It’s that time of year when we’re all getting into the festive spirit and preparing for Christmas. Amongst the food and presents, music often forms a big part of the Christmas period.
Luckily for us, a plethora of Eurovision stars have taken time this year to release some new festive tunes that we can add to our Christmas playlists. So many in fact, that we’ve split the songs up into a trilogy of posts.
As you gather around the tree and finish your final preparations, here’s a selection of the new Christmas songs from Eurovision artists that will help you celebrate the yuletide.
New music from Eurovision artists: Christmas 2020 | Part 1
Alicja – “Kolęda Dla Nieobecnych”
In “Kolęda Dla Nieobecnych” (“Carol for the absent”), Alicja lends her strong and emotional voice to the well-known Polish Christmas song from 1999, written by composer Zbigniew Preisner and first sung by Beata Rybotycka. The song remembers those people whose memories are now filling the empty seats at the Christmas dinner table. (Renske)
The Mamas – All I Want for December
If we need one thing underneath the Christmas tree, then it would be The Mamas’ Christmas EP All I Want For December. The Swedish gospel stars’ harmonies fit so well on the six tracks they decided to sing. It can be no coincidence that the title track of the EP is “Shine A Light”, a song about togetherness, as this is something the trio have brought to fans throughout 2020. (Renske)
Anna Bergendahl – “It Never Snows In California”
“Boil the mulled wine and put up the poinsettia – soon the atmosphere will be here”, stated Anna Bergendahl upon the release of her festive offering “It Never Snows In California”. Sweden’s Eurovision 2010 singer has taken a sadder route for her track, singing about how she’ll have to spend Christmas far away from her loved ones. The blues number definitely hits emotionally, with Anna saying it “is one of the songs I am most proud of in my career so far”.
zalagasper – “sto idej”
Have you ever wanted to know what zalagaspar’s striking style would sound like with sleigh bells and strings? Well, then listen to their latest single “sto idej” (“one hundred ideas”). The Slovenian duo are clearly seeking the confines of the holiday season in their new song. Adding to that, the Eurovision 2019 couple recently started collaborating with a local artist and are selling some comfy vintage sweaters to keep you warm during the cold winter days. (Renske)
KEiiNO – “A Winter’s Night”
KEiiNO have decided to slow things down for “A Winter’s Night”, the Norwegian trio’s first ballad. Alexandra Rotan delivers most of the vocals, accompanied by a string quartet and acoustic instruments. But, they still manage to find room for Fred Buljo’s joiking and Tom Hugo adds some harmonies for the final chorus. Here’s what the Eurovision 2019 stars had to say about the song on Wiwibloggs: The Eurovision Podcast:
“Now that it’s getting colder – rain in some places, snow up here in Norway – we wanted to release a song that could create some comfort like a big furry blanket you can crawl under. Though the theme is quite sad – it’s about loss and feeling alone – so we hope this song may inspire you to pick up the phone and call a friend or a relative you haven’t spoken to in a while, because we’ll get through this together.”
Egill Ploder and Ingi Bauer (feat. Svala) – “Undir Mistilteini”
Iceland’s Svala is singing under mistletoe this Christmas season. “Undir Mistilteini” sees the Eurovision 2017 star collaborate with Egill Ploder and Ingi Bauer on the slightly retro festive pop track. Svala sings the second verse before a saxophone solo then adds to the mood.
Måns Zelmerlöw – “Alone On Christmas Eve”
With “Alone On Christmas Eve”, Måns Zelmerlöw gives us a contemporary holiday pop song. It’s a powerful and daring spin on the genre, but it succeeds. As the Eurovision 2015 champion called it on Instagram, “Alone On Christmas Eve” is a lovely little Christmas song that you definitely want to add to your playlists. (Renske)
Stig Rästa – “Jõulud sinuga”
Stig Rästa’s new festive tune is “Jõulud sinuga” (“Christmas with you”). It’s a simple ballad, with the Estonian singer’s vocals laid over recurring piano chords and hi-hat cymbal beats. The Eurovision 2015 act noted that he’s been writing the song for the last four years. While in the past he had forgotten about it until Christmas was in full swing, this year he remembered about it a bit earlier and with enough time to finish and release it.
