The 80s filled us with beloved holiday jams like "Last Christmas" by Wham!, "Jingle Bell Rock" by Hall & Oates, and Paul McCartney's "Wonderful Christmastime. The 90s also proved to be a great time for holiday music. After all, Mariah Carey's "All I Want For Christmas Is You," 'N Sync's "Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays," and "Grown-Up Christmas List," among many others, were all released during the decade.
But how did the 2000s compare to those two decades? The turn of the millenium brought us a healthy mix of different popular sounds, and the same can be said for holiday music between 2000-2009. We'll admit: we still have those noughties holiday CDs buried in our cabinets somewhere. Maybe there aren't a lot of traditional "Christmas classics" from this decade, but that doesn't mean the songs that came out of it aren't catchy.
Celebrate the holidays the Y2K way...check out our favorite early 2000s holiday songs below!
"My Only Wish (This Year)" - Britney Spears
We kick off our list with a little ditty from the queen of early 2000s pop...Britney Spears! "My Only Wish (This Year)" is your typical looking-for-love-on-Christmas tune. But what separates it from the rest is Britney's saucy vocals.
We'll admit: the music production on this thing definitely isn't as high-quality as Spears' other hits. But it's cute! Very teeny-bopper! And if you think of it in terms of Britney Spears' love life, it's still kind of relevant today?
"Where Are You Christmas" - Faith Hill
God, do we love Faith Hill. And how holiday music sounds on her rich, golden voice. "Where Are You Christmas" is actually a variation of “Christmas, Why Can’t I Find You?”, originally written for the movie How the Grinch Stole Christmas in 2000. Hill and her voice may be way more mature than Cindy Lou Who, but regardless, this song will make your small heart grow three sizes.
“Where Are You, Christmas?”, was co-written by Mariah Carey, James Horner and Will Jennings – intended originally to be recorded by Carey. However, a legal case with Carey’s ex-husband, Tommy Mottola, left the song un-released. Faith Hill jumped in and saved the day with her version. We know Carey is regarded as a Christmas queen, and yeah - maybe this would have sounded even better with her voice. But we're happy Faith Hill was able to leave her mark on holiday music history.
"Snowflakes of Love" - Toni Braxton
With gorgeous, jubilant instrumentals and soft, warm vocals, "Snowflakes of Love" will get you and your significant other in a romantic mood. Toni Braxton really brings her R&B expertise into this one. We're surprised we don't hear this song on the radio more.
Besides Braxton, multi-instrumentalist Keri Lewis contributed to the rich music production. It was also conducted and arranged by Don Sebesky. You can hear a ear-delighting blend of guitar, flutes, violins, and more behind Braxton's sultry notes. Like Toni sings in this song, "Snowflakes of Love" is the definition of winter bliss.
"8 Days of Christmas" - Destiny's Child
We wish we had a man as giving as the one Beyoncé describes on "8 Days of Christmas". It's partly an ode to consumerism and princess treatment; especially with those pair of Chloe shades and a diamond belly ring. But hey, there's some genuine love in there! Beyoncé also gets a poem, a candle-lit dinner, and some quality t-i-m-e.
The whole song is a creative R&B play on "The Twelve Days of Christmas". We're not sure why it was reduced to eight days? But like...does it really matter when you're listening to Queen Bey, Michelle, and Kelly riff their hearts out? If we saw Destiny's Child in-person, we'd run to them just like the kids do in the music video.
"All I Want for Christmas Is a Real Good Tan" - Kenny Chesney
This is a song for the Christmas snowbirds. Y'know, those people who head to Florida or the Bahamas or any beachy warm place whenever the weather gets cold? All Kenny Chesney wants for Christmas is a real good tan...and two tickets to a tropical shore.
We love how the production on this tune gives the country singer a Jimmy Buffett-like sound. But alas, it was not produced by Jimmy Buffett. It was actually created by Chesney, Norro Wilson and Buddy Cannon, with lyrics by Paul Overstreet. This song teaches us that you shouldn't even think about getting Kenny a present: he'll put a bug in your ear!
