You know that feeling when a song comes on the radio and it just is Christmas? It's not the jingling bells of Mariah or the crooning of Bublé. It’s that raspy, earnest voice that sounds like it’s been sandpapered by a decade of touring. I'm talking about Bryan Adams.
Honestly, it’s kinda wild. Adams never actually released a full-length holiday album during his 80s peak. Most people don’t realize that. Yet, somehow, bryan adams christmas music has become as much of a seasonal staple as eggnog or that one relative who always brings up politics at dinner.
His holiday discography is a weird, wonderful mix of heartfelt anthems and "wait, is he singing about Jamaica?" moments. If you grew up in the 80s or 90s, these songs are basically the soundtrack to every mall trip you ever took in December. Let’s look at why these tracks actually stuck around when so many other rock stars' holiday attempts ended up in the bargain bin.
The Mystery of "Christmas Time"
If you ask anyone to name a Bryan Adams holiday track, they’ll go straight for "Christmas Time." It’s the big one.
Written in May 1985—yep, in the middle of a Vancouver summer—Adams and his longtime writing partner Jim Vallance basically captured lightning in a bottle. Vallance later admitted they weren't even thinking about the holidays. They were just writing. But the melody? It's pure nostalgia.
The song was originally pressed on clear green vinyl. How cool is that? It was a gift for his fan club members initially, but it took on a life of its own. It hit #4 on the Billboard Christmas chart in '85 and has never really left the airwaves since.
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What’s interesting is the personnel. You’ve got Keith Scott on lead guitar and Mickey Curry on drums—the classic lineup. It sounds like a Reckless-era B-side that just happened to be about peace on earth. In 2001, he even played it for Pope John Paul II at the Vatican. From a Vancouver home studio to the Pope. Talk about a career trajectory.
That Weird "Reggae Christmas" Video
We have to talk about "Reggae Christmas." It’s the B-side to "Christmas Time," and it is... a choice.
Jim Vallance actually wrote it for Ringo Starr back in 1979. Ringo passed (he did his own song called "Ringo Reggae" instead), so Bryan took it, added a bridge, and sent it out to his fan club in 1984.
The music video is where things get truly bizarre. It features Pee-wee Herman. I’m serious. It was filmed at the MTV studios in New York and features all the original VJs—Martha Quinn, Alan Hunter, the whole gang—just dancing around like it’s a fever dream. It’s kitschy, it’s dated, and it’s honestly delightful.
The Modern Era: From "Joe and Mary" to 2026
For a long time, that was pretty much it. A few tracks here and there, like his cover of "Run Run Rudolph" for the A Very Special Christmas charity album in 1987. But in 2019, Adams finally leaned back into the season with his Christmas EP.
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This wasn't just a rehash. He dropped "Joe and Mary," which is a "Summer of '69" style rocker that retells the nativity story but with a vintage Buick and a Vancouver setting. It’s classic Bryan—blue-collar, melodic, and driving.
He also covered "Must Be Santa," a song most people know from Bob Dylan’s famously chaotic version. Adams’ version is tighter, obviously, but it keeps that polka-rock energy that makes it work.
The New Stuff You Might Have Missed
Just recently, we got "California Christmas." It’s part of a newer project called Bryan Adams & Friends: A Great Big Holiday Jam. He’s bringing in people like Alessia Cara and the Barenaked Ladies. It’s got that sun-soaked, West Coast vibe that feels a bit weird for December if you're in the snow, but hey, it's 2026 and we're all looking for something a bit different, right?
Why He’s the King of the Holiday Rock Anthem
Most rock stars try too hard with Christmas music. They either go way too "heavy metal Santa" or they get way too sappy. Adams stays right in the pocket.
His stuff works because it’s built on the same foundation as his hits. You’ve got:
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- That specific vocal grit that makes even "Silent Night" sound like it was recorded in a garage.
- Strong, simple hooks that you can scream-sing after two glasses of mulled wine.
- Genuine sentiment. He’s not being ironic. When he sings about wishing it was Christmas every day, you kinda believe him.
The Practical Playlist: What to actually listen to
If you’re putting together a holiday mix and want to avoid the total cheese-fest, here is the definitive Bryan Adams order:
- Christmas Time – The essential. Put it near the end of the night.
- Joe and Mary – Great for the "driving to the party" portion of the evening.
- Run Run Rudolph – If you need to pick up the energy.
- Reggae Christmas – Only after the third drink. It's a vibe, but a specific one.
Finding the Rare Cuts
If you're a completionist, you’ve gotta hunt down the 1984 fan club single. It’s got a track called "Plum Pudding" on the back, which is basically just a spoken word Christmas message from Bryan and the band. It’s a total relic of a time when fan clubs were the only way to get "exclusive" content.
Most of his holiday output is now consolidated on the 2019 Christmas EP or various "Best of Rock Christmas" compilations. It’s much easier to find now than it was in the 90s when you had to scour record bins for that green vinyl 45.
Ultimately, Bryan Adams' contribution to the holiday canon isn't about being the most prolific. It’s about the fact that he treated these songs with the same respect as "Cuts Like a Knife." He didn't phone it in. He gave us rock songs that just happen to be about December.
To get the most out of your holiday listening, start by adding the 2019 "Christmas" EP to your library to hear the evolution from the 1985 "Christmas Time" to the modern "Joe and Mary." Then, track down the "Reggae Christmas" music video on YouTube for a dose of pure 80s MTV nostalgia.