Christmas songs from 80s Western music: from hit tracks to hidden gems

Merry Christmas Strait To YouGeorge Strait

Merry Christmas Strait To You

A gem of a title track from George Strait—nicknamed the “King of Country”—featured on his first Christmas album released in 1986.

Set against gentle guitar and piano, it offers warm holiday greetings and a heartfelt sense of kindness, sung with care.

Written by songwriter Bob Kelly, the piece isn’t flashy, but Strait’s characteristically restrained vocals resonate deeply.

The album reached No.

17 on the Billboard Country chart and earned double platinum certification.

Perfect for those who want to spend a quiet, reflective Christmas wrapped in the warmth of traditional country.

Christmas In The CaribbeanJimmy Buffett

Christmas In The Caribbean

A Christmas number released in 1985 by Jimmy Buffett, known for his tropical rock with a love for the islands.

It was initially issued as a 7-inch single and later included in the 1992 four-disc best-of box set Boats, Beaches, Bars & Ballads.

The song depicts a unique worldview of celebrating Christmas in a snowless tropical setting, featuring scenes like Santa arriving on a dolphin and ordering mistletoe—imagery that sets it apart from traditional Christmas themes.

Born on December 25, Buffett himself suggests that “snow isn’t everything,” offering a song that proposes an unorthodox way to spend the holiday.

It’s a hidden gem recommended for those who want to relax on the beach or experience a different kind of Christmas vibe.

Colorado ChristmasNitty Gritty Dirt Band

Colorado Christmas

Formed in 1966, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band has traversed folk, country, and bluegrass.

The Christmas song they released as a single in 1983 is a piece that sings of the beauty of a snow-covered landscape wrapped in silence.

It conveys a deep reverence for nature, declaring that heaven dwells in a snowy Colorado morning, and its unhurried, ballad-like melody sinks into the heart.

Alison Krauss’s harmonies and John McEuen’s banjo add color, resulting in a warm, nostalgic finish.

Its restrained imagery is part of its charm, making it a perfect song for those who want to greet Christmas morning quietly.

Thank God For KidsThe Oak Ridge Boys

The Oak Ridge Boys – Thank God For Kids

A warm number by the Oak Ridge Boys, a vocal quartet that started in gospel and later shifted to country-pop.

Released as a single from their 1982 Christmas album “Christmas,” it spent 16 weeks on the country chart and peaked at No.

3.

The song expresses gratitude for children, portraying their innocence and smiles as gifts from God, and warmly depicts the bonds between parents and children and the love of family.

With a gentle arrangement featuring acoustic guitar, piano, and strings, layered with their signature harmonies, it evokes a prayerful atmosphere.

Beloved beyond the Christmas season, it continues to be performed live throughout the year.

Recommended for those who want to relax with family or are looking for a heartwarming song.

Christmas In HollisRun-D.M.C.

RUN DMC – Christmas In Hollis (Official HD Video)

Run-D.M.C.

is the hip-hop group that took the 1980s hip-hop boom by storm.

As pioneers who fused rock with hip-hop, they stood apart from the genre’s then-prevalent thug image with their catchy tracks.

Their song “Christmas in Hollis” is one of their signature holiday hits and was a major success.

Blending old-school ’80s vibes with catchy pop sensibilities, it’s definitely worth a listen.

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