gotten a little too deep into the eggnog, but great guitar by James Burton..


Got a female vocalist?

There are Gwen Stefani, Ariana Grande, and Taylor Swift versions, but I ain't going there...

Then, of course...

 

[Richland123]

 

[fhm555]

We jumped up this one a few years ago for a christmas party and it went over real well. It’s one not many folks have heard and if you turn it into a mid tempo kinda jangly rhythm guitar and a really clean atmospheric lead with a touch of reverb over bass and drums playing it straight, it turns into a decent little ditty.

 

[wizerd]

We are doing "Merry Christmas Baby" Melissa Etheridge version. I'd rather do "Fairytale in New York" from The Pogues but we are just a schlocky cover band after all.

 

[FilterFunk]

I discovered this a few years ago. It's one of the coolest things I've ever heard, Christmas or otherwise. Pretty much all of Gary Hoey's Christmas music is worth a listen.

 

[GBBSbassist]

Here's one I didn't expect at first, but it's enjoyable to listen to around the Holidays. That said, I typically really enjoy Christmas music, even when it starts very early in the season.

 

[saabfender]

I love the idea of a band with the personality and attitude to pull this off.



Also think this could be great:

 

[Richland123]

 

[b_carville]

One that I've played in a couple of bands is "Trim Your Tree" by Jimmy Butler.
A tad obscure but a great R&B stomper.Think it's the only tune this guy cut.Came out in 1954 on the obscure GEM record label. One of my prized possessions is a 10 inch 78 RPM record of this. You can find it on Youtube or on the Savoy Christmas compilation called "Santa's Secret". I think Mojo Nixon covered it but his version wasn't very good.
It used to go over great!

 

[Richland123]