3 Christmas Songs From the 1980s That Still Rule the Yule 1

Christmastime is a time for music. And while most of us think about the older songs—the Nat King Cole, Bing Crosby, and Frank Sinatra songs—there are a swath of more recent songs from artists that are worthy of time on your yule-time playlists.

Here below, we wanted to explore a trio of tunes from the 1980s that make for great holiday tunes. A trio of tracks written and recorded from popular bands from the decade that remain timeless today. Indeed, these are three Christmas songs from the 1980s that still rule the airwaves.

[RELATED: The Top 15 Holiday Gift (W)Rapping Songs]

“Last Christmas” by Wham! from Music From the Edge of Heaven (1986)

A romantic Christmas song from the pop duo Wham! The track, which hit No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100, is about giving your love to someone for the holiday only to have them throw it back in your face. So, what do you do? Well, vocalist George Michael just found someone else to give his heart to. Singing over synths and an electronic drum beat, Michael made a classic, offering,

Last Christmas
I gave you my heart
But the very next day you gave it away
This year
To save me from tears
I’ll give it to someone special

“Christmas in Hollis” by Run-DMC from A Very Special Christmas (1987)

So many Christmas songs are about a warm home surrounded by green trees and snow. But what about Christmas in the city? This song by the iconic rap trio Run-DMC answers that question as the hip-hop artists rap about what the holiday was like for them in Hollis, Queens, in New York City. On the track, which hit No. 22 on the Billboard Holiday 100, the group rhymes about seeing Santa in the city park,

It was December 24th on Hollis Ave after dark
When I seen a man chilling with his dog in the park
I approached him very slowly with my heart full of fear
Looked at his dog, oh my God, an ill reindeer
But then I was illin’ ’cause the man had a beard
And a bag full of goodies, 12 o’clock had neared
So I turned my head a second and the man was gone
But he must’ve dropped his wallet smack dead on the lawn
I picked the wallet up, but then I took a pause
Took out the license and it cold said, “Santa Claus”

“Christmas Wrapping” by The Waitresses from A Christmas Record (1981)

A sublimely catchy song from The Waitresses, this song, which hit a number of spots on various Billboard charts, could be thought as rap music. Written as hip-hop was growing in the East Coast, the Akron, Ohio-born band talk-sings about to-do lists and other various activities that must be done during the holiday season. In fact, it can be so much the group says they might even skip Christmas this year, offering,

Hardly dashing through the snow
‘Cause I bundled up too tight
Last minute have to do
A few cards a few calls
‘Cause it’s “RSVP”
No thanks, no party lights
It’s Christmas eve, gonna relax
Turned down all of my invites
Last fall I had a night to myself

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