It doesn’t often snow at Christmas…

I had a different post to this scheduled for today – a recipe for potato scones; a Christmas tradition in our house. Instead, I’ve decided to spread a little Christmas cheer and talk about Christmas carols.

I’ll be honest: with very few exceptions, I never used to like them. I wanted to, but other than a soft spot for Bing Crosby’s “White Christmas” – the vinyl of choice when we were growing up – they all seemed a tad…ummm…. stuffy. Although every time I hear “Frosty The Snowman” I think of one of my sisters who only knew the line “Frosty the snowman had to hurry on his way” and would play it over and over and flipping over.

These days I’m partial to a good Christmas song and have a playlist ready to go for the 1st Sunday in December all the way through until after Christmas lunch. I even have a secret – okay, not so secret now – wish to hear a choir in a church somewhere snowy and cold sing the traditional ones. One day.

Anyways, here’s my top 5 – in no particular order…

1. Do They Know It’s Christmas?

The original Band Aid version, of course.

This came out at a time when I was discovering my political leanings. I remember hearing about the food surpluses in the West and the starvation in Africa and was appalled. It was only many years later that I really began to understand the complexities of the situation.

I can still pick the voices of each artist.

2. Wham’s Last Christmas

Daggy but true. The original and the best.

I also like most of the cover versions – even Taylor Swift’s – which isn’t that great and Cascada’s – which is.

3. All I Want For Christmas is….

This is the only song by Mariah Carey that I can listen to without wincing.

I love the version in Love Actually, which is, actually, one of my favourite movies. I even like…and promise you won’t tell anyone…Justin Bieber’s duet of this with Mariah. Sad but true.

I can’t help but do a boob shimmy when the bells jingle in the start and always – even when I’m out – am tempted to try and hit that high note. My daughter tells me I fail to reach it. (Actually, what she really says is quite rude and unrepeatable – and unfair.)

4. It Doesn’t Often Snow At Christmas, The Pet Shop Boys

Given that I love pretty much everything PSB have ever done it stands to reason I’d adore this too. And I do. If you haven’t heard it, youtube it stat.

5. Christmas (Baby Please Come Home), Michael Buble

Choosing a favourite from the Bubble-man’s list is difficult, but this one is just so hopeful.

The best of the rest?

Happy Christmas (War is Over), John Lennon; A Wonderful Christmastime, Paul McCartney; Baby, It’s Cold Outside, Kate Ceberano and David Campbell; White Christmas, Michael Buble or Bing Crosby; and It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas, another one by the Bubble. Who am I kidding? His entire Christmas album is an absolute classic. A new fave is She & Him’s Christmas albums (volume 1 and 2). If you haven’t come across these guys before they have a real retro 60s need a martini to go with that sort of sound – and do a fabulous version of The Christmas Song, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, and I’ll Be Home For Christmas.

What about you? Are you a fan of the carol? If so, what’s your fave?

It’s Lovin’ Life Linky time…

It’s Thursday, so it’s time to look for our happy and share it about a bit. The Lovin’ Life Linky is brought to you by Team Lovin’ Life: Deep Fried Fruit, Debbish, Write of the Middle, and, of course, me.

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