Get in the holiday spirit with the New Mexico Black Leadership Council’s top Black Christmas songs list.
It’s that time of year. The staff of NMBLC put together our list of the top Christmas and holiday songs by Black artists. With a mix of the old and the new, we selected childhood favorites, spiritual classics, romantic serenades and odes to winter. Scroll through our playlist to get in the holiday spirit and start humming along to some of the best Black Christmas songs ever. Then take our poll at the end of this post to vote on your favorite! The Black Christmas song for 2023 winner will be shared on social media.
“Snow” by Leslie Odom, Jr.
Showcasing Leslie Odom Jr.’s silky smooth vocals, “Snow” gives vibes of a quartet singing a cappella on the street corner as you rush through snow-plowed streets toward home. It instantly sounds familiar, like it’s already been in the ether, making it a modern holiday classic.
“All Alone on Christmas” by Darlene Love
This one’s a total jam. Not surprising, given that it was written by Steven Van Zandt of The E Street Band and performed by Darlene Love with members of both The E Street Band and The Miami Horns. Between the rhythm, the Motown callbacks, Love’s powerhouse gospel shout, and Clarence Clemons’s inimitable sax solos, this tune will have you dancing around the Christmas tree.
“Mary, Did You Know” by Mary J. Blige
In this ballad written for Mother Mary herself, Mary J. Blige’s rich, soulful voice couldn’t be more perfect. Her vocals run over the bittersweet piano melody like a river, soaring and dipping and holding steady in all the right places.
“I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” by The Jackson 5
Released in 1970 on the critically acclaimed and #1 charting Jackson 5’s Christmas Album, this childhood favorite is still popular with our readers.
“Feels Different” by Brandy
For something completely different (see what we did there?), the first track on Brandy’s 2023 album Christmas with Brandy has a lush 90s R&B sound with a sick groove that underscores the darker side of the holiday season: loneliness. A breakup that would usually be survivable hits much harder during the Yuletide season. Co-written by Brandy, it’s a new and fresh addition to the Christmas song catalog.
“Santa Baby” by Eartha Kitt
I mean, really. This one’s a no brainer. As far as we’re concerned, Eartha Kitt’s version is the only version of “Santa Baby.”
“All I Want for Christmas is You” by Mariah Carey
In her memoir, Mariah Carey said that when she conceived this song she was going for vintage Christmas happiness, something that would capture joy and crystallize it forever, and gift the world with a Christmas classic. She did that.
“This Christmas” by Donny Hathaway
December 9th, 2020 marked the 50th anniversary of Donny Hathaway’s revered and beloved holiday anthem. Rhino commemorated with the release of the first official video for the song.
Your Turn! Vote for your Favorite Black Christmas Song
Vote for your favorite Black Christmas song! You can select up to 2 songs. We’ll post the winner on our Facebook and Instagram accounts right before Christmas.
NMBLC is participating in the New Mexico Local News Fund’s 2023 Matching Campaign. This means any donation you make to NMBLC through December 31st, 2023, will be automatically matched by NM Local Local News Fund. Click the donate button below to contribute!
Editor’s Note: This is the last blog post of the year for the EQ Online. We’ll see you in 2024 for more great posts from NMBLC!
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Shannon Moreau is the editor for NMBLC’s EQ Blog
Best music year round, celebration of the birth of our Saviour
We’re glad you enjoyed the list!