The 12 Tunes of Christmas - Top 12 Christmas Songs of All Time
Alright this is going to be a controversial list, there are going to be those who strongly disagree and they'd be wrong. Admittedly most of these songs are not cool, mostly guilty pleasures that we don't admit we secretly love. Here is Blokes' definitive list of the top 12 Christmas bangers of all time:
(Click for Youtube playlist)
12. Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy - Bing Crosby & David Bowie
Ok this one is really old and cheesy but Bowie's harmony gets stuck in your head and you'll find yourself singing it for a week afterwards. The almost two minute long banter at the beginning is so bad it's good. The song was originally recorded in 1977 but not offically released as a single until 1982. Legend goes that Bowie refused to sing Little Drummer Boy as he hated it so Peace on Earth was written for him
Watch the video here
Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly did an uncanny imitation of the video, Ferrell's gaze and facial expression are a hilarious tribute to the late great David Bowie.
Watch the video here
11. All I Want For Christmas - Mariah Carey
This is definitely one of the guilty pleasure ones you don't admit to liking. You complain when your missus puts it on but when she's out of the room you restart it. Usually I can do without Mariah but this is a top '90s Christmas tune.
Watch the video here
10. Run, Rudolph, Run - Chuck Berry
Berry is a ledge and the fact he recorded quality Christmas songs makes him even more so. Run, Rudolph, Run was recorded in 1958 as the B-side to Merry Christmas Baby, an excellent bluesy Christmas song. With its upbeat tempo and the fact it reminds most of us of Home Alone, you know Run, Rudolph, Run is a seasonal classic ya filthy animal.
Watch the video here
9. Christmas Card From a Hooker in Minneapolis - Tom Waits
Now this one's an acquired taste. For those who know, you know. For those listening to this for the first time you're probably going to be thinking “what the actual fuck?” but just go with it. It might take a couple of listens to take it all in, it's more of a full on act than a simple musical performance. The live version is the best, as Waits acts the part of a drunk and does his best Little Anthony and the Imperials impression. The song literally tells the story of a hooker in Minneapolis writing a Christmas card to her ex. Its deep and depressing, it's Christmas.
Watch the video here
8. Merry Christmas Everyone - Shakin' Stevens
A retro heart warmer, this song takes you back to childhood. The video takes you on a bizarre journey where a little girl travels to “Santaworld” to visit Shakin' Stevens and features a dead-behind-the-eyes elf and some superb arm movement dancing from Shaky.
Watch the video here
7. I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday - Wizzard
This is another one that's probably made the list mostly on its nostalgic merit. The 1973 video is bizarre, it looks like Christmas vomited all over the studio “we're trying to be wacky” kind of way. Everything is kind of thrown in including a group of random school children who don't seem to know what's going on. There is potential for the children to add a creepy element but this was a simpler time of innocence where a bearded man serenading a confused child is actually just heartwarming. You can't help but feel perked up after listening to this.
Watch the video here
6. Stop The Cavalry - Jona Lewie
This tune sounds like its from well before 1980 and you could picture your dad or grandand singing it. The video depicts a WWI soldier longing to be home for Christmas rather than fighting the trenches. It's very retro, very British but a good one to chant to after a few pints with the lads.
Watch the video here
5. Do They Know it's Christmas - Band Aid
This song is dripping in mozzarella, the lyrics are terrible, and it's incredibly condescending but it is an absolute Christmas classic.
Watch the video here
As a cheeky bonus watch James Corden's version as Smithy in Gavin and Stacey. It perfectly expresses the corniness and excitement of the build up to Christmas.
Watch the video here
4. Last Christmas - Wham!
Like most of the songs on this list, the video to this is comedy. One of the highlights is the still-closeted George Michael trying to act hard and broody, throwing evils at his ex from behind his frosted tips. The tune is a Christmas essential and even if you won't admit it I know this is one of your secret Christmas favourites. The setup of the video also the ideal Christmas - a cozy ski cabin in the woods with friends, full of wine and no annoying family dramas.
Watch the video here
3. White Christmas - Otis Redding
Nothing funny about this one. It's full of class and soul. White Christmas has been covered countless times but no one does it like Otis. Sometimes talent and simplicity is all you need.
Watch the video here
2. Merry Xmas Everybody - Slade
This is an absolute Christmas banger. Also released for Christmas 1973, Slade beat fellow Brummies, Wizzard to the number spot in the U.K. charts. For those who grew up in the U.K. you know when this when comes on at the school disco, work party or pub it is about to go off.
Watch the Video here
Noel Gallagher's cover is a completely different vibe but also a superb version.
Watch the video here
1. Fairytale of New York - The Pogues featuring Kirsty MacColl
Fairytale of New York tells the story of English-Irish immigrants in New York looking back to their youth when they were newly in love and full of dreams. In our opinion the best Christmas song of all time. Yes it's depressing as hell but it's soulful, poetic and one to sing along to when everyone's had too much to drink.
