Christmas Chart #6 – Fairytale of New York

The video today is not just a classic song, but also taken from one of the best Christmas films ever made and not released on DVD (much to my annoyance). When Channel 4 showed Malcolm McClaren‘s brilliant film The Ghosts of Oxford Street in 1991 I was much younger than I am now, but the show is still one of my favourite Christmas television shows even though I’ve not been able to see it since! Shows like this are few and far between and it is a shame that it has never been released.

The song I’ve taken from this brilliant film is performed by the late, great, Kirsty MacColl and The Pogues and is the played everywhere tune Fairytale of New York:

Christmas Chart #7 – Christmas Wrapping

Annoyingly enough I couldn’t find a video for todays hit, but the song is so good I encourage you to download it from Amazon.  So to make your life easier, here are the lyrics and a link to Christmas Wrapping by The Waitresses for MP3 download on Amazon.  You can read a bit more about the song on Wikipedia here.  Lyrics after the break…

Christmas Chart #8 – Power of Love

A surreal one today because we have a Christmas hit with all the classic Christmas elements:

• Dramatic orchestral elements – check.
• Biblical video – check.
• Frankie goes to Hollywood – errrrr……. check.

Yes, the band that brought us “Relax” and “Two Tribes” had a successful stab at the festive #1 slot in 1984.  They managed to score #1 in early December but were pushed off the festive slot itself by Band Aid!

Is it ironic? Are there camp references? Is it just a good tune?  The answer to all three questions is “Yes”, so sit back, (Frankie says) relax, and enjoy The Power of Love.

Christmas Chart #12 – Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy

Now these songs aren’t really festive favourites of mine, but this performance from Bing Crosby’s 1977 show “Bing’s Merry Olde Christmas” ensures it a place in my chart.

For David Bowie this appearance on a traditional Christmas special was a chance to “normalise” his career, increasing his American fanbase.  For Bing Crosby this was one of his last recorded performances, he passed away just over a month before it was broadcast on November 30, 1977.  The performance could appear stilted if it wasn’t for the acting ability, and comic talent that both stars have.  They take what could be a cringeworthy studio sequence and turn it into a funny (but still cringeworthy) studio sequence.

So grit your teeth, and brace yourself to enjoy the surreal experience that is Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy:

Christmas Chart #19 – Wonderful Christmas Time

Back to the video classics today with a tune you can’t escape hearing every season in countless coffeeshops and department stores.  Paul Macartney‘s “Wonderful Christmas Time” is so infectious that even after you’ve heard a muzak version tinnily played in a lift you’ll still find yourself humming the tune.  Ever since I started compiling this chart, every time I’ve thought of it I’ve ended up humming along, so in a desperate attempt to share my festive insanity…..