1990s Western Christmas songs: from blockbuster hits to hidden gems
Just seeing the way the cityscape changes every December and the sparkling decorations lining the shops somehow puts you in a buoyant mood, doesn’t it?
And what you can’t skip during this season, of course, is Christmas songs!
For those looking for Christmas music as BGM for a holiday party or for the car, this article introduces Western Christmas songs from the 1990s—a decade that produced many hit tracks.
Rather than covers of so-called standards, we’ve mainly gathered original Christmas songs, so it’s a must-see for anyone who wants to create a Christmas atmosphere that’s a little different from the usual!
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1990s Western Christmas songs: From big hits to hidden gems (21–30)
Everything’s Gonna Be Cool This ChristmasNEW!Eels
A cleverly twisted holiday tune from an alternative rock maverick.
Led by Mark Oliver Everett—whose father proposed the many‑worlds interpretation—Eels are known for works that explore deep loss and introspection.
This track preserves their dark edge while painting a warm Christmas tableau.
Built around acoustic guitar and piano, the arrangement sings of trees and family gatherings yet folds in Eels’ signature irony and sentimental tremor, making it far more than a simple festive anthem.
Released in December 2006, it was included on the compilation album “Useless Trinkets: B-Sides, Soundtracks, Rarities and Unreleased 1996–2006.” It also appeared in the TV drama “Roswell,” quietly spreading as a hidden gem.
Perfect for those tired of the usual Christmas songs or anyone facing the year’s end with a more complicated state of mind.
Belleau WoodNEW!Garth Brooks
Country music superstar Garth Brooks—who holds the all-time U.
S.
record for album sales by a solo artist—released this song on his 1997 album Sevens.
It is inspired by the true story of the 1914 Christmas Truce during World War I.
The song portrays the miraculous moment when opposing soldiers laid down their guns and, prompted by the singing of German troops, began to sing together.
The dramatic arc—from the silence of the battlefield, to a brief harmony, and then the return to fighting—is rendered lyrically with acoustic guitar and understated arrangement.
Though it never appeared on the hit charts, its powerful message of peace has made it a special favorite among his core fans.
In a 2020 holiday special, Garth was so moved that he momentarily stumbled over the lyrics.
It’s a recommended listen for a quiet Christmas night, when you want to reflect on our shared humanity.
Mary, Did You Know?NEW!Kathy Mattea
Kathy Mattea is a country singer from West Virginia.
Known for her distinctive style that incorporates elements of folk, bluegrass, and Celtic music, she has produced numerous hits since the late 1980s.
Her 1993 gospel album “Good News” marked her first Christmas release.
The piece included on this album is a hymn that poses questions to Mary, the mother of Jesus, gently asking whether she knew what miracles the child she bore would one day perform.
Its restrained arrangement and her tender vocals evoke both religious reverence and warm emotion.
The album won the Grammy Award for Best Gospel Album in 1994, earning her the second Grammy of her career.
Christmas All Over AgainTom Petty And The Heartbreakers
With the peal of bells ringing out, the upbeat rock ’n’ roll number “Christmas All Over Again.” It’s a track released by singer-songwriter Tom Petty—inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002—with his band, Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers.
The band’s sound, which can make you happy just by listening, brightens the Christmas mood.
The lyrics sing about scenes you see at Christmastime and a few of Tom Petty’s candid thoughts, which might make you feel a sense of familiarity.
Christmas DayDido
Dido is a London singer-songwriter known for her transparent, captivating vocals.
“Christmas Day” is a song she released in 1999, included on her debut album No Angel.
With her angelic voice floating over a relaxed tempo, the track paints a sparkling, Christmassy world.
Listening to it, you’ll feel time slow down—perfect for spending a romantic Christmas day.
Christmas Time AgainExtreme
Extreme is a band that represents the ’90s rock scene.
One of the great things about Extreme is their incredible range—they can do everything from hard rock to sweeping ballads.
In “Christmas Time Again,” they create a sacred atmosphere in their own way with beautiful vocal harmonies and melodies.
Based on the theme that “the happier the time, the faster it passes,” the song celebrates happiness while also expressing the anxiety that it might one day come to an end.
Soon After ChristmasStina Nordenstam
Stina Nordenstam is a Swedish singer-songwriter known for her languid, whispery voice.
“Soon After Christmas,” a track from her debut album Memories of a Color, beautifully captures the feel of a tranquil Christmas.