The official Christmas FM thread

jr86 · 05-12-2019 1:27pm

They have a very good mix though between commercial and rare songs

They're obviously not going to neglect the popular ones, as they'll always be the most requested, and they have to still play them frequently

An all obscure songs policy would mean less requests, less listeners, less texts and less money for their chosen charity unfortunately

miamee · 05-12-2019 1:28pm

Declan A Walsh wrote: »

I want to hear more less played tunes instead of the ones I hear hundreds of times everywhere.

Some of them are less played with good reason

The bus driver on the way home last night was tunewd in to Christmas FM, it made standing up the front of a busy bus all the way home a little less of a pain!

Heroditas · 05-12-2019 2:22pm

My hygienist had it on in the dentist yesterday. She asked was I getting into the Christmas Spirit and I said "yeah since Nov 1".
So she replied "oh good, bit like me, so you won't mind me playing it loudly"

Posy · 05-12-2019 3:19pm

jr86 wrote: »

non-original versions of Slade, Wizzard, Stop the Cavalry

Hate them!

Declan A Walsh · 05-12-2019 3:24pm

jr86 wrote: »

Exactly, or the non-original versions of Slade, Wizzard, Stop the Cavalry etc.

Everyone will obviously text in for the original each time

As in Merry Christmas Everybody and I Wish It Could be Christmas Everyday, respectively!

The In Tua Nua version of the first song has got quite a bit of play on Christmas FM over the last few years. I think it's a horrendous cover version. I grew tired of the original years ago, but it's far superior to the newer version!

Loughc · 05-12-2019 3:25pm

Posy wrote: »

Hate them!

*Drops LoughC's Christmas Cover Classics CD into bin*

Leilak · 05-12-2019 3:28pm

How about a little bit of Max Bygraves.....

jr86 · 05-12-2019 3:34pm

Declan A Walsh wrote: »

As in Merry Christmas Everybody and I Wish It Could be Christmas Everyday, respectively!

The In Tua Nua version of the first song has got quite a bit of play on Christmas FM over the last few years. I think it's a horrendous cover version. I grew tired of the original years ago, but it's far superior to the newer version!

Its way easier just to type out the artists

Heroditas · 05-12-2019 8:19pm

Declan A Walsh wrote: »

As in Merry Christmas Everybody and I Wish It Could be Christmas Everyday, respectively!

The In Tua Nua version of the first song has got quite a bit of play on Christmas FM over the last few years. I think it's a horrendous cover version. I grew tired of the original years ago, but it's far superior to the newer version!

Agreed, the In Tua Nua version is vile but only topped by Sharon Shannon/Wallis Bird. Why, just why?

Posy · 05-12-2019 8:26pm

They played Tua Nua yesterday at 10am and then at 10.10am.
Whyyyyyy?! :pac:

Slim Charles · 05-12-2019 8:38pm

Jude13 wrote: »

Hey, I love that frosty one.

I take my headphones out when it comes on, and I have Attila The Grunt a couple of desks away from (she literally spends the day grunting at stuff, i cant listen to it anymore :-D)

Slim Charles · 05-12-2019 8:39pm

That Celtic Chique song that win the comp a few years ago is a belter by the way - not played anywhere near enough !!

Declan A Walsh · 05-12-2019 9:40pm

I like Once Upon A Christmas Time by Geraldine (Peter Kay). I have heard it played quite a lot over the last few years. Has it been played this year?

Loughc · 05-12-2019 10:25pm

Declan A Walsh wrote: »

I like Once Upon A Christmas Time by Geraldine (Peter Kay). I have heard it played quite a lot over the last few years. Has it been played this year?

Funny you mention that I love that song too and it’s been removed from Apple Music and spotify despite it being there last year.

I wonder what’s behind that.

Something tells me people find it offensive somehow.

jr86 · 06-12-2019 9:08am

Loughc wrote: »

Funny you mention that I love that song too and it’s been removed from Apple Music and spotify despite it being there last year.

I wonder what’s behind that.

Something tells me people find it offensive somehow.

That's gas that you say that, I had it on my Spotify playlist from last year but then it came on shuffle yesterday and it was a completely different version. I never even added this new version must have just been replaced with a new version on Spotify automatically? By the way the new version is awful

Yep wouldn't surprise me if it was the 'easily offended' brigade again. Speaking of which, I think its fair to assume the lack of "baby its cold outside" isn't request based lets be honest

Loughc · 06-12-2019 11:02am

jr86 wrote: »

Yep wouldn't surprise me if it was the 'easily offended' brigade again. Speaking of which, I think its fair to assume the lack of "baby its cold outside" isn't request based lets be honest

Yeah it's looking like that, which is a shame, I'd rather they come out and say it was due to negative public feedback and not lack of requests, as many say there's plenty of songs on Christmas FM that no one seem to requests that get played. And Jude must have requested this now a million times by now as well :P

jr86 · 06-12-2019 11:06am

Dunno have I ever heard the Darkness - Christmas time on it actually.

