8 modern Christmas songs battling for the #1 spot this year
Who will make the Christmas NI Hit 40 this year?
Last updated 3rd Dec 2021
Whether you’re out shopping, decorating your tree or wrapping gifts, there’s no better soundtrack for your festive activities than Downtown Christmas.
Northern Ireland’s number one Christmas station doesn’t just play the same yuletide favourites, instead our ‘sleighlist’ is filled with a mix of the traditional tunes and more modern releases.
This year, Christmas song titans Mariah Carey and Michael Bublé may have some competition on their hands. Several award-winning artists have released new festive tracks recently, complete with jingle bells and joyous choirs.
So if you’re looking for a new favourite Christmas hit, look no further 👇
No matter what you’re up to or where you are, you can tune in to Downtown Radio __– via our FREE app, online, smart speaker and on your radio.
Ed Sheeran & Elton John – Merry Christmas
After teasing fans for a couple months, Ed and Elton have FINALLY released their song titled 'Merry Christmas'. Earlier in November Ed shared a snap of himself and Elton on set for the video for the festive hit and Ed has gone full Mrs Claus.
Dermot Kennedy – Driving Home For Christmas
One of the most iconic Christmas anthems was given a new lease of life this year. You can’t mistake Dermot’s unique and soulful voice on this one. Dermot shared a clip on social media ahead of the release, writing: “I have always loved this song so much, and I LOVE CHRISTMAS! So I hope you enjoy this one.”
Sigrid – Home To You (This Christmas)
Home To You (This Christmas)’ puts a festive spin on the Norwegian singer’s 2019 ballad. When Sigrid first sat down to write this song, she was thinking of her hometown and her home at Christmas, so it was only natural to give it a wintery cover.
Joel Corry ft Mabel – I Wish (Christmas Version)
It’s been quite the year for Joel Corry - collaborating with some of the biggest names in music and producing some of this year’s hottest records. So of course, he couldn’t miss out on the action at Christmas, he teamed up with Mabel for a re-jingle of I Wish.
Leona Lewis – Kiss Me It’s Christmas ft. Ne-Yo
Leona has certainly been busy these past few months. In addition to her festive album called Christmas, With Love Always, and touring with Gary Barlow, Leona took time out of her busy schedule to help launch our Downtown Christmas station alongside Breakfast’s Gary and Glen. Leona has collaborated with Ne-Yo on latest single, it’s the perfect duet.
John Legend – You Deserve It All
There’s no way you can listen to this single and not tap your foot or smile, we have a feeling this one might stick around for quite some time.
Mariah Carey – Fall In Love At Christmas
The Queen of Christmas returns this year with another festive banger. 'Fall in Love at Christmas' features pop and R&B star Khalid and famous gospel singer Kirk Franklin. It’s a little bit different to Mariah’s most iconic Christmas hits. Think less sleigh bells and more soulful vibes, but it’s still just as fabulous!
Gary Barlow and Sheridan Smith – How Christmas Is Supposed To Be
It just wouldn’t be Christmas without a little Barlow now would it. And this quirky new song featuring Sheridan Smith reminds us of Michael Bublé & Idina Menzel’s Baby It’s Cold Outside.
Here’s a round up of the best collaborations from 2021:
Justin Bieber ft Daniel Caesar and Giveon – 'Peaches'
The soundtrack to all our summers and probably one of the catchiest TikTok songs of the past two years, Justin Bieber got together with R&B singer Giveon and fellow Canadian Daniel Ceaser way back in March to release the super chill 'Peaches'. It still plays on loop in our heads...
The Weeknd & Ariana Grande – 'Save Your Tears'
The Weeknd and Ariana are no strangers to getting together to work on a smash and their remix of his hit song 'Save Your Tears' in April went straight to the top of the charts. The song became both Ariana's and The Weeknd's sixth Number 1 single. Not bad, eh?
Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak, Silk Sonic – 'Leave The Door Open'
Just when we thought Bruno Mars couldn't get any cooler he formed Silk Sonic, consisting of Bruno and Anderson .Paak. The debut feel-good single, 'Leave The Door Open', that came with a super vintage music video, was released in March.
Joel Corry, RAYE & David Guetta – 'BED'
Could it get any better than DJ's Joel Corry and David Guetta collaborating? Well, throw singer RAYE into the mix and you've got yourself a smash hit. 'BED' truly was the song of the summer as the world slowly but surely came alive again and people were allowed to party with their pals.
