I like the Ronnettes verzion of Frosty the Snowman as well as their version of Sleigh Ride. I used to be a DJ at a country station and played a version of Frosty the Snowman by Brady Bunch! :eek:

Some of my other favorites:
Christmas, Christmas - Darlene Love
Dominic the Donkey - Lou Monte
Mary's Boy Child - not sure of the artist
Marvelous Little Toy - also not sure of artist
Snoopy's Christmas - Royal Guardsman

And... not to start an on-line debate, but I also like Wham's "Last Christmas." -- however, I must also admit that I have not been in situations where I was subjected to hearing it overplayed. Speaking of overplayed, since I have decidedly and deliberately avoided radio stations that plays tons of Christmas music, Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer has started to become a favorite of mine again.

Last night on BBC1's Jonathan Ross show, he announced the result of the BBC website poll for best ever christmas record.

In 3rd place - Wizzard, 2nd place was Slade, and the winner was The Pogues & Kirst MacColl - Fairytale of New York.

The Pogues came on the show later to perform a new version of the song with Katie Melua (replacing the late Kirsty MacColl). Shane MacGowan was drunker than usual, and Katie Melua was clearly struggling through this awful performance which was saved only by the great musicians in the band.

At the end, MacGowan announced "it's in the shops tomorrow!" if that's true, I certainly won't be buying it! :( Nice try Katie, but you should stick to what you're good at, Jazz.

_Malc

Re: Under-played Christmas music
 

IIRC the correct title is 7 O'Clock News/Silent Night.  To my mind the most deeply ironic Christmas song I've ever heard — it starts with S&G singing Silent Night (à capella IIRC), but halfway through there is faded-in the vioce of a CBS newsreader doing a broadcast.

Another Christmas song which is an antidote to all the sickly-sweet rubbish, which is probably the reason why it never gets played, is A Christmas Song by Jethro Tull.

Harry Bellafonte (sp?) or Boney M? ;)

I usually parody I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day thus:

:eek: :rolleyes: ;) :D

My favourite arrangment of Sleigh Ride is Air Supply's and another one (don't know the artist). The Ronettes' one is okay but what annoys me is that they slow down singing so they're singing off the beat.

Robert - nice parody! So, whnat do you think of Christmas is all around?

Re: Re: Under-played Christmas music
 

[quote]Originally posted by robert@fm
IIRC the correct title is 7 O'Clock News/Silent Night

You're quite right Robert, and if it were played more I would have remembered the title accurately ;)

_Malc

Best: Nat King Cole singing "The Christmas Song"

Worst: those Mannheim Steamroller things

to quote the former: "and so I'm offering this simple phrase/ to kids from one to ninety-two/ though it's been said many times, many ways/ Merry Christmas to youuuuu" ;) :D

Let us not forget John Lennon's Christmas message and song ;)

*bump*
filler

Ok, I may as well stick this here as well, I can't believe that this was never thought of as a Christmas record:

Joy To The World - Three Dog Night :D

Dig those flares!

One of my favourites at the moment is "25th December" by Everything But The Girl, which is a highly depressing song, but a good one. It was playing in Somerfield last year, possibly not the best choice of music for a supermarket!

When I first time heard The Pogues doing their most famous xmas hit I was so emotionally overwhelmed that tears flow and I shooked by the impact of the feelings. they did it so good. An evergreen indeed.

Are there anything even coming near what they did?

Yes, Fairytale of New York is a favourite with many including myself, maybe because the lyrics reflect a darker side of Christmas that many can relate to. ;)

_Malc

Another Christmas song reflecting the darker side of the season (and which sadly never seems to get played) is Jethro Tull's A Christmas Song.

Yea, that is dark :eek:

Holly Holy - Neil Diamond

River - Joni Mitchell

A guy on BBC Radio 2 was playing a part of Mike Oldfield's Tubular Bells tonight as Christmas music. The part where Vivian Stanshall introduces all of the instruments. Ya know, I think it kind of fits. :)

I really must put together that alternative Christmas album! ...I love doing themed compilations (when I get time)