It’s Christmas time and the return of xmas party season and the discussion of what Christmas music will be played to accompany it and the thoughts around those songs…
Leading each year to an annual argument in our Music Department!
Helen (the Christmas fairy) can’t wait to get the festive tunes on and loves them, however Euan (the Grinch, for sure) argues that, for all their popularity, no band or artist has made a Christmas song that is even close to their best work.
So, Helen put Euan’s theory to the test.
Who wins… you decide…
(P.S. Here’s a few snaps from the AVC Immedia xmas party, which was held up in Aberdeen, for good measure too!)
Helen:
Frank Sinatra – Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
That voice though! It just isn’t Christmas without Frank and this is Sinatra at his finest. Though a tad melancholy, it’s my absolute favourite and transports me to a twinkly, winter wonderland in an instant.
Euan:
Humbug. I know too much about Frank Sinatra to consider him a wholesome part of Christmas. However, if you want the voice, plus optimism and something for the kids at Christmas look no further than High Hopes.
Helen:
Love Unlimited – It May Be Winter Outside (But In My Heart It’s Spring)
This song never seems to get played much at Christmas – and I honestly don’t know why! Gorgeous harmonies, a great beat and oozing festive cheer!
Euan:
There’s a reason it doesn’t get played much at Christmas you know… nothing says Christmas like a slice of 70s cheesy disco, does it? Love Unlimited are much better remembered for this one. Love’s Theme is the theme tune of an entire era.
Helen:
Mariah Carey – All I Want For Christmas Is You
Euan I DARE you to find a Mariah song that beats this absolute belter!! Sleigh Bells? Check!; A video dripping in Christmas paraphernalia, including kitsch Santa costumes? Check! Mariah wailing about the festive season like her life depends on it? CHECK!
Euan:
When it comes to Mariah, nothing beats Emotions. It’s joyous, it shows off Mariah’s full range of talents and she doesn’t rely on a choir of backing singers to pull it off.
Helen:
Shakin Stevens – Merry Christmas Everyone
This one goes out to all the Dad dancers! I had to do it – I couldn’t do a list of Christmas songs without including the legend that is Shaky! This takes me right back to my Mum’s lounge, dancing round the tree whilst this spun on the record player.
Euan:
My mum was a Shaky fan too, but thankfully introduced me to a wider range of songs that his unimaginative yuletide “banger”. Almost all his early 80s hits stack up better than that. Let me give you Green Door, a fantastic party tune, a great spin on the original and while it sounds wholesome, it’s all about prohibition America.
Helen:
The Pogues – Fairy tale In New York
Have you even had a true Christmas without singing this arm in arm with a stranger? This always tops the polls of greatest Christmas song and I totally see why. Full of heart, this holds many a late night-pub memory for me – a true Christmas sing-a-long anthem.
Euan:
Thank you, I can have two goes at bettering this. First Kirsty McColl’s cover of Days. The way her voice hits the notes of sadness and regret while the words are so positive it a pure joy. As for the Pogues, they did a much much better song for parties than Fairytale. Fiesta is guaranteed to get feet tapping and faces smiling.