Wakefield, England’s Skinny Living are doing something here that many bands have done before: taking one of their own songs, “Smoke,” tweaking it, and turning it into a Christmas track — much like Wheatus did with “Christmas Dirtbag” back in 2023. However, Skinny Living has the benefit of not having absolutely everyone know the original song by heart before hearing the new version… so this one hits differently.
Everything shifts beautifully into feeling like “Smoke” is a Christmas song — the gratefulness, the love, the fighting, the dancing — all packed into “tonight,” which can easily be assumed to be Christmas Eve. And, if you want to get real technical, they haven’t even released the original “Smoke” as a studio single; it only exists as a live cut.
So I hereby plant the Christmas flag in this song. “Smoke” is now a Christmas song, Skinny Living. No backsies.
Bottom Line: Is this a reworked song? Or was it allllways a Christmas song? Always!
There are some assumptions that one can simply assume. One of these assumptions is that I’m going to write about Elliot Maginot when he releases his yearly Christmas song. There is no mistaking a Maginot Christmas tune – it’s going to be lush, it’s going to be emotional, it’s going to feel both extremely present but of another time. Elliot’s 2025 release, “Holy,” is yet another wonderful addition to this top-tier Christmas talent. Elliot absolutely loves Christmas, as he notes in his introduction on Facebook: “This might not be THE Holy night, but HOLY, my new Christmas ditty is out at midnight. I keep writing these Christmas songs year after year, cause this shit really matters to me. Christmas doesn’t solve anything and it doesn’t miraculously make us better humans but it seems to be the only time of the year when are collectively giving a shot at kindness and togetherness so let’s take this shit seriously yah? Love you guys merry christmas”
That mix of hopefulness and reality Elliot expresses above, well, that is the essence of the song. This is best displayed as the song enters its last verse:
And I know you did not come here for a lesson But sometimes I wonder if you’re even here at all But come on don’t you know tis the season The most wonderful season of all
I’m not waiting on no miracle The bells will ring/the snow will fall But It’s gotten talking about it If you want a life you gotta live it now
I don’t believe no angels would ever come this way But I don’t have an answer Especially not today No sacred book gonna sway me I may be lost but I’m not crazy Now I’m not quite sure what else to do Well very merry christmas to you
Really great stuff, once again. Oddly, this is the first time I’ve ever listened to Elliot and felt a connection to Conor Oberst. Though “Holy’s” orchestration feels quite outside of Conor Oberst’s wheelhouse, there is a quality to their voices, an emotion that comes through, that I can’t believe I haven’t heard before…
Bottom Line: Another fantastic, unmistakably Elliot Maginot Christmas song.
I remember listening to Todd Snider back in high school, hearing “My Generation (Part 2)” and loving his thoughtful, clever, funny songwriting. I believe my art teacher Kate hipped me to him. That was probably most folks’ introduction to Todd — the song, not my teacher Kate, of course! It is an incredibly clever, catchy song. I dipped in and out of his career over the years, owned a few records, and always truly enjoyed his work.
Over the weekend, I saw that Todd had passed. Lord, he was only 59. An undiagnosed case of walking pneumonia was what took him. I hadn’t realized how deadly pneumonia can be — a 30-day mortality rate of 15%, which is wild. Of course… it got me thinking: with Todd’s huge catalog, there has to be a Christmas song. Turns out the only real Christmas track (beyond the odd live cover) that Todd had a hand in was Billy Joe Shaver’s “Merry Christmas to You,” which he performed on (and perhaps helped write?). It was a bonus track on Shaver’s 2002 album Freedom’s Child, and isn’t easily available to buy as a download.
However, Todd does have a spectacular talking-blues tune called “Happy New Year.” Classic Todd Snider — a perfect piece of storytelling with clever lyrics, social commentary, and a big old dose of humanity. There are two versions: the initial release from 2006’s The Devil You Know and the “Purple Version,” a re-recorded version Todd generously offered as a free download on his website. It’s a spooky listen, folks — the song has a good dose of mortality, and now it hits perhaps a bit too close to home.
