Los Angeles-based pop-rock singer-songwriter Jamie Alimorad is bringing his humorous holiday single “Santa Sucks” back into focus for the 2026 Christmas season. Originally released November 7, 2025, through Jamie Alimorad Music, the song explores childhood disappointment, holiday expectations and the importance of reconnecting with family and friends.
The accompanying music video won Best Comedic Video at the Las Vegas Music Video Awards. Alimorad was also named Rolling Stone UK’s No. 1 Artist to Watch for 2026, according to the announcement.
A Christmas Song Inspired by Childhood Disappointment
“Santa Sucks” takes a comedic approach to a familiar holiday experience: expecting an exciting Christmas gift and receiving something considerably less memorable.
The idea emerged during a conversation between Alimorad and musician Bill Meyers, whose credits include work with Earth, Wind & Fire, Gino Vannelli and Madonna.
“‘Santa Sucks’ started as a joke,” Alimorad says. “I was hanging in the studio with my friend Bill Meyers (Earth, Wind & Fire, Gino Vannelli, Madonna) and he asked if I’d ever done a Holiday song. I told him no but have been wanting to. We talked about how it’s always the same old songs you always hear, and newer tunes have become a bit of a trope. Bill then said, ‘You know what would be funny? Writing a song about a kid who gets nothing from Santa.’ I thought, ‘Brilliant!'”
The concept remained undeveloped for approximately a year before Alimorad began writing.
Lyrics Took Priority Over Melody
Unlike his usual songwriting approach, Alimorad developed the lyrics before composing the melody.
He drew inspiration from The Night Before Christmas and Ren & Stimpy, creating a humorous account of a child’s frustration with Santa Claus.
“Typically, I write melody first, but since I knew this was a tongue in cheek song, I put my focus squarely on the lyric. It needed to invoke all the disappointment, and anger that a kid would feel to get nothing Santa! I would sit with the lyrics for days, even weeks. I would leave it and if it kept making me laugh, it would stay. If the laughter faded, it was out.”
Recording Sessions Bring Friends and Family Together
Alimorad recorded the single with Jordan Sherman over two days during a Los Angeles heatwave.
Although the song began as a joke, its production gradually became a way for the musician to revisit childhood Christmas traditions and reconnect with people from his past.
“‘Santa Sucks’ was a way to get some of us back together. In the end, I got voice memos from over 50 friends and family members to insert into the background vocals on the chorus. If we can’t all be in the same room together, we can all be in the same recording!”
Music Video Features Students and Friends
Alimorad, who also works as a music teacher, involved several of his students and friends in the accompanying music video.
The production extended the song’s community-focused approach beyond the recording studio.
Its comedic presentation subsequently received recognition at the Las Vegas Music Video Awards.
Jamie Alimorad’s Music Career and Previous Achievements
Originally from Harrison, New York, Alimorad studied Music Technology at Northeastern University in Boston.
During his university years, he recorded his first two albums, Cornerstone and Words Left Unsaid.
His ballad “Beautiful” accumulated more than two million YouTube views, while several subsequent singles received radio airplay internationally.
His album This Is Tomorrow Calling involved collaboration with Grammy-nominated musician Gino Vannelli.
The singles “Not Ready To Say Goodbye” and “Brighter Days” reached the top 10 of the New Music Weekly Hot 100.
“Brighter Days” also won the Overall Grand Prize at the 24th Annual USA Songwriting Competition.
In 2022, “Give a Little Lovin’” spent 20 weeks at No. 1 on the New Music Weekly Indie Top 40.
Alimorad later received recognition at the LIT Talent Awards and World Entertainment Awards.
His 2025 achievements included a sold-out Carnegie Hall performance and recognition for “Fade Into You,” which won Best Rock Song (North America) at the InterContinental Music Awards.
Holiday Single Combines Comedy With a Message of Connection
Beyond its humorous title, “Santa Sucks” reflects Alimorad’s interest in the emotional complexities of the holiday season.
“The Holidays can be a strange time. While it’s beautiful, and full of love, warmth, and joy, it can also be stressful, lonely, and even anti-climactic. ‘Santa Sucks’ is for everyone feeling any of those things. We’ve all been disappointed by Santa at some point. We all got our metaphorical socks and underwear, and sometimes even literal! I was trying to find the Christmas spirit again. ‘Santa Sucks’ did that for me. I hope it will for you too.”
Written by Alimorad and co-produced with Sherman, the single offers an unconventional addition to seasonal pop-rock music. Its return for Christmas 2026 highlights a combination of holiday humor, nostalgia and the value of maintaining personal connections.
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