If there’s one thing I like about Christmas, it’s the music. Catchy festive jingles played every year to lift the spirit.
Seeing as December has finally hit and to make that wait till Christmas that little bit easier, here’s a list of my ten favourite Christmas songs (in no particular order).
The Waitresses – Christmas Wrapping. A one hit wonder 80s new wave song coming from a band from Ohio with a happy rhythm but quite the opposite lyrics.
The Beach Boys – Little Saint Nick. 60s surf band The Beach Boys with the popular Little Saint Nick. It’s hard to imagine how that surfing beach sound works with Christmas but indeed it does and very well.
Band Aid – Do They Know It’s Christmas Time. The original and best. Easy to sing along to and a video full of famous old faces.
Greg Lake – I Believe In Father Christmas. Once again a happy tune to quite down lyrics but somehow makes us feel warm and comforted and set to a rather traditional video.
Bo Selecta – Proper Crimbo. A funny one now not to everyone’s taste but uniquely different and with a bizarre video. Featuring the strange characters of the Bo Selecta series. Avid Merrion wishes us a happy Christmas
Jona Lewie – Stop The Cavalry. An anti-war Christmas song now. Jona Lewie sings in his strong southern accent accompanied by a brass band and wishes he was home for Christmas
Bing Crosby & David Bowie – The Little Drummer Boy/ Peace On Earth. David and Bing team up and wow us with this beautiful rendition of The Little Drummer Boy. As tender as in is poignant.
John Lennon – Happy Xmas (War Is Over). It’s been 39 years since the original was released and things aren’t much better. Still absolutely relevant and a Christmas classic.
Gary Jules – Mad World. Yes, this is a Christmas song. The lonely, despair filled lyrics with the soothing piano arrangement make this an instant favourite. Even if this is maybe a little too grounded and depressing.
The Pogues Featuring Kirsty MacColl – Fairytale In New York. It’s not Christmas until you’ve heard this by Celtic band The Pogues. Usually appears in everyone’s top Christmas songs lists. And no wonder…