14 Dec Who Are The King and Queen of Christmas Songs?
Can you hear it? That sound in the distance that’s getting closer? Bells, marimbas, glockenspiels? Here they come… the Christmas songs!!!
Nothing says the end of the year is almost here quite like a Christmas song. From your local mall to TV commercials and office parties, they’re impossible to escape, and even the most cynical of us will set aside our “Bah Humbugs!”, for a cheery smile.
Of course, there are many staples with a religious slant; Silent Night, Away In A Manger, O Come All Ye Faithful, and Joy To The World. But it’s been pop music of the last century where the Christmas canon has grown exponentially, and you’d be surprised at who’s attempted to create a Christmas classic: Elvis, Sinatra, Taylor Swift, N’Sync, Ariana Grande, The Pogues. Even the legend Paul McCartney had a go!
Over the years there have been plenty with cute novelty value – Snoopy Vs The Red Baron, Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer, All I Want For Christmas (Is My Two Front Teeth). There are holiday tunes with a romantic bent – Last Christmas, I’ll Be Home For Christmas, All My Christmases. And some that are odes to sadness – Do They Know It’s Christmas, Happy Christmas (War Is Over), and The Christmas Shoes.
Of course, there are local faves that become international hits, like Jose Feliciano’s classic Feliz Navidad. And some that are faves only in their unique corner of the world. In Australia, it’s How To Make Gravy – a jailbird’s lament when he realises he won’t be home for the annual family dinner.
But while many contest the crown, the reigning Queen and King of Christmas tunes are undoubtedly Mariah Carey and Michael Buble – an r&b virtuoso and a modern-day crooner who have made yuletide their own. And make no mistake, the airtime saturation of these songs means neither artist will be going without presents under the tree any time soon!