"A New York Christmas" - Rob Thomas
The Big Apple may be one of the most popular places to celebrate the holiday season, and Rob Thomas channels snowy metropolitan vibes in his 2003 jam "A New York Christmas". The lyrics mention sidewalk angels, Brooklyn and Broadway, and call for peace on earth and compassion for others. It's a song all about community, which is appropriate for a populous place such as New York.
Perhaps the most notable thing about this song is that it was released the Christmas after the Twin Towers were destroyed. New Yorkers needed the morale and peace this song brought. Rob Thomas would go on to re-record this song in 2021, and it sounds just as heartwarming as the original.
"Believe" - Josh Groban
The Polar Express had many wonderful things: the North Pole, hot chocolate, Tom Hanks, and of course, this magical ballad by the one and only Josh Groban! Groban truly has the voice of an angel, and his chilling vibrato in this song alone is enough to put you in the holiday spirit.
Included on Groban's Noël album, "Believe" was released in 2004 and was written by Glen Ballard and Alan Silvestri. They received a Grammy Award in the category Best Song Written for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media at the ceremony held in February 2006. "Believe" was also nominated for Best Original Song at the 77th Academy Awards in February 2005, with Groban and Beyoncé performing the song during the awards broadcast! (What a vocally impressive duo!) The Oscar followed a Golden Globe nomination in the same category.
"Underneath the Misletoe" - Blondfire
A hidden gem in the holiday genre! "Underneath the Mistletoe" by Blondfire is a chipper soft rock tune that you should absolutely include on your annual Christmas playlist. This 2005 song comes from the band's exclusive iTunes Holiday EP. Between the guitar riffs and Erica Driscoll's bright vocals, you'll have this recording dancing in your head like sugar plum fairies.
There aren't a lot of obscure indie pop songs that have made waves in the holiday genre, but this is one that deserves to be recognized. We can absolutely see this Christmas tune being played at a laid-back Los Angeles party. It's full of good tidings!
"Greatest Time of Year" - Aly & AJ
Does it get any more early 2000s than Aly & AJ? Released as part of The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause rollout, "Greatest Time of Year" is an electric guitar-driven banger that's full of Disney channel pep. This song was also included as the opener of the duo's album Acoustic Hearts of Winter.
We do wish the music video for this bop was more visually interesting - it's just Aly and AJ on a soundstage, not doing much but singing and strumming. However, the guitar riffs, holiday bell sounds, and subtle child chorus section bring all the winter cheer you could ask for. This one doesn't get old. And honestly, it's an incredibly underrated Christmas song.
"Mistletoe" - Colbie Caillat
Remember when Colbie Caillat's relaxing beachy tunes dominated early 2000s mainstream music? "Mistletoe" is her contribution to the holiday genre, and it's a more melancholy tone from Caillat than we're used to. It was co-written by Caillat's friend and former manager, Stacy Blue, and producer Mikal Blue. Caillat dropped it in 2007 as a standalone single.
"Mistletoe" discusses the experience of spending Christmas without family or loved ones. It's a contrast to the generally uptempo tracks on Caillat's 2012 holiday album Christmas in the Sand. (She re-recorded this single in order to include it on the record.) But it's certainly authentic, and a must-have for any Sad Girl Christmas playlist.
"Silent Night (Noche de Paz)" - Christina Aguilera
Last but not least, we end with Miss Christina Aguilera. Simlar to our opening Britney Spears holiday song, "Silent Night (Noche de Paz)" was released in 2000 and included on the late 90s / early 2000s holiday album Platinum Christmas.
Of course, this is a very gentle, very traditional cover of "Silent Night"...but it's also chock full of Christina Aguilera's iconic riffs, which makes it ten times better! We love the angelic harp sounds in this. And how Aguilera lets out some hearty belts by the end.
Looking for some holiday music? We've got you covered! Head to Live365.com for a selection of holiday stations.
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Article Image: Photo of a typical blank CD with a miniature Santa hat covering it. (fotoall via DepositPhotos.)