Didrik Solli-Tangen – Det skal bli Jul
After releasing his long-awaited new solo project “Hjem” in November, Didrik Solli-Tangen also treated his followers to a Christmas album. Det skal bli Jul (It will be Christmas) brings the Norwegian Christmas experience to every single listener. On 18 and 19 December, the Eurovision 2010 star will perform the songs of the album in a small-scale setting at the outdoor Bislett Stadium in Oslo. (Renske)
NICO and Connect-R – “Magia de Crăciun”
NICO (Romania Eurovision 2008) and Connect-R (Moldova Eurovision 2006) are spreading some Christmas magic with their latest single. “Magia de Crăciun” is a light and bouncy song that features the two stars singing about how their loved ones are the perfect Christmas gift: “Now I know, I found you / You are exactly as I wanted you to be / You came for Christmas / You are the best gift”.
Jessica Andersson – “Do You Hear The Bells”
Jessica Andersson is set to return to the Melodifestivalen stage in 2021. Before then, the Swedish star is asking “Do You Hear The Bells”. And indeed, we do. It’s a charming festive offering that the Eurovision 2003 singer delivers softly and delicately.
Secret Garden and Cathrine Iversen – Sacred Night
Considering the magical sound of Secret Garden’s music, it’s surprising that it’s taken until 2020 for the Eurovision 1995 winners to release their first ever Christmas album. Thankfully, the Norwegian-Irish band have now dropped Sacred Night, a collection of seven gorgeous festive songs in both English and Norwegian. Cathrine Iversen features as the vocal soloist on each of the tracks. The first six songs are original compositions by Secret Garden’s Rolf Løvland, with the final track being a rendition of the traditional Celtic song “I Know A Rose Tree”.
Hugues Aufray – “Jingle Bells, que la neige est belle”
Christmas is a time of year that people of all ages can celebrate. At 91 years old, Hugues Aufray is still very much up for getting in the festive mood and has released a number of new Christmas songs. These form the second half of his new album Autoportrait (Edition Collector). The French singer-songwriter, who represented Luxembourg at Eurovision 1964, delivers a mix of slower Christmas ballads and happier renditions of festive classics, such as “Jingle Bells, que la neige est belle” (“Jingle Bells, how beautiful the snow is”).
Ala & Ola Tracz – “Święta To Radości Czas”
Ala Tracz represented Poland at Junior Eurovision 2020 last month, but she’s already releasing more music. The Polish singer has teamed up with her sister Ola for the song “Święta To Radości Czas” (“Holiday It’s Joy Time”). It’s a fun, upbeat track with plenty of festive charm to it. The music video features Ala and Ola gathering for a meal with friends before a certain red-clothed character comes to share presents with everyone.
My Marianne and Jonathan Johansson – “Come Whatever, Come What May”
After securing a Grammy nomination for her work on the Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga soundtrack, My Marianne (aka Molly Sandén) has turned her attention to Christmas. She’s collaborated with fellow Swedish singer Jonathan Johannson on “Come Whatever, Come What May”. The duo deliver a lovely ballad in which they sing about knowing that they’ll be fine regardless of how lonely they might feel at present: “‘Cause that’s my place and that’s my way / Though I’m pointless, I will stay / And I guess I’ll be okay / Come whatever, come what may”.
Dotter – “Vintern jag var sexton”
Before she begins preparations for Melodifestivalen 2021, Dotter has released “Vintern jag var sexton” (“The winter I was sixteen”). An atmospheric ballad, it’s the Melfest 2020 runner-up’s first solo Swedish-language single. Lyrically, Dotter references a relationship that broke down one winter, and how people can then often be reminded of this every time winter comes around again.
Click on the links below to read our individual articles on other new Christmas songs released recently by past Eurovision artists:
Daði Freyr – “Every Moment Is Christmas with You”
Ulrikke – Spend Christmas with Me
Little Big – “S*ck My D*ck 2020”
San Marino United Artists – “Sogno”
Which of these new Christmas songs is your favourite? Who are you hoping to see featured in our next festive music roundup? Let us know in the comments below.
Read more new music reviews here
Follow our Eurovision Christmas playlist on Spotify
You forgot Victor Crone, Arvingarna, Carola, Sanna Nielsen Björn Skifs and Robert Wells who all have been in Eurovision and have all released christmas songs this year, same goes for Ben & Tan from Denmark, and Yohanna from Iceland. You always focus on Swedish national finalist but none other… Still, you forgot Wiktoria, and Uno Svenningson is another swedish NFs whos released a beautiful song this year. Also, from Norwegian NFs Alejandro Fuentes has released an amazing song this year, same with Linnea Dale, Gaute Ormåsen and Oda Loves You – and especially Oda Loves You should be high on… Read more »
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