'A Merry Christmas To All!'

Well folks, today is the day! I've just this minute got in from my around the world trip delivering your presents and feel very happy and contented with my nights work! The weather was quite nice this year and so the sleigh wasn't subject to a great deal of turbulence. No pesky 'drone' can get up high enough to interfere with my global tracking system either so Rudolph and the other reindeers don't have that problem to content with!

My host yesterday, D.J. Jeff Belton

I tell you what it gets VERY tiring being Santa in this modern age though? We didn't have all this 'blogging lark' when I first started and sometimes I feel a bit like The Queen having to write something meaningful, festive and jolly each year on here for you all to read on Christmas morning!

Still, being Santa does have its benefits! I don't have to buy a single mince pie all the year round because I collect so many on Christmas Eve  I have a years supply in one night gifted to me! With the weather up here at the north pole as cold and chilly as it is I don't need a fridge either - I just 'do a squirrel job' and bury mince pies out in the snow all around my cottage. I don't always manage to find all of them again but the Reindeer love them (though I don't want them getting so fat that they can't fly!) and 'Mrs Christmas' is always on to me about 'that stomach of yours'!

I have literally WAREHOUSES full of Sherry and Carrots as well thanks to all of you. My magic dust helps me to shrink them to such a tiny size that I can fit them into just one sack on the sleigh Christmas Eve, which is very handy, I can tell you! I do eat some of the things you leave out for me though on the night. Delivering Christmas presents at breakneck speed is hard work you know and even a man with 'a weight problem and no chance of joining his local weight watchers group' like me needs something to keep him going! A Mrs. Jones from Carshalton, in Surrey U.K. always leaves me a WONDERFUL spread of stuff! She bakes it all herself and puts a lot of love and care into it. If its a really cold night she often leaves me a thick, home made scarf and a pair of matching gloves and makes sure that the fire will still be raging in the hearth for when I arrive. I got a 'nasty surprise' the first time she did that because I got in to her house 'the traditional way' down the chimney but now I know what to expect I try to make enough time on my round to stop and enjoy Mrs. Jones 'festive fare' each year.

It's love at first sight for Jeff and Ernie! 

Not that I am into all this new 'gender labelling or NOT labelling' thing but I have to say in fairness that a lot more Men are now becoming great cooks and 'doing right by me' on Christmas Eve. I think the Hairy Bikers have a lot to do with the improvement in their cooking skills as they somehow made riding a BIG motorcycle while 'looking hard' and filling fairy cake cases with a gooey mixture go together. Its good to learn as many skills as you can kids - no knowledge is a waste of time as you never know in this life when or if it will be needed!

Well, its nearly time for me to go (the old eyes are hard to keep open now) but before I do I would like to tell you that I had a WONDERFUL time yesterday morning on the Jeff Belton 'Christmas Jamboree Bag' Christmas show on CHR. I really 'kippered' poor old Jeff with my 'making him a father live on air' ruse and he was TERRIFIED when he first arrived in the car to pick me up that morning(lol). Jeff is always VERY high on my 'nice list' each year though (always has been - good lad!) and so I thought he would see the funny side of my 'little joke'.

Like father, like son!

He did in the end, of course and I am fulfilled in the knowledge now that I have managed to find another loving home for one of my little Elves. 'Ernie The Elf Belton' will watch over Jeff and look after him throughout his lifetime but Jeff has to be a 'good Dad' and care for Ernie as well. That Jeff was teaching Ernie all about broadcasting and giving him lots of cuddles as soon as he saw him tells me that they will be a 'match made in heaven'!

As for the CRAZY, Tony May, well, you will just have to work out for yourselves whether you think this post was really written by him or by me? Won't you?

That 'crazy' Tony May fella - or it it? HA HA

HO HO HO

Love and a Merry Christmas!

Santa Claus xx

P.S.) Mrs. Claus says to tell, Sally Patricia Gardner that though she does all of the cooking in our household she's quite happy to do so as I can't cook and she is hopeless with a hammer and chisel - unless I've upset her, of course! xx

'Do NOT Miss This Show!'

Well tickle my baubles, it's nearly Christmas!

I'm in a VERY silly mood this morning and looking forward to my Conquest Hospital Radio appearance tomorrow morning (from 9AM -Midday) on the, Jeff Belton show! Young Jeffers and I got together earlier in the week to put the final touches to the programme and run through what we are going to do BUT poor 'Sir Jeffrey' does not know of my 'fiendish' plan to put him in the record books as the 'first radio presenter to become a father live on air!' HA HA HA HA

Now, now, before you start writing in to have the show banned or start contacting the mental health services (not him AGAIN they will tell you!) you no need worry about an X rated radio broadcasting! As I revealed here in a previous post I have 'connections' to the Claus family and they have sent me a small vial of Father Christmas's MAGIC pixie dust! Our Jeffrey is going to be GOBSMACKED when he walks out of the studio tomorrow afternoon as a DAD with responsibilities and all of the commitments that go with it, OH YES! (lol)

So now, I mean, come on, HOW CAN YOU MISS SUCH A SHOW?

Packed with Christmas music, fun, jokes, CRAZY conversations and now this AMAZING feat to be performed for the first time anywhere in the world LIVE on radio you just HAVE to tune in, don't you?

HO HO HO and HA HA HA as well! (lol)

'New Christmas CD's'

I LOVE Christmas shopping! Even though it often 'does your head in' trying to work out what to buy people I love the 'thrill of the chase' and often end up buying stuff for myself that I 'discovered' that I didn't intend to!

The snag is, of course, that while we all know instantly what WE would like for Christmas (cue an evening of chat about music, life and Christmas with, Kim Wilde and a romantic dinner with Claudia Winkleman!) we only really find out how LITTLE we know about our friends when its time to buy them something! (lol)

I always take a good 'scroll' down the list of new Christmas albums on Amazon.com at this time of year as well to see which artist has 'done a Mariah' this year! One thing that often irks me though is that prior to an albums release date you cannot even have a listen to 'previews' of the songs via their Mp3 choice. How silly is that! I mean, if people can get a 'sneak preview' of 30 seconds of each song or even a few songs on the album they will be MORE likely to pre-order it or buy it as soon as it comes out. Denying people the chance to hear a single bar beforehand is thus surely BAD for sales and only likely to COST artists as it is easy to forget all about something at this time of year and as Christmas albums are seasonal you are hardly likely to order it when you remember in January!

One of the CD's it would have been good to have a listen to is the new 'Fizz' (Bucks Fizz) Christmas record, 'Christmas With The Fizz'. It's due for release tomorrow and includes some 'festive favourites' like, 'Winter Wonderland', 'Santa Claus Is Coming To Town' and 'White Christmas' along with a couple of band written songs and rare covers of, 'I Believe In Father Christmas' by Greg Lake and even more oddly, 'Mull Of Kintyre' by Wings.

There is also a 'Christmas version' of the Bucks Fizz hit, 'Land Of Make Believe' as well. All in all, it sounds like a very curious mix and quite a 'brave' selection in many ways because both the Greg Lake and Wings songs sound VERY easy to 'butcher' to me if the wrong approach is taken. To add even more interest the album is produced by, Mike Stock of Stock, Aitken And Waterman fame. Retro is really the 'in thing' these days and so I hope the album turns out to be a triumph and not a disaster! (lol)

Another intriguing item is the 'A Very Monotreme Christmas' Various Artists CD.

Limited to just 200 copies it is going to end up a 'Christmas music collectors ( if there is such a thing?) holy grail' in a few years time. The cover doesn't look all that 'Christmassy' to me and I have no idea what Monotreme means nor have I heard of any of the artists?Being a HUGE MUD fan I have to admit that I'm intrigued to hear the 'soulful' version of their, 'Lonely This Christmas' hit on the album but with only 8 tracks and covers of 'Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas' (Jack Watts) and 'Peace On Earth/Little Drummer Boy' (The Favourite Bench) neither of which are my favourite Crimbo songs its a bit skinny value for me. I would like to know what the cover of , Etta James, 'At Last' sounds like though being a, Harvey Summers fan...

