Christmas songs are a force to be reckoned with. They infiltrate our lives come Thanksgiving. From car commercials to bad YouTube parodies, they all feature a rotating set of 10 songs.

According to Billboard, “Jingle Bells” found its way twice on the “Top 100 Christmas Songs of the week of December 16”.

How many times has the average 70 year old man heard “Jingle Bells”?

Too many.

That is where “Unconventional Christmas Songs” comes in. UCS is a playlist showcasing lesser known Christmas songs, ranging from singer-songwriter ballads to sprawling, emotionally charged pieces.

With six songs, the cliché status of Christmas music can be shifted in a completely new and bold direction.

Let’s break down each song and why it deserves a spot on the playlist.

“Silver Bells” by The Flaming Lips (2014)

The Flaming Lip’s rendition of “Silver Bells” is anything but conventional. It introduces harmonics and wind instruments which add much needed layers to the original mix. The original “Silver Bells” piano ballad plays in the background.

However, the listener’s attention constantly shifts in and out of focus due to the added instruments. The song is very different from the contemporary Christmas music that plays on The Star 102.1.

“Winter White Hymnal” by Fleet Foxes (2008)

The structure of your average Christmas song is present here. However, with vague lyrics spanning the track, the listener is left wondering and piecing together a narrative.

“Who knows exactly what the words mean, but the fairy-tale menace comes through in full color,” Pitchfork writer Stephen F. Deusner said.

That narrative is up to your personal interpretation. The opening lines catch your attention and the over present winter setting holds it. The song is far from a throwaway track on the band’s debut album.

“That Christmasy Feeling” by Johnny Cash (1972)

People usually write off Cash’s Christmas songs. He is a gravel-voiced cowboy, how can he…people often think. Cash is just as much as a Christmas singer as Elton John. Cash’s rendition of the song blends country and rock in his usual respectful and fun manner. The track has a life of its own without needing to stand in context of a Christmas album.

“Christmas In The Room” by Sufjan Stevens (2008)

Stevens is an outspoken Christmas lover. With help from his friends, he has released 10 albums solely based around the holiday. “Christmas In The Room” paints the festivity as “just another day”, which contrasts the usual grandiose nature of the holiday. Instead of going all out, Sufjan sharpens his emotional edge and delivers a timeless classic.

“White Christmas” by Jimmy Smith (1964)

Jazz is not usually correlated with Christmas music. The genre rarely strips itself down to a singular piano or trumpet. “White Christmas” mixes traditional piano-led elements with jazz instrumentation and progression. Smith crafts a complex, structured mess which quickly becomes pure ear candy.

“St. Patrick’s Day” by John Mayer (2001)

Mayer crafted a beautiful and lavish Christmas song with “St. Patrick’s Day”. He sings of finding someone to call his own in the days leading up to Christmas. He begins to fall more and more in love with this person as the song goes on. Their relationship eventually reaches St. Patrick’s Day. This concept of progression in relationships brings emotion to holiday.

Christmas marks the end of the year in its loud and bright nature. The songs listed before may elicit self reflective thoughts due to the nature of their lyrics. With help from music, one can reach a state of awareness – awareness of your mistakes, shortcomings and triumphs.

One grand recap, one grand force to be reckoned with.

Follow Andrés @_andresbear