On this, the penulitmate day of the blogathon, Fiona has asked for our top three Yuletide (interesting fact, Yuletide actually relates to the Pagan festival, later absorbed into Christmas!) tunes. These can be of any description, be they pop, rock or carol, as long as they have some tenuous link to the festive season. This got me to thinking, am I the only one who doesn’t like when the ‘Christmas number 1’ isn’t Christmassy? The year which annoys me most of all was when Mad World, possibly the most depressing song ever was number one. Though part of me thinks that’s better than another Simon Cowell creation. Anyway, I digress. Here is the World of Katyness Christmas Top 3!
Number Three in the festive chart is…tricky! Despite publishing this in reverse order I wrote it 1, 2, 3 and while 1 and 2 came to me like little lightning bolts, 3 is haaaard! How do you narrow it down?! Hmm, well I am a fan of singing at Christmas. Not necessarily in a drunken way (at this point I would like to share this video from my 3rd year flat Christmas dinner), though that’s fun too, but more carolling and concerts. I spoke at the UWE Christmas Carol concert once or twice and enjoyed singing along to the classics, Once in Royal Davids City, Deck the Halls (check out the Welsh translation talk about depressing!), Hark the Herald Angels Sing…but which is my favourite and best? Tricky! I think it’s going to have to be…..errghh decisions….I don’t…Joy to the World, there, phew, said one. The irony being I really struggle to sing this song, it’s not a key I get on with well, but I love the variety it offers, it’s got singy bits, whispery bits, GREAT BIG BOOMY bits, really gets you up and joining in and I like that!
Number Two is apparently a ‘lesser known’ Christmas song called In Dulci Jubilo. I say lesser known because of the three people I have mentioned it to this week not one of them knew it by name and only one recognised it when played!!!! This tune really gets me in the festive spirit and makes me want to get up and dance. It’s my song of choice for decorating the tree, baking Christmas cookies and wrapping pressies…in fact many a time it’s gone on cd’s before my number one, just to set the scene! For those who are unfamiliar here it is…
Number One is and always has been Fairytale of New York. I love it! It’s one of those bittersweet, sad but happy…tunes! I’m usually quite strict when it comes to Christmas at Christmas time, but this is one song I’ve been known to play throughout the year, usually when I’m on a Kirsty MacColl binge. She has the most amazing voice, and when you pair it with the gruff tones of the Pogues lead singer Shane MacGowan, it just works. I remember being a kid and giggling when the singers were calling each other names, scumbag, maggot, cheap lousy faggot. What merry Christmas times! Haha! Most people (apart from Katy and Fi apparently!) I know seem to have some sort of drama at Christmas, whether Grandad had too much brandy butter or your sister od’d on the sprouts (yeluch!) there is usually at least a *bit* of tension at some point. This song captures the *spirit of Christmas* (being cooped up with people you hate* and being forced to be nice to them) in such a comedic way. It makes me giggle and I like to giggle 🙂
So there you have it, the Christmas top 3 according to me! What do you think? Agree? Disagree? Would love to know! Make sure you follow the links over —> to check out the top three songs Katy and Fi chose too. Also mega big thanks to Katy for putting the vids in this post today, much appreciated lovely!
*I would just like to point out I am not describing my family Christmas here, more a stereotypical one! Everyone’s trying so hard to make it picture perfect that inevitably when the toys a broken, noones remembered to buy batteries and everyones a little too drunk it all goes a bit Royle. You’ve got to laugh!
A little bit of Katyness.... 