10 Cringeworthy Christmas Covers

Every holiday season, we eagerly await the familiar jingles and melodies that bring joy to our hearts. Yet, there are instances when even our favorite rock legends miss the mark with their renditions of classic Christmas tunes. In this list, we’ve compiled the 10 Worst Rock Covers of Christmas songs that will make you want to skip to the next track on your playlist.

10. Bob Dylan, “Must Be Santa”

Bob Dylan, the iconic songwriter, took a whimsical turn with “Must Be Santa” in 2009. The result is a frenzied and bizarre rendition that includes unexpected polka beats. While Dylan seems to be enjoying himself, the unconventional arrangement might leave you scratching your head.

9. Weezer, “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”

Weezer’s attempt at “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” falls flat. The 300-year-old carol, known for its soulful and moving performance, is transformed into generic riffing by the alt-rockers. The lack of unique elements makes this version one to skip, even if you’d rather listen to Weezer’s other hits.

8. Twisted Sister, “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus”

Twisted Sister’s 2006 holiday album had its moments, but their take on “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” feels uninspired and tediously chugging. The track lacks the energy and creativity that we expect from one of the ’80s metal greats.

7. Bon Jovi, “Back Door Santa”

Bon Jovi’s cover of “Back Door Santa” suffers from an abundance of ’80s synths and a heavy dose of cheese. The rendition lacks the funky flair of the original and features Jon Bon Jovi sounding hoarse at times, making it a cringe-worthy addition to your holiday playlist.

6. Iggy Pop, “White Christmas”

In 2009, punk icon Iggy Pop decided to tackle the holiday classic “White Christmas” with a strange, creepy, and generally unsettling rendition. Pop’s deep baritone and occasional ventures into spoken word create an unusual listening experience that might leave you feeling uncomfortable.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJKpz44fhnI

5. Steve Kudlow, Bumblefoot, Chris Chaney, Kenny Aronoff, “Frosty the Snowman”

The collaboration on “Frosty the Snowman” from the 2008 album We Wish You a Metal X-Mas doesn’t quite hit the mark. Despite emphatic riffs from Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal, the vocals by Steve “Lips” Kudlow feel miscast, and the overall result falls short of the holiday magic we’d expect.

4. Tiny Tim, “O Holy Night”

Tiny Tim’s rendition of “O Holy Night” from his 1996 Christmas album is a painful experience. The singer’s shrill falsetto turns this usually powerful and uplifting tune into something that is hard to listen to, making it one of the weakest points on his extensive holiday album.

3. Korn, “Jingle Bells”

When Korn decided to go heavy on “Jingle Bells,” they created a weird and somewhat disturbing version of the classic. The pummeling riffs, demonic tones, and guttural growls, along with the name change to “Jingle Balls,” might make you question whether this interpretation was really necessary.

2. Maroon 5, “Happy Christmas (War Is Over)”

Maroon 5’s 2007 cover of John Lennon’s classic “Happy Christmas (War Is Over)” lacks the emotion and depth of the original. Adam Levine’s falsetto fails to capture the spirit of the song, resulting in a version that feels neither dreary enough to be melancholy nor hopeful enough to be cheery.

1. Bon Jovi, “Fairytale of New York”

While Bon Jovi is undoubtedly a rock legend, their 2020 version of “Fairytale of New York” by the Pogues featuring Kirsty MacColl missed the mark. Stripping away the emotional layers that made the original a modern Christmas carol masterpiece, Bon Jovi’s rendition turned the song into generic, assembly-line rock, drawing criticism even from the original producer, Steve Lillywhite.