November 13, 201311 yr From checking the track list I can't really see any glaring emissions? I would maybe change the versions of classics they go for eg Tom Jones' version of Baby it's Cold Outside from 1999 and Macy Grays Winter Wonderland!The only one missing that I can think of is 'The Power Of Love' by Frankie Goes To Hollywood which had been a regular on the album for a number of years but which has been removed from the 2013 revamp in favour of Gabrielle Aplin's version from last year. Her version is lovely but FGTH's original is iconic and is sadly missed (at least by me!). FGTH's original is also another Christmas / Christmas themed song from my favourite ever Christmas chart year, 1984, so its removal is disappointing. Another good Christmas song from 1984 was removed several years ago but being as it was 'Another Rock n Roll Christmas' by Gary Glitter, the removal of that track was understandable.
November 13, 201311 yr Happy New Year - Abba Most popular Xmas song in Russia. "Happy New Year" and "Last Christmas" are very popular here. I think, that less 1 % of Russians heard "Fairytale Of New York" / Slade / Wizzard hits. :) "Rocking Around The Christmas Tree" by Mel & Kim and Kylie's "Santa Baby" are such underrated/forgotten now. :cry: Edited November 13, 201311 yr by AlexRange
November 13, 201311 yr "Happy New Year" is *not* a Christmas song. Keep it to new year and the days immediately before Jan 1 Madonna's version of "Santa Baby" is the definitive one for me. You can keep Kylie's.
November 13, 201311 yr They do autorip for vinyl too?! I think they give you some kind of code for it? I know new 'oldie style' record players have a device which lets you download the vinyl onto your MP3!
November 13, 201311 yr The last 10 years have produced very few new decent xmas songs (acts too busy doing deluxe repackages of old albums to bother with one-off singles with a great song) but I think the best effort and future radio fave may be Gabriella Cilmi Warm This Winter, its got the same sort of appeal as minor oldies that become popular in time like Chris Rea, Waitresses. Even decent ones like Caro Emerald's duet of Brook Benton oldie You're All I want for xmas don't get radio play, I had to go to Spain to hear it! John & Yoko, Greg Lake, maybe Mud, are classics that dont get overplayed, but some others that radio should play for a change include: December Will Be Magic - Kate Bush Reggae Xmas - Gable Hall School Choir Christmas Song - Gilbert O'Sullivan All Alone On Xmas - Darlene Love Wombling Merry Xmas - Wombles Father Xmas Do Not Touch Me - Goodies (dodgy!) Merry Christmas Darling - Carpenters (thanks Alex) Happy New Year - Abba Hey Mr Xmas - Showaddywaddy Thank God Its Xmas - Queen Ding Dong - George Harrison don't laugh, they might sound dodgy choices but they are an improvement on Shaky, Cliff, & a few others! other suggestions welcome! Indeed Darlene Love became a staple of mine because i watch the Home Alones every year lol, think thats how the song peaked in the uk chart at 31 in 1991. Also Queen Thank God its Christmas is nearly forgotten now - an absolute classic - sounds typical Queen but has a christmassy feel (bit like Christmas Lights by Coldplay). Think when Queen released it it got caught up in the busy famous chart of 1984 peaking top 25 behind Band Aid, Wham & even Gary Glitter!!!
November 13, 201311 yr "Happy New Year" is *not* a Christmas song. Keep it to new year and the days immediately before Jan 1 Madonna's version of "Santa Baby" is the definitive one for me. You can keep Kylie's. I suppose they look at xmas & new year songs as part of the same 'festive period'! No way Eartha Kitt for me, original & best!! :heart:
November 13, 201311 yr The only one missing that I can think of is 'The Power Of Love' by Frankie Goes To Hollywood which had been a regular on the album for a number of years but which has been removed from the 2013 revamp in favour of Gabrielle Aplin's version from last year. Her version is lovely but FGTH's original is iconic and is sadly missed (at least by me!). FGTH's original is also another Christmas / Christmas themed song from my favourite ever Christmas chart year, 1984, so its removal is disappointing. Another good Christmas song from 1984 was removed several years ago but being as it was 'Another Rock n Roll Christmas' by Gary Glitter, the removal of that track was understandable. Indeed 1984 is the peak of xmas music in the uk chart for me, great look back :D , hope fchd has that for his 'random retro' on xmas weeks chart thread!! I love both versions of the Power of Love but Frankies one was the best. So glad last year when Gabrielle peaked at no1, was almost a repeat of 1984, same week as well!! Understandable about Gary Glitter but it is a decent xmas song!
