People were quick to tell me I sounded like a Grinch when I recently suggested Christmas would be far more exciting if we celebrated it every two years. It’s just because people can spend months hyping themselves up over the same day every year. Since that’s not going to happen and if you feel the same way as I do, bored of hearing the same bunch of overplayed Christmas songs every year, why not give this lot a try for one year?
- James Brown – Merry Christmas Baby
Not many reading this will have heard this song before and for that reason alone the late great James Brown has to make an appearance in this countdown. The laid back Jazz allows for some slick instrumentals from the clarinets and violins coupled with his smooth vocals makes this a must listen over Christmas dinner.
- U2 – Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)
Originally sung by Darlene Love in 1963 this song has featured heavily in various television commercials this year. However, it is the cover version recorded in Glasgow in 1987 by Irish pop-rock band, U2, which merits our attention this year. It was recorded during a sound check for their Joshua Tree tour with Darlene Love actually proving the backing vocals for this version, it has not received the recognition at this time of year it deserves since.
- Train – Shake up Christmas
Not all Christmas songs these days have to be released by the biggest and most successful pop stars or take the coveted number one spot. The upbeat, hopeful vibes from lead singer Patrick Monahan and the guitar playing, something that happens rarely on Christmas songs, certainly help to “shake-up” the conventions of the modern day Christmas releases.
- Coldplay – Christmas Lights
Most Christmas songs are bright and feel good, but this track is a diamond in the rough and a melancholy reminder that not everyone looks forward to this season with excitement and anticipation as others. Coldplay rarely perform this song even during their Christmas concerts and it was wrongly overshadowed by Fix You as their best mid-tempo effort.
- Geraldine McQueen – Once Upon a Christmas Song
Love him or loathe him Peter Kay’s alter ego from Britain’s Got the Pop Factor was a hilarious jibe at television talent show contestants. Lots of respect will be earned by sticking this on at Christmas dinners in flats with friends and it is guaranteed that everyone around the table will feel a sense of nostalgia and share their memories of this vintage feel good karaoke sing-along.
Header image: Joe Busby