Talking of, Kim Wilde (I had a HUGE crush on her at school!) her Christmas album from a few years back is pretty good. I will be playing a track from it on Christmas Eve on the Jeff Belton show on CHR (Conquest Hospital Radio). In line with Christmas, Kim is releasing a DELUXE edition of her, 'Here Come The Aliens' album with a second disc of remixes, live tracks and two brand new tracks. While I have not heard the, 'Here come The Aliens' album in full from what I have heard it is a pretty 'samey' sounding set and so I won't be rushing to buy the deluxe version but if you saw, Kim live at the White Rock theatre in Hastings earlier this year you might like it as a souvenir of the tour as the three live tracks were all recorded on the tour...

Finally, HORRIFICALLY there is also a new, William Shatner Christmas CD on the way this year! Oh my GOODNESS I can only imagine how terrible that is going to sound.

The album is AWASH with 'guests' though as you may well imagine (seeing as Shatner is an AWFUL vocalist!) and AMAZINGLY quite a few of them are famous people! One of those being, Elliot Easton (The Cars) who contributes to the, aptly named no doubt, 'Run Rudolph Run'. Also on the album are, Billy Gibbons (ZZ Top), Henry Rollins and Rick Wakeman. Well, its amazing who you can get to appear on your records when you can 'boldly go where no man has been before' is all I can say! (lol)

Oh, and poor old Captain Sensible will be 'turning in his shoes' after one look at the cover because it features a CRINGE WORTHY pic of Shatner in a Santa hat. Sadly, for the good Captain at a quick glance it looks a bit like him! (LOL)

'A Truly Magical Radio Show!'

Well, well, well I am so excited that I'm like a kid the night before Christmas Eve writing this!

In case you didn't know already I am to be a 'special guest' on Jeff Belton's 'Christmas Jamboree Bag' Breakfast Show on CHR (Conquest Hospital Radio) Christmas Eve and I have just had a personal message from someone VERY SPECIAL to tell me that he is also going to make a personal appearance on the show!

Now, before you go thinking of this person being 'a certain gent who wears a red suit' there is NO WAY that he will be able to make it! Oh no, he will be 'up to his sleigh bells' in preparation work by then! I tell you what though, 'our Jeffrey' is going to be in for a BIG SURPRISE when this person turns up, 'POOF! as if by magic" from out of nowhere! I can't wait to see the look on his face! (lol)

See, what I haven't told, Jeff yet is that I am RELATED to the Christmas Family! How else do you think I get the inspiration for all of the festive Christmas songs I write, eh? Oh yes, I'm in the PERFECT position to 'call in a few favours' when it comes to my festive activities!

Jeff and I will be 'on the air' from 9am until midday on Christmas Eve and he and I have put together a FABULOUSLY Christmassy and fun playlist that will really put you in a good mood for the whole of Christmas. In amongst the chat, fun & frolics there will be plenty of Christmas music - hits old and new - plus a few awesome festive songs you may not have heard. All era's and styles will be covered as well because Christmas is for EVERYONE, right?

Oh, and I should also tell you that it is FREE to listen in as well via the Conquest Hospital Radio website so, go on, tell all your friends and mark it on your calendar now so you don't forget!

Start your Christmas off the right way this year with the Jeff Belton Christmas Jamboree Bag Show!

'Great Fun In Grassington'

I had a lovely time up in Yorkshire at the Grassington Dickensian Festival! Its rather a LONG way to go from Hastings for a two day break but well worth it in my opinion.

Grassington is a traditional Yorkshire village full of those quaint, olde-worlde stone buildings and its situated high up in the hills so the air is always fresh and clean. I was lucky this time to see real snow on the rooftops of the buildings while I was there and the scenery all around Grassington was also similarly festive looking with its dusting of the powdery stuff!

Even luckier was the fact that none of the pavements were slippery or dangerous as the amount of snow in the area had not been enough to lay on the paths and roads just 'decorate' the tops of things. This was just as well as there are lots of cobbled stone walkways and paths in Grassington and there are a few steep-ish climbs on your way around the village, which could be quite a hazard in bad weather.

Grassington is not very big and you can walk around the market in the town square and look at most of the stalls in around an hour if that is all you want to go there for. The Dickensian Festival works though because of the spirit in which the locals 'get into' both the Christmas spirit and the swing of dressing up in Dickensian clothes!

I met the Town Crier while I was there and he was delighted when I congratulated him and the people of the village for making Grassington the 'Murray Walker of Christmas Attractions'. When people are enjoying themselves and are happy to do all they can to create a lovely, old-fashioned Christmassy environment the enthusiasm they give off is infectious and so most of the fun in going to the festival is in the 'hanging around' to soak up as much of the atmosphere, hear as many of the carol singers, brass bands and other musical performers as you can and watch the many different Morris Dancing groups that 'do their turn' throughout the day.

I took over 100 photos (some of which you can see here) and have a good deal of fun footage to edit and upload to my Youtube channel (Maybrick44) as soon as I can. If you take a look at those films you will see what I mean (I hope!) and get a flavour of what it feels like to be in Grassington on a cold December day.

I was especially lucky to get the footage I did when I did as the longer the day went on the more packed the place became! While it was nice to see people enjoying themselves it does make 'taking your time to savour' something more difficult when you are constantly likely to be in somebodies way. My advise to you therefore if you want to experience the festival in a more laid back and leisurely way is to arrive as early as you can...

During my time in the village I ate a LOVELY warm bowl of Apple crumble and custard (£3) to keep the chill of the season at bay AND went over to the local school where they were selling a variety of fresh cakes, teas and coffee's (another £3). Some of the school children were dressed up as 'urchins' and one of them was ringing a bell and calling people over for 'teas, cakes and coffeees!'. I spoke to some of the mums who were taking part and joked about the use of child labour and had a few nice words with an elderly couple while I sat and munched my chocolate cream slice and drank my tea!

There was also a Tombola but I forgo that as I didn't want to have to carry anything. Back in the village there were regular calls of 'Chesnuts! Hot Chestnuts!' from the street sellers and I managed to listen to a REALLY good Choir singing 'Joy To The World' as well as hear one of the brass bands play a festive take on Jona Lewie's, 'Stop The Cavalry'.

There was also a HILARIOUS double-act of 'Scrooge' sitting in a wheel around cart with a blanket over him and his 'Mad Hatter' like 'friend', who was wheeling him. 'Scrooge' was in a good mood and taking much pleasure from abusing people, wishing them ' a horrible Christmas' and 'singing' Christmas carols as badly and off-key as he could to annoy people!

As the light started to go so the many twinkling lights around the village began to come into their own and just before it was time for me to go it actually started snowing! What a perfect setting for a festive break, eh?

P.S.) I also handed out a few free copies of my, 'A Nod To Mr. Dickens' Christmas album while I was on holiday. My old mate, Alan Gaywood was on my mind as it was his CD collection that paid for the trip and I felt he would appreciate me showing a bit of kindness to some of the BRILLIANT and Christmassy individuals whom I felt were going the extra mile to make Christmas brilliant for others. Hopefully, Charles Dickens would approve of that sentiment as well! I even wanted to give a copy to Scrooge and his 'friend' but they disappeared and I couldn't find them again!

 I  did give a copy to the lovely ladies on the 'crumble & custard' stall (they were also selling other things including mulled wine) who were kind enough to pose for a photo and  also to one of the mums at the school. She had a small boy there and I told her that he would most probably like, 'If Santa Was A D.J.'!

It will be interesting to see if I hear anything from any of the people I spoke to and gave a copy of the album...

I'll write more of my 'adventures' in Yorkshire soon...

'Emerald City' - The Seekers Lost Christmas Song

I am in the process of trying to update my (fairly) comprehensive list of all U.K. Christmas hit singles and as such have been trawling the Internet for information. Ironically, I discovered 'Emerald City' by The Seekers (no 50 - 1967) by going through my own collection of CD's as part of my drive to whittle down what I have to make room for some of the CD's I was left by my mate, Alan.

