14 essential songs for your Christmas in Houston playlist

All the usual suspects are currently atop Billboard’s Hot 100: Mariah Carey, Brenda Lee, Wham! And we love them. But there’s much more to Christmas music, especially in Houston.

Several Houston artists have released Christmas music over the years. And we don’t just mean Destiny’s Child and Hilary Duff. There are covers and originals. Ballads and rock anthems. Dance tracks and soul songs.

Here are 28 that should be on your yearly playlist.

“Unwrap My Heart,” Morena Roas and STOO

This electro bop was recently remastered and sounds better than ever. It’s tough to put a new spin on Christmas songs, but this one does it effectively. STOO and Roas, unique artists in their own right, have a cozy chemistry.

“Diciembre,” Juan Treviño

Treviño, a recent Latin Grammy winner, reflects on the year in “Diciembre.” It’s a lilting, melodic song that captures the bittersweet feeling that so many have during the holidays.

“Lonely Christmas,” Ashley Toman

Toman, a gifted vocalist, makes like an oldschool soul diva on this original. The hook of this original will quickly find its way into your head.

“Go Tell it on the Mountain,” Trudy Lynn and Steve Krase

Houston blues icons Lynn and Krase team up for a bluesy reading of this classic. They manage to turn the well-worn song into something more urgent.

“Christmas Without You,” Ren Patrick

This song has become a perennial on my Christmas playlist. It hits particularly hard this year and is a bittersweet rumination on spending the holidays without someone you love. Patrick performed the song, pre-pandemic, at the Houston Chronicle offices.

“What Would a Christmas Be,” Tanya Nolan

Nolan has two Christmas originals worth a listen. “Santa Claus is Early Tonight” takes a modern R&B approach. “What Would a Christmas Be” has more of an old-school flavor.

“Lonely on Christmas,” WilliE

WilliE (formerly Tia Gold) is another constant during the holidays. This song sounds like a hit, and she delivers it like a star. One of my Christmas favorites.

“I’ll Help You Make It Through Christmas,” Sherita Perez

Perez captures what many feel in this song is about giving support to those who need it most during the holidays. ("This is a place where you can be free/And you can be safe with me.”) It follows another Christmas original, “I Wanna Come Home to Houston.”

“Campana Sobre Campana,” Gammy Gonzz

This song was a staple for many who grew up in Spanish-language households. Gonzz, a pop and R&B singer, stays faithful to the original here.

“Janglefonk,” Tightn’ Up

Janglefonk, a local funk and soul outfit has been quiet for the last few years. But we still have the music, including this disco-tinged Christmas tune. Try to listen without moving some part of your body.

“Christmas With You,” Sheila Swift

Swift creates a Christmas original that has the scrappy charm of ‘80s groups the Bangles or GoGos.

“Everybody Gets a Little Lonely on Christmas,” Zach Tate Band

What’s Christmas in Texas without some twang? Tate effectively captures the loneliness that can come with the holidays on this original.

“Llega Otra Navidad (Christmas is not the Same Without You),” La Mafia

La Mafia, one of the greats of Tejano music, gets festive on this upbeat original. It was written by Treviño, who is also featured on the list, and channels a bit of The Beatles.

“Xmas in My House,” Robyn Tha Bank

This uplifting original by Robyn is about discovering the joy of Christmas. “I think I feel it now,” she sings. Indeed.