Christmas songs from 80s Western music: from hit tracks to hidden gems

I ‘ll Be Missing You Come ChristmasNew Kids On The Block

New Kids on the Block-I ‘ll Be Missing You Come Christmas

A track included on the Christmas album released around 1989, during New Kids on the Block’s peak popularity.

It’s a gentle, slow Christmas song with a steady vocal performance that makes for a calm, easy listen.

An Old Fashioned ChristmasCarpenters

An Old Fashioned Christmas

The Carpenters are a duo that’s also very popular in Japan.

They were active from the 1970s until vocalist Karen Anne Carpenter’s death in 1983.

Because rock music was booming in the 1970s when they were active, their pop music didn’t attract much popularity at first.

However, by consistently staying true to their musical style, they gradually gained fans and are still loved by many people today.

An Old-Fashioned Christmas is a signature track from their second Christmas album, released after Karen’s passing.

We Wish You A Merry ChristmasTake 6

We Wish You A Merry Christmas / Carol Of The Bells / Joy To The World (TAKE 6 Cover)

Take 6’s Christmas medley number has beautifully elegant harmonies.

I’d love to set out a lavish meal for Christmas and have everyone gather around the table while listening to this song.

It’s a tune that’s well-known in Japan too, so you can really soak up an authentic holiday atmosphere.

Santa’s BeardThey Might Be Giants

They Might Be Giants – Santa’s Beard (Official Audio)

Despite its festive Christmas atmosphere, this song creates a striking contrast with its irony-laden lyrics and upbeat melody.

Included on the 1988 album “Lincoln,” it perfectly blends They Might Be Giants’ signature humor with seriousness.

Its quirky narrative portrays a man jealous of his wife’s cozy rapport with Santa Claus, offering a unique perspective on Christmas traditions.

It’s a great pick not only for fans of the band but also for those tired of typical Christmas songs.

With sardonic laughs, it also captures the subtleties of human relationships.

Same Old Lang SyneDan Fogelberg

Dan Fogelberg – Same Old Lang Syne (from Live: Greetings from the West)

“Same Old Lang Syne” embraces the bittersweet feelings of reuniting with an old lover at Christmas.

The title is said to come from “Auld Lang Syne,” which is quoted at the end of the song.

It’s a track by Dan Fogelberg, an American singer-songwriter whose lyrical charm made him popular from the 1970s to the 1980s.

The lyrics, based on Dan’s real-life experience, evoke scenes so vivid they seem to unfold right before your eyes.

Sometimes, even when you meet again, it can feel awkward and hard to start a conversation—but a relationship where you can talk things through, like in this song, feels truly wonderful.

Those who’ve had a similar experience may find themselves drawn in even more deeply.

A poignant yet romantic Christmas song.

The 12 Pains of ChristmasBob Rivers

Bob Rivers – The 12 Pains of Christmas

This is a track from a Christmas album released by Bob Rivers, a popular American radio DJ and comedian.

Although his own vocal parts are quite limited, the arrangement exudes Bob Rivers’s personality and makes listeners feel cheerful.

Another Rock ‘n’ Roll ChristmasGary Glitter

Gary Glitter – Another Rock ‘n’ Roll Christmas

He’s a British glam rock musician, but rather than glam, his charm point is more like a Presley cosplay look.

It’s a charming Christmas song with an oldies-style melody, long sideburns, and a pompadour.