Listening to bits of the CD's you are thinking of getting rid of is usually fatal as, when you actually hear most of them again, you find that you don't want to get rid of them at all! On this occasion, however, the compilation of The Seekers I was playing was water damaged and so I had already decided to get rid of it and was just making sure there weren't any individual songs I wanted to keep on the computer.

As soon as I heard, 'Emerald City' I thought it sounded like a Christmas single and so I checked it out on the internet. According to Official charts.com the song got to no 50 for 1 week in Dec 1967 as so also qualifies for inclusion in the unfortunate list of songs to reach the lowest available chart position for just the single week. Thankfully, The Seekers had plenty of other bigger hits so they do not join acts like Angel Witch, who's 'Sweet Danger' single was their only hit and reached no 75 for one week (there was only 50 official chart placings available in 1967).

According to Wikkipedia, 'Emerald City' was written by Kim Fowley (a real 60's 'character!) and another of the band members, Keith Potger under the nom-de-plume of 'John Martin' and is a song based upon a fictional visit to the Emerald City in L.Frank Baum's book, 'The Wonderful Wizard of Oz'. Quite why Fowley and Potger thought that a song about the Wizard of Oz would sell at Christmas time I'm not sure?

Still, I have to say that the song does evoke the 'magic feel' of Christmas time and does feature some VERY cute kids voices in the background so I'm a bit surprised that it did not do better than it did. Mind you, 1967 does not seem to have been a very 'festive' year for some reason? Until discovering, 'Emerald City' I had not found one single Christmas chart hit for that year in the U.K...

Take a watch of the video here and see what you think? Since discovering the song I have been playing it quite a bit! In fact, finding something that I missed before is what has inspired me to do some more research into U.K. Christmas hits and I hope to post an updated list here soon...

Merry Christmas pop pickers!

'R Kelly Hits The Spot!'

I have been looking for some new Christmas music to introduce you to this year but haven't found much... Imagine my surprise then when I stumbled across the new '12 Days of Christmas' set by R.Kelly and was pleasantly surprised at how sensitive and festive the songs on it are! Now, to be fair, Mr.Kelly has written some corkers in the past - especially 'You are Not Alone', which I played to death when Michael Jackson died and even tried to sing at karaoke as a tribute to Michael.. 'I Believe I Can Fly' being another great song of his. Sadly, all too often, much of the man's material revolves around sex and is pretty throw away so, while I respect R.Kelly as a songwriter of enormous potential talent I rarely listen to him as a whole album of his usual stuff would bore me rigid (if you'll excuse the terminology!)...

The songs on '12 Days Of Christmas', however do seem to show that the man has a good heart though! 'I really like 'Snowman' (above) and having flicked through the rest of the album on Amazon via the mp3's think I will probably buy the album. R.Kelly's voice has always been o.k. for me - its just what he has been singing I've not liked. He's no Luther Vandross or Donny Hathaway but he does have a nice, soulful and mellow voice when its matched up to good material.

Another act who have a good Christmas single out this year is ABC. I really liked them in the 80's   (The Lexicon Of Love is a great album) but went off them after 'When Smokey Sings' came out as they went all dance-floor and the songs were less interesting. 'A Christmas We Deserve' is not available at the moment on Youtube so I can't steer you in the direction of the video but check it out via the mp3 somewhere on the net...

Finally, I see that Spandau Ballet's, Tony Hadley has released a Christmas album. The reviews are not that great though and I could not find any mp3 previews of it to have a listen to so I will wait until I get a chance to hear some of it before I get too excited! Maybe one day I will finally get my Christmas set 'in the wracks' alongside them all and give them some festive competition!

'You Can't Take Christmas Away From Me'

Well folks, here it is! My Christmas video single for 2017.

It's an unusual kind of Christmas song in the respect that it is a sad one but the words in the chorus are positive and the tone of the whole thing is defiant - especially highlighted by the military drumming...

The song is dedicated to the two GREAT friends I have lost this year, Noreen Leach and Alan Gaywood and was inspired by Alan's total failure to know when he was beaten in life. Al suffered with epilepsy all of his life and was not expected to reach adulthood but in spite of everything he reached 50 and was self employed for most of his life. He was never a rich man nor was he lucky in love (because of his epilepsy) but he was ALWAYS a fighter and a very, very good friend to me. I miss him terribly and always will but no way will I let that stop me from remembering him!

This song is therefore a song about loss and how precious life truly is. There are no guarantees and things can change in a moment but what you have to do is appreciate what you have while you still have it and refuse to let sadness destroy you. In a way this song is like a 'Punk Anthem' to the universe in the respect that it is my way of sticking two fingers up to life and saying 'Screw you, I'm NOT going to let you spoil my Christmas'..

Alan and Noreen ( and all the others I have lost over the years) would want me to be happy this Christmas and I am going to be - for them if nothing else!!

The music here was composed by the VERY brilliant Mr. Harvey Summers (check out his GREAT new album 'Human' with Laura Cole) who continues to be an inspirational influence on me as well as another valued friend. Thanks mate for caring enough to make this one special.

Love to you all, be safe and HAPPY and have a MERRY CHRISTMAS xx

P.S.) I would also like to dedicate this song to my friend DALE SMITH in Michigan, U.S.A. who lost his mum this year. I'm thinking of you buddy - god bless...

'Jingle Bells!'

It has been a VERY odd year for me has 2015. I've seen a lot of changes, lost a few people from my life and have essentially 'ploughed my own furrow' as far as the world is concerned. The planet today is nothing like the world I used to know and while things were far from perfect before those who say we have 'come a long way' should ponder on just why it is then that the world is a FAR more violent, dangerous and unstable place now than it was in the 1970's ands 80's - with all its 'Cold Wars' and alleged 'ism's'...

It is precisely why I have felt 2015 to be a strange and 'raw' year that I decided to record something a bit out of the ordinary as my Christmas Youtube Video Single for this year. What about a PUNK version of 'Jingle Bells', I thought? I know! I could include a Dick Emery Vicar who gets his choirboys to shout 'OI! OI! OI! in the choruses and get the guitarist to suddenly burst into a drunken version of 'Rule Britannia' half way through...YES! What a good idea!!!

Well, in spite of having to talk my friend and LONG suffering Producer, Harvey Summers down from the top of high buildings TWICE that is EXACTLY what he and I recorded having enlisted the vocal help of another friend of mine (and unsung Punk Rock pioneer) Sue Butchers. Sue was in the band, 'Siren' in Sheffield back in the late 70's and they were one of the earliest all-girl punk groups. she then went on to front the popular gigging band, 'Debar' before appearing in Tenpole Tudor's video for 'The Hayrick Song' and getting arrested for wearing a Maggie Thatcher mask while filming a video for 'the Angelic Upstarts' in Brighton!

Now, Punk Rock is not very 'Christmassy' but I think a good old raucous knees up is just what the doctor ordered to see out a year which has LONG needed a good kick in the pants out the door!

So, without further ado, sit back and enjoy this festive fun-fest and let's all hope that 2016 is a hell of a lot kinder, nicer and more fun for all!!

P.S)

I would like to dedicate this video to the memory of DICK EMERY, whose fabulous Vicar character was the inspiration behind this idea...

'It's Too Early To Talk About Christmas They Say!'

Since my last post I have been getting quite a bit of flack for even thinking of the festive season in October HA HA.

While I have every sympathy with those who chastise me for 'talking about Christmas when we haven't even had Guy Fawkes Night yet', it is a fact of life that for a lot of people (including me) on low incomes it is imperative to start thinking of Christmas shopping as early as October. I know quite a few of you start shopping for next years gifts even as early as the January sales but I do try to get my 'Christmas gift list mojo working' around this time in order to give me as much time to a) find the money for the items I need and b) to ensure I don't get into a mad panic at the last minute. December is always a special time of the year with all the decorations and Christmas lights and so I love to be free of stress and be able to simply 'think good thoughts' during that month and enjoy the Christmas fairs, activities and the general build up.

I HAVE made a small start to my christmas gift list this year but its slow progress at the moment. With this in mind I've been browsing on Amazon.co.uk and have found a few new Christmas albums out shortly to tell you about!

