The 10 Best Original Christmas Songs Released in the ’80s

Though many an artist has released a Christmas album over the years, how often do they actually include an original song versus just covering all of the old classics? We want new songs, guys, not just yet another person/group’s take on Silent Night. Thus, when we started trying to put together a list of the top 10 original Christmas songs released in the 1980s, it wasn’t so easy. But we have persevered as best we can to bring you this subjectively definitive list.

So get in the Christmas spirit and check out the 10 best holiday songs released in the 1980s, if you dare.

Looking for the ’90s? We got you: The 10 Best Original Christmas Songs Released in the ‘90s

10. Christmas is the Time to Say I Love You - Billy Squier (1981)

Is it super memorable? Not necessarily, but like most Christmas songs, it has a sort of timeless quality.

9. This One's for the Children - New Kids on the Block (1989)

This song is a little bit pandering and very much of the time, musically, rather than feeling timeless. But NKOTB are very ’80s so there you go.

8. Christmas Wrapping - The Waitresses (1981)

It’s a little repetitive, but a fun, light new wave song for the holiday. It was an unexpected hit for the band, which shows that holiday songs have power!

7. Christmas in Dixie - Alabama (1982)

TBH, we’d never heard this song before. But it’s a nice little country slow jam to get you in the holiday mood.

6. 2000 Miles - The Pretenders (1983)

People often think this song is about long-distance lovers, but in actuality it’s about the group’s original guitar player, who died the previous year.

5. Wonderful Christmastime - Paul McCartney (19...80?)

Ok. This is a bit of a cheat – it was technically released November 16th, 1979 (the cusp of the ’80s!). It should be at least number three on this list, but…. penalty points for the cheating! Be happy it’s here at all, ya’ll.

4. Thank God It's Christmas - Queen (1984)

Can you really beat Freddie Mercury’s soaring vocals on this Christmas song? The backing music is gentle, not as operatic as some of their other hits.

3. Christmas in Hollis - Run DMC (1987)

Hollis refers to Hollis, Queens in New York where the band members grew up. It’s got a great backing beat we dare you not to love.

2. Last Christmas - Wham! (1986)

There’s a reason why so many artists have covered this song in the ensuing years – it’s an instant classic!

1. Do They Know It's Christmas? - Band Aid (1984)

A super group song featuring many hitmakers of the era, written to bring attention to the famine in Ethiopia. And it’s a Christmas banger too!

“Do They Know It’s Christmas?” featured over 35 vocalists contributing to the song, including Bono, Sting, Phil Collins, George Michael, Boy George, and Duran Duran.
“Last Christmas” has been remade by at least 23 different artists, including Jimmy Eat World (our favorite version), Taylor Swift, the Glee Cast, Ariana Grande, and Carly Rae Jepsen.
Run DMC initially refused when they were approached to contribute a song to the A Very Special Christmas compilation album, but changed their minds after being given the idea for “Christmas in Hollis.”
A Very Special Christmas is an ongoing series of Christmas music compilation albums that benefit the Special Olympics – there have been about 10 albums released total, and all of the albums use the same cover art by Keith Haring.
“Thank God It’s Christmas” was originally only released as a single and was never included on any of Queen’s studio albums until 1999 when it was included on the Greatest Hits III album, and then eventually on their The Works remaster in 2011.

“Do They Know It’s Christmas?” featured over 35 vocalists contributing to the song, including Bono, Sting, Phil Collins, George Michael, Boy George, and Duran Duran.
“Last Christmas” has been remade by at least 23 different artists, including Jimmy Eat World (our favorite version), Taylor Swift, the Glee Cast, Ariana Grande, and Carly Rae Jepsen.
Run DMC initially refused when they were approached to contribute a song to the A Very Special Christmas compilation album, but changed their minds after being given the idea for “Christmas in Hollis.”
A Very Special Christmas is an ongoing series of Christmas music compilation albums that benefit the Special Olympics – there have been about 10 albums released total, and all of the albums use the same cover art by Keith Haring.
“Thank God It’s Christmas” was originally only released as a single and was never included on any of Queen’s studio albums until 1999 when it was included on the Greatest Hits III album, and then eventually on their The Works remaster in 2011.