The Christmas Number One has in many ways become a meaningless tradition. I, for one, think this is because of how predictable it's become. The last decade has been dominated by X Factor songs and charity numbers. It's a season of good intentions but when is the last time we actually had a decent Christmas Number One? (and by we, I mean the UK Singles' Charts, because that's what this is going by). So, here are five of the best Christmas Number Ones since the Charts began over 60 years ago.
The Beatles- "Day Tripper"/ "We Can Work It Out"- 1965
There's a whole load of Christmas hits about Christmas out there but only a few have reached the pinnacle spot. More often than not, the Christmas Number One has just been a very popular song from the time. The Beatles had four Christmas Number Ones and this is perhaps their finest, accompanied by the optimistic "We Can Work It Out."
Slade- "Merry Xmas Everybody"- 1973
Back when vinyl records dominated stores and people actually went out to buy them, a great battle for the Christmas Number One took place. It was Slade versus Wizzard's "I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday." They were two absolute classics but only one could prevail and I think today, the same choice would be made.
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Queen- "Bohemian Rhapsody"- 1975/ 1991
Queen have a whole array of greats, so to call this their "masterpiece" is no easy statement. The song reached the top upon its initial release and again in 1991, following the death of Freddie Mercury and its inclusion in the hit movie Wayne's World.
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Band Aid- "Do They Know It's Christmas"- 1984
It was a song that was so influential that it would be repeated exactly the same with the less talented stars of the Noughties. Composed by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure for famine relief in Ethiopia, it went on to sell bucket-loads, becoming the highest-selling single in the UK until Elton John revisited "Candle in the Wind" for Princess Diana's funeral. Like Slade, the grand host of celebrities had to fight off tough competition too, from Wham!'s "Last Christmas." George Michael did not mind however as he would have been at the top, either way.
Rage Against The Machine- "Killing In The Name"- 2009
It seems 2009 was the last time we had a decent Number One. The track was initially released in the early 1990s but the people, frustrated with the non-stop slur of X Factor Number Ones, campaigned for change after the set up of a Facebook page. Simon Cowell was thwarted and one of the most anti-radio hit songs of all time became a hit! It was a petty really that one year later, the X Factor would return to the summit.
