7 Days ‘Til Xmas!
Fed up of the same Christmas tunes? There’s no room for Mariah on The Tab’s Alternative Christmas playlist.
Fed up of Chipmunk Christmas Carols and drippy Michael Buble covers?
With every shopping centre and restaurant playing the same five Christmas songs, music at this time of year can be irritatingly repetitive. Luckily, The Tab has put together a selection of more obscure festive songs.
Put these on at the Christmas party and everyone will be so pleased it’s not Mariah Carey you’ll be treated like a king for a day.
Ray Charles & Betty Carter – Baby It’s Cold Outside
A top quality duet from Ray and Betty Carter, with some of the best sexual repartee ever set to music.
As far as romantic Christmas songs go, this blows Mariah Carey and ‘All I Want for Christmas’ out of the water. The Tab never knew Ray Charles had such good game.
The Specials – Blank Expression
Despite only fifteen seconds of this song being Christmas themed, it is more than enough to merit its inclusion here. The Specials tell a sad story of adolescent loneliness in the city. Well worth checking out, even after Noel.
Julian Casablancas – I Wish It Was Christmas Today
The Strokes’ lead singer has a pop at the Christmas gravy-train. It is surprising considering his gloomy reputation quite how excited Casablancas seems about Christmas. The trademark laconic drawl and choppy guitars combine with church bells to make a great alternative Christmas track.
David Bowie & Bing Crosby – Little Drummer Boy / Peace On Earth
This is rather well known it must be said, but the fantastic acting at the beginning needs a little more publicity. Bing & David meet in a country house and sing round the piano together.
For what reason, only God knows, but the result is entertaining and strangely heart-warming.
The Ronettes – Frosty The Snowman
Phil Spector lends his Wall of Sound to the Christmas classic ‘Frosty the Snowman’. The Ronettes add some call and response vocals and neat snare rolls to create one of the best girl group Christmas versions around. Well worth a listen, if only for the false stop at 1.35.
What are your favourite lesser-known Christmas tracks? Let us know in the comments below.
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