Hey all,

 

As a special Christmas present, I have made a special podcast looking back at the history of the Christmas #1 race from 1960-2009. As fellow chart geeks like me, I thought you may fancy a listen. This isn't meant as any boring self-promotion - I get no financial gain or whatever from this, was purely a bit of nerdy fun after I finished my MA.

 

So if you fancy a listen - Part 1: 1960's is available here: CHRISTMAS CHART BATTLES PART 1

 

Part 2: 1970's - CHRISTMAS CHART BATTLES PART 2

 

Part 3: 1980's - CHRISTMAS CHART BATTLES PART 3

 

Part 4: 1990's - CHRISTMAS CHART BATTLES PART 4

 

Part 5: 2000's - CHRISTMAS CHART BATTLES PART 5

 

If any of you like it I'll post the rest of the parts ASAP.

 

I wasn't sure if this was the best place to post this, so no worries if it needs moving.

 

Enjoy :) Merry Christmas :D

Edited December 14, 201014 yr by eamezey

Its fine to post it here - will try and give it a listen soon, thanks for posting it!

is this yours??will def give it a listen.christmas charts were the reason i got interested in chart music as i used to love how every year when you heard songs like slade it would bring back such good memories, hence the reason why the charts are central to peoples culture!!

 

 

did you do youre MA on chart music??

Wow, just started listening to this and it's really good! Great job. Can't say I have any memories from the 1960s it being 30 years before I was born but still a very enjoyable listen. Look forward to the 90s and 00s ones.

Edited December 5, 201014 yr by superbossanova

is this yours??will def give it a listen.christmas charts were the reason i got interested in chart music as i used to love how every year when you heard songs like slade it would bring back such good memories, hence the reason why the charts are central to peoples culture!!

did you do youre MA on chart music??

 

Thanks guys, muchly appreciated :) It is indeed, my MA was in Radio Production - so this was just something fun to make over the festive period to keep my brain going - though not as good as it could be as I've lost the uni's access to a proper studio!

wow that would be a cool degree, are you going to work on radio 1, maybe you could do the official chart in a few years!!! :D its probably quite technical tho!!what was your thesis title?

wow that would be a cool degree, are you going to work on radio 1, maybe you could do the official chart in a few years!!! :D its probably quite technical tho!!what was your thesis title?

 

That's the plan! Funnily enough my final project was about the 'chart-fan' and the difference between the chart show on Radio 1 of old compared to now - I'll have to post the documentary on here some time.

That's the plan! Funnily enough my final project was about the 'chart-fan' and the difference between the chart show on Radio 1 of old compared to now - I'll have to post the documentary on here some time.

 

Great podcast, best of luck with your career. I hope your plan works out.

 

Great podcast, best of luck with your career. I hope your plan works out.

 

Cheers man. :)

Part 2 now available - The 1970's:

 

CLICK HERE FOR THE BLOG

CLICK HERE FOR DIRECT MP3

 

"Welcome to Part 2 and the Golden Age of the Christmas charts - the 1970's. Featuring a load of glam rock, novelty guilty pleasures, festive favourites and more.

 

A list of artists including Slade, Queen, Wings, Wizzard, John Lennon, Pink Floyd, Boney M and ... erm ... Benny Hill were involved in the race over the decade which saw the battles lift off and become an institution."

WOW!! Just been listening to the 70's and it was excellent!! Very well done Tom!!! I'm really looking forward to the 80's :-)

am looking forward to listening to the 70's one.

Many thanks guys - 80's will be posted tomorrow :)

Wow... this is excellent, thanks for sharing, look forward to the 80s, its my favourite era for music as I was into the New Romantics era as I grew up listening to them, Duran Duran, The Police, Blondie, Ultravox, Spandau Ballet, Visage, Human League, and the beautiful young Kim Wilde :wub: and many others, I thought I name check a few groups/artists of that era.

 

Also it was the beginning of the Mod era Specials, Madness etc etc, such great music at the time. I could go on forever now. I just grab my coat. :D

 

All the best in your career.

Edited December 8, 201014 yr by Mikey's XmasTree

Wow... this is excellent, thanks for sharing, look forward to the 80s, its my favourite era for music as I was into the New Romantics era as I grew up listening to them, Duran Duran, The Police, Blondie, Ultravox, Spandau Ballet, Visage, Human League, and the beautiful young Kim Wilde :wub: and many others, I thought I name check a few groups/artists of that era.

 

Great list of artists! All you need is Gary Numan and you're set. Sadly only three of those feature in the next installment!

Part 3: The 1980's now available :)

 

CLICK HERE FOR THE DIRECT MP3

CLICK HERE FOR THE BLOG

 

"Welcome to Part Three of our Christmas Chart Battle journey. This time we shall travel back to the 1980's, possibly the most eclectic mix of festive number ones.

 

Including the likes of grandma-loving choirs, Elvis tributes, charity records, 50's singers, large Italians, one hit wonders and more - it was a crazy decade."

 

Tom :)

Just listening to the 80's now.Absolutely BRILLIANT Tom!!! :) :) :) Thank you very much for posting,it's very much appreciated. :) :) :)

Edited December 11, 201014 yr by eurofandave

Just listening to the 80's now.Absolutely BRILLIANT Tom!!! :) :) :) Thank you very much for posting,it's very much appreciated. :) :) :)

 

Cheers dude - 1990's up in a sec. :)

Part 4: 1990's is now available :)

 

DOWNLOAD THE MP3

VISIT THE BLOG

 

"Welcome to Part Four of the history of Christmas Chart Battles. For this edition we shall travel back to the 1990's.

 

Although there may have been a lesser amount of festive toppers, there were still some classic moments. Featuring the likes of multi-coloured blobs, girl power, a king of pop, boyband galore and more merry Cliff-mas."

Have really enjoyed listening to your podcasts, I'm downloaded the 1990s one now