The film’s music was compiled by Justin Tranter, an activist, GLAAD board member, and artist who’s written songs for Ariana Grande, Selena Gomez, and more. When tasked with compiling the soundtrack, Tranter wanted to highlight LGBTQ+ artists of all genres, from all backgrounds. “I was really dead set on creating something that just sounded like a classic Christmas album,” they said in an interview with WWD. “I just wanted to give you that nostalgia. This sounds and feels like a Christmas we know before, but we’re just putting queer people front and centre.”
Contributing artists include Tegan and Sara, Carlie Hanson, and Sia. Along with covers of traditional Christmas songs like “Silent Night” and “Jingle Bells,” the soundtrack also includes original music penned by Tranter and performed by LGBTQ+ artists. For “Christmas Morning,” a sweet, upbeat declaration of love, Tranter worked with the singer Kennedi. “She’s a young queer woman, which is what this movie is about. And the other two I cowrote with Shea Diamond, who is a trans woman,” Tranter told WWD. “I wanted to make sure that queer women, whether they’re lesbian, bisexual, or trans, that queer women were at the heart of this.”
Here are all the festive, fresh songs you’ll hear in Happiest Season (and, very soon, on your go-to Christmas playlist).
Carlie Hanson, “Chosen Family”
But now I know the only thing
Thicker than blood is the feeling love can bring
Stronger than the worst that you were taught to see
Oh, but no one ever told me I could feel this deep
For my chosen family
Tegan and Sara, “Make You Mine This Season”
You’re the only girl I’ve got on my list
I write your name, I know it’s foolish
But I chase the feeling ’cause you keep me dreaming
That I could make you mine, make you mine this season
Anne-Marie, “Think of Christmas”
Don’t matter how deep the snow
Don’t matter how cold it goes
I’ve already made it home
Because you’re here
Bebe Rexha and Shea Diamond, “Blame It On Christmas”
‘Cause I just can’t keep my cool
While I’m tied in all of this yule
Blame it on, blame it on Christmas
Why I’m actin’ a fool
BAYLI, “Jingle Bells”
Oh, jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way
Oh, what fun it is to ride
In a one-horse open sleigh
Shea Diamond, “Mrs. Claus”
Without Mrs. Claus
There’ll be no toys at the mall
There’ll be no eggnog
There’ll be no Christmas at all
Jake Wesley Rogers, “O Holy Night”
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn
Fall on your knees; O hear the Angel voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born
O night, O Holy night, O night divine!
Brandy Clark, “Only Time Of Year”
The only time of year
Everyone you love is near
The only time of year
Everyone you love is near
kennedi, “Christmas Morning”
Keeping my temperature rising
No matter the Fahrenheit
My face hurts from smiling
‘Cause you’ve got me mesmerized
Every morning’s like Christmas morning
Waking up next to you
LP, “Silent Night”
Silent night, holy night!
All is calm, all is bright
Round yon Virgin, Mother and Child
Holy Infant so tender and mild
Sia, “Candy Cane Lane”
Take a trip down the Candy Cane Lane with me
Let’s get Santa out and get him on his feet
We can dance, holding hands
Ain’t no can’t, ’cause you’re everything that’s possible
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
Clea Duvall’s Happiest Season Is Long Overdue