The Ultimate Christmas Playlist

Can you believe it? It is only one week until December and since both the John Lewis and the Coca Cola advert have graced our TV screens, it's socially acceptable to dust down the Christmas CD's and listen to them on repeat until the big day right?

I'm not too sure what us folks find so fascinating about Christmas music. Is it the warm feeling it gives us when we hear it? Is it the thought that the minute we hear it playing, we can officially start counting down to Christmas? Whatever it is, everyone has their favourite Christmas song (or songs if you're anything like me) and I am here to list a few of mine.

Side note: There is a lot of 80's songs in here.



1. Fairytale of New York by The Pogues and Kirsty McColl (1988)

Recently voted the most famous Christmas song of all time, a Christmas compilation album is simply not worth buying if this song doesn't feature on the tracklist. "It's Christmas Eve babe" is the only audible line in the song, the rest is entirely up to you to decide, which is part of the fun of it. It's also nostalgic, wonderful and heartwarming to no end. There is a reason why it is a favourite with everyone across the globe.

2. Last Christmas by Wham! (1985)

Let's be honest, the music video for Last Christmas is all of our Christmas goals! Year on year, we find ourselves staring in envy at an 80's George Michael frolicking through a Winter Wonderland (a ski resort in Switzerland) wishing we had a white Christmas before glancing out to the rainy, sludgy abyss of England and sighing deeply. Nonetheless, it is an infectious song that will stick with you for a lifetime. 

3. Driving Home For Christmas by Chris Rea (1984)

Easily the most underrated Christmas song ever created! Driving Home for Christmas, for a reason I am not too sure of yet, sends a shiver down my spine and makes me feel incredibly joyous. It has only been in recent years that I have discovered it's secret bliss. It's enjoyable, fun and everyone's guilty pleasure (if you can't quite confess to loving it just yet)

4. Do You Know It's Christmas by Band Aid (1984)

Last year, they made a remake to this song featuring basically any form of celebrity they could find - regardless of whether they carried any musical talent at all, and it was utterly shambolic. The 1984 version of Band Aid will always reign supreme. Featuring the likes of George Michael, Boy George, Spandau Ballet and Bob Geldof, it is a Christmas song that reminds us all that many people around the world will not celebrate Christmas due to poverty and deprivation. A concept we need to think about more as we stuff into our fifth box of Quality Street.

5. I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday by Wizzard (1973)

Every year since I can remember, putting up our family Christmas tree was a whole family event. The four of us all had to be present to be able to argue over where the baubles should be placed and what topper to put on the tree. Even when I have a family of my own, this song will always remind me of those disputes but more importantly, spending Christmas with my family laughing, exchanging gifts and being fortunate of what we have - the way it should be spent.

6. Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) by Michael Buble (2012)

It would unfair if I didn't include at least one of the Canadian crooner's timeless Christmas tunes in this list. This album is on it's course to become one of the most popular Christmas albums ever as sales continue to soar year on year. Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) is my favourite from the album as not only is it one of the few original songs, but it is also happy and lighthearted. My parents and grandparents are massive Michael Buble fans as well so I think it's fair to say what Christmas album has been drilled into me since it's release...

Here is just a short snippet of some of my favourite Christmas songs. I will be making a Christmas playlist on my Spotify of all of my favourites so follow me over there to fill your ears with all of the joys of the festive season! https://open.spotify.com/user/hayleymillross

Stay jazzy folks (and Merry Christmas!)

Hayley