It’s December, which means we’re officially allowed to talk about Christmas! So to celebrate our annual indulgence into shloer, pigs in blankets and copious amount of discount booze, we’ve compiled the definitive Christmas top 10. Each of these songs represent the best festive tune of their decade, so without further ado-SCAN’s Christmas top 10!
10) It’s Beginning to look a lot like Christmas, Perry Como and The Fontane Sisters:
Starting off with this classic from the 50’s, it’s the tune that warms us up and starts to get us in the mood for the holiday season. Believed to be inspired by a park opposite Yarmouth Grand Hotel in Nova Scotia, this song has been a successful recording for many artists. Even Alvin and the Chipmunks chipped in with their own version in 1961 and 1981!
9) It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year, Andy Williams:
Moving into the 60’s now this song, originally written for the ‘Andy Williams’ show, has become a big Christmas standard over the past 30 years or so. Inspiring many covers and being used in advertising campaigns such as the Marks and Spencer Christmas campaign in December 2007. No top 10 list would be complete without this heart-warmer.
8) I wish it could be Christmas Every day, Wizzard:
As we get into the 70’s we can start to see Christmas getting the rock ‘n’ roll treatment. British glam-rock band Wizzard collaborated with Stockland Green Bilateral School first year on this one, and the original sleeve of the single credits “Miss Snob and Class 3C” with “Additional noises”.
7) Stop the Cavalry, Jona Lewie:
A curious one this one. In an interview for Channel 4’s 100 Greatest Christmas Moments, Lewie said that the song was never intended as a Christmas hit, and that it was a protest song. Still, this won’t stop us from singing along.
6) Do they know it’s Christmas, Band Aid 1984:
The original iteration of the classic Band Aid charity single features some of the biggest names in 80’s music, from Bono to George Michael and Boy George. This original pressing has managed to retain its magic over the years, retaining its popularity over the more recent editions released in 2004 and 2014.
5) Fairytale of New York, The Pogues ft. Kirsty MacColl:
Christmas goes green with this one! A song that can only be done justice when under the influence of all that booze you said you wouldn’t buy. Only the Pogues could make a Christmas hit with lyrics such as “You scumbag, you maggot, you cheap lousy faggot” and get away with it. The Guinness always flows when the DJ spins this one.
4) Mistletoe and Wine, Cliff Richard:
After the stout soaked singalong of the last tune, it’s time to repent and enjoy some Christian rhymes. This Cliff Richard banger is bound to be one of your Nan’s favourite arrangements and its strangely infectious melodies are guaranteed to get in your head for the whole 12 days of the Christmas season.
3) All I want for Christmas is you, Mariah Carey:
ALLLL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS YOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU. ‘Nuff said.
2) Stay another day, East 17:
It’s definitely a Christmas song because it has snow in the video and everything. This one is a guilty pleasure, but don’t lie, it’s an absolute standard. This heartfelt tune is delivered from 90’s one hit wonder East 17 and though we might sometimes forget about it, it doesn’t mean we don’t love it.
1) Christmas Time (Don’t let the Bells ring), The Darkness:
And finally, bringing rock ‘n’ roll back into the mix, this Darkness Christmas single is one of the few 2000’s Crimbo songs people seem to remember. It’s a peculiar thing really. It seems Christmas songs peaked in the 70’s and 80’s, but every now and then we get treated to something like this.
So, here’s our top 10 Christmas songs, in chronological order so don’t kick up a fuss. There are plenty of songs we wish we could have included but sadly a top 10 is a top 10. If you want to delve a little deeper into some of the other memorable Christmas songs over the years, check out our playlist “Crimbo” on Spotify!
