ARTIST: Kylie Minogue and James Corden SONG: Only You "Only You" is one of those great Christmas songs that isn't technically a Christmas song. It actually started life as the debut single and a #2 hit in 1982 for Yazoo, the pop duo of former Depeche Mode member Vince Clarke and Alison Moyet. A year later, acapella … Continue reading Christmas Song Advent Calendar 2018: Day 5
ARTIST: Pet Shop Boys SONG: It Doesn't Often Snow At Christmas The proud owners of 1987's festive chart topper with their big and brassy take on Elvis Presley's "Always On My Mind", Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe, aka the world's biggest selling electronic pop duo of all time, first recorded an outright Christmas song as an … Continue reading Christmas Song Advent Calendar 2018: Day 4
ARTIST: TLC SONG: Sleigh Ride Now here's the thing. When it comes to Christmas songs, there's non more joyous and life affirming for me as "Sleigh Ride". It's like the Morgan Freeman of festive numbers, and also perfect for a girl group to do (see The Ronettes' recording for the Phil Spector Christmas album in … Continue reading Christmas Song Advent Calendar 2018: Day 3
ARTIST: KT Tunstall SONG: 2000 Miles Originally a hit for Chrissie Hynde's chart topping rock band The Pretenders back in December 1983 (it got as high as #15 here), '2000 Miles' has remained a staple of Christmas compilation albums ever since, with everyone from Coldplay to Natalie Imbruglia turning in covers of the song about … Continue reading Christmas Song Advent Calendar 2018: Day 2
It's back! Today is 1st December, which means our Christmas Song Advent Calendar is back for 2018. Once again, we bring you a Christmas song each day in the form of a blog and a handy little Spotify playlist for you to follow each day in the run up to Christmas to really get you … Continue reading Christmas Song Advent Calendar 2018: Day 1
ARTIST: Slade SONG: Merry Xmas Everybody ALBUM: Christmas Jukebox (1974, Polydor) So here it is, Merry Christmas! And never truer a word spoken than from Noddy Holder! https://youtu.be/pvUI3Cs3j80 Thank you all for reading and listening along with our Christmas Song Advent Calendar this year people - we hope you've enjoyed it - and the playlist … Continue reading Christmas Song Advent Calendar 2017: Day 25
ARTIST: Leona Lewis SONG: One More Sleep ALBUM: Christmas With Love (2013, Sony Music) Because, well - that's how long we've got left now people! Leona's single from her Christmas album she released in 2013 is still something of a hidden gem - but is none the worse for all that, and has potential to … Continue reading Christmas Song Advent Calendar 2017: Day 24
ARTIST: The Pogues and Kirsty MacColl SONG: Fairytale of New York ALBUM: If I Should Fall from Grace with God (1987, Warner Music) My Celtic heritage means that I couldn't not include this in my Christmas Song Advent Calendar this year - or every year for that matter. And this year, is especially important for … Continue reading Christmas Song Advent Calendar 2017: Day 23
ARTIST: Chris Rea SONG: Driving Home for Christmas ALBUM: New Light Through Old Windows - The Best of Chris Rea (1988, Elektra) Another one I associate eternally with Christmas growing up today's song. Chiefly, this reminds me of a weekend one Christmas - I must have been about 7 - when my dad was Santa … Continue reading Christmas Song Advent Calendar 2017: Day 22
ARTIST: The Killers feat. Toni Halliday SONG: A Great Big Sled ALBUM: A Great Big Sled (2006, Universal Island) Back in our NME reading days - i.e. when we were in Sixth Form - The Killers, and indeed Brandon Flowers, were a bit of an obsession for us. And for what seemed like every year … Continue reading Christmas Song Advent Calendar 2017: Day 21
The Niche Reference 