Now Christians don’t walk out on me just yet You know whose name I’m yelling as I’m clutching my chest The one my dad told me to and his told him to And I probably pray as much or more than you do Believe? shit, every word I sing
That bit is something for sure, but there’s also a moment in the spoken introduction to the Purple Version where he says, “and then there was that late day in November when it all ended.” Spooky.
The song also ends differently:
Father forgive us for what we might do You forgive us and we’ll forgive you. And we’ll forgive each other ’til we both turn blue. And we’ll whistle and go fishing… in heaven.
I’m a bit speechless.
Bottom line: Todd Snider was a treasure. The world is a bit less bright.
EDIT: I received a note from a reader (hi Stu!), and he has provided me with an MP3 of Todd Snider performing an alternate version of “Go Tell it On the Mountain” than I am accustomed to. So there is an official release of a Todd Snider performing a Christmas song.
OK. So we know where it is from now. The song is on a 1995 release called The Sounds Of Starry Nights, a CD/cassette, “presented by MIFA and Union Planters as a musical reflection of the season at the holiday light show Starry Nights.” Starry Nights is a Christmas light show held at Shelby Farms Park in Memphis and is the largest annual fundraiser for Shelby Farms Park and Shelby Farms Greenline. Shelby Farms is one of the largest urban parks in the country – one might call it Memphis’ Central Park or Golden Gate Park, I’d imagine. Pretty damn cool….
Now, if you head out there looking for this release, pay special attention to the track list on the back. There are multiple issues of this Starry Nights release, each from a different year, and with no noticeable change of title. However, the cover art varies slightly, which helps. I have yet to see a cassette edition with Todd’s track on it, though I assume it does exist.
I’m apparently back in 2022, when I was in my “somehow writing exclusively about French-language Christmas songs” phase. To be stereotypically American, I don’t speak other languages, and French just sounds so damn nice to the ear. I suppose that’s why the one language I do have some experience with—German—doesn’t often appear here on Christmas Underground… it just doesn’t have the same musical quality. I know, I know… how obvious. Well, buckle up while I do my best to share a song and not embarrass myself once again.
I’ll check out pretty much anything on Secret City Records. When something new drops, I explore. Thus, I’ve found myself over the past year picking up all of Klô Pelgag’s (aka Chloé Pelletier-Gagnon’s) records, and I’m only about one away from having them allllll. Again, I largely have no clue what the heck she’s singing… but I absolutely love the music. And to make it even better—she has Christmas songs.
Looking at Klô Pelgag’s holiday catalogue, they all share one quality: a more spare, classic production, rather than the upbeat alt-pop found on many of her records. So while the vibe is more straightforward, the result is no less spectacular.
Klô Pelgag began her holiday releases with 2019’s “Toute seule pour Noël,” which I believe to be the only original she’s released so far (unless she has another hidden on a proper record). Should you wish to translate it, you’ll find it’s quite a sad song—as the title “All Alone for Christmas” suggests. Her voice begins accompanied only by piano, but then the cello slips in and the emotion builds. It’s beautiful if you can get over the sadness, and sad Christmas songs are largely what I peddle here at CU.
She added to her holiday catalogue again with a cover of “Le sentier de neige,” or “The Snowy Path,” once again using a sparse piano arrangement. Originally released in 1964 by Les Classels, this Christmas waltz is about a couple in love who shared a kiss on a snowy path in the woods. Getting mushy in the mush!
Her most recent holiday track is a beautiful cover of “Marie-Noël,” first released by Robert Charlebois in 1967. You may recognize this song from Elliot Maginot’s 2023′ cover, which I obviously also recommend. Judging by the sheer number of covers, it seems to be a true Québécois Christmas classic. Klô Pelgag continues her sparse, piano-driven approach here, once again singing with an emotion that transcends language barriers.
Bottom Line: I think we all can agree that Klô Pelgag should release an entire solo piano Christmas record… right?
In the past 24 hours, I’ve heard about three notable French-language releases. All are worth considering and may very well end up in front of your eyes here on Christmas Underground. However, they all gave me that urge to find out what the heck they were saying. That’s both a good and a bad thing—because when I know what a song is about, it can make me feel more secure in my opinion of it. However… what I love most is when I connect with the music in such a way that I don’t even need a translation.