November 13, 201311 yr Yep, I can do the 1984 chart as the "random retro" on the relevant week (If I remember) Edited November 13, 201311 yr by fchd
November 13, 201311 yr Aww! I live Xmas songs, although I don't think it's too early now. Anytime before November is too early though!! also I do wish there were some fresh Xmas songs released each year!! My wish being fulfilled by Kelly and Leona this year :D
November 13, 201311 yr I agree about 1984 being a great year for Christmas tracks in the Top 40. Around a quarter of the songs were Christmas/novelty. Even Alvin Stardust made it with a less well known 'So Near To Christmas'. Pretty cheesy but I liked it. Surprised no-one's mentioned George Michael's 'December Song' from 2 or 3 years back. I really like that. Like Coldplay's 'Christmas Lights' he just missed the Top 10...even after an X Factor performance!
November 13, 201311 yr I still don't understand why 'The Power Of Love' is considered to be a Christmas song. A Christmas-themed video, yes. But the song itself is not a Christmas song. It doesn't mention or have anything to do with Christmas. (The FGTH version obviously shits all over Gabrielle's, Gabrielle is capable of being decent as proven by 'Home' and to a lesser extent 'Panic Cord' but those first 2 singles were dreadful).
November 13, 201311 yr I still don't understand why 'The Power Of Love' is considered to be a Christmas song. A Christmas-themed video, yes. But the song itself is not a Christmas song. It doesn't mention or have anything to do with Christmas. (The FGTH version obviously shits all over Gabrielle's, Gabrielle is capable of being decent as proven by 'Home' and to a lesser extent 'Panic Cord' but those first 2 singles were dreadful). Isn't it more the fact that it was released at Christmas and was Christmas #1? A bit like 'Stay Another Day' - it has nothing to do with Christmas but is remembered as a Christmas song and played every Christmas because it was Christmas #1. Wow, can't believe how many times I used the word Christmas in that sentence :lol:
November 13, 201311 yr 'Stay Another Day' is exactly the same deal - I don't see why it's remembered as a Christmas song when it has nothing to do with Christmas. I do love both of those songs though so I don't exactly mind their resilience, it just seems strange.
November 13, 201311 yr I still don't understand why 'The Power Of Love' is considered to be a Christmas song. A Christmas-themed video, yes. But the song itself is not a Christmas song. It doesn't mention or have anything to do with Christmas. (The FGTH version obviously shits all over Gabrielle's, Gabrielle is capable of being decent as proven by 'Home' and to a lesser extent 'Panic Cord' but those first 2 singles were dreadful).It's just one of those songs that was released at the right time of year and as you've mentioned has a Christmas themed video. It's always linked to the festive season too so in most peoples minds is a Christmas related song.
November 13, 201311 yr I guess some songs can just evoke a feeling of Christmas, even if lyrically they have nothing to do with Christmas. Honorary Christmas songs, if you will.
November 13, 201311 yr Isn't it more the fact that it was released at Christmas and was Christmas #1? A bit like 'Stay Another Day' - it has nothing to do with Christmas but is remembered as a Christmas song and played every Christmas because it was Christmas #1. Wow, can't believe how many times I used the word Christmas in that sentence :lol:'The Power Of Love' wasn't a Christmas number 1 - by the time Christmas Day 1984 came around it had been knocked from the top by the combined might of Band Aid and Wham and in fact was already down to number 5 but it had strong Christmas associations due to the video.
November 13, 201311 yr I guess some songs can just evoke a feeling of Christmas, even if lyrically they have nothing to do with Christmas. Honorary Christmas songs, if you will.This! Hearing the song always reminds me of Christmas.
November 13, 201311 yr Author It's just one of those songs that was released at the right time of year and as you've mentioned has a Christmas themed video. It's always linked to the festive season too so in most peoples minds is a Christmas related song. I agree - the association of the time of release + the Xmassy video, IMO *makes* it a de facto Xmas song.
November 13, 201311 yr Stop The Cavalry by Jona Lewie was also not meant to be a Christmas song although it does mention Christmas. It was meant to be an anti-war song and was a summer hit in France.
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