A Very Special Christmas is quintessentially 80s. From a cover designed by Keith Haring to songs performed by Sting, Eurythmics, and U2 and it being just one of many music-based charity projects of the decade that birthed “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” and Live-Aid, it radiates an edgier side of the Christmas season, one that is simultaneously anchored to the decade and completely timeless.

The album opens with the Pointer Sisters’ rendition of “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town,” a groovy, soulful cover evocative of the one featured on the Jackson 5 Christmas Album, before immediately diving into new wave with Eurythmics’ “Winter Wonderland.” While the classic Bing Crosby version uses drums and brass instruments to create a cozy, snowy soundscape, the synth-heavy Eurythmics version feels a lot gloomier, perfectly evocative of a dark and bitter English winter, which no doubt provided inspiration for the Cocteau Twins’ cover in 1993.

Though compilation albums are often hit or miss, A Very Special Christmas does an excellent job of blending genres while largely relying on covers to maintain a sense of coherence. While the difference of vocals in Whitney Houston’s gospel inspired “Do You Hear What I Hear?” U2’s rock rendition of “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home),” and Madonna’s baby voice in her version of “Santa Baby” should be enough to give any listener whiplash, they instead all provide a well-deserved variety to songs that often risk going stale.

The album’s only original song is also its stand-out: Run-DMC’s “Christmas in Hollis.” Despite the rest of the track list modernizing popular Christmas music for contemporary ears, Run-DMC’s distinctly golden age hip hop track uses these hits as samples to create something completely fresh. From the use of location in the title (referencing an area in Queens, New York City) to the slang in the lyrics or the references to crime that are ever-present in that style of music (though, in the true spirit of Christmas, the speaker decides to return the money instead), “Christmas in Hollis” speaks directly to the hip-hop generation.

After 14 songs and 46 minutes, Stevie Nicks brings A Very Special Christmas to a close with a cover of “Silent Night.” Her voice, accentuated by background vocals courtesy of Sharon Celani and songwriter Robbie Nevil, is nothing short of heavenly, never straying from familiar renditions of the song, while remaining distinctly Stevie.

Later volumes of A Very Special Christmas, all created to benefit the Special Olympics, feature the likes of Boyz II Men, The Smashing Pumpkins, No Doubt, or Miley Cyrus (as Hannah Montana) and continue to speak to cultural moments of the time. However, the first edition remains the strongest and the most worth a listen. With most of the biggest hits covered on their first album, later editions were forced to either recreate songs from previous albums or rely on less interesting songs (see “Joy to the World” on the 2012 album or “O Come All Ye Faithful” in 2001).

If you’re decorating your tree but can’t take much more Michael Bublé, then lend your ears to A Very Special Christmas.

Image credit: Micah Petyt