10 Essential Southern Soul Christmas Songs

The festive season is upon us, and what better way to get into the holiday spirit than with some soulful Christmas tunes? Southern soul music has a rich history of producing heartwarming and uplifting Christmas songs that are sure to get you in the mood for celebrating. Here are 10 essential Southern soul Christmas songs that you need to add to your holiday playlist.

The Soulful Sound of Christmas Southern soul music is known for its raw, emotive sound, which is perfectly suited to the holiday season. From the likes of Otis Redding to Al Green, Southern soul artists have been producing Christmas classics for decades. These songs are characterized by their heartfelt lyrics, soaring vocals, and infectious grooves.

1. Otis Redding - "Merry Christmas, Baby" We start with a Christmas classic from the legendary Otis Redding. "Merry Christmas, Baby" is a soulful take on the Lou Rawls standard, with Redding's emotive vocals bringing a sense of longing to the lyrics.

Southern Soul Christmas Favorites Here are a few more Southern soul Christmas favorites that are sure to get you in the mood for the holiday season.

• Al Green - "I'll Be Home for Christmas": A soulful take on the Bing Crosby classic, with Green's signature falsetto adding a touch of elegance to the proceedings.
• James Brown - "Santa Claus Go Straight to the Ghetto": A funky Christmas classic from the Godfather of Soul, with Brown's signature horn section and driving beat making this a holiday essential.

Soulful Holiday Duets There's something special about a holiday duet, and Southern soul artists have produced some of the best. Here are a few of our favorites.

• Etta James and John Lee Hooker - "Merry Christmas, Baby": A soulful duet from two blues legends, with James's powerful vocals paired with Hooker's distinctive guitar playing.
• Sam Moore and Bekka Bramlett - "Santa Claus Is Back in Town": A fun and upbeat duet from the legendary Sam Moore (of Sam and Dave fame) and Bekka Bramlett, with a driving beat and catchy melody.

Newer Southern Soul Christmas Classics While Southern soul music has a rich history, there are still plenty of newer artists producing great Christmas music. Here are a few of our favorites.

• CeeLo Green - "All I Need Is Love": A soulful and upbeat Christmas song from the former Gnarls Barkley frontman, with a catchy melody and heartfelt lyrics.
• John Legend - "Bring Me Love": A beautiful and introspective Christmas song from the soulful John Legend, with a soaring vocal performance and elegant piano accompaniment.

The Magic of Southern Soul Christmas There's something special about Southern soul Christmas music that captures the spirit of the holiday season. Whether it's the heartfelt lyrics, the soaring vocals, or the infectious grooves, these songs are sure to get you in the mood for celebrating.

Join the Conversation We hope you've enjoyed this list of essential Southern soul Christmas songs. Do you have a favorite Southern soul Christmas song or album? Let us know in the comments! Share this article with your friends and family to get them in the mood for the holiday season.