As Filipinos, we can’t help but get excited once we see “-ber” on the date. It officially becomes the holiday season and preparation starts early. But a lot of time still needs to pass before we enter the beloved month of December. Have you been blasting those holiday tunes since September 1 to get into the holiday mood? Though maybe now that December has actually come around, you aren’t feeling as hyped as you first were.
There are many reasons why the holiday season isn’t as jolly for some people. Sometimes the holidays hit us with some deep nostalgia for better times that have passed, sometimes we miss loved ones that aren’t by our side to celebrate the season with us, or maybe you’re sad that 2023 is coming close and you still haven’t experienced your 2022 plot twist.
The holidays aren’t always perfect—and they never have to be. We can’t all be living inside a happy rom-com Hallmark or Netflix movie. Luckily there are still holiday songs that capture our emotionally turbulent moods while still being holiday appropriate. These songs remind us that it’s perfectly okay not to be happy during the holidays—and that we aren’t alone in our gloom. Here is a quick list of melancholy local and foreign holiday tunes to emote to this holiday season for when you’re just not feeling the holy jolly spirit.
Last Christmas by Wham!
Who hasn’t sung this song at the top of their lungs in at least one holiday party? The continuous replay of this song and its more upbeat tune might make us forget that it actually tells a very sad story.
I’m hiding from you and your soul of ice/ My God, I thought you were someone to rely on/ Me? I guess I was a shoulder to cry on
More than just being about someone who gave his heart last Christmas (which was later given away), the lyrics also tell us about how even a year later, the singer still isn’t over it.
Now I know what a fool I’ve been/ But if you kissed me now, I know you’d fool me again
Christmas Lights by Coldplay
The holiday season may be a time of heated arguments and drama. We might end up saying things we don’t mean in the heat of it all, but this season also gives us a lot of time for self-reflecting.
Those Christmas lights/ Light up the street/ Maybe they’ll bring her back to me
Let those lights lead you back to the people who you truly love the most and “may all your troubles soon be gone”.
Please Come Home for Christmas by Charles Brown
Originally by Charles Brown, this song of longing was also covered by the likes of the Eagles and Jon Bon Jovi.
Bells will be ringing’ the glad, glad news/ Oh, what a Christmas to have the blues/ My baby’s gone, I have no friends/ To wish me greetings once again
We can’t always be surrounded by our loved ones during the holiday season, sometimes life just gets in the way. The holiday season may make you feel especially alone since this is usually the time that you should spend with the people you love. The singer is willing to wait till New Year’s for their love to return and relieve them of their loneliness.
Then won’t you tell me, you’ll never more roam/ Christmas and New Year’s will find you home/ There’ll be no more sorrow, no grief and pain/ ‘Cause I’ll be happy, happy once again
Chilly and Hallway Weather by NIKI
These two holiday songs by NIKI were included in this list because they are equally painful in two different ways. Chilly tells the story of someone watching their former lover end up with someone else during the holiday season. And while she’s happy that they found someone new, NIKI declares that she isn’t up to falling in love again but being alone during the holidays has kind of made her feel numb to it all.
December’s feelin’ chilly/ Takin’ shots at the club to warm up and distract me from feelin’ empty/ Every now and then I would remember how you made me feel/ Oh, desolation and thrill/ Maybe I should try love again but I don’t, no
Hallway Weather on the other hand has a much more nostalgic feeling for Christmases that have passed. It may be relatable for people spending the holidays away from home as it evokes a strong sense of homesickness as she sings about her friends and family.
And you wonder how your parents did it/ When do you know somewhere is home?/ It’d be great to have some Christmas spirit/ Or friends that live close/ But I’m just as much a fantasist as I’m a lone ghost
Christmas Won’t Be the Same Without You by Martin Nievera
This crooning song was originally performed by Martin Nievera though stars like Lani Misalucha have lent their voice to this pleading song too.
All I need to see/ Standing by my Christmas tree (is you)/ Christmas won’t be the same without you
This song speaks about the readjusting one experiences celebrating the holidays alone versus the times that passed which they experienced together with their beloved.
Christmases When You Were Mine by Taylor Swift
You just can’t help but wonder if they are still spending Christmas the way you used to spend it together with them.
I know this shouldn’t be a lonely time/ But there were Christmases when I didn’t wonder how you are tonight/ ‘Cause there were Christmases when you were mine/ You were mine
*Cries in holiday themed Swiftie tears*
Sana Ngayong Pasko by Ariel Rivera
Sana ngayong Pasko ay maalala mo pa rin ako/ Hinahanap-hanap pag-ibig mo/ At kahit wala ka na, nangangarap at umaasa pa rin ako/ Muling makita ka at makasama ka/ Sa araw ng Pasko
It’s hard not to get your hopes up during the holiday season. We create a lot of high expectations in our head and sometimes the reality just doesn’t match up. But when should we call it quits and give up hope on what we are waiting for? (arouch)
Miss Kita Kung Christmas by Sharon Cuneta
Sharon Cuneta delivers us yet another heart wrenching holiday themed love song of loss and longing. She talks about having to force herself to be happy this season despite how much she misses the person who left her.
