No genre appreciates the true meaning of Christmas more than country music! Artists of today and old have been covering traditional holiday songs and creating original ones based on their experiences now and growing up. Here are ones we think are done the best!

 

Best Christmas Covers

“The First Noel” – Gabby Barrett

This is a hard song to sing, but it seems as though Barrett had no trouble reaching those extended notes at the end of the song.

 

“Silver Bells” – Brett Young

Young’s soft vocals capture all the sights and sounds of the holiday season.

 

“Sleigh Ride” – Runaway June

The girls do a mostly A cappella version of this classic country hit, adding in some sleigh bells, fiddle, and steel guitar, giving it a unique sound.

 

“Run Run Rudolph” – Luke Bryan

Not a commonly covered song, Luke Bryan mimics the original’s rock-n-roll spirit.

 

“Santa Baby” – Kelly Clarkson

Clarkson gives this seductive song a whole new feel in her recently released Christmas album, When Christmas Comes Around.

 

“I’ll Be Home For Christmas” – Rascal Flatts

The three harmonies make a beautiful ballad about returning home to your loved ones on Christmas.

 

“Mary, Did You Know” – Carly Pearce

A beautifully covered version of this religious anthem about our savior.

 

“You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grinch” – Darius Rucker

Rucker released a full-length Christmas album in 2014. His cover of the classic Dr. Seuss jingle stands out.

 

“Last Christmas” – Taylor Swift

It’s fitting that Taylor Swift covers this breakup Christmas song so well. Did she choose this one because she sounded great on it or for another specific reason? 

 

“Little Drummer Boy” – Carrie Underwood

Underwood’s vocal never cease to amaze, but her son Isaiah steals the show when he adorably joins his mom after the first verse.

 

 

Best Original Songs

“Take Me Home for Christmas” – Dan + Shay

The boys beg their girls to take bring them home and show them their Christmas traditions; it’s the only thing wish on their list.

 

“We Need Christmas” – Maddie & Tae

Written last year during the pandemic, the girls describe the importance of Christmas and how it gives us hope and reminds us of the most important part of the year: spending time with family. 

 

“Christmas in Blue Chair Bay” – Kenny Chesney

Only Chesney can make singing about island life during Christmas sound so wonderful.

 

“Glittery” – Kacey Musgraves ft. Troye Sivan

Kacey Musgraves showcases her gentle vocals as she compares Christmas decorations to the feeling she gets with this particular person.

 

“I’ll Be Your Santa Tonight” – Keith Urban

In this cleverly written song by Urban and Shane McAnally, he sings about how being alone on Christmas can feel extra lonely, but he can come over and make everything alright.

 

“Christmas Always Finds Me” – Ingrid Andress

In this piano ballad, Andress mentions no matter where or how old she is, the holiday spirit will never leave her.

“Christmas in the County” – Thomas Rhett

Thomas Rhett describes the simplicity behind a Christmas celebration in the country as compared to the big city.

 

“Naughty List” – Mitchell Tenpenny 

Mitchell Tenpenny released a whole Christmas album this year, but this one may be the most unique. He describes a Christmas spent at his girlfriend’s parent’s house, and after sneaking into her room at night, he knows he is bound for Santa’s naughty list.

 

“Lit This Year”- Florida Georgia Line

In this fun track, the boys discuss what Christmas was like at their house; lit lights and lit family members.

 

“Mr. Christmas” – Brett Eldredge

Eldredge has embodied the holiday spirit more than any other country artist. He’s currently in the middle of yet another Holiday Tour, stopping in Vegas, Nashville, Boston, New York, and Chicago. On top of his 18-track Glow album in 2016, he released eleven new songs on October 22. 

For more holiday songs, check out our Country Christmas Songs playlist below on Spotify!

Want to hear more about country music news and release? Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here.

As the decade comes to a conclusion and our final Christmas of the decade brews, we rounded up our favorite country Christmas albums of the past 10 years.

 

Kacey Musgraves – A Very Kacey Christmas

Released on October 28th, 2016 as Musgraves’ first Christmas album, A Very Kacey Christmas was produced by Musgraves herself, Kyle Ryan and Misa Arriaga. Musgraves describes the album as “part western swing sprinkled with bits of classic pop, hazy Hawaiian moments and child-like fun that all comes to a nostalgic, melancholy end and ultimately is very ‘me,'” and adds, “There can be a touch of sad feelings and memories during the holiday season for a lot of people so I knew when I went in to write I wanted to include all the emotions this time of year can bring out.”

