What song makes Christmas for you?

HeidiHeidi

For me (a very reluctant participant, it has to be said), the first hearing of O Holy Night starts Christmas for me.

And Christmas Countdown by Frank Kelly/Gobnait O Lunacy never, ever fails to make me laugh. Hearing it for the first time this year just now on the radio prompted me to start this thread.

Any good barnstorming carol with big choir and full orchestra (and preferably an oversized brass section) at top volume always gives me the feels.

What makes Christmas for you?

Montage of Feck

Its got to be something understated and not screaming Christmas at you, fairytale of NY has been neutered by being played to death.

SuperBowserWorld

O Holy Night and this version by Sufjan Stevens which is heartfelt and not over produced

https://youtu.be/vL244iJ-udo?feature=shared

Montage of Feck

Its got snow and a vaguely middle east vibe to the video, so surely counts as a Christmas song.

https://youtu.be/UmFFTkjs-O0?si=hL5A_hxpCm8gAq0f

pgj2015

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upH1QZU4Z0Y

This song.

blackbox

Wham!

2Greyfoxes

While not intended as a Christmas song, this one is for me the song of Christmas.

https://youtu.be/rDBfGrfUuug?si=VUOVXRep8jMa4SNz

yagan

Probably Gene Wilder singing Pure Imagination from Willy Wonka.

As a kid growing up in dull dreary Ireland in the 70s this song emitted more cheer and light than any xmas carol. I always felt xmas had peaked once I'd watched Willy Wonka.

Is the Gene Wilder version on over the next few days?

HildaOgdenx

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122989252#Comment_122989252

Mine too.
I like a lot of Christmas songs but that's my favourite one.

Galwayguy35

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122989269#Comment_122989269

RTE2 @ 5.50pm today.

Galwayguy35

Fairytale of New York doesn't seem to have been on the radio much this year at all.

yagan

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122989555#Comment_122989555

Excellent. Thanks. I hardly turn on the TV these days except when for sport.

seablue

o holy night

Frankie goes to Hollywood's The Power of Love

The christmas lights everywhere.

Say Your Number

I'm glad to have gotten through this year without hearing Fairytale of New York, waaaay overplayed.

Love the Shakin' Stevens one, cheesy as hell, but it reminds me of hearing it during my childhood.

Loughc

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122989619#Comment_122989619

+1 for Shaking Stevens reminds me of a simpler time

Dr.Tom

Joe Dolan - O Holy Night

Johnny Mathis - When A Child Is Born

Archeron

Mary's Boy Child by Bony M.

Eimear Quinn sang Silent night in Kilkenny Castle a few years ago for rte's carols show, sang in Irish, English and German and it was really haunting, the notes she hits in it are unreal, she has an incredible voice and I still randomly listen to it on YouTube just purely for the enjoyment of her talent.

Sinead O Connors version is beautiful too, but in fairness, it's my favorite Christmas hymn so I'm quite biased.

For cheese, Stay Another Day by East 17 😁.

Strumms

Im a Fairytale guy, aside from being a great song, the genius of the combination of the vocal styles of Kirsty and Shane….

An honourable mention for Bob Dylan….this is genius and LOTS of fun…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8qE6WQmNus

JKerova1

U2 - Christmas Baby Please Come Home

Sultans of Ping - Xmas Bubblegum Machine

mrslancaster

Joe Dolan - O Holy Night

Bowie & Crosbie - The Little Drummer Boy

Manach

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPHh3nMMu-I

"

tscul32

O holy night for me too

Jude13

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122989269#Comment_122989269

What a fantastic shout.

I have a few obvious ones but last year it was 'keeping the dream alive'

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CueAoBJQHps

DvB

For me Andy Williams 'Its the Most wonderful time of the year' is the one song I must have at Christmas. I just don't ever see me not thoroughly enjoying hearing it at Christmas.

There's a few classical pieces such as 'Troika' by Prokofiev that I just adore around Christmas time too, and I love the Sephira version of 'Oiche Chuin' (Silent night), they all bring a warm glow of Christmas that just reinforces my Christmas spirit.

Unlike a few, I leave FONY until after Christmas FM launches so only hear it sparingly and still love it as (for me anyway) it hasn't been played to death. I can understand others being tired of hearing it though.

So far this year I've had no cravings to dip into Christmas FM classical which I'd regularly use as background music when working from home, and I'm wondering if our changing circumstances this year will have an affect on my enjoyment of the Christmas build up & season, hoping not, but its been an unusual (sh*t would be a more accurate word in fairness) year for us so far so have no idea how the rest of it will pan out.

Jude13

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123359128#Comment_123359128

Troika by Prokofiev, amazing shout.

bureau2009

Christmas Baby Please Come Home - Darlene Love.

🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄

halkar

Fairytale of New York starts Christmas for me and one of my favourites is Driving Home for Christmas. Brings back a lot of memories.

Loughc

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123367921#Comment_123367921

Added it to both Christmas and non Christmas playlist. Great song.

Smell the glove

Troika incorporated by Greg Lake into his "I Believe in Father Christmas" song is amazing.

thejuggler

Dan Fogelberg Same old lang syne. The perfect mix of wistful nostalgia, wondering what might have been if life had turned out differently. For me Christmas is all about nostalgia, remembering Christmases past and those who are no longer around to enjoy it with. Sad and comforting at the same time. (And a great song)