The music scene of the ’80s has a kind of sparkling image, whether we’re talking about Western music or Japanese music.
Given that era, it’s only natural that countless classic Christmas songs were born around the most glamorous and romantic event of the year.
While Japan and the West view Christmas somewhat differently, this article showcases many Western Christmas songs that were hits in the 1980s.
From those perennial standards you hear in Japan every holiday season to lesser-known hidden gems and covers of standards, we’ve gathered a wide range—from sweet tunes to slightly bittersweet numbers—to bring you a comprehensive lineup!
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Christmas songs from 80s Western music: from hit tracks to hidden gems (1–10)
Thank God It’s ChristmasQueen
Thank God It’s Christmas, famous as a hidden gem by Queen, was released in 1984.
It stayed on the weekly charts for six weeks and peaked at No.
21.
Although that’s a relatively low ranking for a Queen song, its inclusion on several Christmas compilation albums gradually drew attention to it and led to its current popularity.
The song has a vibe reminiscent of ’80s city pop, while the vocal lines are quintessentially Queen.
Wonderful Christmas TimePaul McCartney
Released in 1979 by Paul McCartney, the Christmas song “Wonderful Christmastime.” Thanks to its November release and McCartney’s name recognition, it continued to be loved even into the 1980s.
While John Lennon’s “Happy Xmas,” by McCartney’s fellow Beatles member, sings of anti-war themes, this song simply celebrates the joyful atmosphere of Christmas.
It’s a track that really captures McCartney’s signature style.
Last ChristmasWham!
When it comes to Christmas songs, many people probably think of “Last Christmas” first.
It’s a 1984 track by Wham, a pop act emblematic of the ’80s, and it’s been covered and loved by many artists in Japan as well.
The sound is like gently falling snow.
Why is it that, even though it’s a heartbreaking song about lost love, we still feel like humming along? The understated yet powerful drumming is also captivating.
An unfading, timeless classic—it touches the heart no matter when you listen.
Tennessee ChristmasAmy Grant
Amy Grant, known as a leading figure in contemporary Christian music.
This piece, recorded in 1983 as a collaboration with her then-husband Gary Chapman, warmly portrays Christmastime scenes in her hometown of Tennessee.
The lyrics, gently interweaving nostalgia for home, love for family, and faith, leave a lasting impression.
With a lyrical arrangement featuring piano and strings, it conveys the quiet joy of Christmas.
In 2016, it was revived on the album Tennessee Christmas, which included a re-recorded version and reached No.
3 on Billboard’s Holiday Albums chart.
The song was also featured on a Hallmark Channel Christmas special and has become a beloved staple of the annual Christmas concerts at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium.
It’s a song that keeps close company with anyone wishing to spend a quiet Christmas night with someone dear.
Rock And Roll ChristmasGeorge Thorogood & The Destroyers
George Thorogood and the Destroyers have been pillars of the American blues-rock scene since the 1970s.
Released as a single in 1983, this track is their only work tailored for the holiday season.
Produced by roots rock maestro Dave Edmunds, it was created as a special project for MTV.
With a powerful rock sound where guitar riffs intertwine with saxophone, it carries a festive vibe while setting itself apart from reverent Christmas carols—its appeal lies in a rowdy, good-time style.
It charted in New Zealand and remains a favorite on rock-oriented holiday compilation albums.
Christmas Without YouKENNY ROGERS & DOLLY PARTON
A gem of a duet by Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton, tenderly singing of the loneliness and poignancy of a Christmas without a loved one.
Their perfectly blended harmonies and warm voices accentuate the longing for a lost romance.
With strings and piano arranged to gently envelop the listener, the music conjures up scenes of Christmas—snowy landscapes and crackling fireplaces.
Released in October 1984 on the album “Once Upon a Christmas,” it was also performed around the same time on a CBS television special.
More than just sweet, this song carries a bittersweet note that sinks deep into the heart on a quiet Christmas night spent alone.
It’s A Wonderful Life (Gonna Have A Good Time)Fishbone
Hailing from Los Angeles, Fishbone is a band known for its eclectic fusion of genres including funk, ska, punk, and reggae.
Released in November 1987, the Christmas EP “It’s A Wonderful Life (Gonna Have a Good Time)” is a four-track record packed with their signature crossover appeal, with the title track serving as its standout song.
The briskly shining brass section and the bursts of energy and shifting rhythms create a sound that subverts the conventional image of Christmas music.
The track was also included on the 1996 best-of compilation “Fishbone 101: Nuttasaurusmeg Fossil Fuelin’ the Fonkay,” and it remains beloved by fans.
It’s a hidden gem recommended for those who enjoy music that transcends genre boundaries or want to experience a different kind of Christmas.