Ever since the wife acquired an iPod and speakers many moons ago, the Christmas play-list has been a feature of the festive season in the Adams household. I nearly used the word ‘treat’ there but then remembered it features some ghastly offerings such as ‘Last Christmas’ by Wham and ‘Wombling Merry Christmas’ by the Wombles. We have some debates about whether some qualify as Christmas songs, such as ‘Stay Another Day’ by East 17 – my argument is that just because it happened to be a hit at Christmas and features some bells at the end, that doesn’t make it a Christmas song. The wife disagrees.
Over the last couple of years I’ve grown increasingly irritated by the fact that if I hear one track I instinctively know which is next, so I suggested to the current Mrs Adams that she at least changes the order. Failing to get any progress with that idea, I decided to create my own Christmas play-list. Naturally Wham got the boot, along with East 17 (because that’s not a Christmas song) and ‘Fairytale Of New York’ which (and I know this won’t be a popular opinion) I can’t abide.
In comes ‘Proper Crimbo’ by Bo Selecta (it’s crap but it’s funny), ‘Little Saint Nick’ by the Beach Boys, Bert Jansch’s version of ‘In The Bleak Midwinter’, ‘Thanks For Christmas’ by XTC and ‘Christmastime’ by the Smashing Pumpkins which the wife consequently said she wanted too. And there it is, fifty-four top festive songs.
But then I started thinking… if I had to pick just ten, what would they be? This is tricky. A Christmas play-list spans the decades from the Rat Pack offerings of Dean and Frank, through the 1970′s hey-day of Christmas songs (Slade, Wizzard), through to the present day when Christmas songs are seen to be a bit naff. And then you need a bit of choral action. Tricky indeed… but here’s my top ten.
- I Believe In Father Christmas – Greg Lake
- Happy Holiday – Andy Williams
- The Christmas Song – Nat King Cole
- Happy Christmas (War Is Over) – John and Yoko
- I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day – Wizzard
- God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen – Perry Como
- Winter Wonderland – Tony Bennett
- Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! – Dean Martin
- O Holy Night – Nat King Cole
- Merry Christmas Everyone – Shakin’ Stevens
Okay, let the agreements and disagreements begin.
It’s not really Christmas to me until I hear “Celebrate Me Home” by Kenny Loggins playing on the radio. For whatever reason, that song always make me take a moment to reflect.
Spooky, Greg Lake’s offering is my favourite as well.
Good call on Wham….. used to like it until I found out he was singing it to a bloke
One that should make the list is the classic Little Drummer Boy as done by Bing Crosby and David Bowie. Was that ever released as a single ?
I also have a bit of a soft spot for When a Child is Born by Johnny Mathis.
Almost forgot Santa Baby, covered by a ridiculous amount of people.
Amongst many, Macy Gray, Eartha Kitt, American Idol runer up, Kelly Pickler, The Pussycat Dolls and the funniest one The Dollyrots ( no seriously ).
Check out iTunes, there are loads of them.
@2 – oh yeah, Bing and Bowie were #3 in 1982, a few years after Bing died. Great Christmas song, would have made the top 20… but not my top 10.
Well I like Wham and now I have the video too!
Well, I agree with The current Mrs Adams.
(And thank Goodness you don’t have the damn Drummer Boy on your list…)
I have a question for the current Mrs. Adams.
Do you think your choice in music has any effect on how long you remain the CURRENT Mrs. Adams?