Montreal’s Stoylov & Chloé Jara-Buto managed to slide into that latter category with their gorgeous 2024 EP, biscuit. I immediately knew I had to share this record with you all—no matter what they’re actually singing about—because this record is about a feeling. It’s loose, warm, and short. They left me wanting more, and honestly, they should always leave you wanting more.
Now, I did do a little translating—not of the lyrics, but of the write-up Stoylov posted on the Bandcamp album page. I found myself oddly emotional reading these two paragraphs, because Stoylov, like many of us here in the alternative Christmassphere, was transformed by the beauty that is Low’s Christmas. However, unlike me, Stoylov wasn’t compelled to start making underground Christmas mixes… he has genuine musical talent, so he found himself with the urge to make some Christmas music of his own. I’ve taken the liberty of posting the translation below:
Recently, while browsing Bandcamp, I stumbled upon Low’s Christmas album. The urge to release some holiday music was simply… irresistible. I decided to work on it, and being quite openly a huge fan of Chloé Jara-Buteau’s music, the idea of joining forces came to me, an idea she enthusiastically shared. So, it was in the hustle and bustle of the famous Rouen studios in Hochelaga-Maisonneuve that we got to work.
I had a couple of demos lying dormant on my hard drive, demos saturated with glockenspiel and sleigh bells. They were useful for getting started. I’m not really used to having company in the embryonic stages of composition: I’m a bit chaotic, sloppy, and capricious. A real little prince. Besides, I’m constantly taking breaks to smoke outside, a really bad habit I’m having a hard time breaking. We still managed pretty well though: three songs and a cover of… Aphex Twin.
Bottom Line: The magic of Low, folks. As if we couldn’t owe them even more—they gave birth to my mix, this blog, and now this beautiful EP. Go forth, listen to biscuit, then pop on Low’s Christmas.
Ronnie Martin has been releasing electropop Christmas music since 2021, all of it featuring truly excellent graphic design. I appreciate that greatly! I’ve been sampling his latest offering, Evergreen Melodie, and find myself compelled to take note of this fantastic song, “The Sound of Snowflakes,” and these New Order/Depeche Mode vibes it is giving me. This pulsating feeling of Christmas nostalgia is truly overwhelming. Turn it up and dance like an idiot.
Sydney, Australia’s Polish Club put out one of the best — and hardest to get — Christmas 7-inch singles I’ve ever had the pleasure of writing about when they dropped the excellent Xmas Single back in 2017. That thing is amazing! I still don’t have one… Hell, they’ve even got a New Year’s release worth checking out — “Countdown” (which I should really write about) — which was so fantastic that it closed out my 2020 Christmas mix, Christmas Storytelling.
So… when they teased the cover art on their Facebook page the other day, I pretty much freaked out. I found the site, saw the vinyl, tried to buy one, got rejected by geolocation — and here I stand. Not quite sure what to do. But they did respond to my comments… in due time, I’m assured.
Christmas Stinks! is being debuted on Facebook, with a new cover posted each day for 20 days (they’re on day two as of this post), leading up to two shows on December 20 and 21. There was even a write-up in Rolling Stone Australia yesterday — not sure why they didn’t debut it here! This site is massive!
I did love one quote from Novak that really sums up what they’re doing:
“I used to be somewhat of an edge-lord holiday hater, but I’ve grown to really appreciate how the holiday period affords us a sleep-in, a big belly, and some genuine quality time with people you perhaps should spend more time with,” Novak admits. “I’ve also learned that if you’re sick of Christmas carols and holiday tunes, the best way to get over that is to record your own rock’n’roll versions and embrace the Christmas chaos.”
I’m game, folks. I’ll be listening — hoping that one of these covers makes it onto my next mix — and that I can figure out a way for myself (and everyone else outside of Australia) to exchange money for goods and services.
Christmas Underground, as badass as I obviously am — I eat glass for breakfast — is not exactly overflowing with punk rock Christmas songs. I’m probably more likely to write about some twee band from Antwerp than a punk outfit from Washington, D.C.
Often, punk rock Christmas songs fall into the Blink-182 lane — and while I know that’s many folks’ jam, it just isn’t mine. I like punk rock that leans toward its cousin, garage rock — the kind with lo-fi production and fuzzy guitars, like Idaho Green or Stephan and Johnny.
