'Christmas With Cliff'

Oi! I can hear you lot groaning at the thought of 'Christmas With Cliff' from here!

I mean the history of U.K Christmas hit making without Sir Cliff and his genuinely heart-felt festive songs would be like Formula 1 without Murray Walker, Horse Racing without John McCrirrick or snooker without 'Whispering' Ted Lowe!

I actually think that is great that here in the U.K. we have a true Christian like Cliff to remind us year on year of the true meaning of Christmas. I'm not a religious person myself but am not adverse to at least wishing Jesus a 'happy birthday' on December the 25th. Mind you, I don't think his real birthday was Dec 25th if I recall correctly. I think I remember being told in R.E. at school that his actual birth date was believed to have been in September sometime. Whatever the case its nice to think that there are a lot of people like Sir Cliff who still celebrate the festive season for its religious significance. I may not be into religion myself but I am a traditionalist through and through!

Cliff has charted with numerous Christmas songs over the years but you might be surprised to find out that his first festive hit was 'Little Town' in 1982 which only made No 11. To be fair, the 80's were fiercely competitive as far as record sales went and similar sales of a No 11 then would almost certainly produce a No 1 today. 'Little Town' is also a great Christmas record and is thus worth a listen now!

Cliff's next Christmas hit was (deservedly in my opinion) a No 1 hit. 'Mistletoe & Wine' may be full of Christmas cliches but the simplicity of its lyrics and its sing-a-long element really make it a song to warm the heart on a cold frosty night. The song was No 1 in 1988 but has charted numerous times in recent years since downloading took over the charts.

Cliff was back at No 1 in 1990 with 'Saviour's Day' - another cracking Christmas song with a memorable chorus - and who could ever forget the video for the song with Cliff singing on top of a Cliff! 'We Should Be Together' from 1991 has proven to be far less memorable? The song reached No 10 but it won't go down as one of Cliff's defining Christmas hits I don't think. His last Christmas No 1 to date though most definitely will! 'The Millenium Prayer' from Christmas 1999 was about as madcap an idea as it was brilliant. Mixing 'Auld Lang Syne' with 'The Lords Prayer' would normally be the kind of idea you'd only come up with after a few too many pints but somehow the sincerity in Cliff's voice and performance sells the song and its ideals to you and its almost impossible not to get swept away in the moment and join in! Other Christmas Cliff hits include 'Santa's List' (No 5 in 2003) and '21st Century Christmas' (No 2 in 2006) but for me, daft sentimental and traditional old twit that I am, Sir Cliff's greatest Christmas song will always be this one...

If you are looking in Sir Cliff - MERRY CHRISTMAS!