Looking for a Christmas playlist for your road trips and visits to Alabama Christmas lights displays? From old-timey, obscure, blues songs to more recent pop renditions of classics by the likes of Lionel Richie and Billy Lawson, you’ll find it all here. An Alabama Christmas playlist is a must for the best Alabama Christmas, so check out my curated list below and add it on Spotify!
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Alabama Christmas Playlist
1 | “Christmas In Dixie” by Alabama
Alabama’s “Christmas in Dixie” was included on their 1985 album Alabama Christmas. Today the holiday classic has become so famous that many people only know of the Heart of Dixie solely through this song!
2 | “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” by Hugh Martin
Hugh Martin wrote “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” in his hometown of Birmingham, for Judy Garland to sing in the 1944 film Meet Me in St. Louis. Originally written with a sentimental touch, it was rewritten to be more upbeat which is the version we know today!
3 | “Merry Christmas, Alabama (Never Far From Home)” by Jimmy Buffett
Jimmy Buffet grew up in Mobile and Fairhope before attending Auburn University where he turned to music to pay his college expenses. His famous “Merry Christmas, Alabama” was an original on his 1996 album Christmas Island.
4 | “Look Around You (It’s Christmas Time)” by Bobby Goldsboro
Bobby Goldsboro grew up in Dothan, Alabama and attended Auburn University. He later had big hits with Honey and The Autumn of My Years which featured his popular song, “Look Around You, It’s Christmas Time!”
5 | “Christmas Is A Drag” by Jimmy Jones (featuring His Versatiles)
Birmingham native Jimmy Jones sang the bluesy “Christmas Is a Drag” featured on the album Santa’s Funk & Soul Christmas Party Vol. 2. It’s so smooth, soulful and upbeat that it had to be on this Alabama Christmas playlist!.
6 | “My Christmas Wish For You” by Percy Sledge
“My Christmas Wish for You” was written by Bill Jenkins and Muscle Shoals guitarist Jimmy Evans. It was recorded in Muscle Shoals by Percy Sledge who was a well known R&B, soul, and gospel singer from Leighton, Alabama.
7 | “Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer" by Elmo and Patsy
The hit Christmas novelty song, “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer,” was released in 1979. It was performed by Patsy and Dr. Elmo. Elmo Shropshire lived in Alabama for many years while getting his veterinary degree from Auburn University.
8 | “Lonely Pup (In A Christmas Shop)” Adam Faith (lyricist - Arthur Alexander)
Arthur Alexander was a Country Soul musician who played a significant role in the development of Alabama’s Muscle Shoals music recording scene. Add his “Lonely Pup (In a Christmas Shop)” to your Alabama Christmas playlist to get transported back to a different era!
9 | “Merry Christmas To You From Me” by Billy Lawson
Billy Lawson’s “Merry Christmas To You From Me” is written with a bit of Soul in it and is a perfect addition to your Alabama Christmas playlist. He was born and raised in Muscle Shoals, Alabama and signed with the famous Muscle Shoals Recordings studio in 2019.
10 | “Deck The Hall” by Nat King Cole
This song is Nat King Cole’s rendition of the famous Christmas carol, “Deck The Hall.” Nat King Cole was born in Montgomery, Alabama in 1919 and remains one of Alabama’s most famous sons. He was posthumously inducted into the Alabama Music Hall of Fame in 1985 and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2000.
11 | “I Love A Country Christmas” by Ernest Ashworth
Ernest Ashworth was born in Huntsville, Alabama in 1928 and began his country music career singing on Huntsville radio station WBHP. He later became a longtime Grand Ole Opry star. His song “I Love A Country Christmas” is one of his top 50 hits!
12 | “My Christmas Tree” by The Temptations
“My Christmas Tree,” from the 1970 Christmas album The Temptations Christmas Card, was sung by Eddie Kendricks. The first lead tenor for the band grew up in Birmingham, Alabama where he met Paul Williams, another band member and the rest was history!
13 | “Joy To The World” by Lionel Richie
The internationally known Lionel Richie needs no introduction although some might be surprised to learn that his career began at Tuskegee University in Macon County as part of The Commodores! His version of the popular Christmas carol “Joy To The World” is just the cheerful addition you are looking for to add to your Alabama Christmas playlist.
14 | “Angels Among Us” by Alabama
“Angels Among Us,” though released as a Christmas single, has its roots in eerie incidents which include songwriter, Becky Hobbs’ premonitions and narrow escape from death. Today it’s one of Alabama’s most inspirational songs and a Christmas mainstay.
15 | “Silent Night” by The Temptations
Another one by R&B group, The Temptations, this song is their rendition of the famous Christmas carol “Silent Night.” The song was on their 1970 album The Temptations Christmas Card, and was sung by Eddie Kendricks who grew up in Birmingham.
I hope this Alabama Christmas playlist has you tapping your feet and bobbing your head this Christmas! Add it to your Spotify so you can take it with you on all your road trips this holiday season.
How many of these songs did you already know? Do you have any Alabama-related recommendations to add to the list? I would love to listen to them!
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