So as I'm sure your aware 'tis the season and isn't it the best of seasons, even as an atheist, like me you can still appreciate the message of love and family. However there has been a worrying tenancy for music to become cheesy, insincere and manufactured around Christmastime with X factor winners dominating the charts year upon year, excluding last year of course with the victory of rock music as all us freaks protested and thrust Rage Against The Machine into top position with 'Killing In The Name Of'. This post is therefore about independent and unusual Christmas gems that may have gone unnoticed.
Firstly we have The Killers with 'Don't Shoot Me Santa'. This is a fantastic song with an even greater video. As the title simply states this song is a plea from Brandon Flowers, aka serial killer, to Santa begging him to not to kill him for the murders he's committed; could there be anything more festive? Giving the sometimes weighty topic of Christmas some comic relief all for charity this song is brilliant but not as well known as it should be.
Next is David Bowie and Bing Crosby with 'Little Drummer Boy', two icons unite and a Christmas legend is born, even if Bing had no idea who Bowie was. 'Nuff said.
Now Frankie Goes To Hollywood with 'The Power Of Love'. This song may be cheesy but it's cheesy in a truly indulgent way not in a Spice Girls way. Anyway I'm being coerced into including this one from a 'force from above'-my Mum.
Penultimately is The Pogues Feat. Kirsty McColl with 'Fairytale of New York'
This song has become part of our cultural tradition at Christmas and is loved through the ages because it subverts the message of Christmas whilst still being somehow loving and shows a realism that is often glossed over during this season.
Ending the list is The Darkness with 'Christmas Time'
Surely nothing expresses the Christmas spirit more than a group of men dressed in tight revealing catsuits blocking young children into a log cabin whilst they sing 'Don't let the bells end'. This is everything Christmas should be; genuinely cheesy, fun, camp and just a tad disturbing.
Have a Merry Alternative Christmas this year!
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