Now, what guy wouldn't like to wake up to Kylie Minogue in his (or hers!) Christmas stocking(s)! Well, Kylie has a new Christmas album due out on November the 13th simply called 'Kylie Christmas'.  The album looks like being the usual combination of old festive favourites and originals and will be available in both a normal CD and a CD 'Deluxe' version featuring a DVD.

The album includes a duet with Frank Sinatra apparently! This quite a feat seeing as 'old blue eyes' has been dead now for a while but you know how it is these days - modern technology can have you singing along with anyone in a jiffy (not fair to the deceased artists in my opinion though). I've never been a huge Kylie fan but it will be interesting to see what the album is like as Christmas music is about more than the artist who is singing and if a record makes me feel festive i'll buy it!

Now, one lady who always makes me feel festive is the lovely, Kim Wilde. I used to have a HUGE crush on her when I was at school and so I'm glad to see that on November the 6th a 'Deluxe' version of her excellent 'Wilde Winter Songbook' album will be released. As with the Kylie set, the 'Deluxe' version comes with a second disc DVD and considering the first disc also includes a few 'extra tracks' Kim is going to be on my own shopping list again this year.

The extra tracks on the album appear to include a cover of 'Last Christmas' by Wham, a cover of 'Keeping The Dream Alive' by Freiheit, two new Christmas songs and a couple of remixes. Hmm, not sure the remix route is such a good idea Kim but I'd gladly discuss the subject with you under the mistletoe if you like! HA HA

There are also new Christmas sets out soon from Peter Andre (Oct 30th), The Overtones (27th November) and yet another compilation called 'Ultimate Christmas' (Oct 30th) which is a 4 CD budget release featuring a wildly eclectic selection of artists!

Finally, if you want to take a real trip back to the 1970's The Osmonds have a 'new' Christmas album out as well on the 13th of November. The blurb on Amazon suggests it is a new recording but the sleeve makes me wonder if its not a re-release? Anyway, if The Osmond boys are you're thing (or were) then its well worth checking out...

Oh well, back to thinking of October, Guy Fawkes night and all that is to come before we get into Chimneys, Reindeer and my annual dose of 'Arthur Christmas' (they STILL haven't released the game!)

Toodle pip!

'The Top Selling U.K. Christmas Hits Of All Time'

I spent a happy afternoon the other day in front of the telly watching a 2010 (I think?) programme about the top selling U.K. Christmas hits of all time. I did not agree with the inclusion of one or two of the songs myself (on the grounds that they are not Christmas songs just songs which happened to be a hit in December) but hearing the story behind each hit and listening to snippets of the 65 songs featured was a very Christmassy experience and was three hours well spent.

I could not bear to delete the programme from my Sky box without making a note of the list and for posterity (and anyone interested in Christmas hits or U.K. chart history) am now going to reproduce it here for you to gaze and wonder at. Personally, I would disqualify St Winnifred's School Choir (what a meanie! HA HA) and there would also have to be a long, drawn out 'Steward's Enquiry' into the inclusion of the Frankie Goes To Hollywood number but, hey ho, that's just my view...

Look out for a few Christmas video's to watch along the way as well - like this one from 'Dana'...

U.K. Top Selling Christmas Hits Of All Time (Up Until 2010)

65 - Santa Claus Is On The Dole - Spitting Image (1986) 43,000
64 - The Christmas Song - Nat King Cole (1946) 46,000
63 - So Near To Christmas - Alvin Stardust (1984) 47,000
62 - Have A Cheeky Christmas - The Cheeky Girls (2003) 47,000
61 - The Best Christmas Of Them All - Shakin' Stevens (1990) 50,000
60 - A Christmas Kiss - Daniel O' Donnell (1999) 52,000
59 - Santa Baby - Earth Kitt (1953) 55,000
58 - Merry Christmas Darling - The Carpenters (1990) 59,000 (A Re-Issue)
57 - Naughty Christmas (Goblin In The Office) - Fat Les 60,000
56 - Baby, It's Cold Outside - Tom Jones & Cerys (1999) 65,000
55 - Thank God It's Christmas - Queen (1984) 75,000
54 - Christmas Lights - Coldplay (2010) 85,000
53 - Cruise Into Christmas - Jane McDonald (1998) 100,000
52 - Once Upon A Christmas Song - Geraldine (2008) 105,000 (Peter Kay in drag)
51 - Step Into Christmas - Elton John (1973) 110,000
50 - I Believe In Christmas - Tweenies (2001) 112,000

49 - Driving Home For Christmas - Chris Rea (1988) 115,000
48 - 2000 Miles - The Pretenders (1983) 117,000
47 - Your Christmas Wish - The Smurfs (1996) 120,000
46 - A Winters Tale - David Essex (1982) 125,000
45 - Please Come Home For Christmas - Bon Jovi (1995) 148,000
44 - Little Donkey - Nina & Frederick (1960) 150,000
43 - Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town - Bruce Springsteen (1985) 151,000
42 - Hey Mr Christmas - Showaddywaddy (1974) 152,000
41 - Gaudette - Steeleye Span (1973) 160,000
40 - I'm Walking Backwards For Christmas - The Goons (1956) 160,000
39 - Bionic Santa - Chris Hills (1976) 170,000
38 - Little Town - Cliff Richard (1982) 180,000
37 - Another Rock N' Roll Christmas - Gary Glitter (1984) 180,000
36 - Walking In The Air - Aled Jones (1985) 181,000
35 - Santo Natale - David Whitfield (1954) 190,000

34 - In Dulci Jubilo - Mike Oldfield (1975) 200,000
33 - Pretty Paper - Roy Orbison (1964) 200,000
32 - Mr Hankey The Christmas Poo - Mr Hankey (1999) 201,000
31 - Proper Crimbo - Bo' Selecta (2003) 202,000
30 - Father Christmas Do Not Touch Me - The Goodies (1974) 205,000
29 - Silent Night - Bros (1988) 210,000
28 - Peace On Earth/Little Drummer Boy - David Bowie & Bing Crosby (1982) 212,000
27 - It's Gonna Be A Cold, Cold Christmas - Dana (1975) 230,000
26 - Wonderful Christmastime - Paul McCartney (1983) 260,000
25 - Saviour's Day - Cliff Richard (1990) 300,000
24 - Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree - Mel & Kim (1987) 310,000
23 - Pipes Of Peace - Paul McCartney (1983) 370,000
22 - Blue Christmas - Shakin' Stevens (1982) 400,000
21 - Christmas Time (Don't Let The Bells End) - The Darkness (2003) 410,000
20 - Stop The Cavalry - Jona Lewie (1980) 420,000

19 - Wombling Merry Christmas - The Wombles (1974) 460,000
18 - I Believe In Father Christmas - Greg Lake (1975) 470,000
17 - There's No One Quite Like Grandma - St Winnifred's School Choir (1980) 550,000
16 - I Wish it Could Be Christmas Everyday - Wizzard (1973) 590,000
15 - The Power Of Love - Frankie Goes To Hollywood (1984) 660,000
14 - Merry Christmas Everyone - Shakin' Stevens (1985) 700,000
13 - All I Want For Christmas Is You - Mariah Carey (1994) 750,000
12 - Stay Another Day - East 17 (1994) 770,000
11 - Lonely This Christmas - Mud (1974) 810,000
10 - A Fairytale Of New York - The Pogues feat Kirsty Maccoll (1987) 815,000

9 - Happy Xmas (War Is Over) John & Yoko (1972) 860,000
8 - Mistletoe & Wine - Cliff Richard (1988) 865,000
7 - When A Child Is Born - Johnny Mathis (1976) 890,000
6 - The Millennium Prayer - Cliff Richard (1999) 910,000
5 - White Christmas - Bing Crosby (1942) 990,000
4 - Merry Christmas Everybody - Slade (1973) 1,150,000
3 - Last Christmas - Wham (1984) 1,610,000
2 - Mary's Boy Child - Boney M (1978) 1,840,000
1 - Band Aid - Do They Know It's Christmas (1984) 3,650,000

Well, that's the list done folks! Let the debate, discussions and arguments begin on whether this record or that record should or shouldn't be in there! HA HA Personally, I think a few of these are 'dodgy' qualifiers as Christmas songs but this list was compiled by The Official Charts Company so it is the 'official word' on the subject so to speak. After typing all this guff, I'm too tired right now to discuss the implications of what such a chart means as far as the music business and pop music goes suffice to say that most of the chart is comprised of records from the 1970's and 80's. 1974, it seems, being perhaps the pinnacle of the success of 'the Christmas single'...

