Something interesting has happened this Christmas. My eldest daughter has shown a real interest in Christmas songs. What’s quite worrying is that she seems to have learned the words to Last Christmas off by heart.
Helen’s also been commenting that wherever she goes, she keeps hearing Slade’s Merry Christmas Everybody. I’ve explained that she’d better get used to it because it gets played a lot at this time of year.
Anyway, Helen has inspired me to come up with my top five Christmas anthems. One thing struck me about this list; the seventies and eighties were a golden era for the Christmas pop song. Has any music from the nineties or noughties had the same impact Fairytale of New York or Do They Know it’s Christmas? I argue it hasn’t.
Here we go, my top five Christmas anthems from the Hit Parade, as my mother would say.
The Waitresses, Christmas Wrapping (1981)
Yes, okay, so it’s a bit of an anti-Christmas song but it has a happy ending. It is also very catchy.
Greg Lake, I Believe in Father Christmas (1975)
Listen to the heartfelt lyrics (which were written in collaboration with someone else) and you could be forgiven for thinking this is an anti-Christmas song. Apparently, however, this wasn’t Greg Lake’s intention. Yes, it was meant to be thought provoking and challenging, but not negative. I like the fact it makes you think.
Bruce Springsteen, Santa Claus is Coming to Town (1980)
I have to put this on the list because The Boss sounds so happy while he’s singing. It simply lifts the mood.
The Pretenders, 2000 Miles (1983)
A bittersweet tune, but it’s always one that stops me in my tacks when it comes on the radio.
The Pogues with Kirsty Maccoll, Fairytale of New York (1987)
I’m sorry, I know it’s a cliché for this song to even feature on any such list, let alone take the top spot. Even so, it’s rather like Bohemian Rhapsody; we all know the words (you do, right?). What. A. Tune.
I’ve been happy to humiliate myself and reveal my top five Christmas tunes. What’s on your list? Why not leave a comment below?
4 thoughts on “Dadbloguk’s top five Christmas songs”
Good selection! The one on that list that stops me is “Christmas wrapping”! Cheers John I wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas! 🙂 Thank you for sharing those songs with us.
Christmas Wrapping is such an underated song. Thanks for the Christmas wishes. Hope you had a great time with your family.
A great list, John. I’ve always loved the Waitresses’ song and the Springsteen version of Coming to Town is right up there on my list of top seasonal songs too. And, of course, you absolutely can’t have a list without Fairytale of Thatcham – I mean, New York – on it …:-)
I promise you next year Fairytale of Thatcham will feature. Glad you liked the list!