What ever you think of the film, Love Actually has an incredible soundtrack, and any of the songs could make this list, however, we've gone with arguably the best song of the lot - Both Sides Now by Joni Mitchell.What ever you think of the film, Love Actually has an incredible soundtrack, and any of the songs could make this list, however, we've gone with arguably the best song of the lot - Both Sides Now by Joni Mitchell.
What ever you think of the film, Love Actually has an incredible soundtrack, and any of the songs could make this list, however, we've gone with arguably the best song of the lot - Both Sides Now by Joni Mitchell.

Best Christmas songs: 8 alternative Christmas anthems to play, from Britney Spears to Joni Mitchell

Fed up of the run of the mill Christmas songs and looking for something a bit different – we have you covered!
By Rachel Mackie
Published 23rd Dec 2022, 04:45 BST

Songs don’t need to actually say the word Christmas to make you feel in the festive spirit. If you are looking for something a little different this year, but still something to give you all the feels, we have you covered. Here are eight of our favourite alternative Christmas songs.

Edinburgh Christmas Market is named best festive market in Europe by National Geographic

We don't know what it is about Christmas that leads us to the heartbreaking tunes...but here we go again. Here is a stone cold classic from the legend Tom Waits.

5. Christmas Card from a Hooker in Minneapolis by Tom Waits

We don't know what it is about Christmas that leads us to the heartbreaking tunes...but here we go again. Here is a stone cold classic from the legend Tom Waits. Photo: WikiCommons

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This isn't a Christmas song we hear you scream...but there's something about the slow, sad style of Everytime that suits these cold, wintery nights.

6. Everytime by Britney Spears

This isn't a Christmas song we hear you scream...but there's something about the slow, sad style of Everytime that suits these cold, wintery nights. Photo: Ethan Miller

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So perhaps not too alternative, but we had to have one John Lewis advert song in here, they're all so iconic and super Christmassy. This year in particular is a real tear jerker, and the song is perfect.

7. All The Small Things by Scott Bradlee's Postmodern Jukebox

So perhaps not too alternative, but we had to have one John Lewis advert song in here, they're all so iconic and super Christmassy. This year in particular is a real tear jerker, and the song is perfect. Photo: John Lewis and Partners

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Not the original by a long shot, but there's something about this version specifically that gives a lot of peace around this time of year.

8. Hallelujah by Rufus Wainwright

Not the original by a long shot, but there's something about this version specifically that gives a lot of peace around this time of year. Photo: Contributed

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