Merry Christmas!

'More Christmas Fun & My Christmas Video Single For 2014'

I had a HUGE amount of fun posting 'spread Christmas spirit - THANK YOU' letters through postboxes under cover of darkness last night! I really got the feel for what it must be like to be Santa himself (or a Burglar! HA HA) creeping about outside people's housing and trying to quietly deliver a card through their letterbox without being seen or waking anyone up!

 A lot of letterboxes these days are a NIGHTMARE to use as they are REALLY stiff and tight and you almost have to force your hand through with the letter to stop it getting bent and buckled. I had visions of getting my hand stuck and the whole scenario ending up like a bad 'Some Mothers Do Ave' 'Em' script but thankfully that didn't happen. A lot of people also have darned 'security lights' and creep as silently as you might you get caught like a rabbit in the headlights when, in sight of the door, you hear a 'ping' and its broad daylight! Cor, I wouldn't want to be a modern day Burglar I can tell you! you feel guilty enough when you have GOOD and HONOURABLE intentions for your creeping about - how it must feel when you are 'up to no good' I can't imagine!

Anyway, I have now 'delivered' about 32 of my Christmas campaign cards and its going to be fun to see if I any replies. One house I visited last night particularly made me smile. They had a 'Santa stop here' sign in their garden and as the living room curtains were open  I could see a little girl toddler walking about in the middle of the room. It felt really nice to think that my card with 'From Santa xx' on the front may help to make that families Christmas stories about the man at the North Pole seem real to that child and I left all 'gooey' inside dreaming of the days when I used to get SOOO excited about Father Christmas and presents.

I took a few pictures of some of the loveliest Christmas lights and decorations I saw last night, a few of which you can see here...

Next, I would like you to take a look at my Christmas video single for Youtube this year, 'December '73'. The footage in the video was shot in the village of Westfield. I said I would try and get to Westfield to bring you some pics and footage of the village and the villagers annual lighting up for charity event and I think you will love what you see here. Whether you will love my song as much (yes, I know the vocals aren't amazing!)  I don't know but the final mix and master of the song isn't ready yet so what you hear in the video is the best demo I have of the song. I think my amateur video works quite well so I hope you like it. I chose to call the song, 'December 73' because it was 1973 that Slade were No1 with the ultimate festive classic, 'Merry Christmas Everybody'.

Ho! Ho! Ho! For now - here are one or two more festive pics from my letter delivering last night to warm the cockles of your Christmas heart xxx

'More On My Christmas Campaign'

Ironically, since I recently started my Christmas card campaign,  I received a lovely E-Card today from my good friends, Ro & Sally Gardner that served to remind me that HOWEVER we all choose to spread the spirit of Christmas is good. E-cards may not be as permanent as a real card but there is no doubting that they can be just as much (if not more) fun to receive. I thrive every December on dreams of a traditional, wintery English Christmas and so cartoons of lights, decorations, trees, presents and wide-eyed kids are bliss to me. I love to listen to a lot of the old classic crooners in my quiet moments and almost always think of my beloved Marilyn Monroe whenever I do. The music of the 30's, 40's and 50's was SOOO romantic. Men looked like Men and Women looked like Women in those days and life seemed so much more simple than today. Sadly, as my friend Sally would be the first to point out to me, things were not quite as harmonious between the sexes as I imagine and there is no doubting that Men certainly held the upper hand back then. I do still mourn the loss of the softer, more feminine side of the female personality in every day life though. Being tough, ruthless and strictly professional (and impersonal) seems to be all the rage now and women seem to think it is fine to show 'attitude', curse and swear with the best of the Men. I think that's sad because to me its a bit like mirroring all of the worst things about Men - the very same things which propagated and maintained sexual equality in the first place... Then again, maybe that's why I am single and always have been? I have a tendency to put women up on a pedestal and expect them to be nothing but angelic, sweet and kind and so I often find it hard to take when a woman acts in rather an 'unladylike' way. Men can be childish, selfish, ruthless, driven and crass - I guess I have always hoped Women were better than that...

Oh dear, I am getting myself into all kinds of trouble with this post! Don't know what started me off really? Still, for all of my sins (and there are many!) no one can ever say that I do not wear my heart on my sleeve. Talking of which, take a look at this little video. It spells out what I hope to achieve with my Christmas card campaign (12 more written and ready to be posted!) and you get to see a brief view of my Christmas Elf jumper as well. I have not had any response as yet to the first 12 cards I posted but the post is VERY slow at this time of year so I may yet be pleasantly surprised...

'Wilde Winter Songbook' (Again!)

I know its now a year old and I know that I reviewed it here then but Kim Wilde's 'Wilde Winter Songbook' album has proved to be an album with true staying power. As the weeks gradually turn towards Christmas, I am starting to get the urge to listen to plenty of old favourites again but am resisting that urge at the moment preferring instead to continue to explore the more modern - less heard festive delights in my vast record collection.

I have always thought of Kim Wilde as a lovely looking lady and once got into trouble with a girl at my school who wanted my attention by staring lovingly at a picture of Kim while daydreaming in the common room! Aside from her considerable sex appeal though, Kim is also a very good song writer and her talent in this area shines brightly on 'Wilde Winter Songbook'. Not only is the album a successful blend of traditional cover versions and originals it hangs together very well as an album listen and songs like 'Hope' advertise Kim's ability to sing in such a way as to make you believe she means every word. I love that as it makes me feel closer to Kim as a person - even if some may see it as rather 'karaoke'.

'Song For Beryl' meanwhile is a song that almost brings me to tears. Its a song of remembrance and loss and serves as the perfect reminder that not everyone has a family or friends to spend Christmas with... On the happier side of things playful songs like Kim's 'Hey Mister Snowman' bring the joyous, magical side of Christmas to the forefront of your mind. All in all, aside from the opening and closing duets (with Rick Astley and at the end Nick Kershaw) which I find are less successful, 'Wilde Winter Songbook' is a fantastic album and if you decided to pass it over last year you should put it on your shopping list this...

It would be lovely to meet Kim one day. Don't know what the hell I would say to her mind you but I get the feeling the subject of Christmas would be a good place to start a conversation...Oh, and I do consider her song, 'Someday' (from the LP 'Love Moves'), to be a song which would certainly take pride of place on any soundtrack album of my life so that might just get a mention too!

Love ya' Kim xxx

'My Christmas Album - But What To Call It?'

if you read this blog regularly you will know that I am a bit of an amateur recording artist. I love being creative in as many forms as possible and have always loved putting words together whether it be for written articles, blogs, letters or as song lyrics.

When I was asked at school what I wanted to be when I got older I said "A Journalist". When my careers advisor virtually laughed in my face and asked if I had any other thoughts I said "Pop Star". As you can well imagine I was not given much encouragement to pursue that line of work either! Adults should listen to kids more, however, as had I been given more help and been encouraged to follow my dreams I reckon I could have had the life I desired. As it is, I have spent most of my life doing what other people thought I aught to be doing and now, late 40's, am 'washed up and out of the race' as far as any meaningful paid work is concerned...

The world does not make it easy for people with 'flair, however, and never has. If you cannot PROVE that you can do something by getting the relevant 'bits of paper that say you can' nobody will give you a chance and that is EXTREMELY frustrating when you feel that you have a natural talent for something and just need help and assistance while doing the job to sharpen the edges of your skill base.
The fact us, pieces of paper can NEVER make a great lyricist nor a great vocalist nor can they make a poor writer into a brilliant Journalist. Natural talent for something cannot be taught or learn't - you either have it or you don't - just take Scott Mills and Judy Murray's 'Strictly' performances, for example. Try as hard as they both might, neither of them have the tools required to do the job and as such are capable only of reaching a 'moderate standard' as dancers.

