Love All the Christmas Classics? Check Out the Very Best Holiday Covers of 2020

Nothing makes us feel warmer and fuzzier than listening to all of our favorite holiday classics as winter rolls around.

The familiarity and nostalgia of well-known Christmas tunes can be nearly as cozy as an ugly sweater and a cup of hot cocoa—but that doesn't mean you have to listen to the same versions of these great songs again and again. December means all of our favorite artists are releasing their own renditions of the best holiday songs. Here are our new favorites from 2020:

Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello – 'The Christmas Song'

Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello are the ultimate musical power couple at the moment, and their rendition of "The Christmas Song" is the holiday classic to listen to by the fireplace. It has the most soothing vocals you could imagine, with a music video featuring the duo's own festive celebrations that's so sweet you won't be able to look away.

 

Needtobreathe – 'Silent Night'

We could all use a bit of peace and serenity this wild holiday season, and Needtobreathe beautifully captures that feeling with their cover of "Silent Night." With its gentle rock sound, it manages to be epic yet tender all at once, wonderfully capturing what the track is all about.

 

Laine Hardy – 'Please Come Home for Christmas'

Before this year, we were never able to relate to "Please Come Home for Christmas" much, but oh how that's changed. This track about heartache feels particularly apt in the unusual 2020, and Laine Hardy's light yet raw acoustic version of the classic song by blues singer Charles Brown really drives the point home.

 

Johnny Orlando – 'Last Christmas'

Wham!'s "Last Christmas" has been covered time and time again, but never quite like this. This new version by Johnny Orlando is an updated take with more of a pop R&B vibe. If you didn't know better, you might even think this was an original.

 

Lee Brice – 'Go Tell It on the Mountain'

"Go Tell It on the Mountain" is one of the biggest and most vibrant gospel Christmas tracks around, so when we heard that Lee Brice was covering it, we had some big expectations. Lucky for us, he delivers with epic vocals and a rousing country guitar sound that'll get you right in the holiday spirit.

 

Wyn Starks – 'Deck the Halls'  ft. Tony Williams + Jay-Way

Just because "Deck the Halls" is on this list more than once doesn't mean you're going to be hearing the same thing twice. This take on the classic by Wyn Starks, featuring Tony Williams and Jay-Way, puts an entirely new twist on the track with powerful R&B vocals and additional lyrics that make the track even more beautifully romantic, plus a rap breakdown that'll pull you right in. They manage to make this traditional song feel completely contemporary.

 

Brett Young – 'Silver Bells'

Is there anything smoother than this version of "Silver Bells" by Brett Young? With its gentle beat and slick, stripped-back vocals, the singer brings out the beauty of this classic song while feeling totally modern.

 

Courtney Hadwin – 'Happy Xmas (War Is Over)'

Courtney Hadwin's soulful take on "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)" is a complete redo of the John Lennon and Yoko Ono classic. Though times have changed, its message about thriving in the face of struggle, and focusing on what really matters during the holiday season, stands the test of time. It's a very healing song, and it's just what we need after 2020.

 

Lights – 'Deck the Halls'

It should be no surprise that when Lights covers a Christmas song, she makes it absolutely rock, but we were still taken aback by what she was able to do with this interpretation of "Deck the Halls." She brings her one-of-a-kind voice and a thumping rock beat to the song, so that you'll never hear it in quite the same way again.

 

Whitney Woerz – 'Christmas Time Is Here'

"Christmas Time Is Here" was originally written for A Charlie Brown Christmas, and it's one of the sweetest and most nostalgic Christmas songs around. This version by Whitney Woerz manages to replicate everything great about the original, bringing so much soul to the sweet and memorable track.

 

 

Liddy Clark – 'Do You Hear What I Hear?'

"Do You Hear What I Hear?" has always been a gorgeous, melodious tune, but this version by Liddy Clark takes the cake. She sings the classic with drama and energy, making it extra powerful with her soft yet confident vocals.

 

 

London Cheshire – 'Christmas Eve'

Modern holiday classics deserve covering just as much as the ones that have delighted for decades, and this sleek London Cheshire take on Justin Bieber's "Christmas Eve" is no exception. This video demonstrates London's incredible talents, as well as his style. We think we'll be seeing a lot more of him very soon.

 

Joey Hendricks – 'Happy Xmas (War Is Over)'

Yes, "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)" appears on this list more than once, but the two versions couldn't be more different. Joey Hendricks brings a hauntingly beautiful quality to the vocal, with a country instrumental that's small and understated in a beautiful way. We're happy to hear it again and again, because we simply can't get enough of it.

 

Carrie Underwood – 'Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee'

We're not sure anyone can put their power and emotion into Christmas tracks quite like Carrie Underwood, and this one will give you goosebumps. Think this is beautiful? It's just the first of 11 tracks on her My Gift album of Christmas songs, which dropped earlier this year. You're going to want to give the whole thing a listen.

 

Eager to hear even more festive Christmas tracks? Click HERE to listen to our favorite original holiday tracks of the year.