Hinahanap-hanap pa rin kita/ Ewan ko kung bakit ba/ Ako’y iniwan mong nag-iisa/ Miss kita oh giliw/ Pasko’y sasapit/ Di ko mapigil ang mangulila/ Hirap nyan mayroon ka ng iba
It’s hard not to think about the numerous romantic “what-ifs” in your life during the holiday season when all the couples don’t shy from showing their love publicly. Sometimes we catch ourselves missing past partners even if they really weren’t the one for us.
30 Days by Never Shout Never
One more month and all I need/ Is a sign from you, that you think of me/ If you don’t, then please just say so/ Cause all I do, is think of you
The time is ticking before your year of unrequited love ends. Are you going to use this holiday season as a push to let them know how you feel? Try doing something a little more than just sending a “Merry Christmas” or “Happy New Years!” message – why not make a list and check it twice?
And it’s wearing me out, it’s wearing me down/ This holiday, is nothing but frowns for me/ But I’ve got a gift, you see/ I’m making a list, hell, I’ll check it twice/ Of all the things you’ve done in my life/ Then I’ll send it your way/ So you see why I love you
You still have time before the year ends, use it wisely!
Blue Christmas by Elvis Presley
This song has been covered countless times by artists like the Bright Eyes, Lady Antebellum, and one of everyone’s go-to holiday season artists: Michael Bublé.
And when those blue snowflakes start fallin’/ That’s when those blue memories start callin’/ You’ll be doin’ all right, with your Christmas of white/ But I’ll have a blue, blue, blue, blue Christmas
This short song’s message is plain and simple: even if you don’t know it, a Christmas without you can’t be anything but blue.
7 O’Clock News/ Silent Night by Phoebe Bridgers (featuring Fiona Apple and Matt Berninger)
Originally performed by Simon and Garfunkel, this Phoebe Bridgers and co. cover revives it by replacing the background track of the “7 O’Clock News” to include more recent events in the world. The effect of having Silent Night playing over the reporting of real events produces an eerie and surreal effect.
Honestly, the entire Phoebe Bridgers If We Make It Through December 2020 mini album is worth a listen if you’re feeling sullen this holiday season. Bridgers’ echoing performances on the album are very somber and melancholic, the perfect background music to you staring out the window with a hot drink in your hand.
Pasko Na Sinta Ko by Gary Valenciano
Sayang, sinta, ang sinumpaan/ At pagtitinginang tunay/ Nais mo bang kalimutang ganap/ Ang ating suyuan at galak?
Mister Pure Energy hits us with pure energy of pain. Another short song that was really carried by the simple pain of the lyrics, and the depth of emotion that Gary V sings them with. The holidays aren’t the ideal time to turn our backs on love, but it seems like that doesn’t stop some people from doing it anyway…
Kung mawawala ka sa piling ko, sinta/ Paano ang paskong alay ko sa’yo?
Ho Ho Hopefully by The Maine
A more ho ho hopeful but still deeply reflective holiday song, The Maine makes us all wish for the better, that “we’re exactly where we’re supposed to be” despite everything we’ve gone through.
Ho ho hopefully this holiday will make us believe that/ We’re exactly where we’re supposed to be/ And we’re ho ho hoping that/ We all come back and as a matter of fact I know/ We’re exactly where we’re supposed to be/ Together by this Christmas tree
This song has us thinking about all the things that happened this year and brought us here, while also gearing up for what’s in store ahead. We’re all hoping for the best, knowing that we can make it through anything as long as we got the right people by our side.
Xmas Lights by Bandang Shirley
Ikaw ang aking naiisip/ Sana’y ikaw na lang/ Itong regalong bubuksan
Another anthem for those experiencing the pain of unrequited love this holiday season. This song could be considered the Pinoy indie-alt cousin of All I Want for Christmas is You.
River by Joni Mitchell
It’s coming on Christmas/ They’re cutting down trees/ They’re putting up reindeer/ And singing songs of joy and peace/ Oh, I wish I had a river I could skate away on
No list of sad holiday songs would ever be complete without Joni Mitchell’s poetic River. River inspired many a cover and theory about the meaning of the song’s lyrics. This song has become a timeless hymn for anyone in a brooding mood during the holidays.
I’m so hard to handle/ I’m selfish and I’m sad/ Now I’ve gone and lost the best baby/ That I ever had/ I wish I had a river I could skate away on/ I wish I had a river so long/ I would teach my feet to fly
These are just a few of the more morose holiday carols. There are several playlists out there dedicated to having a sad holiday season. Of course, there are also non-English sad holiday songs out there if you do a bit more digging – like EXO’s My Turn to Cry and Sing For You.
‘Tis the season to get in touch with your emotions and feel whatever you’re feeling! Let these songs remind you that it’s okay not to be happy this holiday season, and that you aren’t alone in feeling this way. So, blast those tunes whether their jolly or melancholy!
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