Anyway, I'm beginning to sound like an arrogant twit so I will stop digging and get back to talking about my new Christmas album...

I am really excited about the album but cannot think of a good title for it? My GENIUS Producer, Harvey Summers (check out his 'Jupiter' album) is currently mixing and mastering it and so my task is to come up with the title, write the sleeve notes and think about photos for the artwork. Harvey knows what a Christmas nutter I am! He has nicknamed me 'Mr.Christmas' because of how I get carried away on the wave of the Crimbo spirit. I LOVE that tag so am wondering whether 'Tony May - Mr. Christmas' would be a good name for the album or not? If any of you have a view on that please let me know!

As far as the artwork is concerned, I would love to have the money to pay a professional photographer to get some great pics of me dressed as 'Santa' in various Christmas related locations for it but that isn't going to happen unless I win the lottery. Since I have not even had a £10 (or £25 as it is now) for well over a year that doesn't sound likely. I have got a selection of festive photos I've taken of me 'over the years' but the quality of them isn't that great. I want to include a 16 page booklet with the CD (if I can afford to get to that stage with the project) and the idea with that is to include some of my festive stories along with the usual track list, notes and thank you's. Its all rather ambitious but I'm determined to do the whole thing properly if I'm going to do it at all.

Christmas, like life, is all about 'hopes and dreams'. When else is there a better time to sit quietly and dream about the things you really want to make happen for yourself and for others? I guess I've shown my true colours there by saying 'myself' in front of 'others' there , haven't I? Still, if you were 49, unmarried, without a job, a place of your own or a girlfriend/boyfriend I think you might also end up a little 'selfishly' wanting something good to happen for yourself, don't you?

Anyway, as long as I can dream I may as well dream for the best outcome rather than the worst. If I never manage to ever get any of my albums properly released at least I will have the satisfaction of knowing that I DID make them and make at least some use of the talent I have been given.

Lots of love to you and yours - good luck with your dreams xxx

P.S) The three videos you see here are of tracks to be featured on my Christmas album. I wrote the last two, 'The Toy Museum' and 'A Snow Story' and the first is my version of the classic David Essex hit 'A Winter's Tale'. I hope you like them.

'Christmas U.K. Hit Singles'

This post is one for all you 'music anoraks' out there!

I have been doing a lot of research into Christmas
U.K. hit singles of late and the following is as definitive a list of festive U.K. chart records as you will find anywhere on the Internet! Starting from when the first official U.K. pop charts began (in 1952) I have worked my little cotton socks off to try and compile a list of ALL U.K. Christmas hits so far. Obviously, I am bound to have missed a few along the way so please get in touch if you spot a glaring omission...

I will say though that a few records listed in lists on the Internet elsewhere have been discounted because in my opinion they should not count as Christmas hits. 'New Year' (2000) by The Sugababes (which only entered the chart AFTER Christmas) and 'I Have Forgiven Jesus' (2004) by Morrissey (though why in the hell anyone ever thought of that as a Christmas single I don't know!) and 'I Have A Dream' by Abba (1979) do NOT appear in my list because in my opinion they are either NOT Christmas singles or are highly debatable as such. Begrudgingly, I HAVE included 'The Power Of Love' by Frankie Goes To Hollywood'...

Well, if you are into all this anorak stuff or will simply get a kick out of remembering some of these old chestnuts, enjoy reading down this list. It would be great for me to be able to add one or two of my own Christmas compositions to it one day!

 U.K. Christmas Hit Singles By Year

1952

Silent Night – Bing Crosby No 8

White Christmas – Mantovani No 6

1953

I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus – Jimmy Boyd No 3

I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus – Beverley Sisters No 6

1954

Santo Natale (Merry Christmas – David Whitfield No 2

1955

Christmas Alphabet – Dickie Valentine No 1

Never Do A Tango With An Eskimo – Alma Cogan No 6

1956

Christmas And You – Dave King No 23

Christmas Island – Dickie Valentine No 8

I’m Walking Backwards For Christmas/Bluebottle Blues – The Goons No 4

1957

Footprints In The Snow – Johnny Duncan & The Blue Grass Boys No 27

Mary’s Boy Child – Harry Belafonte No 1

Santa Bring My Baby Back To Me – Elvis Presley No 7

Snowbound For Christmas – Dickie Valentine No 28

White Christmas – Pat Boone No 29

1958

Mary’s Boy Child – Harry Belafonte (Re-Entry) No 10

Son Of Mary – Harry Belafonte No 18

Winter Wonderland – Johnny Mathis No 17

1959

Jingle Bell Rock – Max Bygraves No 7

Little Donkey – Beverley Sisters No 14

Little Drummer Boy – Beverley Sisters No 6

Little Drummer Boy – Harry Simeone Chorale No 13

Mary’s Boy Child – Nina & Frederik No 26

Mary’s Boy Child – Harry Belafonte (Re- Entry) No 30

Snow Coach – Russ Conway No 7

1960

Little Donkey – Nina & Frederik No 3

Lonely Pup (In A Christmas Shop) – Adam Faith with the Children No 4

Must Be Santa – Tommy Steele No 40

Onward Christian Soldiers – Harry Simeone Chorale No 35

1961

Baby’s First Christmas – Connie Francis No 30

Bambino – The Springfields No 16

It Must Be Santa – Joan Regan No 42 IN JAN

Onward Christian Soldiers – Harry Simeone Chorale (Re-Entry) No36

1962

I’m Gonna Be Warm This Winter – Connie Francis No 48

Onward Christian Soldiers – Harry Simeone Chorale (Re-Re Entry) No 38

Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree – Brenda Lee No 6

1963

All I Want For Christmas Is A Beetle – Dora Bryan No 20

Run Run Rudolph – Chuck Berry No 36

1964

Blue Christmas – Elvis Presley With The Jordanaires No 11

Christmas Will Be Just Another Lonely Day – Brenda Lee No 25

I Understand – Freddie & The Dreamers No 5

Pretty Paper – Roy Orbison No 6

1965

Merry Gentle Pops – The Barron Knights No 9

1966

If Every Day Was Like Christmas – Elvis Presley With The Jordanaires & Imperials Quintet No 9

My Mind’s Eye – Small Faces No 4

1970

Amazing Grace – Judy Collins No 5

1972

Happy Christmas (War Is Over) – John Lennon & The Plastic Ono Band With The Harlem Community Choir No 4

Merry Christmas Darling – The Carpenters No 45

Santa Claus Is Coming To Town – Jackson 5 No 43

1973

Gaudete – Steeleye Span No 14

I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday – Wizzard No 4

Merry Christmas Everybody – Slade No 1

Step Into Christmas – Elton John No 24

1974

Christmas Song – Gilbert O’Sullivan No 12

Hey Mr. Christmas – Showaddywaddy No 13

Lonely This Christmas – Mud No 1

The Inbetweenies/Father Christmas Do Not Touch Me – The Goodies No 7

Wombling Merry Christmas – The Wombles No 2

1975

Christmas In Dreadland/ Come Outside – Judge Dread No 14

Happy Christmas (War Is Over) – John Lennon & The Plastic Ono Band With The Harlem Community Choir  (Re-Issue) No 48

I Believe In Father Christmas – Greg Lake No 2

It’s Gonna Be A Cold Cold Christmas – Dana No 4

Make A Daft Noise For Christmas – The Goodies No 20

Renta Santa – Chris Hill No 10

Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town – The Carpenters No 37

White Christmas – Freddie Starr No 41

1976

Bionic Santa – Chris Hill No 10

Grandma’s Party – Paul Nicholas No 9

Ring Out Solstice Bells E.P. – Jethro Tull No 28

When A Child Is Born (Soleado) – Johnny Mathis No 1

1977

White Christmas – Bing Crosby No 5

1978

Christmas In Smurfland – Father Abraham & The Smurfs No 19

Hokey Cokey/ Jingle Bells – Judge Dread No 64

Lick A Smurp For Christmas (All Fall Down) – Father Abraphart & The Smurps No 58

Mary’s Boy Child – Oh My Lord – Boney M No 1

Please Come Home For Christmas – The Eagles No 30

1979

Christmas Rappin’ – Kurtis Blow No 30

It Won’t Seem Like Christmas (Without You) – Elvis Presley No 13

Wonderful Christmas Time – Paul McCartney No 6

 1980

December Will Be Magic Again – Kate Bush No 29

Happy Christmas (War Is Over) – John Lennon & The Plastic Ono Band With The Harlem Community Choir (Re-Issue) No 2

