ere are my top ten Christmas songs for the festive season.
In 1986, when this song was first released, my job meant I had to spend a lot of time on the road. On the last day of work before the Christmas holidays, I remember driving home and feeling just like the character in this song, as I listened to it on the radio. Chris Rea describes this song as a car version of a carol.
Written by Kelly Clarkson and Greg Kurstin, 'Underneath the Tree' is a relatively new Christmas song. It only reached no. 30 on the UK singles chart, in 2013 but was critically acclaimed. 'Underneath The Tree' is an upbeat big band song and had been favourably compared to Mariah Carey’s 'All I Want For Christmas is You'.
There have been many superb recordings of this traditional Christmas song which was composed in 1947 and I could have picked any to fit into My Top 10. I’m not Celine Dion’s biggest fan but I think her version of this lovely song is just perfect.
This is another upbeat Christmas song from 2013, which was co-written and performed by X Factor winner, Leona Lewis. It’s a really good track for the end of the night at a Christmas party.
Like so many Christmas songs, 'Merry Christmas Baby' has been recorded by lots of successful artists, including Chuck Berry, The Beach Boys, Sheryl Crow and Christina Aguilera. The original recording was by The Three Blazers in 1947 but my favourite, by Bruce Springsteen dates from 1987.
Blues & jazz singer, Kay Starr made this song famous in 1950 and it has been covered by many artists since, including, Vonda Sheppard and Jessie J. It’s Jessie J’s version that is currently being used in the 2015 Boots TV advert.
Of all the really popular Christmas songs that get played in supermarkets and shopping centres, this is the one that I never get fed up with hearing. It was written by Mariah Carey and Walter Afanasieff and released in 1994. In November this year, Mariah Carey published a children's book based on 'All I Want For Christmas Is You'.
A lesser known Christmas song, 'It Must be Santa' is based on a German drinking song. Bob Dylan’s version is done in a polka / Ceilidh style. It was a minor hit for Tommy Steele in 1960. It’s a song with a great party feel.
'Perfect Christmas' was the B-Side of S Club 7’s 'Never Had a Dream Come True' which was the official Children in Need song in 2000. I can’t find much information about this track but I do know that it doesn’t get played often enough. (Except by me, of course!)
I know that I am not alone in choosing this as the best Christmas song, ever. It has won many accolades and polls for the No. 1 Christmas song of all time. If you’d like to know more about this great track, why not read my Story Behind The Song here.
