24 December 2011
by Mark
1 Comment
This is, quite simply, the best Christmas song ever recorded. I’ll explain why further down, but for now, just enjoy it. So, what’s so good about this song? It stands some deconstruction, so let’s pull it apart a bit. Unusually … Continue reading
23 December 2011
by Mark
0 comments
Of all the people you might least expect to come up with a classic Christmas song, John Lennon is probably pretty high up in the list. Like Jona Lewie’s song from a couple of days ago, this was ostensibly a … Continue reading
22 December 2011
by Mark
0 comments
OK, time for a bit of cheese. Not a lot to say about this one, really, other than the fact that it’s probably the best song Wham! ever did. Which isn’t necessarily saying much. But here it is anyway. Last … Continue reading
21 December 2011
by Mark
0 comments
This song is more often associated with Aled Jones, who sang on the most commercially successful single version and became a star on the back it it. But the singer on the original animation was Peter Auty, then a choirboy … Continue reading
20 December 2011
by Mark
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This wasn’t originally intended as a Christmas song, according to its composer – it was supposed to be a protest song – but the line “Wish I was at home for Christmas” and the brass band backing gave it a … Continue reading
19 December 2011
by Mark
0 comments
Back to the music again. This is a classic Christmas song, but the video was clearly made on a budget! But never mind the cheesiness, the sight of Chrissie Hynde dressed up as a Salvation Army singer (complete with tambourine) … Continue reading
18 December 2011
by Mark
2 Comments
Time for a poem again. This is Christmas, by John Betjeman. The bells of waiting Advent ring, The Tortoise stove is lit again And lamp-oil light across the night Has caught the streaks of winter rain In many a stained-glass … Continue reading
17 December 2011
by Mark
0 comments
After the almost anti-Christmas offering from Greg Lake, and Thomas Hardy’s wearied agnosticism, here’s a Christmas hit which unashamedly affirms the gospel story. Today’s song for advent is Mary’s Boy Child, by Boney M. Incidentally, if it looks like their … Continue reading
16 December 2011
by Mark
1 Comment
Another classic Christmas song from my childhood. Here’s Greg Lake, with I Believe in Father Christmas. They said there’ll be snow at Christmas They said there’ll be peace on earth But instead it just kept on raining A veil of … Continue reading
15 December 2011
by Mark
0 comments
Time for another poem. This is The Oxen, by Thomas Hardy. The painting is Adoration of the Shepherds (De aanbidding der herders) by Dutch artist Gerard van Honthorst, featuring an ox kneeling at the crib of Jesus. Christmas Eve, and … Continue reading