Merry Christmas Everybody – Slade & The Reading Choir No 70

Never Mind The Presents – The Barron Knights No 17

Santa Claus Is Back In Town – Elvis Presley No 41

Stop The Cavalry – Jona Lewie No 3

1981

Christmas On 45 – Holly & The Ivys No 40

Happy Christmas (War Is Over) – John Lennon & The Plastic Ono Band With The Harlem Community Choir (Re-Issue) No 28

Hokey Cokey – The Snowmen No 18

One Nine For Santa – Fogwell Flax & The Anklebiters From Frehold Junior School No 68

I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday – Wizzard (Re-Issue) No 41

Jingle Bells Laughing All The Way/Gesundheit – Hysterics No 44

Merry Christmas Everybody – Slade (Re-Issue) No 32

When A Child Is Born – Johnny Mathis & Gladys Knight No 74

1982

A Winters Tale – David Essex No 2

Christmas Rapping – Dizzy Heights No 49

Christmas Wrapping – The Waitresses No 45

Happy Christmas (War Is Over) – John Lennon & The Plastic Ono Band With The Harlem Community Choir (Re-Issue) No 56

I Believe In Father Christmas – Greg Lake (Re-Issue) No 72

Little Town – Cliff Richard No 11

Merry Christmas Everybody – Slade (Re-Issue) No 67

Peace On Earth/Little Drummer Boy – David Bowie & Bing Crosby No 3

Singalong-A-Santa – Santa Claus & The Christmas Trees No 19

The Shakin’ Stevens EP (Blue Christmas) No 2

Xmas Party – The Snowmen No 44

1983

2000 Miles – The Pretenders No 15

Christmas Countdown – Frank Kelly No 26

Christmas Spectre – Jingle Belles No 37

Cold As Christmas – Elton John No 33

I Believe In Father Christmas – Greg Lake (Re-Issue) No 65

Merry Christmas Everybody – Slade (Re-Issue) No 20

Pipes Of Peace – Paul McCartney No 1

Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree – The Jets No 62

Singalong- A-Santa Again – Santa Claus & The Christmas Trees No 39

1984

All Join Hands – Slade No15

Another Rock N’ Roll Christmas – Gary Glitter No 7

Christmas Countdown – Frank Kelly (Re-Entry) No 54

Do They Know Its Christmas? – Band Aid No 1

I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday – Wizzard (Re-Issue)

No 23

I’m A Little Christmas Cracker – Bouncing Czecks No 72

Last Christmas/Everything She Wants – Wham! No 2

Merry Christmas Everybody – Slade (Re-Issue) No 47

So Near To Christmas – Alvin Stardust No 29

Thank God Its Christmas – Queen No 21

The Power Of Love – Frankie Goes To Hollywood No 1

1985

Christmas Medley/Auld Lang Syne - Weekend No 47

Christmas Time – Bryan Adams No 55

Do They Know Its Christmas? – Band Aid (Re-Entry) No 3

Last Christmas – Wham! (Re-Issue) No 6

Lonely This Christmas – Mud (Re-Issue) No 61

Merry Christmas Everybody – Slade (Re-Re Issue) No 48

Merry Christmas Everyone – Shakin’ Stevens No 1

Santa Claus Is Comin’To Town/My Hometown – Bruce Springsteen no 9

Walking In The Air – Peter Auty & The Sinfonia Of London No 42

Walking In The Air – Aled Jones No 5

White Christmas – Bing Crosby (Re-Issue) No 69

1986

A Spaceman Came Travelling/The Ballroom Of Romance – Chris De Burgh No 40

A Winter Story – Aled Jones No 51

Last Christmas – Wham! (Re -Re-Issue) No 45

Merry Christmas Everybody – Slade (Re-Re-Issue) No 71

Merry Christmas Everyone – Shakin’ Stevens No 58

Santa Claus Is On The Dole/First Atheist Tabernacle Choir – Spitting Image No 22

The Meaning Of Christmas – Boris Gardiner No 69

1987

Christmas In Hollis – Run DMC No 56

Fairytale Of New York – The Pogues featuring Kirsty MaColl No 2

Joys Of Christmas – Chris Rea No 67

Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree – Mel Smith & Kim Wilde

No 3

Walking In The Air – Peter Auty & The Sinfonia Of London (Re-Issue) No 37

1988

Cat Amongst The Pigeons/Silent Night – Bros No 2

Driving Home For Christmas E.P. – Chris Rea No 53

Imagine/ Jealous Guy/Happy Christmas (War Is Over) – John Lennon & The Plastic Ono Band With The Harlem Community Choir – No 45

Megamix/Mary’s Boy Child (Remix) – Boney M No 52

Mistletoe & Wine – Cliff Richard No 1

The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire)/Thank You For A Good Year – Alexander O’ Neal No 30

1989

Coldcut’s Christrmas Break – Coldcut No 67

December – All About Eve No 34

Do They Know Its Christmas? – Band Aid 11 No 1

Let’s Party – Jive Bunny & The Mastermixers No 1

White Christmas – Max Bygraves No 71

1990

Merry Christmas Darling/(They Long To Be) Close To You – The Carpenters No 25

Saviour’s Day – Cliff Richard No 1

The Best Christmas Of Them All – Shakin’ Stevens No 19

This One’s For The Children – New Kids On The Block No 9

1991

Another Blooming Christmas – Mel Smith No 59

Fairytale Of New York – The Pogues featuring Kirsty MaColl (Re-Issue) No 36

I’ll Be Home This Christmas – Shakin’ Stevens No 34

Silent Night – Sinead O’Connor No 60

The Christmas Song – Nat ‘King’ Cole No 69

We Should Be Together – Cliff Richard No 10

1992

All Alone On Christmas – Darlene Love No 31

Miami Hit Mix/Christmas Through Your Eyes – Gloria Estefan No 8

Santa Claus Is Coming To Town – Bjorn Again No 55

 1993

I Was Born On Christmas Day – Saint Etienne No 37

The Perfect Year – Dina Carroll No 5

The Power Of Love – Frankie Goes To Hollywood (Re-Issue) No 10

Remembering Christmas – Exeter Bramdean Boy’s Choir No 46

Winter Wonderland/Frosty The Snowman – Cocteau Twins No 58

1994

All Alone On Christmas – Darlene Love (Re-Entry) No 72

All I Want For Christmas Is You – Mariah Carey No 2

Please Come Home For Christmas – Bon Jovi No 7

Stay Another Day – East 17 No 1

1995

A Winters Tale – Queen No 6

Christmas In Blobbyland – Mr Blobby No 36

Every Year, Every Christmas – Luther Vandross No 43

The Gift Of Christmas – Childliners No 9

1996

Rockin’ Good Christmas – Roy ‘Chubby’ Brown No 51

Your Christmas Wish – Smurfs No 8

1997

I Want An Alien For Christmas – Fountains Of Wayne No 36

1998

Cruise Into Christmas Medley – Jane McDonald No 10

Last Christmas – Alien Voices feat The Three Degrees No 54

Merry Christmas Everybody ’98 Remix – Slade No 30

Naughty Christmas (Goblin In The Office) – Fat Les No 21

White Christmas – Bing Crosby (Re-Re-Issue) No 29

1999

A Christmas Kiss – Daniel O’ Donnell No 20

Baby, Its Cold Outside – Tom Jones & Cerys Matthews No 17

Mr. Hankey Christmas Poo – Mr Hankey No 4

The Millennium Prayer – Cliff Richard No 1

2000

At This Time Of Year – Craig No 14

I Wish It Could Be A Wombling Merry Christmas Everyday – The Wombles With Roy Wood – No 22

