IT'S CHRISTMAS - as Noddy Holder once said (well, not once - he's been dining out on it since 1973).
Anyway, as Noddy the Slade boys will no doubt testify, the Christmas song has become as essential a part of this time of year as Santa, mince pies, 3 for 2 deals at Boots, and eccentric, 'at least we don't have to see him for another 12 months' uncles.
Here's the definitive list* of eight Christmas songs to get you in the festive mood.
(* It might not be definitive, but it most definitely is a list)
1. Bing Crosby and David Bowie. Little Drummer Boy An unlikely combo but it kind of works, in an odd sort of way. The chemistry between Ziggy and grandad Bing (who died not long after this video was recorded) is quite touching. How do you spell parump pum pum?2. The Darkness. Christmas Time, Don't Let The Bells End It might be hard to believe watching this but, for about 18 minutes in the year 2004, The Darkness were a pretty big deal. This is naff with a capital N but, looking at the paltry (no poultry, that's turkey) offerings post-2000, it's about as good as it gets. C'mon kids!3. Shakin' Stevens, Merry Christmas Everyone Advertiser editor Glenn Ebrey - who may or may not be writing this shambles - says this is the greatest Christmas song ever made. So there.4. Greg Lake, I Believe In Father Christmas In case you thought this list was turning into a cheese-fest, here's a Christmas song with a difference - with a message. And, unlike Do They Know It's Christmas, it's actually good.5. Chris Rea, Driving Home For Christmas The antidote to his other hit Road to Hell, this sums up the feeling of, er, driving home for Christmas, perfectly. In other news, please look up 'Alan Partridge, Chris Rea' on YouTube for one of the best scenes to ever feature in a TV comedy. "Oh forget it!"6. The Waitresses, Christmas Wrapping It's a good song and, like Greg Lake, a break from the festive norm. Don't listen to the Spice Girls' version though, that's bobbins.7. Mariah Carey, All I Want For Christmas Stop trying to be cool kids, you'll all be dancing to it with Dave from accounts on Friday night. It has a great intro, it's jolly and Mariah looked good in the video. Her crush on Santa is a bit weird though.8. The Pogues ft Kirsty MacColl, Fairytale of New York Once the hipsters Christmas song of choice, it's now become the standard response for anyone wanting to say: "I'm too cool to like Mariah". However, the late great Kirsty MacColl hailed from Croydon and, for that reason alone (plus the inclusion of the word 'scumbag' in a Yuletide tune) it earns its place.
1. Bing Crosby and David Bowie. Little Drummer Boy An unlikely combo but it kind of works, in an odd sort of way. The chemistry between Ziggy and grandad Bing (who died not long after this video was recorded) is quite touching. How do you spell parump pum pum?2. The Darkness. Christmas Time, Don't Let The Bells End It might be hard to believe watching this but, for about 18 minutes in the year 2004, The Darkness were a pretty big deal. This is naff with a capital N but, looking at the paltry (no poultry, that's turkey) offerings post-2000, it's about as good as it gets. C'mon kids!3. Shakin' Stevens, Merry Christmas Everyone Advertiser editor Glenn Ebrey - who may or may not be writing this shambles - says this is the greatest Christmas song ever made. So there.4. Greg Lake, I Believe In Father Christmas In case you thought this list was turning into a cheese-fest, here's a Christmas song with a difference - with a message. And, unlike Do They Know It's Christmas, it's actually good.5. Chris Rea, Driving Home For Christmas The antidote to his other hit Road to Hell, this sums up the feeling of, er, driving home for Christmas, perfectly. In other news, please look up 'Alan Partridge, Chris Rea' on YouTube for one of the best scenes to ever feature in a TV comedy. "Oh forget it!"6. The Waitresses, Christmas Wrapping It's a good song and, like Greg Lake, a break from the festive norm. Don't listen to the Spice Girls' version though, that's bobbins.7. Mariah Carey, All I Want For Christmas Stop trying to be cool kids, you'll all be dancing to it with Dave from accounts on Friday night. It has a great intro, it's jolly and Mariah looked good in the video. Her crush on Santa is a bit weird though.8. The Pogues ft Kirsty MacColl, Fairytale of New York Once the hipsters Christmas song of choice, it's now become the standard response for anyone wanting to say: "I'm too cool to like Mariah". However, the late great Kirsty MacColl hailed from Croydon and, for that reason alone (plus the inclusion of the word 'scumbag' in a Yuletide tune) it earns its place.
