Christmas music in the U.K. is a little different from in the U.S.A.. Sure we listen to Bing and Frank and Nat and all the other great crooners. We also love Phil Spector`s version of Christmas. However, there are some major Christmas hits that barely make a dent, if they are noticed at all, over here in America. Hits that are mostly essential Christmas listening for Brits. Indeed at least two of them are unofficial indicators that Christmas can start now. Most people in the U.K. see Christmas as starting, when they hear Noddy Holder`s [pictured right] wonderful rasping vocals or the cash till ringing at the beginning of Wizzard`s magnificent opus.
The following ten records, in no particular order, represent a personal top ten of very British Christmas music.
We`ll start with Slade and Merry Xmas Everybody. After the opening chords, Noddy wades in and gives us a new tradition of music for the season. "Fairies keeping Santa sober for a day" or granny "up and rockin` and rollin`". Slade were on a roll in 1973, hitting number one in the first week of sales for several releases [pretty much unheard of, in those days] . They had a few minor U.S. hits, but not this song. The U.S. band Train covered it on their Christmas In Tahoe album in 2015. It`s really difficult to express how huge this record is at Christmas. Bigger than Bing.
Merry Christmas Everybody - Slade - YouTube
The next record we all listen for is Wizzard`s I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday. From the cash till ringing to the kid`s choir, everything is chucked into this one by the brilliant Roy Wood. Very Spectorish in sound, this is my personal favourite. It got to #4 in the same year as Slade. Elton also had a Christmas record that year. Maybe if Slade had not done theirs, then Wizzard would have had another number one. Who knows? Roy had a U.S. hit with The Move and Do Ya. He was also a major element at the beginning of ELO`s long road to world domination. Look out too. for Wizzard`s Rock `n` Roll Winter, a hit in the Spring of 1974.
Wizzard - I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday (Official Music Video) - YouTube
Stop The Cavalry by Jona Lewie has become a fixture on many Christmas compilations. A number 3 hit in 1980, it never troubled the Hot 100, although it does get some radio play. However, a version by a Welsh choir and brass band is more often requested in the U.S. It was kept off the top by two posthumous John Lennon re-releases. It was never meant as a Christmas song, more as a comment on the atrocities of WW1. But the mention of Christmas at the heart and the jolly backing refrain made it a no-brainer for this list. Jona had other hits, such as You`ll Always Find Me In The Kitchen at Parties, under his own name and Seaside Shuffle under the name Terry Dactyl & The Dinosaurs.
Jona Lewie - Stop The Cavalry - YouTube
Gilbert O`Sullivan is quite well known in the States, for his massive number one, Alone Again Naturally, which has featured in Stuart Little 2 and also one of the Ice Age movies. His Christmas Song is typically understated and novel in its approach of not wishing for a Happy Christmas but instead asking for a peaceful world. Not as huge in perennial popularity as the previous three above, but a favourite of mine and one which brings back personal memories of working on the railway in 1974. It only got to number 12.
Gilbert O'Sullivan - I'm Not Dreaming Of A White Christmas Original Video - YouTube
Jingle Bell Rock is a monster Christmas song. Even my grandkids love singing this. Bobby Helms was the original and it was a huge hit for Brenda Lee. The version, I prefer, a purely personal opinion of course, is the one by the older generation`s favourite, Max Bygraves. Already a big radio and film star by 1959, when his version reached #7. It`s part of the soundtrack to my childhood. He was quite well known in the States and appeared with Jack Benny and Ed Sullivan. In the mid 80`s he hosted the British version of Family Feud, called Family Fortunes.
Jingle Bell Rock - YouTube
Another huge Christmas song, in fact, officially the biggest. White Christmas, Irving Berlin`s classic. So many versions to choose from. This is a personal post and a British post, so I have gone for Darts. A 50`s doo-wop style band. They had a great run of pop hits in the late 70`s Lot of fun. A very up-tempo version and it gets a Christmas party mood going very easily. It got only as far as #48 in 1980 and was the last time they troubled the charts.
White Christmas - Darts - YouTube
The Wombles was a kid`s show based on the books by Elisabeth Beresford. A very catchy theme tune by Mike Batt, who began recording more music as The Wombles. Ostensibly a novelty act, the music was very professionally done. After appearing in a home made Wombles outfit, more costumes were made and they appeared on TV. Wombling Merry Christmas is a favourite of mine. Number 2 in 1974.
Always brings a smile. Uptempo and lots of fun. Too good for kids! In 2011 they appeared at Glastonbury and got a bigger audience than the act on the main stage.
The Wombles - Wombling Merry Christmas - YouTube
Shaking Stevens is a bit of an enigma. Part of Britain`s rock `n` roll heritage, but also a huge 80`s pop star, the most successful chart act of that decade, in the UK . Vilified by "music lovers". He had a long run of chart hits, mostly covers of old classics. He had one minor Hot 100 hit in 1967. I always liked him. A great voice. He released a few Christmas hits, but this was the first and biggest. Merry Christmas Everyone was number one in 1985.
Shakin' Stevens - Merry Christmas Everyone (Official 4K Video) - YouTube
Adam Faith was an odd recording star. His very clipped vocal style and the shortness of his records was unusual even in the early 60`s with the 3 minute single reigning supreme. He had a couple of American hits in 1965. Lonely Pup [In A Christmas Shop] was a huge hit when I was a kid. Less than two minutes long. None of the usual Christmas production, just the highly manufactured Faith sound. It`s bordering on novelty, but good fun, all the same. It got to number 4 in 1960.
Lonely Pup In A Christmas Shop - Adam Faith - YouTube
Finally, Britain`s king of Christmas Cliff Richard is a pop music legend. Rock `n` roll star, movies, t.v. shows, a hit in every decade. He slowly took over Christmas before the X Factor came along and ruined the Christmas Number One race. This is probably the best and most popular of his Christmas hits. Mistletoe and Wine was number 1 in 1988, his 99th release. He does have a presence in the US charts, Devil Woman being his biggest U.S. hit. According to my Hot 100 book, this yuletide track got an honourable mention but no chart position. Dodgy snow effects on the video, though.
Cliff Richard - Mistletoe and Wine (Official Music Video) - YouTube
So, a very personal list of British Christmas records. Here are some that almost made the list.
Hey Mr. Christmas by Showaddywaddy
Step Into Christmas by Elton John
Peace On Earth/Little Drummer Boy by Bing and Bowie
Gaudete by Steeleye Span
In Dulci Jubilo by Mike Oldfield
Winter`s Tale by David Essex
We Wish You A Merry Christmas by The Greedies.
There are many more. All available online. Go check them out
2016 has taken another of my heroes. Status Quo were the first band I saw live. Aberavon Lido, South Wales, 13th July 1974. I remember all the seats were the usual school hall type. We all piled towards the front, inches away from our heroes. Right by the speakers, blasting out the incredible noise they made. They were told to ask us all to move back to our seats, before they could continue.
Next time I saw them, I was married. Jean and I went to see them on the Rockin` All Over The World tour, at Birmingham N.E.C., November 1977. I refused to let her go unless she wore denim, which she did. While we were waiting for the show to start, a couple walked past wearing posh clothes. He in a suit, the woman in a posh frock. There was a free music paper and flexidisc on each seat. I still have them. I was a huge fan of all their stuff, but Jean got really into it when they played John Fogerty`s masterpiece, Rockin` All Over The World. We were up in the seats right at the back, so no deafness this time. Also we had our own car, so no barking dogs or country lanes.