The Power Of Love – Frankie Goes To Hollywood (Remix) No 6

2001

I Believe In Christmas – The Tweenies No 9

2003

Christmas Is All Around – Billy Mack No 26

Christmas Time (Don’t Let The Bells End) – The Darkness No 2

Have A Cheeky Christmas – The Cheeky Girls No 10

Happy Christmas (War Is Over) – John Lennon & The Plastic Ono Band With The Harlem Community Choir (Re-Release) No 33

I Love Christmas – Fast Food Rockers No 25

Proper Christmas – Bo Selecta No 4

Santa’s List – Cliff Richard No 5

2004

Do They Know Its Christmas? – Band Aid 20 No 1

Fifty Grand For Christmas – Paul Holt No 35

Give U One 4 Christmas – Hot Pantz No 64

2005

Christmas Time (Don’t Let The Bells End) – The Darkness (Re-Issue) No 58

Do They Know Its Christmas? – Band Aid 20 (Re-Entry) No 52

Fairytale Of New York – The Pogues featuring Kirsty MaColl (Re-Re-Issue) No 3

Under The Tree – Water Babies No 27

2006

21^st Century Christmas/Move It – Cliff Richard No 2

Christmas My A*se – Ricky Tomlinson No 25

December Brings Me Back To You – Andy Abraham & Michael Underwood No 18 (DL)

Fairytale Of New York – The Pogues featuring Kirsty MaColl (Re-Re-Issue Re-Entry) No 6

Merry Christmas Everybody – Slade No 21 (DL)

Snow (Hey Ho) – Red Hot Chilli Peppers No 16

2007

All I Want For Christmas Is You – Mariah Carey No 4 (DL)

Do They Know Its Christmas? – Band Aid No 24 (DL)

Don’t Shoot Me Santa – The Killers No 34

Driving Home For Christmas – Chris Rea No 33 (DL)

Fairytale Of New York – The Pogues featuring Kirsty MaColl (Re-Re-Issue Re-Entry) No 4

Hallelujah – Jeff Buckley No 65 (DL)

Happy Christmas (War Is Over) – John Lennon & The Plastic Ono Band With The Harlem Community Choir No 40 (DL)

I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday – Wizzard (Re-Issue)

No 16 (DL)

Its Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas – Perry Como (DL)

Its the Most Wonderful Time Of The Year – Andy Williams No 21 (DL)

Last Christmas – Wham! No 14 (DL)

Mary’s Boy Child – Oh My Lord – Boney M No 47 (DL)

Merry Christmas Everybody – Slade No 20 (DL)

Merry Christmas Everyone – Shakin’ Stevens No 22 (DL)

Mistletoe & Wine – Cliff Richard No 68 (DL)

Peace On Earth/Little Drummer Boy – David Bowie & Bing Crosby No 73 (DL)

Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town/My Hometown – Bruce Springsteen No 60 (DL)

Step Into Christmas – Elton John – No 53 (DL)

Stop The Cavalry – Jona Lewie No 48 (DL)

The Christmas Song – Nat ‘King’ Cole No 51 (DL)

Walking In The Air – Aled Jones No 72 (DL)

White Christmas – Bing Crosby (Re-Re-Issue-Re-Entry) No 42

Wonderful Christmas Time – Paul McCartney No 44 (DL)

2008

All I Want For Christmas Is You – Mariah Carey No 12 (DL)

Do They Know Its Christmas? – Band Aid No 54 (DL)

Driving Home For Christmas – Chris Rea No 53 (DL)

Fairytale Of New York – The Pogues featuring Kirsty MaColl (Re-Re-Issue Re-Entry) No 12

Hallelujah – Alexandra Burke No 1 (DL)

Hallelujah – Jeff Buckley No 2 (DL)

Happy Christmas (War Is Over) – John Lennon & The Plastic Ono Band With The Harlem Community Choir No 67 (DL)

I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday – Wizzard (Re-Issue)

No 31 (DL)

Its Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas – Perry Como No 47 (DL)

Its Christmas Time – Status Quo No 40 (DL)

Its the Most Wonderful Time Of The Year – Andy Williams No 63 (DL)

Is This Christmas? – The Wombats No 49

Jingle Bells (Bass) – Basshunter No 35

Last Christmas – Wham! No 26 (DL)

Little Drummer Boy-Peace On Earth – Bandaged No 3 (DL)

Merry Christmas Everybody – Slade No 32 (DL)

Merry Christmas Everyone – Shakin’ Stevens No 36 (DL)

Once Upon A Christmas Song – Geraldine No 5 (DL)

Warm This Winter – Gabriella Cilmi – No 22

2009

All I Want For Christmas Is You – Mariah Carey No 18 (DL)

December Song (I Dreamed Of Christmas) – George Michael No 14 (DL)

Do They Know Its Christmas? – Band Aid No 50 (DL)

Driving Home For Christmas – Chris Rea No 40 (DL)

Fairytale Of New York – The Pogues featuring Kirsty MaColl (Re-Re-Issue Re-Entry) No 12

Hallelujah – Alexandra Burke No 70 (DL) IN OCT

I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday – Wizzard (Re-Issue)

No 45 (DL)

It Doesn’t Often Snow At Christmas – Pet Shop Boys No 40

Last Christmas – Wham! No 34 (DL)

Merry Christmas Everybody – Slade No 35 (DL)

Merry Christmas Everyone – Shakin’ Stevens No 47 (DL)

Silver Bells/Me And My Teddy Bear – Terry Wogan & Aled Jones No 27

2010

All I Want For Christmas Is You – Mariah Carey No 22 (DL)

Christmas Lights – Coldplay No 13 (DL)

Do They Know Its Christmas? – Band Aid No 54 (DL)

Fairytale Of New York – The Pogues featuring Kirsty MaColl (Re-Re-Issue Re-Entry) No 17

I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday – Wizzard (Re-Issue)

No 46 (DL)

Last Christmas – Wham! No 57 (DL)

Merry Christmas Everybody – Slade No 50 (DL)

Merry Christmas Everyone – Shakin’ Stevens No 68 (DL)

Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree – Brenda Lee No 70 (DL)

X-M@$ – Corey Taylor No 37

2011

All I Want For Christmas Is You – Mariah Carey No 11 (DL)

Christmas Baby Please Come Home – Michael Buble No 47 (DL)

Christmas Lights – Coldplay No 65 (DL)

Dominick The Donkey – Lou Monte No 3 (DL)

Do They Know Its Christmas? – Band Aid No 34 (DL)

Driving Home For Christmas – Chris Rea No 67(DL) in JAN

Driving Home For Christmas – Chris Rea No 36 (DL) In DEC

Fairytale Of New York – The Pogues featuring Kirsty MaColl No 13 (DL)

I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday – Wizzard (Re-Issue)

No 28 (DL)

Last Christmas – Wham! No 26 (DL)

Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! – Dean Martin No 70 (DL)

Merry Christmas Everybody – Slade No 33 (DL)

Merry Christmas Everyone – Shakin’ Stevens No 42 (DL)

Mistletoe – Justin Bieber No 21 (DL)

Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree – Brenda Lee No 62 (DL)

Step Into Christmas – Elton John – No 64 (DL)

Wonderful Christmas Time – Paul McCartney No 72 (DL)

2012

All I Want For Christmas Is You – Mariah Carey No 20 (DL)

Do They Know Its Christmas? – Band Aid No 37 (DL)

Driving Home For Christmas – Chris Rea No 36 (DL)

Fairytale Of New York – The Pogues featuring Kirsty MaColl No 12 (DL)

I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday – Wizzard (Re-Issue)

No 29 (DL)

Last Christmas – Wham! No 34 (DL)

Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! – Dean Martin No 69 (DL)

Merry Christmas Everybody – Slade No 35 (DL)

Merry Christmas Everyone – Shakin’ Stevens No 46 (DL)

Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree – Brenda Lee No 54 (DL)

Step Into Christmas – Elton John – No 75 (DL)

The Power Of Love – Frankie Goes To Hollywood No 42 (DL)

Debatable Tracks

I Have A Dream – Abba (1979) No 2