All-Time Top 10: Xmas Songs
I was tempted to bore everybody with a long spiel about research but that can wait until January when people have no money and no choice but to sit around and read my blog. I am officially on holiday now although I will take my laptop with me wherever I roam this Xmas. The age old expression of ‘write everyday’ should not be ignored even after a platter of turkey and ham and a flagon of cider. There should always be some work to go on with.
That said as December advances it is easier to get drawn into the Xmas vibe and nothing does this better than Christmas songs. It’s December 21st and there is still no sign of the end of the world so I decided to compile this list now in case I am shovelling ash and lava and brimstone(how heavy is brimstone and do I need a digger?) later this afternoon. In ‘High Fidelity’ the protagonist has his ‘top fives’ but that is far too difficult for Xmas songs. Instead I will choose ten and most are very well known – for good reason. Here goes counting down from ten:
10. Fairytale in New York – The Pogues ft. Kirsty MacColl . I have been listening to this on the radio all week . It gets thrashed every Christmas and if it didn’t would probably get number one on my list. Even so, I enjoy the song every time I hear it so I simply can’t drop it out of the top ten. Kirsty MacColl died exactly a week before Christmas on December the 18th, 2000. Shane Macgowan is amazingly still alive.
9. Walking in the Air – Aled Jones. This has really only made my top ten recently. I actually find it spooky and haunting. I always have but the music is actually very good and once it’s in your head there is no forgetting it. My daughter Hazel has heard it once at school. As I was editing on Tuesday night, I heard this little ghostly five year old voice singing “We’re walking in the airrrrr!” The Welsh Choir boy, Aled was 11 when he first sung this for The Snowman. His voice broke at 16 years of age(he is now 41!). Should we get him to re-hash it? Maybe with David Guetta as he works with everybody.
8. Feed the World – Band Aid. This is another that is thrashed but has to be there. It was a great cause and to get so many big names was a great achievement. Midge Ure is probably the least famous of the lot. The only words I know outside the chorus is ‘mumble,mumble,mumble… instead of you!!!’ – Thanks Bono.
7. Christmas Time (Don’t let the bells end) – The Darkness. I was going to say “if Iron Maiden had done a Christmas song, they would be at number seven – fortunately they have credibility”. Well, famous last words. It turns out they recorded ‘Another Rock and Roll Christmas’ with former vocalist Paul DiAnno singing. I just threw up in my mouth a little bit. I will pretend they still have integrity and award the number seven spot to a band with little credibility called The Darkness. It’s catchy and in the video they give each other guitars for Xmas which is rather thoughtful.
Iron Maiden Xmas Song??!!
6. Jingle Bell Rock – Bobby Helms. This is a timeless classic. The great thing about this is the memories it inspires. It reminds me of Christmas movies in particular. It’s the title track at the beginning of Lethal Weapon but I also think of other movies like the first two Die Hard’s when I hear it.
5. Merry Xmas Everybody – Slade. This makes me want to go straight to the off-licence and say cheers to everyone as I walk back arms laden. The best Xmas drinking song. Sláinte!
4. Santa Baby – Kylie Minogue. Zoe and I both enjoy this one. She likes it because it makes her think of Santa. I like it because it makes me think of festive hotpants.
3. Happy Xmas (War is Over) – John & Yoko And The Plastic Ono Band With The Harlem Community Choir. In the battle of John Lennon versus Paul McCartney (Wonderful Christmas Time), John wins the Xmas song bout by a nose. A snowman’s nose.
2. Snoopy’s Christmas – Royal Guardsmen. From 1966, this may be the only song in the top 10 you don’t know. We had this on vinyl at home so it’s nostalgia pure and simple. Here’s a link. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbhzqoYYROA
1. White Christmas – Bing Crosby. When you are five or six is when Christmas is at its best. When I think of that time, I think of this song. Absolutely timeless…Happy Xmas.
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