Sometimes lost in the sparkling lights, jingle balls, and yule-tidings of the holiday season is the music. There is always such wonderful music this time of year. Christmas songs run happy, sad, hopeful, funny, rockin’, slow…

Every year, after waking up from the turkey-induced coma, I start listening to my standard Xmas tunes. And every year I’m introduced to new awesome songs. In that tradition, I’ve compiled a list of ‘10 Christmas Songs for ‘08′. Here are 10 songs I’ve been listening to this year and maybe some you haven’t been. Hope you like.

Don’t Shoot Me Santa – The Killers
A great rock song with some Killer guitar tone. The odd verse which places Santa in a desert with a midwestern accent really sells its for me. This puppy packs a chorus you’ll be singing until Obama-day.

Just Like Christmas – Low
A moody, rolling number that sounds incredible. Especially if you’re sitting by a tree decorated with blue lights.

Father Christmas – The Kinks
This one is just an all-out rocker. It tells the tale of a gang of hooligans who beat up a department store Santa and demand cash. That’s the spirit! Take that Ramones!

Get Behind Me, Santa! – Sufjan Stevens
Typical Sufjan awesomeness. It really starts to cook towards the end. Especially that Christmas cheer. C-H-R-I-S-T-M-A-S What’s that spell? Christmas!

Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) – U2
One of my favorite songs ever. I listen to this one all year round. This was recorded at a sound check in the mid 80’s and subsequently released. The Edge’s guitar sounds amazing and harkens back to A Christmas Story times. This is where Bono actually started singing instead of protesting. The first and still the best cover of this song and I’m sure you’ve all heard it.

Blue Christmas – Elvis Presley
It’s no wonder The King conquered Christmas as well. His Blue Christmas record is a staple at the Miabi household and my favorite song is the title track. This is a true Christmas love song. Click the link above to see a live version of him playing it with Martina McBride during the legendary ‘68 Comeback Special.

Let Me Sleep (Christmas Time) – Pearl Jam
This was a song PJ released exclusively to their fan club in like ‘91/’92. I personally have it on vinyl because…. I was a member of the Ten Club. Suck it! The boys sound great with their bongos and their flannels and their angst.

2000 Miles – The Pretenders
One of my all time favorite Christmas songs. Haunting. Beautiful. I’m not even sure this is a Christmas song because it seems to forgo most of the conventions, but Chrissie Hynde sounds so good here. And the refrain says, “It felt like Christmas time.” Check out the link for an awesome live version.

A Christmas Duel – The Hives & Cyndi Lauper
In the great tradition of Xmas duets, here’s one that was released this year. The Hives and a girl that just want’s to have fun totally rock out about being bad all year. Cyndi wants to go down on somebody… So freakin’ awesome. For me, this one has gotten the most spins this year.

Peace On Earth/Little Drummer Boy – Bing Crosby & David Bowie
Sure the song is great, but no Christmas would be complete without seeing the VIDEO for one of the coolest and strangest duets of all time. Bowie stops by Bing Crosby’s place to sing this little ditty. You need to see it to believe it! In fact, I think I prefer the pre-song banter in the video more than the song itself. Enjoy.