25 festive pop songs perfect for your holiday playlist

“Blue Christmas” – She & Him

Michael Bublé isn’t the only one on this playlist who can rock a bluesy Christmas song. She & Him worked their indie magic on their 2011 Christmas album A Very She & Him Christmas and along with their holiday classics like “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” and “The Christmas Song,” Zooey Deschanel crooned to the Elvis Presley hit “Blue Christmas.”

The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll’s song is about how depressed he’ll be if his dear love isn’t there with him for the holidays. Decorating the Christmas tree and enjoying the first snowfall without someone there by his side will make him blue, because it just isn’t the same alone. Deschanel manages to capture the same feeling as Elvis’ original song. Her charming and wistful vocals lend to the songs bluesy theme, and you get the sense she really is longing for a Christmas companion.

Not every Christmas song is going to be a happy one, but there’s always room for the sadder Christmas songs too. If you’re just relaxing by the fire with a glass of wine, or maybe even sad about a broken heart but still want to be festive, you can throw on “Blue Christmas” and embrace the holiday sadness.