They don't make them like that anymore ( Xmas songs that is )

[tonybassplayer]

I know that most of those old seventies Xmas may seem a little cheesy but with the exception of the darkness one a few years ago they just don't seem to be able to hit that winning formula of the XMAS SONG that once was the staple of the English pop charts.

We had an afternoon of wrapping etc so put on a sky Xmas song channel and it was packed with the same old songs that seem naff by Boxing Day but at the moment seem sing a long able and cheery for a 50 something guy.

I know plenty will want to critiscise but I bet some of those guys are still getting a nice little yearly earner from that top 5 hit at Xmas yesteryear.

[discreet]

[quote name='tonybassplayer' timestamp='1355693332' post='1901504']
...I bet some of those guys are still getting a nice little yearly earner from that top 5 hit at Xmas yesteryear.[/quote]

+1 Noddy Holder frequently refers to [i]Merry Xmas Everybody[/i] (Holder, Lea) as his 'pension plan'.

[gary mac]

At next weeks gig we will be finishing the night with the Slade one, went down a storm last year.

[discreet]

[quote name='gary mac' timestamp='1355693845' post='1901521']
At next weeks gig we will be finishing the night with the Slade one, went down a storm last year.[/quote]

Yay! But for an apparently simple song, the bass line is surprisingly challenging - if you play Jim Lea's version.

[joeystrange]

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wH2umxtA_sc[/media]

Brilliant.

Edited December 16, 2012 by joeystrange

[paulconnolly]

Greg Lake - I believe in Father Christmas
Chris de Burgh - Spaceman Came Travelling

Best Christmas songs ever.

Pogues and Kirsty Macoll? deleted

[Cat Burrito]

Probably says more about the state & relevance of the charts these days.

It has spawned some truly offensive covers but I reckon this is the greatest ever Christmas song

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UV8x7H3DD8Y[/media]

[gelfin]

Funny , I was just thinking this the other day. There seem to be no great new Christmas songs.

Perhaps the rise of the unreality shows took the edge of people trying.

[Lozz196]

[quote name='paulconnolly' timestamp='1355694052' post='1901528']
Greg Lake - I believe in Father Christmas
[/quote]

Gets my vote.

[Donnyboy]

Yeah when was the last half decent one?
James Brown's Funky Christmas album is classic as is Elvis' Christmas album.

[Hobbayne]

Chris Rea - Driving Home For Christmas
I think i,ll get my Phil Spector Xmas album out, which is rather ironic seeing as Phil Spectors not getting out!!

[BassTractor]

After Bach's Christmas Oratorio, most christmas songs have been insufferable , but I admit to quite liking
Marvin Gaye - I Want to Come Home for Christmas
from 1972, when I hear it on the radio.

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6rpnKZR02o[/media]

[BassTractor]

[quote name='Hobbayne' timestamp='1355697249' post='1901611']
Chris Rea - Driving Home For Christmas
[/quote]

YES! That too.

[tonybassplayer]

Very pleased this thread has stayed positive or over an hour already. I thought it could quickly get in to a seventies pop band thrashing.

The songs were products of the time and yes they may have aged a little but their shelf life is still going strong

At long last the seventies can be proud of what they gave us "the Xmas hit single" !!

[Big_Stu]

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1355693796' post='1901519']
+1 Noddy Holder frequently refers to [i]Merry Xmas Everybody[/i] (Holder, Lea) as his 'pension plan'.
[/quote]

A few years ago Nod said that he makes around £100k on it every year; Jimmy will get the same.

[KingBollock]

Love the Pogues Christmas track, but then I love the Pogues anyway, so I can understand why others wouldn't.

For me there are two album that bring Christmas alive: Bjork - Debut, especially with the scent of White Musk Joss Sticks.
The other is Johnny Mathis - When A Child Is Born compilation album.

1. When A Child Is Born
2. Winter Wonderland
3. Jingle Bells Rock
4. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
5. Sleigh Ride
6. Silver Bells
7. The Christmas Song
8. White Christmas
9. Little Drummer Boy
10. O Holy Night
11. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
12. What Child Is This?
13. The First Noel
14. Carol Of The Bells
15. It Came Upon The Midnight Clear
16. Silent Night

Bit Christiany for me, but it sounds amazing.

[the_skezz]

Best part of Christmas for me. You can keep the presents (my room's cluttered enough) seeing the family (bunch o' sods for the most part) and the dinner (same thing every year? Give us some Christmas callimari for a change!) but the old songs never fail to put a grin on my face.

[KingBollock]

Other than Johnny Mathis, the only other part of Christmas I like is the decorations. I love me some tinsel! Lots of glittery paper and twinkly lights and I'm a happy man.
I don't mind getting presents but I loathe having to open them infront of people, I'd rather get nothing at all. And you can keep family, too. I'd be just fine with just my wife and me, and lots of colourful, glittery stuff, twinkly lights and spicy smelling candles, of course.

[seashell]

A good 'un that doesn't often get mentioned is 2000 miles by The Pretenders.

[mckendrick]

[quote name='seashell' timestamp='1355705062' post='1901739']
2000 miles by The Pretenders.
[/quote]
Most excellent call, seashell.

Add Mike Oldfield's In Dulci Jubilo...

....and anything off here:

[steve-bbb]

Waitresses - Christmas Wrapping

Chris Squire's Swiss Choir - Run with the Fox

[gary mac]

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1355693922' post='1901523']
Yay! But for an apparently simple song, the bass line is surprisingly challenging - if you play Jim Lea's version.
[/quote]

Not sure I've nailed it note for note Mark but it's certainly quite busy

[tonybassplayer]

Yes I think if I had heard it in total isolation I wouldn't be quite sure what it was but then in the song it fits perfectly. Not the easiest of songs to replicate well although easy enough to get a passable version up to speed.

[Leonard Smalls]

The only ones that get played voluntarily at our house are the mighty Tap's "Christmas with the Devil", and of course Bootsy's "Christmas is 4 ever", which has the funkiest "Silent Night" - it's the way it should be played!

[uncle psychosis]

I'm really not keen on the slade/wizard/mariah carey "now thats what I call Christmas" numbers but there are some truly great alternative Christmas songs out there that I absolutely adore. I'll post some links when I get home tonight (where I can get on youtube).