Anne-Marie, KSI & Digital Farm Animals – 'Don’t Play'
KSI, Digital Farm Animals and Anne-Marie gifted us 'Don't Play' in January, with the bop being the lead single from Anne-Marie's second studio album 'Therapy'.
Dua Lipa & Elton John (PNAU remix) – 'Cold Heart'
2021 was the year these two pop legends teamed up to give us the ULTIMATE collaboration: a mashed-up remix featuring portions of Elton's past singles 'Rocket Man,' 'Sacrifice,' 'Kiss the Bride,' and 'Where's the Shoorah?'. A huge contender for song of the year.
The Kid LAROI & Justin Bieber – 'Stay'
Australian rapper The Kid LAROI has had a BIG year and it was topped off with his catchy AF single with Justin Bieber.
Lizzo & Cardi B – 'Rumours'
We all prayed for it to happen and we finally got two of the baddest babes in music to work on a track together. Cardi B and Lizzo released 'Rumours' in August which Lizzo named the start of her "new era".
Jonas Brothers & Marshmello – 'Leave Before You Love Me'
In May, the newly reformed Jonas Brothers gifted us a MASSIVE collaboration with record producer Marshmellow. They debuted their new song live for the first time during the 2021 Billboard Music Awards - a performance that is set to go down in history.
Doja Cat & SZA – 'Kiss Me More'
2021 was all about the female collaborations, and Doja Cat and SZA coming together for 'Kiss Me More' was the cherry on the cake.
Ariana Grande feat. Doja Cat & Megan Thee Stallion - '34+35' (Remix)
The best decision Ariana Grande made in 2021? Remixing her anthem '34+25' with the help of Doja Cat and Megan Thee Stallion.
Anne-Marie & Niall Horan - 'Our Song'
In May, Niall and Anne-Marie released their highly anticipated single 'Our Song' after teasing it for what seemed like YEARS. The single did so well there's recently been rumours of a second collaboration...
Jesy Nelson & Nicki Minaj - 'Boyz'
After months of teasing her solo career, former Little Mix bandmate Jesy finally dropped her debut solo single 'Boyz' featuring Nicki Minaj on Friday 8th October. The track samples P Diddy's hit 'Bad Boys For Life'.
Anne-Marie & Little Mix - 'Kiss My (Uh Oh)'
Little Mix and Anne-Marie joined forces to give us another pop anthem. The video features a heavily pregnant Perrie Edwards and Leigh-Anne Pinnock stay in a hotel room whilst Anne-Marie and Jade Thirwall hit up the club. Proper vibes.
Kylie Minogue & Years & Years - 'A Second To Midnight'
Pop princess Kylie and frontman Olly Alexander got together and produced 'A Second To Midnight' in October, a delicious 80s sounding track.
Clean Bandit, Wes Nelson and Topic - 'Drive'
Love Island star turned popstar Wes Nelson produced a few Top 10 hits this year, including this acoustic/dance collaboration with Topic and Clean Bandit.
Craig David & MNEK - 'Who You Are'
Craig and MNEK finished our year off in style with the positive and uplifting 'Who You Are'. Could it be the first track from Craig's brand new album that he keeps on teasing? We hope so!
Becky Hill & David Guetta - 'Remember'
We don't care what anyone says, 'Remember' was one of the best songs of 2021 and will be a DJ fave for years to come. The pair released the track back in June and was the fourth single from Becky's debut studio album, 'Only Honest on the Weekend'.
Coldplay & BTS - 'My Universe'
Coldplay frontman Chris Martin hasn't been shy when it comes to his love for K-pop boyband BTS and reportedly wrote 'My Universe' especially for them. BTS told People: "He came out to Seoul to record together with us and the process was really natural and organic."
Little Mix, David Guetta & Galantis - 'Heartbreak Anthem'
Back in May, Little Mix provided the world with another incredible break-up theme song, getting a little help along the way from David Guetta and Galantis.
Ariana Grande, Megan Thee Stallion and Jimmy Fallon - 'It Was A… (Masked Christmas)'
One of the more surprising collabs that came our way in 2021, Ariana Grande and Megan Thee Stallion teamed up with none other than the talk show King himself Jimmy Fallon, bringing us a new Christmas bop in the form of 'It Was A… (Masked Christmas)'.
Read more:
Little Mix announce 'break' in emotional statement
6 of the best Michael Bublé Christmas songs ☃️
Dermot Kennedy: How the 'Outnumbered' singer became famous