As it’s the season to be jolly and all that jazz, this week’s Friday Mixtape has a Christmassy theme. The playlist is made up of 12 songs, old and new, which should be pumping our your speakers this festive season.
First up is Springsteen‘s version of ‘Santa Claus Is Coming To Town‘, which is just brilliant, especially when the late Clarence Clemons chimes in with “you better be good for goodness sake!” The sleigh bells alone signal festive cheer.
Second is Blink 182‘s ‘I Won’t Be Home For Christmas‘. Because everybody needs a bit of punk-rock Christmas angst.
‘Christmas Wrapping‘ by the Waitresses is a definite underrated Christmas song. It has girl-rapping, saxophone, a bitter tale and a happy, fuzzy ending. What more do you want from a festive tune?
Ok so the next track is technically about New Year, but it’s all the same festive fun isn’t it? Trembling Bells and Bonny Prince Billy tackle the fact that ‘New Year’s Eve is the Lonliest Night of the Year‘. The lyrics are ultimately depressing, but the tune itself provides the trumpety warmth of most festive numbers.
Next up is ‘Caden’s Song (My First Christmas)‘ which is a new release this year. The charity single is sung by Caden’s father David Beggan along with Union State to commemorate his son’s lost battle with meningitis. Proceeds from the song go to Scotland’s Yorkhill Children’s Hospital so you’re not allowed to dislike it.
The Tom Jones and Cerys Matthews version of ‘Baby It’s Cold Outside‘ will always be the best. No matter what you think of the two artists seperately, the Welshies really do the song justice.
Song seven is The Darkness‘ failed attempt at a Christmas Number 1, ‘Christmas Time (Don’t Let The Bells End)‘. Because it’s the most elaborate, festive rock tune of our generation. And the bell-end thing will never stop being funny.
Another new release this year is Dragonette‘s ‘Merry Xmas Says Your Text Message‘. Which, if you get past the cringey technological title, is actually a really good song. So is the explicit version where you get the full “fuck you”.
The Killers are a band that seem to release a new Christmas song every year. They do have a new one out this year, but it’s rubbish so it’s 2007’s ‘Don’t Shoot Me Santa‘ is what makes it to the playlist. Doesn’t the thought of Santa with a gun full you with glee?
‘A Snowflake Fell (And It Felt Like A Kiss)‘ is a melancholy winter tale from Glasvegas. James Allan’s broad, whiny Scottish accent is undeniable and sums up exactly what Christmas would be like round his.
Those Boston boys Dropkick Murphys have provided us with shiny, new Christmas ditty ‘The Season Is Upon Us‘. A family tale exploring the good and bad about Christmas, a good all rounder.
And the 12th song of Christmas is another new release, from Cee-Lo Green and The Muppets no less. ‘All I Need Is Love‘ has an annoying chorus and features different muppets throughout. What’s more Christmassy than that?
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