Watch the video here
(Click for Youtube playlist)
12. Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy - Bing Crosby & David Bowie
Ok this one is really old and cheesy but Bowie's harmony gets stuck in your head and you'll find yourself singing it for a week afterwards. The almost two minute long banter at the beginning is so bad it's good. The song was originally recorded in 1977 but not offically released as a single until 1982. Legend goes that Bowie refused to sing Little Drummer Boy as he hated it so Peace on Earth was written for him
Watch the video here
Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly did an uncanny imitation of the video, Ferrell's gaze and facial expression are a hilarious tribute to the late great David Bowie.
Watch the video here
11. All I Want For Christmas - Mariah Carey
This is definitely one of the guilty pleasure ones you don't admit to liking. You complain when your missus puts it on but when she's out of the room you restart it. Usually I can do without Mariah but this is a top '90s Christmas tune.
Watch the video here
10. Run, Rudolph, Run - Chuck Berry
Berry is a ledge and the fact he recorded quality Christmas songs makes him even more so. Run, Rudolph, Run was recorded in 1958 as the B-side to Merry Christmas Baby, an excellent bluesy Christmas song. With its upbeat tempo and the fact it reminds most of us of Home Alone, you know Run, Rudolph, Run is a seasonal classic ya filthy animal.
Watch the video here
9. Christmas Card From a Hooker in Minneapolis - Tom Waits
Now this one's an acquired taste. For those who know, you know. For those listening to this for the first time you're probably going to be thinking “what the actual fuck?” but just go with it. It might take a couple of listens to take it all in, it's more of a full on act than a simple musical performance. The live version is the best, as Waits acts the part of a drunk and does his best Little Anthony and the Imperials impression. The song literally tells the story of a hooker in Minneapolis writing a Christmas card to her ex. Its deep and depressing, it's Christmas.
Watch the video here
8. Merry Christmas Everyone - Shakin' Stevens
A retro heart warmer, this song takes you back to childhood. The video takes you on a bizarre journey where a little girl travels to “Santaworld” to visit Shakin' Stevens and features a dead-behind-the-eyes elf and some superb arm movement dancing from Shaky.
Watch the video here
7. I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday - Wizzard
This is another one that's probably made the list mostly on its nostalgic merit. The 1973 video is bizarre, it looks like Christmas vomited all over the studio “we're trying to be wacky” kind of way. Everything is kind of thrown in including a group of random school children who don't seem to know what's going on. There is potential for the children to add a creepy element but this was a simpler time of innocence where a bearded man serenading a confused child is actually just heartwarming. You can't help but feel perked up after listening to this.
Watch the video here
6. Stop The Cavalry - Jona Lewie
This tune sounds like its from well before 1980 and you could picture your dad or grandand singing it. The video depicts a WWI soldier longing to be home for Christmas rather than fighting the trenches. It's very retro, very British but a good one to chant to after a few pints with the lads.
Watch the video here
5. Do They Know it's Christmas - Band Aid
This song is dripping in mozzarella, the lyrics are terrible, and it's incredibly condescending but it is an absolute Christmas classic.
Watch the video here
As a cheeky bonus watch James Corden's version as Smithy in Gavin and Stacey. It perfectly expresses the corniness and excitement of the build up to Christmas.
Watch the video here
4. Last Christmas - Wham!
Like most of the songs on this list, the video to this is comedy. One of the highlights is the still-closeted George Michael trying to act hard and broody, throwing evils at his ex from behind his frosted tips. The tune is a Christmas essential and even if you won't admit it I know this is one of your secret Christmas favourites. The setup of the video also the ideal Christmas - a cozy ski cabin in the woods with friends, full of wine and no annoying family dramas.
Watch the video here
3. White Christmas - Otis Redding
Nothing funny about this one. It's full of class and soul. White Christmas has been covered countless times but no one does it like Otis. Sometimes talent and simplicity is all you need.
Watch the video here
2. Merry Xmas Everybody - Slade
This is an absolute Christmas banger. Also released for Christmas 1973, Slade beat fellow Brummies, Wizzard to the number spot in the U.K. charts. For those who grew up in the U.K. you know when this when comes on at the school disco, work party or pub it is about to go off.
Watch the Video here
Noel Gallagher's cover is a completely different vibe but also a superb version.
Watch the video here
1. Fairytale of New York - The Pogues featuring Kirsty MacColl
Fairytale of New York tells the story of English-Irish immigrants in New York looking back to their youth when they were newly in love and full of dreams. In our opinion the best Christmas song of all time. Yes it's depressing as hell but it's soulful, poetic and one to sing along to when everyone's had too much to drink.
Watch the video here