Editorials

The Best Xmas Songs Countdown

8 December 2017

By Lauren E. White

In the words of Slade, it’s Christmaaaas!

Here at b**p we’re in the festive mood and are cranking up those Christmas songs on the radio and wrapping ourselves in blankets ready for a Christmas film binge.

Speaking of Christmas songs, we thought we’d do a classic countdown of the best tunes to get you in the festive mood this year.

10. Stop the Cavalry by Jona Lewie

Perhaps one of the most undervalued Christmas songs of all time is Stop the Cavalry. It’s littered with military and history references, peppered with trumpets and a Cockney singing voice. How British can you get?

9. Step into Christmas by Elton John

If you’re looking for something a little bit more upbeat (I actually mean really upbeat) on cold, dark winter nights, Elton John , of course, as you covered. With lyrics that address you directly and a beat that makes you just want to dance, Step into Christmas comes in at number nine on our list of the best Xmas songs.

8. Last Christmas by Wham

Last Christmas we lost one of the best Christmas voices ever: George Michael. Back in the days of Wham, Michael played a part in one of the most iconic and renowned Xmas songs ever, Last Christmas. At number eight on our list, the sad tone of this song makes it one for the car rather than a banging Christmas party. Great lyrics, though.

7. Merry Xmas Everybody by Slade

IT’S CHRISTMAAAAS!

Slade have long been on the list of best ever Christmas songs but sadly have been beaten out of one of the top spots, not because it’s a mediocre song, but because some of the others are just amazing. Merry Xmas Everybody is an absolute banger and a true Xmas classic, so get the volume turned up this December.

6. Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas by Frank Sinatra

One of the greatest voices of all time comes in at number six on our list of the best Xmas songs and that voice is, of course, Frank Sinatra. Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas is a classical classic and it just reminds you of all things warm and fluffy and happy. This song makes you feel like it truly is Christmas. And who doesn’t love Frank Sinatra?

5. Do they Know it’s Christmas? by Band Aid

So we’re talking the original Band Aid here. Of course it’s got George Michael, Boy George and Shakin’ Stevens (among others) in the year of 1984 raising money for famine in Africa. Not only is Do they Know it’s Christmas? a catchy little three-minute masterpiece, but it’s for a good cause and it reminds you of how fortunate we all are this Christmas. Definitely worth being in our top five.

4. Mary’s Boy Child by Boney M.

So, this one might get you a little bit confused. You wouldn’t expect a reggae, gospel-ish Christmas song with steel pans to make it into our top five Xmas songs of all time, but there you have it. Mary’s Boy Child is one of the most fun songs ever. It’s catchy and it makes you happy. For those who like something completely different to the norm, Boney M, are who you need to turn to this Xmas.

3. All I Want for Christmas is You by Mariah Carey

You didn’t think we’d forgotten her, did you? We could never do such a thing. All I Want for Christmas is the ultimate sing-along (and dance-along for that matter) at Christmas time. Also, no other song can get me into the festive spirit like Mariah Carey’s can. What an absolute legend. A diva, but a legend still.

2. Happy Xmas (War is Over) by John Lennon, Yoko Ono & The Plastic Ono Band

A bit more subdued than Mariah Carey is John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s Happy Xmas (War is Over). Rather than making you want to get up and shake what your mama gave you, this iconic duo makes you want to donate to charity. Much like Band Aid, it reminds you of how fortunate you really are. And it’s a real tune, too. You can definitely sit in a pub and sing along to this one.

1. Fairytale of New York by The Pogues ft. Kirsty MacColl

In recent years, Fairytale of New York has become one of the most iconic Christmas songs, not just for those who were alive when it was released, but those who weren’t even born. The bagpipes, the piano and most importantly the lyrics make Fairytale of New York the best Christmas song of them all. What’s Christmas without having a massive sing along and laugh at the late great, Kirsty MacColl calling Shane MacGowan a “scumbag” and “maggot”?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HwHyuraau4Q

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