Some Facts About Your Favourite Christmas Songs
As we're now into December (Christmas month) there are many things that get us feeling all Christmassy, whether it’s the chilly weather making us wrap up warm, festive scented candles, making your Christmas cake, dark nights or starting the Christmas shopping, for us here at UK Christmas World, we think it’s one of the nicest times of the year!
When Christmas comes around we all have our favourite traditions, things to do, the songs we play and movies we watch, in this blog we have shared some of these, do you agree, are these your favourites too? We have complied a list of what we think are the nation‘s top Christmas songs, and a little bit about them!
Top 10 Christmas Songs
- Band Aid – Do They Know It’s Christmas?
Released in December 1984, it featured many of the top artists of the time (there have been many re-recordings since but we think the original is the best!). It topped the charts and remained number one for 5 whole weeks! It featured many top artists including Bono, Bananarama, Culture Club, George Michael, Duran Duran and Spandau Ballet.
- Wham – Last Christmas
Released in December 1984 ‘Last Christmas’ was written and produced by George Michael. It reached number 2 in the UK charts, and as George Michael sang on the charity single ‘Do They Know It’s Christmas?’ And donated all royalties from ‘Last Christmas’ to the Ethiopian famine appeal.
- The Pogues & Kirsty McColl – Fairytale of New York
This Christmas hit was released in 1987, and was one of the most played songs on the BBC, even though at one time it was censored due to the raw language! Its peak position in the charts was number 2 but has crept back into the charts over the decades to various positions.
- Mariah Carey – All I Want for Christmas is you
1994 was the year this track was released and it peaked at number 2 in the charts. It was the lead single from her first Christmas album ‘Merry Christmas’ and features a music video in the style of a home-video. In terms of airplay in America, this was the most played song after 1963.
- Boney M – Mary’s Boy Child
Released in 1978 this song went straight to number one in this year. It was a cover of the 1956 hit from Harry Belafonte, and the music video features the singers dressed in white furry coats in a white room. A much loved Christmas song over decades!
- Wizzard – I Wish it Could be Christmas Everyday
This Christmas hit was released in December 1973. Even though it is one of the most popular Christmas songs, it never reached higher than number 4 in the charts! It was written and produced by Roy Wood, who also sung lead vocals, and was back by ‘The Suedettes’. It features a group of school children in the music video who travelled from the Midlands to London on a bus in the autumn half term to film it.
- Slade – Merry Xmas Everybody
Composed by Noddy Holder and Jimmy Lea this song was released in 1973. The song was actually recorded in America in the summer at the Record Plant recording studio. It went straight to number one racing ahead of Wizzard and their Christmas hit as well as Gary Glitter, David Essex and Roxy Music.
- Bing Crosby – White Christmas
Released in 1942 this the bestselling Christmas single of all time, according to the Guinness Book of Records. Over 100 million copies have been sold worldwide and was written Irving Berlin. The song reminisces over old-fashioned traditional Christmas settings and the music video features black and white footage of just that!
- Paul McCartney – Wonderful Christmastime
This song reached number 6 in the UK charts and features on the album ‘Back to the Egg’. This cheery song was released in 1979 and was recorded by McCartney entirely on his own. The song is featured on ‘Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer – The Movie’.
- Shakin’ Stephens – Merry Christmas Everyone
‘Merry Christmas Everyone’ was supposed to be released in 1984 but then was released in 1985 instead as to not clash with the release of Band Aid’s hit. When it was released it happened to make his 4th chart topper! The video was shot in Lapland, where it wasn’t snowing at the time so they had to use snow machines!
We hope that this blog has brought you a little bit of Christmas spirit, as the season comes in closer, and maybe even a pinch of nostalgia! Feel free to share with us any of your favourite Christmas songs that we may not have included on our list!