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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90s Western Christmas songs: introducing everything from massive hits to hidden gems (1–10)
Miss You Most (At Christmas Time)NEW!Mariah Carey
It’s a gentle ballad by Mariah Carey included on her album “Merry Christmas,” released for the holiday season in the ’90s.
Created in 1994 as a collaboration with Walter Afanasieff, the song expresses the loneliness and heartache of not having a loved one by your side during the festive Christmas season.
Its calm arrangement featuring strings and Carey’s emotive vocals really resonate.
It’s a piece that quietly touches the heart when listened to on a Christmas spent apart from a partner or on a night when memories of a past love resurface.
I Was Born on Christmas DayNEW!Saint Etienne
Saint Etienne, the indie pop band that brightens up London winters, are known as key players in the ’90s indie-dance scene.
The Christmas single they released in December 1993 is a warm duet set to a house beat.
Sung by vocalist Sarah Cracknell and The Charlatans’ Tim Burgess, the song features memorable lyrics tied to band member Bob Stanley’s birthday.
With a catchy, ABBA-like melody fused with club culture, it reached No.
37 on the UK Singles Chart at the time.
It’s recommended for those seeking a sophisticated, urban alternative to classic Christmas carols—perfect for a home party with friends or a nighttime drive.
Christmas Eve / Sarajevo 12/24NEW!Trans-Siberian Orchestra
An instrumental work by Trans-Siberian Orchestra that paints an overwhelming sonic world through a majestic fusion of classical and rock.
Structured as a medley that combines the traditional carol “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen” with the Ukrainian-derived melody “Carol of the Bells,” it evolves from serene passages where cello and electric guitar intertwine into fiercely dramatic sections.
Featured on the 1996 album Christmas Eve and Other Stories, this track is known as a centerpiece of the triple-platinum-certified classic.
In their large-scale live tours, it’s performed with lavish production using lasers and pyrotechnics, drawing audiences into a story-like realm.
A perfect pick for those seeking a fresh spark in Christmas music, and for fans of rock and metal.
A Strange Way to Save the WorldNEW!4Him
4Him is a four-member vocal group that enjoyed strong support on the Christian music scene in the 1990s.
Taken from their 1993 Christmas album, The Season of Love, this song shines with its original approach of portraying the Nativity from Joseph’s perspective.
The question of why God chose to send the Savior in this way is voiced over beautiful piano and strings, quietly resonating in the heart.
The fact that it has continued to be covered by a wide range of artists—from country to R&B—speaks to a universal emotion that transcends religious boundaries.
It’s a perfect piece for quietly savoring the deeper meaning of Christmas.
Give Me a StarNEW!BeBe & CeCe Winans
BeBe & CeCe Winans, a brother-sister duo from the Winans family—known as the royal family of gospel—offer this heartwarming track from their 1993 Christmas album “First Christmas.” Centered on the theme of the “star,” a symbol of guidance and hope, the song carries a message of blessing and light, blending the siblings’ beautiful harmonies with gospel-style choral arrangements.
While retaining the atmosphere of a traditional hymn, it also incorporates modern R&B elements, making it a perfect choice for those who wish to honor the religious meaning of Christmas or welcome the holy night in a calm, worshipful setting.
I Want an Alien for ChristmasNEW!Fountains of Wayne
This is an unconventional holiday song by Fountains of Wayne, highly popular in Japan, released as a single in 1997.
It was originally written for a Christmas record by Hanson, the young group at the height of their popularity at the time, but after it wasn’t selected, the band recorded it themselves.
While the lyrics humorously depict the outlandish wish to “get an alien for Christmas,” they also subtly satirize consumerism and financial pressures during the holiday season.
The playful spirit set to catchy guitar pop, paired with a sharp social gaze beneath the surface, strikes a perfect balance.
The song later gained renewed attention when it was included in the soundtrack for Marvel’s 2022 Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special.
It’s the perfect pick for anyone looking to enjoy a witty, slightly offbeat Christmas.
(It Must’ve Been Ol’) Santa ClausNEW!Harry Connick Jr.
Harry Connick Jr.
has enjoyed a long career as a jazz pianist and singer.
Released in 1993, When My Heart Finds Christmas is a holiday album that blends standards with original songs and became a major hit, earning triple-platinum certification.
This piece is one of the album’s original tracks, distinguished by its dazzling sound featuring a big band horn section, orchestra, and choir.
It exudes a jazzy groove reflecting his New Orleans roots, and a festive atmosphere celebrating Santa’s arrival fills the entire song.
It’s the perfect track for a lively party with family and friends.