12 Christmas songs from late night shows that'll get you in the festive spirit

If you're feeling a little low in holiday spirit, perhaps some good ol' festive tunes from late night TV will get you in the mood.

Over the years, late night shows have shared some truly memorable songs during the holiday season, often inviting their famous friends along for the ride – from Stephen Colbert's incredibly literal Christmas song with Norah Jones, to Ariana Grande and Megan Thee Stallion's topical "Masked Christmas".

You won't find SNL songs in here apart from the classic one, they're in our separate list just for festive songs just from SNL. And if you're looking for BTS' festive 'one-shot' video James Corden's show for "Life Goes On," with just room after room of holiday knitwear, it's here.

At the very least, you can watch 'em all while hiding in a cupboard during hectic family time, or gather round someone's phone if you've reached the YouTube rabbit hole chapter of the day.

Enjoy!

1. Reggie Watts' song for all holidays

Whatever you're celebrating these holidays, The Late Late Show band leader Reggie Watts takes centre stage to sing a grand holiday tune that's appropriate for Christmas, Kwanzaa, and Hanukkah. Everyone wins!

2. Stephen Colbert's highly literal Christmas song with Norah Jones

Christmas is now. Now, now, now, now.

3. Ariana Grande and Megan Thee Stallion's "Masked Christmas"

Ariana Grande, Megan Thee Stallion, and Jimmy Fallon get ready for a "Masked Christmas" with a holiday song that will get stuck in your head with the same insistence as "Wonderful Christmastime." The lyrics unpack the year we've had amid the ongoing pandemic, reflect on last Christmas spent mainly on Zoom, and basically urge people to mask up and get their COVID-19 boosters if they're available to them. Megan Thee Stallion's bit tho. Perfect.

4. James Corden and Kacey Musgraves' 14-song Christmas medley

"14 songs, nine sets, one take and zero pressure." Kacey Musgraves and James Corden get real cheesy in perfect harmony in this Soundtrack to a Christmas Love Story. There's drama, heartbreak, sad Elvis pizza, and keep an eye out for the Love Actually reference.

5. Saoirse Ronan's "Fairytale of New York"

Saoirse Ronan joined Jimmy Fallon to channel some pub lock-in energy for a classic singalong of the Pogues' "Fairytale of New York." They do not touch the second verse. For some reason, Fallon sings in an Irish accent for the whole though.

6. The Killers and Jimmy Kimmel's holiday ballad, "Joel the Lump of Coal"

Remember The Killers? They used write and record a Christmas song every year for charity — the RED campaign, specifically. One year, they collaborated with Jimmy Kimmel on a delightful Christmas song about a lump of coal called Joel. Worth it for Brandon Flowers' sweater.

7. Run the Jewels keeping Stephen Colbert's Christmas jingle grounded

Stephen Colbert's bright and shiny Christmas jingle gets a reality check from Run the Jewels. If you get frustrated at the season's happily "ignorance is bliss" attitude, this is your jam.

8. Amber Ruffin's Halloween Christmas song

Amber Ruffin loves Halloween for one particular reason: it's the official start of Christmas, of course! Late Night host Seth Meyers might strongly disagree, but he's just going to have to sit there and enjoy the festivities as Ruffin sings her ode to Halloween Christmas . "Halloween's my favourite time, 'cause Halloween is Christmas!" she sings. "Halloween is the official beginning of the Christmas season!"

9. Mariah Carey's holiday anthem for all-in "Carpool Karaoke"

Each year, James Corden sneakily gets his Carpool Karaoke guests to sing an extra song for a medley at the end of the year, and this one from 2016 really is unbeatable. Mariah Carey kicks off her holiday anthem 'All I Want For Christmas Is You' in the front seat, before being joined by Adele, Demi Lovato, Nick Jonas, Elton John, Selena Gomez, Lady Gaga, Chris Martin, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Gwen Stefani. It's too much.

10. Neil Diamond butchering his own song into an office Christmas party jam

"Sweeeeeet Christmastime, bah-bah-baaaaaah. Our whole office got so drunk. So drunk! So drunk! So drunk!" Very good sport Neil Diamond joined James Corden to do a rendition of his classic singalong track "Sweet Caroline," with an office holiday party theme.

11. Reese Witherspoon, Paul McCartney and the Sing cast performing the worst Christmas song

Sorry, but "Wonderful Christmastime" makes me want to cram mistletoe in my ears. But this is cute!

12. Stephen Colbert and Jon Baptiste's Batman Christmas medley

Geoooooooooooooooooorge Clooo-ney. Happy holidays!