For Christmas eve we have argueably one of the best festive tunes ever, The Christmas Song. The BMI state that this 1944 hit, written by vocalist Mel Tormé and Bob Wells, is the most performed Christmas pop song. The version you’ll hear below was recorded by Nat King Cole in 1961, he’d previously recorded versions of the song in 1946 (twice) and 1953.
So as you race around with the last minute Christmas chores, enjoy the beautiful sound of Nat King Cole performing The Christmas Song.
Just when you thought you’d escaped the British folk rock movement I’ve got another brilliant tune in the chart. Steeleye Span‘s 1974 Christmas hit Gaudete is wonderful for it’s traditional a cappella performance and Maddy Prior‘s haunting vocals.
I warned you there was more folk rock before the chart was out, and here we have a fabulous example of the art form! Mike Oldfield is probably best known for 1973′s ground breaking Tubular Bells, but here we have his 1975 double A-side In Dulci Jubilo. The tune is infectious, and the video has a wonderful honesty about it. I think it is impossible to hear this tune without thinking of Christmas and smiling.
Californian vocal rock doesn’t normally make for a great Christmas tune, but The Beach Boys manage it with Little Saint Nick:
Greg Lake‘s protest about the commercialisation of Christmas has become one of Britain’s most popular Christmas tunes, selling millions of copies, how’s that for irony?
Back in 1975 “I Believe in Father Christmas” reached #2 in the UK charts, and with its stirring strings and horns it isn’t hard to see why it became such an anthemic tune. Listen to the words carefully and it is a very thoughtful track or alternatively take it at face value as a roaring Christmas tune. Whichever way you decide it is impossible not to enjoy this festive hit:
