As the holidays approach, pop culture enthusiast David Ferguson shares his top ten Christmas songs by queer artists to get you in the festive mood.

Once again, it is time to don that gay apparel and put on some good music, because the most wonderful time of the year is almost here. And what better way to get you in the festive spirit than 10 songs by queer artists? This year’s method involved picking some queer artists I like and some Christmas songs I like. It’s a mixture of some original songs and some old reliables. 

This year’s list will not cause you to lose at Whamageddon (unlike last year’s), so dive into this list and pick your favourites.

Lil Nas X – HOLIDAY (2020)

Our first one is an original. It was released as a single in November 2020, with a video featuring Lil Nas X as a futuristic Santa Claus.

Tegan and Sarah – Make You Mine Thus Season (2020)

Tegan and Sarah made my list of 2010 artists and on to my regular listening rotation. This song is another original and was written for the GLAAD Award-winning Christmas movie Happiest Season (2020). 

St. Vincent – …At The Holiday Party (2021)

Another original and another artist from my 2010 list is St. Vincent, who I have become very fond of. This is taken from her studio album Daddy’s Home (2021).

Sufjan Stevens – Hey Guy! It’s Christmas Time! (2006)

Next up is someone who has been in the news lately. Sufjan Stevens has released two Christmas albums. Songs for Christmas (2006) is a box set of five separate EPs of Christmas-related songs and carols recorded between 2001 and 2006. Silver & Gold: Songs for Christmas, Vols. 6–10 (2012) is another five-EP box set of Christmas-related songs and carols recorded between 2006 and 2012. This song, another original, is taken from the first album.

Elton John – Step Into Christmas (1973)

This song was released as a stand-alone single in November 1973 with the song ‘Ho, Ho, Ho (Who’d Be a Turkey at Christmas)’, which made my list last year, as the B-side. This one also appears on the compilation album Elton John’s Christmas Party (2005), which has some more festive selections for you. 

Lady Gaga – White Christmas (2011)

My first classic selection. ‘White Christmas’ was written by Irving Berlin for the 1942 musical film Holiday Inn. It won the Academy Award for Best Original Song at the 15th Academy Awards. Irving Berlin’s opening verse is often dropped in recordings, as it is in this one, but Lady Gaga adds something extra to her version. It was originally performed on the ABC holiday television special A Very Gaga Thanksgiving.

Darren Criss and Chris Colfer – Baby, It’s Cold Outside (2010)

Another classic, this song was written by Frank Loesser in 1944 and popularized in the 1949 film Neptune’s Daughter. While the lyrics make no mention of a holiday, it is commonly regarded as a Christmas song owing to its winter theme. I like the twist of having two guys, in this case actors Darren Criss and Chris Colfer in their Glee roles, singing it to each other.

Glória LGBTQ+ Choir – We Need A Little Christmas (2011)

This song has become a Christmas favourite of mine. Originating Broadway musical Mame, and first performed by the iconic Angela Lansbury in the 1966 production. Be sure to check out her version, as that is the one that put it on my radar. The song was also covered by Sufjan Stevens. However, I was taken by the version performed by the Glória LGBTQ+ Choir, from their album A Christmas Celebration (2011), one of a number of Christmas albums the choir has produced.

 

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Miley Cyrus – Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree (2017)

‘Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree’ was written by Johnny Marks (who also wrote ‘Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer’ and ‘A Holly Jolly Christmas’). It was first recorded by Brenda Lee in 1958 and has since been covered by many other artists. I’m quite fond of the Hanson version myself, but Miley Cyrus gave us a very fun version too.

RuPaul, Michelle Visage and Barbara Mitchell – Hard Candy Christmas (1997)

Another favourite of mine, this song was written by composer-lyricist Carol Hall for the musical The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. The iconic Dolly Parton, who starred in the film version of the musical, released a version in 1982. This is the version that captured my heart. There is also a version by one of my favourites, Cyndi Lauper. This version is slightly more upbeat and adds a level of cheesiness that you need at Christmas. It comes from RuPaul’s 1997 album Ho Ho Ho., which was remastered in 2023.

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