If you grew up in Southern California during the 80’s and early 90’s, you know that Christmas didn’t officially begin until KROQ started spinning its wonderfully weird mix of alternative holiday tracks. Forget chestnuts roasting on an open fire—this was the era of neon tinsel, MTV Santa hats, and the annual debate over whether Die Hard counted as a Christmas movie. These songs weren’t just seasonal—they were part of the soundtrack of an entire generation of New Wave kids, punk rockers, and synth‑pop dreamers.
So grab your Walkman, plug in those foam headphones, and let’s take a sleigh ride through the most unforgettable 80’s Alternative Christmas songs. Because it’s people that make a difference–little people like you.
🎶🎄 KROQ Christmas Essentials: The Songs That Defined the Season 🎅✨
“Do They Know It’s Christmas?” – Band Aid
The ultimate 80’s super‑collab. This was basically the We Are the World of New Wave, featuring Duran Duran, Spandau Ballet, Bananarama, Ultravox, Heaven 17, and more. Many of us wore out our VHS copies of the recording session, watching Simon LeBon, Sting, George Michael, and Bono trade lines. This single didn’t just dominate the airwaves—it sparked the era of charity singles and paved the way for Live Aid.
“Christmas Wrapping” – The Waitresses
A quirky, relatable ode to holiday chaos. When this track hit KROQ, you knew the season had officially begun. The chorus is an earworm that will bury itself into your sub-consciousness. And yes, we all still quote the iconic line about the forgotten cranberries.
“Peace on Earth / Little Drummer Boy” – David Bowie & Bing Crosby
A cross‑generational masterpiece and one of the most unexpectedly beautiful Christmas duets ever recorded. Originally from Bing Crosby’s Merrie Olde Christmas special in 1977—his final one—he passed away a few weeks after this was recorded. This performance became a holiday staple and is my personal favorite Christmas song of all time. The story of how they wrote the Peace on Earth part for Bowie in about an hour is amazing. Bowie didn’t want to sing something as old fashioned as “Little Drummer Boy.” The counterpoint of these two legends singing is indeed holiday magic.
Personal Note – Not only is this my favorite Christmas song, but “Under Pressure” by Bowie and Queen is my favorite song of all time. However, Bowie is not my favorite musical artist of all time, although I love his work and even saw Bowie on the Glass Spider tour-what a showman.
“We Three Kings” – Book of Love
A synth‑pop twist on a classic carol, complete with the band cheerfully sending “Season’s Greetings” throughout the outro. Festive, fun, and unmistakably 80’s.
“God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” – Erasure
Andy Bell’s voice was practically made for Christmas music. Their version is ethereal, warm, and perfectly suited for a snowy night—even if you were listening from a sunny SoCal suburb.
“Frosty the Snowman” – Cocteau Twins
Leave it to the Cocteau Twins to turn Frosty into something dreamlike and otherworldly. Their elongated pronunciation of “snowman” is a delight every single time. A grown-up version of this childhood favorite.
“Father Christmas” – The Kinks
Not New Wave, but absolutely a KROQ holiday staple. Its gritty humor and punk-rock attitude always brings back memories of the 1983 Cabbage Patch Kids shopping frenzy—peak 80’s chaos. Maybe Ralphie should have gone this route when he visited Santa at the department store.
“Last Christmas” – Wham
Although a popular song, I generally like Wham and George Michael. I’d rather get hit over the head by Yukon Cornelius’s pick axe, than have to listen to this song again.
🎁🎤 A Very Special Christmas: Alternative Icons on a Holiday Mission 🌟🎄
The A Very Special Christmas albums were a goldmine for 80’s alternative fans, offering fresh takes on holiday standards.
“Winter Wonderland” – Eurythmics
Annie Lennox delivers one of the most magical intros ever recorded for this song. Pure holiday perfection; you want to put on your Member’s Only jacket and take this walk with Annie and Dave.
“Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” – U2
U2’s version is energetic, emotional, and—if you listen closely—it sounds like Bono is trying not to crack up mid‑song. This was U2’s first Christmas record.
“Coventry Carol” – Alison Moyet
Moyet’s rich, powerful voice transforms this 16th‑century carol about the Massacre of the Innocents into something haunting and beautiful.
“Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” – The Pretenders
Chrissie Hynde brings soulful warmth to this classic. And yes, “2000 Miles” absolutely deserves its place as a modern Christmas standard. Hynde’s wistful tribute to her fallen band-mate resonates with everyone who misses friends and family and holidays gone by.
“Gabriel’s Message” – Sting
Layered vocals give this track a choral, almost medieval feel. Sting later returned for A Very Special Christmas 3 with “I Saw Three Ships,” a favorite in my household. It’s a fitting nativity song for someone like Sting who was raised in a harbor town.
🤘🎄 Punk Rock Under the Tree: Holiday Songs with an Edge 🎁🔥
Spray some artificial snow on that mohawk and hang ornaments from your leather jacket—punk rockers brought their own brand of holiday cheer to the 80’s.
“Merry Christmas (I Don’t Want to Fight Tonight)” – Ramones
Fast, loud, and surprisingly sweet. Proof that even punk legends get sentimental during the holidays. Two minutes of bliss about putting grievances aside to enjoy the holiday.
“Fairytale of New York” – The Pogues feat. Kirsty MacColl
A raw, emotional anti‑carol carried by a gorgeous melody. Neil Perry’s review summed it up perfectly: “it’s not long before the insults are flying, still carried innocently along by the magical – and unforgettable – melody.”
BONUS SONG – “Oi to the World” – The Vandals
A 90’s song, but with 80’s humor and sensibility. A chaotic, hilarious punk Christmas anthem. You can practically picture Santa stage‑diving into the mosh pit. No Doubt’s later cover was a worthy tribute.
💎🎄 Deep Cuts & Rare Gems: 80’s Holiday Songs You Might Have Missed ✨📼
“Thanks for Christmas” – XTC (as The Three Wise Men)
A psychedelic, playful Christmas tune that feels like a holiday postcard from the 80’s.
“Christmas Day” – Squeeze
A modern retelling of the Nativity with that unmistakable Squeeze charm.
“Merry Christmas Everybody” – The Cure
A rare live‑only cover of the Slade classic. Hearing Robert Smith sing a Christmas song is a gift in itself.
🎼🎄 Beyond the 80’s: Holiday Albums from Our Favorite Artists ✨
Even after the decade ended, many 80’s icons kept the Christmas spirit alive.
The Brian Setzer Orchestra
A powerhouse of holiday cheer.
- Boogie Woogie Christmas: “The Nutcracker Suite” and “Jingle Bells” shine.
- Dig That Crazy Christmas: Includes the swingin’ “Getting in the Mood (For Christmas).”
- Rockin’ Rudolph: Features the wonderfully wild “Yabba‑Dabba Yuletide.”
Personal Note: We attended the Brian Setzer Orchestra’s Christmas Tour several times over the years. They put on a great show-they also play some Stray Cats numbers. It was the first concert my boys ever attended.
Fred Schneider & The Superions
“Fruitcake” is pure Fred—zany, rhythmic, and unforgettable. Take The B-52’s and amp up the silliness and you get The Superions. Fred basically sings the ingredient list for a fruitcake. “You mean green ones too,” he sings about the dried cherries. My kids played it nonstop on their iPods after we got a free download of it. It is still a family favorite.
Erasure – Snow Globe
A gorgeous holiday album. “Gaudete” and “Make It Wonderful” highlight Andy Bell’s angelic vocals. It has become one of my favorite holiday albums of all time.
Pet Shop Boys – Pet Shop Boys Christmas
“It Doesn’t Often Snow at Christmas” blends their signature synth‑pop sound with holiday melancholy. A must‑add to any alternative Christmas playlist.
Smithereens – Christmas With the Smithereens
Late 80’s stalwarts with mostly covers of rocking Christmas songs though there three original songs on it as well.
📼🎄 Wrapping It Up Like a Mix Tape ✨🎁
The 80’s gave us some of the most unique, heartfelt, and delightfully offbeat Christmas music ever recorded. Whether it was New Wave royalty, punk rock rebels, or synth‑pop angels, these artists created a holiday soundtrack that still feels fresh decades later.
So this season, dust off that boombox, untangle those twinkle lights, and let these alternative Christmas classics transport you back to a time of big hair, big choruses, and even bigger holiday spirit.
