ARTIST: The Shins SONG: Wonderful Christmastime ALBUM: Christmas Rules (2012, MPL Communications) It's not often you get a cover version of a song from British pop and rock royalty that's just as good as the original. But when Sir Paul McCartney himself approves, you know it's got to be a blinder. Recorded for this Christmas … Continue reading Christmas Song Advent Calendar 2017: Day 11
ARTIST: Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton SONG: You Make It Feel Like Christmas ALBUM: You Make It Feel Like Christmas (2017, Interscope) There's a general rule of thumb to modern Christmas albums: if you're releasing one, you're either an artist catering to a hardcore fanbase, or you can't shift records at the rate you did … Continue reading Christmas Song Advent Calendar 2017: Day 10
ARTIST: *NSYNC SONG: Under My Tree ALBUM: Home for Christmas (1998, BMG) I didn't learn that *NSYNC had released a Christmas album until about six years ago, and I duly imported a copy of it from eBay in the States. Needless to say, it has now been at the heart of my festive pop listening every … Continue reading Christmas Song Advent Calendar 2017: Day 9
ARTIST: Girls Aloud SONG: I Wanna Kiss You So (Christmas in a Nutshell) ALBUM: Chemistry - Bonus Christmas Version (2005, Polydor) From the mini album of festive covers and original Xenomania helmed winter warmers that accompanied the deluxe version of their much acclaimed third studio album 'Chemistry' in 2005, the girls' ode to clubbing on … Continue reading Christmas Song Advent Calendar 2017: Day 8
ARTIST: S Club 7 SONG: Perfect Christmas ALBUM: Never Had a Dream Come True (2000, 19/Polydor) Nice bit of numeric synchronicity for today's Christmas song. The B-side to their chart topping 'Never Had a Dream Come True', this was penned - as many of the S Club hits were - by the legendary Cathy Dennis, … Continue reading Christmas Song Advent Calendar 2017: Day 7
ARTIST: The Feeling SONG: Feels Like Christmas ALBUM: Feels Like Christmas (2008, Universal Island) Having just announced that they are returning after a year's hiatus with some live dates next year, it's one of our favourite 00s guitar bands The Feeling. This single came out with the full intention of being 2008's Christmas number one, … Continue reading Christmas Song Advent Calendar 2017: Day 6
ARTIST: Spice Girls SONG: Christmas Wrapping ALBUM: Goodbye (1998, Virgin) I mean. The Waitresses' original version was amazing anyway, but this Spice-y version - the B-side to their third Christmas chart topper in a row with 'Goodbye' - is equally brilliant. It even finds time to name check their world tour and assorted pregnancies from … Continue reading Christmas Song Advent Calendar 2017: Day 5
ARTIST: Louis York and the Shindellas SONG: What Does Christmas Mean? ALBUM: Masterpiece Theater, Act III (2017, Weirdo Workshop) We did promise the guys from Louis York a few days ago they'd be featuring on our Christmas Song Advent Calendar this year - and here they are, with the latest single to be lifted from … Continue reading Christmas Song Advent Calendar 2017: Day 4
ARTIST: Britney Spears SONG: My Only Wish (This Year) ALBUM: Platinum Christmas (2000, Jive) Why this little festive gem from Oops...I Did It Again era Britney (i.e. her best era) hasn't become a classic as feted as that Mariah one is beyond me. It's lost none of it's appeal in 17 years though. 'I want … Continue reading Christmas Song Advent Calendar 2017: Day 3
ARTIST: Coldplay SONG: Christmas Lights ALBUM: Christmas Lights (2010, Parlophone) A recent addition to the canon of great Christmas songs. You almost need to be in the song's name checked Oxford Street in London - maybe with a mulled wine to hand - to fully appreciate this heart warming beauty from Chris Martin and the … Continue reading Christmas Song Advent Calendar 2017: Day 2
The Niche Reference 