On November 29th, Musgraves released The Kacey Musgraves Christmas Show on Amazon Prime.

Brett Eldredge – Glow

Glow is the third studio album by Brett Eldredge. It was released on October 28th, 2016 via Atlantic Nashville and hosts the likings of “big band” signature stylistics like Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby on their Christmas records Eldredge grew up on. It debuted at No. 29 on Billboard 200 and No. 2 on the Top Country Albums chart. Eldredge recently embarked on his annual Glow Tour beginning a two-night stay at the Ryman on Dec. 4th and will be making an appearance at the Beacon Theater December 17th and 18th.

Chris Young – It Must Be Christmas

It Must Be Christmas is Young’s sixth studio album and first Christmas album released via Columbia. Young co-wrote two of the album’s ten tracks and features the likes of Alan Jackson, Boyz II Men and Brad Paisley. The originals are “Under The Weather” and “It Must Be Christmas.” On Young’s favorite Christmas records, CMT, “All my favorite Christmas records have always had one or two originals on there,” he said. “So, the fact that these came this year in writing rooms and they’re both so different, is perfect timing. ‘It Must Be Christmas’ is very different in tone than ‘Under the Weather,’ but they compliment each other. But like I said, I’ve tried to write them before and for whatever reason, they haven’t come together until this year.”

Lady Antebellum – On This Winter’s Night

Released on October 22nd, 2012 via Capitol Records Nashville, this was Lady Antebellum’s fourth studio album. On December 13th, 2012, the album was certified Gold. Produced by Paul Worley, the album includes the six tracks previously released on their On This Winter’s Night EP.

Loretta Lynn – White Christmas Blue

Lynn recorded White Christmas Blue while tracking her album at the time Full Circle. It is her 44th studio album and second Christmas album since her first Christmas album released in 1966. Produced by Patsy Lynn Russell, Lynn’s daughter, and John Carter Cash, Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash’s son, the album was recorded at Cash Cabin Studios in Henderson, TN and released via Sony Legacy.

Blake Shelton – Cheers, It’s Christmas

Released on October 2nd, 2012 via Warner Bros. Nashville, the album features a number of special guests including Miranda Lambert, Pistol Annies composed of Lambert, Ashley Monroe, Angaleena Presley, Kelly Clarkson, 5th Place season 1 of NBC’s The Voice contestant Xenia and Shelton’s mother Dorothy Shackleford. A Christmas rendition of Michael Bublè’s “Home” is also featured with Bublè himself.

“Time For Me To Come Home,” the song was written with Shelton’s mother, Dorothy Shackleford, inspired The Hallmark Channel holiday film, “Time For Me To Come Home For Christmas.”

Jennifer Nettles – To Celebrate Christmas

Past ABC’s CMA Country Christmas TV host released her Christmas album on October 28th, 2016 via Big Machine Records. Produced by Julian Raymond, it was Nettles’ third studio album and her first holiday album. This marks Jennifer’s first holiday project solo after Sugarland’s holiday release Gold and Green.

LeAnn Rimes – Today is Christmas

Released on October 16th, 2015, this album features holiday classics and two original songs co-written by the singer. The star also is in a Hallmark movie called It’s Christmas, Eve. In addition to acting, Rimes contributed three original songs to the soundtrack, “The Gift of Your Love,” “It’s Christmas, Eve” and “You and Me and Christmas.”

Rimes is currently on her You and Me and Christmas Tour inspired by the third track written for her Hallmark film and her opening act is our Swag Session alum, Kalie Shorr.

Rascal Flatts – The Greatest Gift of All

The Greatest Gift of All, released October 21st, 2016, was produced by the trio themselves. Making the record even more special,  the three members young children sang on “Silent Night” making it even more sweet and personal.

“It probably seems crazy that we waited this long to release a Christmas record,” said Jay DeMarcus in a statement. “We just wanted to do it right! There are certain songs I think most everyone wants to hear during Christmas, and we wanted to put our own special spin on those songs while adding in a couple of our personal favorites. We had a blast making this album, and being in the producer’s chair ourselves, makes it extra fun and challenging for us.”

Scotty McCreery – Christmas With Scotty McCreery

Season 10 American Idol winner released his holiday album on October 16, 2012, which later was certified Gold on November 26, 2012. He self-described his favorite song as “Christmas In Heaven;” a song about his grandfather who died while he was getting ready for the album release.

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