There are two things that you can guarantee at this time of year:-
We will be bombarded with Christmas Music and
We will be bombarded with Best of Lists
So why should we be any different?
Well we are going to be a little different, in some ways. First of all we are going to admit that all of these lists are arbitrary. We may think that these are the best Christmas songs, but we certainly do not think they will be the same for everyone. Even if it is a voted list at a radio station, that still does not make the decision final. Music is all about personal taste, so no Best of List is definitive. But you can enjoy the Christmas songs here and add your comments below, whether you agree or disagree, even add some of your own favourites too. We will welcome your thoughts and opinions.
Secondly most of these lists are a top 10 top 20 or even a top 100, well that’s usually what the radio stations go for, in order to fill plenty of air time. But we have gone for a bakers dozen, 13 for the uninitiated. I hope that we have no Triskaidekaphobics on board. For the uninformed, that is the fear of that superstitious number. Yes, that is a real thing; some people are scared of the number 13. If that’s you, choose your order carefully as we have saved one of the best for last.
And finally, our list is in no particular order, except maybe the order in which I thought of them and maybe that means something. So make sure that you go right through until the end, as one of the best is there. Enjoy!
I had to start with one of the most raucous and fun Christmas songs, the mighty Slade and Merry Xmas Everybody, from the 1970’s. When Noddy Holder screams “IT’S CHRISTMAAAAAASSS!” no one can deny it.
Does your Granny always tell you that the old songs are the best? But she’s up there Rock and Rolling with the rest.
Well this one is now an old song and a Rock and Roller, so it should please everyone.
Slade were the first band I ever saw live and still one of the most fun. So get your boots on, get down and get with it.
Bruce Springsteen - Santa Clause is Coming to Town. The Boss and the Big Man in a festive mood. They have been doing this song live since Bruce formed the E Street Band, I believe. So you better be good, because, Clarence is checking the list now too.
Nat King Cole - The Christmas Song (chestnuts roasting on an open fire). This is an old chestnut that everyone, from Frank Sinatra to Rod Stewart, has covered. But I think the King has the edge on this one. Not a great film quality but a great voice.
All I want for Xmas is You, from Love Actually. OK it’s Mariah’s song, but that little girl nailed it in the film and who can go past a bit of pre-teen romance at Christmas.
Rumours were that Olivia Olson was so good that she had to dampen down her performance to make it believable that someone so young could sing like that.
That could all be publicity promotion, but there is no doubt that it’s a great performance. Here’s a great little 'where she is now' article if anyone is interested http://popwatch.ew.com/2009/12/17/love-actually-olivia-olson/
Wham - Last Xmas. Now for some 80’s Christmas romance from a gay man pretending to be straight and he convinced millions for years and they all bought his records. Of course George Michael would never have made it without Andrew Ridgeley’s contribution, now what did he do now?
Chris Rea - Driving Home for Xmas. I included this one because it reminds me of many of my Christmases in the UK. Although I always lived very close to where I was born and grew up, for many years I worked miles away and often found myself driving along the motorways on Christmas Eve with this on the radio.
John Lennon - Happy Xmas (War Is Over). No Christmas song list would be complete without John Lennon’s plea for peace and it’s still as relevant today as when it was recorded, if not even more so.
The Waitresses - Xmas Wrapping. This as a different kind of Christmas song and a lot of fun. It was released in the very early days of Rap music and bares no relation to the abuse and violence in the lyrics of much of today’s Rap.
Elvis Presley - Blue Xmas. If you’ve got to have a Beatle, then you must have the King. This clip was originally recorded as part of Elvis's 1968 Comeback Special, but was very cleverly edited to add Martina McBride, about 40 years later.
Greg Lake - I Believe in Father Xmas. This is in fact an anti-Christmas song. Greg Lake (most famously a member of King Crimson and Emerson, Lake & Palmer) wrote the song in protest at the commercialisation of Christmas. But, with all the jingle bells and so on, most people listen to it without even noticing what the lyrics are about.
The Pogues and Kirsty MacColl - Fairytale of New York. A Christmas song from the wrong side of the tracks. No Christmas trees and presents here, just a look at the earthier side of life and an absolute classic song. So sad that Kirsty was taken so young.
Tom Waits - Christmas Card from Hooker in Minneapolis. Another one from the murky side. This really isn’t even a Christmas song, except it has the word in the title. But it is a great song from one of my favourite Tom Waits albums. If you are not familiar with it, do yourself a favour and grab a copy of Blue Valentine right away, you will not be disappointed.
Darlene Love - Christmas (Baby Please Come Home). Not only is this a great Christmas song, Darlene Love is the voice on so much of Phil Spector’s work. Darlene used to perform this song every year on the Letterman Show. Dave Letterman and Paul Schaffer love her and Schaffer just got so much enjoyment out of recreating that Spector Wall of Sound. Unfortunately, there is nothing that compares among the current crop of late night shows.
So what do you think? Any good?
By all means add your favourites in the comments and have a great Christmas.
It's the 21st of December, so we've added another one
Paul Kelly's Christmas lament and recipe for gravy, from somewhere where it never snows at Christmas.
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