Merry ChristMuse, y’all! Well, almost. To quote Glassheart songbird Leona Lewis, just one more sleep.
To celebrate Santa’s impending arrival, I’ve rounded up of some of our favorite pop stars’ festive ‘n joyous live offerings over the years — from Jessica Simpson to Mariah Carey. Pour yourself some eggnog (or red wine), nestle up close to that special somebody (boyfriend pillow), and soak in all the sweet, sweet sleigh-age.
Consider this is my most personal Christmas gift to date. Happy holidays!
Godney‘s still never blessed our ears with her iconic Christmas smash “My Only Wish (This Year)” live — but she did provide us with a Spearitual rendition of classic hymn “Silent Night” during the Rockefeller Tree Lighting Ceremony way, way back at the beginning of her career in 1999. That’s right: Live vocals for your unworthy ears. Sleep in heavenly peace (of me), lessers.
Girls Aloud gave us Mean Girls realness during 2005’s Christmas Mania (Nuhdeen is clearly Regina George, Cheryl Cole is Gretchen Weiners) with a festive, feisty serving of “Jingle Bell Rock.” Who run the world? Girls (Aloud). God, I miss them so much. VIVA LA ALMIGHTY ALOUD.
And speaking of Mean Girls…um, like, duh. Lindsay Lohan‘s rockin’ rendition of “Jingle Bell Rock” with The Plastics for iconic high school classic Mean Girls is the perfect way to spread Christmas cheer and wintry mirth (and keep all those shit-talking elves from spreading “Rumors.”) Sorry that Lilo’s acapella rendition of the festive tune caused your fave to go into permanent retirement.
While promoting the Album Of Our Generation Bionic, Legendtina Goduilera took her lip-shaped anal bead mic stand to Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade in 2011 for a soul-stirring rendition of My Kind Of Christmas classic, “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas.” Watch as the almighty “Do What U Want”-redeeming diva extends those notes for 10 to 30 seconds at a time in the most advanced, forward-thinking holiday performance ever — all dedicated to all true lovers of Christmas. Happy Holi-SAY!
Just a few short weeks ago, UK darling Leona Lewis bandaged up her Bleeding Love and headed stateside to provide X Factor USA with a festive and glittery offering of her Christmas smash, “One More Sleep.” The vocals are bananas, but it’s all about those thigh-high boots.
Mariah Carey has had to perform “All I Want For Christmas Is You” more times than she says the word “moment” on QVC, but the Memoirs Of An Imperfect Angel super-diva always manages to bring the house down. (Well, usually.) Most recently, the “#Beautiful” goddess gave us a festive moment during the Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting Ceremony — and the High Queen of Christmas reigned supreme.
If you can believe it, there was a time before Miley Cyrus was in the clurb high on purp with some shades on alongside Mike WiLL Made It. Before the sledgehammer, before the pixie cut and way before that goddamn tongue, The Artist Formerly Known As Hannah Montana delivered a spot-on rendition of “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree” in 2008. Nowadays, she’d much rather be twerkin’ around the tree, but let us remember when Miley was just bein’ Miley.
While promoting their 2001 holiday record 8 Days Of Christmas, Beyoncé, Kelly and Michelle hit the stage on Rosie O’Donnell (remember when that was a thing?) for a very special Christmas classic medley. (DC3 FOR LIFE.) The ladies bring the melodies, riffs and harmonies for days — just still not sure why Michelle Williams was the only one stuck in the midriff-bearing Santa suit. #JusticeForWeBreakTheDawn
Kellegendary Clarksgod effortlessly belts out her already classic “Underneath The Tree” during the taping of her Christmas special, and none of us are worthy of hearing any of the notes. Also, those final (run Rudolph) runs? Goodbye, Santa. Goodbye, everyone. The sleigh factor is simply unreal.
BoA‘s “Meri Kuri” is probably my favorite J-Pop Christmas ballad, like, evah. Here, the über-talented superstar just starts bawling her eyes out for roughly ten minutes straight during her BoA the LIVE X’Mas – 10th Anniversary special concert. Cute.
Pop goddess Kylie Minogue graced the stage in Rockefeller Center back in 2010 for a sultry, jazzy rendition of “Santa Baby.” ‘Twas a pitch-perfect rendition from start to finish — even while wrapped up in fur like a snow white diamond Wookie.
Back in 2010, when Jessica Simpson was peddling her second Christmas album Happy Christmas instead of her shoes, she invited “Outta My Head (Ay Ya Ya)” Simpson sister and pop legend Ashlee Simpson onstage for a very merry, very yell-y duet to “Happy Christmas.” Let us take this opportunity to bow our heads and pray for the return of Ashlee in 2014.
And finally, here’s an inspiring and heartfelt Christmas message from the Queen of Everything herself, Madonna.