The official Christmas FM thread

I enjoyed the Frankie Valli and Four Seasons version of Santa Claus is Coming to Town, which was played about ten minutes ago. I don't recall hearing that before on Christmas FM. That was followed by I Believe in Father Christmas by Greg Lake, one of my old favourites. It was my first time hearing it this year on Christmas FM. Correction: I think I might have heard it last weekend!

Who is the presenter? She has a nice presenting style.

Bobby Helm's version of Jingle Bell Rock is certainly getting a lot of airplay so far on this year's run. I know that it has been played plenty of times in the past, but I think it is beginning to get to me!

I heard Rock and Roll Christmas by George Thorogood and the Destroyers yesterday evening. I am lucky if I hear that song once during its annual license run. I wish Christmas FM would play it more often as it is really good. On the other hand, tonight I heard a bit of Dolly Parton's Horror (sorry Holly!!) Jolly Christmas - luckily it was close to the end!

Hadn't really listened in over the weekend, but had it on in the car for the drive in this morning, Its clear that Frosty the snowman is the song of choice for me this year, I seem to hear one of the versions every time I turn th radio on... not as bad as last years Dolly Parton overkill but enough to be noticed and starting to mentally grate a tad.

this song was just played and I got excited!!!! Love it!!

That Hippo song has been played quite a lot for, I would say, the last four years. The Straight No Chaser song gets a bit of an airing every year. I seem to remember that there was at least one other song by SNC that got played occasionally.

It's the Jimmy Durante version that they are playing practically all the time.

Christmas FM has been a regular in our house for a number of years now.

But I always noticed that I never heard David Essex "A winter's tale" on it.

And then I thought I also never heard The Flying Pickets ,"Only you", or The Housemartins "Caravan of love" or even East17 "Stay another day" on it

Is it because these are not "pure" Christmas songs rather songs that were big hits at Christmas?

For people of a certain age those 80s Christmas hits I mentioned are regarded as Christmas classics far more so than the likes of Ed Sheeran, or Taylor Swift or Michael Buble or some of the other stuff you hear on Christmas FM.

Ah I'm happy enough to give that one a pass as I just like the song.*

*notwithstanding the songs actual background which is anything but Christmas related.

Has Christmas FM ever played December Will Be Magic Again by Kate Bush? That's a good song.

Would be there specific reasons why certain songs are not played? i.e royalties etc.

Some interesting comments on what does doesn't make a Christmas song? Is it the fact that it the lyrics mention Christmas, when it was released or the sound (sleigh bells etc).

East 17 had that tubular ringing which did give it a Christmas feel and was no 1 around that. No real mention of Christmas though.

Hippo song does mention Christmas but doesn't have a Christmas feel for me.

While Christmas Shoes clearly has the word, if little or no artist merit just saccharine sentiment in spades.

Something like White Christmas ticks all boxes