ARTIST: Olly Murs SONG: I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday ALBUM: Right Place Right Time: Special Edition (2013, Sony/Epic) We will continue to beg Olly for a Christmas album every year - this year included - until we are blue in the face. And why? Because on the basis of his take on seasonal … Continue reading Christmas Song Advent Calendar 2017: Day 16
So today marks the start of what is by common consent in the UK, the one time of year when the entire nation suddenly takes a vested interest in its singles chart. Because as of midnight last night, the race to be 2017's official UK Christmas number one is under way. If you're a betting … Continue reading #CrazyStupidPlaylist: My Ultimate Christmas Number Ones
ARTIST: Blue SONG: Lonely This Christmas ALBUM: Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word (2002, Innocent/Virgin) Originally recorded for one of the first ever BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge sessions all the way back at the start of their career in 2001, Antony, Duncan, Lee and Simon gave a soulful, stripped back take on Mud's … Continue reading Christmas Song Advent Calendar 2017: Day 15
ARTIST: Mike Oldfield SONG: In Dulci Jubilo ALBUM: Elements - The Best of Mike Oldfield (1975, Virgin) Yes, I do realise that festive snow-y town image isn't one of Mike Oldfield, but that's partly because I couldn't find a flattering one of him. His instrumental, nay almost Celtic take on the classic carol that dates … Continue reading Christmas Song Advent Calendar 2017: Day 14
ARTIST: Steps SONG: Dear Santa ALBUM: Tears on the Dancefloor: Crying at the Disco Deluxe Edition (2017, Steps Music/Fascination) The closest Steps ever got to a Christmas single - again on virtue of video alone - was their million selling 'Heartbeat' in 1998. 19 years later, and as they near the end of their 20th … Continue reading Christmas Song Advent Calendar 2017: Day 13
ARTIST: McFly SONG: Rockin' Robin ALBUM: Sorry's Not Good Enough/Friday Night (2006, Universal Island) OK. So the Michael Jackson classic isn't strictly a Christmas song. But because there is a robin in it - and one that I imagine is perched on a wintry branch, sporting an Elvis quiff and leather jacket with a tiny … Continue reading Christmas Song Advent Calendar 2017: Day 12
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
The Niche Reference 