The official Christmas FM thread

Declan A Walsh

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120017419#Comment_120017419

The Power of Love by Frankie Goes to Hollywood was a hit around Christmas time and had a Christmas-themed video (two versions - one showing the group along the side!). If it had not been for those factors, it would never have been classified as a Christmas song at all!

As an aside: the video depicts the Three Wise Men travelling to see Jesus in the manger - basically a typical traditional Christian Christmas scene. It was directed by Godley and Creme, who were brought up in the Jewish faith!

dubstepper

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120017442#Comment_120017442

Had forgot about the power of love! Haven't heard that on Christmas FM

TRS30

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120017486#Comment_120017486

Me neither. A classic as well.

Declan A Walsh

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120017486#Comment_120017486

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120017542#Comment_120017542

I am pretty sure that I have heard it on Christmas FM in the past but not recently. But it's not really a Christmas song anyway!

DvB

I think the re-use of the Power of Love in the John Lewis commercial 'The Journey' (albeit a cover by Gabrielle Aplin) has reinforced many peoples perceptions of it being a christmas song too. Whilst not being a christmas song technically I too have fallen into the opinion that I'm happy it be considered one. Much prefer that over dodgy covers & Dolly Parton, Christmas shoes etc...

Fr Tod Umptious

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120017064#Comment_120017064

Yes that is true that it's only relavant to certain age groups, but the golden era of Christmas hits was the 70s and 80s so you got some great songs going for the Christmas number 1 in that time.

None of this X Factor winner being guaranteed the spot or attempts at edgy stuff to counter X Factor like Rage Against the Machine.

DvB

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120017682#Comment_120017682

I agree with that. X-Factor killed the Christmas No.1 race, ladbaby and that novelty cr*p hasn't helped recently either.

Declan A Walsh

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120017641#Comment_120017641

That Gabrielle Alpin version is very good. In fact, I think it's better than the original. As a matter of interest, has that version been played on Christmas FM?

TRS30

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120017682#Comment_120017682

X Factor has a lot to answer for!

DvB

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120017708#Comment_120017708

I've heard the Gabriel Aplin versions previously on Christmas FM, not in the 2022 FM run though.

Smell the glove

East 17 song about his brother lying dying in a coma was is and never will be a Christmas song for me. You can see Tony Mortimer in the video isn't happy at all. The others are hamming it up but you can see he wants no part. The original video was them in a studio singing. It's 100% a con Christmas track.

Sorry about that. But it needed to be said 🤣🤣🤣

Declan A Walsh

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120018652#Comment_120018652

Any reason not to play it is good enough for me!

DvB

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120018652#Comment_120018652

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stay_Another_Day

Worse again, it was about Tony Mortimers brother committing suicide...

Taken from the above wikipedia entry....

It was their first ballad, written by the band's lead songwriter Tony Mortimer and is about his brother, Ollie, who had taken his own life. Mortimer explained:

"It was based on my brother's suicide and losing someone. What would you do if you had one more day with a loved one?... It was all based on conversations I'd had with my brother and I was trying to change it into a love song about the end of a relationship."[2]

Smell the glove

Sad isn't it. Lyrically when ye know the story behind it ....it really hits hard.

TRS30

Never knew any of that, wow, changes your perspective on it.

DvB

Amazing what a few bells can do eh?

Loughc

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120018652#Comment_120018652

I 100% agree with this. It’s an instant channel switcher every time it comes on.

DvB

Can I ask one small favour?

As I'll be away for the traditional FM closing at 7pm on the 27th would you mind keeping track of what the last song is played on the FM broadcast? I'd hate to have my record of first & last songs to have another gap!

I'm hoping i'll be able to listen in online but with time differences & wifi coverage unknown I'd like to keep the bases covered.

Thanks,

TRS30

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120020637#Comment_120020637

Consider it done, the least we can do for you.

DvB

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120020685#Comment_120020685

Cheers, appreciate it.

dubstepper

I have heard that rubbish Enya Christmas 'song' a couple of times. How does she get away with it? If you listen really hard you can make out actual words....

Declan A Walsh

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120024432#Comment_120024432

I like that tune. Maybe I am the only one!

Dickie10

is it just me or during the late 90s /early 00s didnt ordinary radio stations continue to play christmas songs flat out until new years eve and even an odd one on new years day which were still seen very much as christmas. in last 5 or 6 years i noticed a full pulling of the plug even on stephens day of chrsitmas songs. i can actually see a lot of people having to work almost the full week now from 27th to 31st and get new years day off only then back at it from jan 2nd? also does anyone ever find it odd that on american chrsitmas movies it shows a lot of people putting up their tree on dec 23 or even chrsitmas eve? i have noticed this a lot, is it really the case that in america people put up their tree a few days before xmas? why on earth do irish people put it up in late november and early december ? i put mine up dec 17th this year and was scolded for being a grinch.

Loughc

What time does the FM broadcast ends at today?

Loughc

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120035323#Comment_120035323

Never mind they end tomorrow at 7pm

Declan A Walsh

Today I finally heard Bruce Springsteen's version of Santa Claus is Coming to Town on Christmas FM. Most years bring a few newly discovered gems (to me!) on Christmas FM. This year there were two: Someday at Christmas by Lizzo and Warm this Winter by Gabrielle Clime.

TRS30

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120035323#Comment_120035323

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120035324#Comment_120035324

You had me worried I had lost 24 hours here!! Damm Bailey cream bender 😂

DvB

Remember to note the last song please. Unlikely I'll be able to listen in at that time here.

Heroditas

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120035650#Comment_120035650

Funny that you said you hadn't heard it much this year. It seems to be permanently on whenever I turn on Christmas FM 🤣

I was asking the kids what their favourite songs were this year and the Ed and Elton one is their favourite closely followed by Taylor Swift and also the Gwen Stefani song. Not a bad trio to be honest.

My own favourites are still Wham, Greg Lake and Bing/Bowie but those newer three will still be played in a few years time i reckon.

TRS30

Last day of live broadcasts for another year 😕 I know the reason why however wish it could go on for a few more days.