Well, add a new name to that list, because this new song by Washington, D.C.’s Teen Mortgage is fucking fantastic. “Below the Christmas Tree” piles angular guitar riffs over a driving, fuzzy bassline — straight to the heart of this lowly Christmas blogger.
The music will hook you, but the lyrics will reel you in. A satirical anti-war song, it leaves you sitting in the simple decadence of a Christmas at the end of the world. World War III is upon us, and we’re moments away from destruction — so I got you a pair of turtle doves.
Well, open up your gifts now Before they get turned into dust Just forget all of those mushroom clouds Becoming proper humongous.
Fucking hell. This song better remain satirical and not literal. I like the groove either way I guess…
Bottom Line: Absolutely stellar punk rock Christmas. If all punk rock songs were like this, I would run a punk rock Christmas music blog.
Bone Sound Inc Worldwide/Blank Check Podcast/Mutant Buy: Vinyl | Bandcamp
Coming soon to a Bandcamp feed near you… Slow Xmas 5. The lead single by Death Valley Girls, “Season of Dreaming,” has dropped and is making the rounds on the bigger (normal) blogs, such as Stereogum and Under the Radar. But what do you know… it is getting pressed on vinyl this year, 500 copies on ice blue wax. So, if very slow Christmas music is your jam, here you go!
Available on vinyl for the first time as a Mutant exclusive featuring holiday standards and originals from Meridian Brothers, Shannon Lay, Zach Cooper of Grammy award winning King Garbage, Eric Slick of Dr. Dog, and Dave Hartley of The War on Drugs (Nightlands) among others.
Pressed on 140gm and iced out in a translucent ice blue variant (Limited to 500 copies). Offered in 45 RPM so you have the option to play regular slow or EXTRA SLOW at 33 1/3 RPM!!
And for the analog hogs, the majority of the album artwork is practical with an original sculpture by Matthew Rosenquist and studio photography by Robin Takami.
Bottom Line: Got me – only heard one track so far! Frankly, I’m usually grasping for songs to speed up my mix…
I love Sharon Van Etten. I saw her with her new band, Sharon Van Etten & The Attachment Theory about a month ago, and it was absolutely incredible. I was a huge fan, and am now a massive fan. I’ll be excited to hear from her with anything she does. Thus, she dropped a cover of The Pretenders’ “2000 Miles” for the Oh. What. Fun. soundtrack, and I was pumped. I’m going to float down from my initial heights though. This is a good cover, though it does not reinvent the song. Would I have preferred something a bit more interesting than adding the shimmering synths to the arrangement? Yes. But I do love her voice, and I’m sure some of you are going to be all over this.
There are some heavy hitters on this soundtrack. Interestingly, Sharon appears to be the first single off it (Gwen Stefani was first – exclusive to Amazon), surprising when you’ve got this lineup:
1. Shake the Snow Globe – Gwen Stefani (2:53) 2. The Things We Do for Love – The Bird and the Bee (3:20) 3. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas – St. Vincent (2:33) 4. 2000 Miles – Sharon Van Etten & The Attachement Theory (3:09) 5. Angel in the Snow – Fleet Foxes (2:44) 6. Step Into Christmas – Uwade (3:35) 7. Silent Night – The Wang Family (1:00) 8. Hot Cocoa – Gwen Stefani (3:38) 9. Snowqueen of Texas – Weyes Blood (3:21) 10. Christmas Eve Can Kill You – Andy Shauf & Madi Diaz (3:18) 11. It’s My Life – The Bird and the Bee (3:43) 12. Christmas Must Be Tonight – Jeff Tweedy (3:27) 13. Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy – Lorely Rodriguez (Empress Of) (1:39) 14. I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day – The Wang Family (1:01) 15. The 12 Days of Christmas – Dominic Sessa (1:36)
Of note – Michael Showalter, whom I have loved since The State, is the director! I’m genuinely excited for this movie…
Bottom Line: Sharon Van Etten is pretty flawless. Also – she could pretty much play Chrissie Hynde in a biopic. Just sayin’…
Christmas Underground 