Stephen’s Selects #13: December 23rd – 29th

Christmas has finally arrived!

I’m in the festive spirit, so this week’s list is dedicated entirely to Christmas songs. Number 1’s, viral hits and a quirky entry or two.

These are the songs that remind me of Christmas the most. It’s impossible to really go in deep on what makes a Christmas hit or a Christmas number 1, so I won’t be analysing them in extreme depth but I do have a reason for including each of the songs.

So, now is the time to check it out…

If you still want to listen to last week’s tracks, you can see what was included here.

If you like what you hear, then please hit that ‘Follow’ button on the playlist on Spotify and follow along!

Remember – I’ll also happily include your music, so please send links my way!

Now, without further ado, here’s the breakdown of Stephen’s Selects #13: December 23rd – 29th…

1. Michael Bublé – ‘It’s Beginning to Look a Lot like Christmas’
   Many versions of this song have been recorded by greats like Perry Como and Bing Crosby. It’s a timeless Christmas song. I’ve included Bublé’s version here as it’s got a modern twist on a classic song with a classic voice.

2. José Feliciano – ‘Feliz Navidad’
   A very simple message and one of the most popular Christmas songs in the United States and Canada. I was introduced to José Feliciano by my parents many years ago and began to like him even more when I heard his Christmas song.

3. Paul McCartney – ‘Wonderful Christmastime’
   It’s only fitting that my favourite Beatle has a classic Christmas song. Yes, I know they all have their own Christmas songs but this is my personal favourite. This time last year, I got to see Sir Paul live in concert and he played this… a real festive treat!

4. Cliff Richard – ‘Mistletoe and Wine’
   My mother used to play this on tape at Christmas. When it was released back in 1988, I used to sing along even though I couldn’t pronounce all the words. It’s always stuck in my head as a Christmas classic.

5. Mariah Carey – ‘All I Want for Christmas Is You’
   This one really needs no explanation. It still pulls in £400,000 in royalties each Christmas and that goes to show the level of its popularity.

6. The Darkness – ‘Christmas Time (Don’t Let the Bells end)’
   This one does need some explanation. The Darkness were huge when they released this and it isn’t one of the more popular Christmas songs. But it is a lot of fun!

7. Wham – ‘Last Christmas’
   So popular that it has now been made into a movie!

8. Shakin’ Stevens – ‘Merry Christmas Everyone’
   I remember loving the video for this when I was a kid. It’s such a simple Christmas song and it’s so easy to get it stuck in your head.

9. East 17 – ‘Stay Another Day’
   This was the UK Christmas number 1 in 1994. Despite it not being an official “Christmas song” it always gets rolled out at Christmas. Great songwriting from Tony Mortimer and co.

10. The Pogues, Kirsty MacColl – ‘Fairytale of New York’
    Many a night out in Ireland over the festive period will be ended with the DJ playing this song. A classic!
     
     
    So, that’s a festive week thirteen of Stephen’s Selects.

    Merry Christmas!

    Click here to listen to the full playlist on Spotify!

    (Please note that the link will send you to the playlist of the current week and might not feature the tracks listed above!

     

    Remember that if you like what you hear, then please hit that ‘Follow’ button on Spotify and follow the playlist!

     
    If you’d like to have your song featured or have any recommendations, drop me a comment below or email. Let’s talk more about the music we’re listening to and share our ideas!

     
    

    Now, I’d love to know…

    
    What do you think makes a great Christmas song? What’s your favourite Christmas song?
     
    Leave a comment below!

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