Surprisingly as its quite mainstream

Maybe I've just missed it though!

Heroditas · 06-12-2019 2:44pm

jr86 wrote: »

Dunno have I ever heard the Darkness - Christmas time on it actually.

Surprisingly as its quite mainstream

Maybe I've just missed it though!

I've heard it a couple of times I think.

VanHalen · 06-12-2019 2:47pm

Loughc wrote: »

Yeah it's looking like that, which is a shame, I'd rather they come out and say it was due to negative public feedback and not lack of requests, as many say there's plenty of songs on Christmas FM that no one seem to requests that get played. And Jude must have requested this now a million times by now as well :P

I’ve heard it on Christmas Fm

Loughc · 06-12-2019 2:50pm

VanHalen wrote: »

I’ve heard it on Christmas Fm

Baby it's cold outside?

Declan A Walsh · 06-12-2019 3:16pm

jr86 wrote: »

Dunno have I ever heard the Darkness - Christmas time on it actually.

Surprisingly as its quite mainstream

Maybe I've just missed it though!

I have heard that Darkness song a number of times over the years on Christmas FM. I have not heard it so far this year, but I need to listen to Christmas FM a bit more! I can't remember hearing that song last year. It regularly comes up on the Christmas specials on tv music channels.

I have seen the Band Aid 20 version (from 2004) of Do They Know It's Christmas regularly on those self same tv channels, but I have rarely heard it on Christmas FM. I think I heard the Band 30 version (from 2014) once or twice, but I don't believe I ever heard the Band Aid 2 version (1989).

Bono holds the record for appearing as a vocalist on the most Band Aid line ups: Band Aid, Band Aid 20 and Band Aid 30. Two members of Bananarama are the only members of the Band Aid 2 lineup to have appeared in another one - the original Band Aid!

jr86 · 06-12-2019 3:35pm

Declan A Walsh wrote: »

I have heard that Darkness song a number of times over the years on Christmas FM. I have not heard it so far this year, but I need to listen to Christmas FM a bit more! I can't remember hearing that song last year. It regularly comes up on the Christmas specials on tv music channels.

I have seen the Band Aid 20 version (from 2004) of Do They Know It's Christmas regularly on those self same tv channels, but I have rarely heard it on Christmas FM. I think I heard the Band 30 version (from 2014) once or twice, but I don't believe I ever heard the Band Aid 2 version (1989).

Bono holds the record for appearing as a vocalist on the most Band Aid line ups: Band Aid, Band Aid 20 and Band Aid 30. Two members of Bananarama are the only members of the Band Aid 2 lineup to have appeared in another one - the original Band Aid!

I actually don't mind the Band aid 2004 version, but the 2014 is awful imo

Declan A Walsh · 06-12-2019 3:39pm

jr86 wrote: »

I actually don't mind the Band aid 2004 version, but the 2014 is awful imo

Band Aid (1984) - Timeless classic, brilliant.

Band Aid 2 (1989) - Very good, but sadly neglected.

Band Aid 20 (2004) - It's not too bad. I'm not sure about the rap and the percussion part at the end!

Band Aid 30 (2014) - I liked the novelty of it initially. Some good vocals, but the overall arrangement is not great. Just about tolerable for me!

TRS30 · 06-12-2019 6:56pm

Declan A Walsh wrote: »

Band Aid (1984) - Timeless classic, brilliant.

Band Aid 2 (1989) - Very good, but sadly neglected.

Band Aid 20 (2004) - It's not too bad. I'm not sure about the rap and the percussion part at the end!

Band Aid 30 (2014) - I liked the novelty of it initially. Some good vocals, but the overall arrangement is not great. Just about tolerable for me!

in fairness '84 was always going to be hard to complete with.

Declan A Walsh · 12-12-2019 10:32am

There are some songs that you only ever hear on Christmas FM and that is one of the things I like about it.

My current favourite of the ones that you only hear on Christmas FM is I Wish Everyday Could be Christmas by Bon Jovi. Another favourite is Something About Christmas Time by Bryan Adams.

TRS30 · 12-12-2019 10:36am

Declan A Walsh wrote: »

There are some songs that you only ever hear on Christmas FM and that is one of the things I like about it.

Like Feliz Navidad (yes I did have to google it to make sure I spelt it right!!)

Declan A Walsh · 14-12-2019 10:31am

I heard another song on Christmas FM last night that is not played on other radio stations or on music channel Christmas countdowns.The song in question has turned up in the past on one of those Top of The Pops2 Christmas specials....and will again if repeated on BBC4 or Gold!

The song I'm talking about is Cold Cold Christmas by Dana. I think it's a quaint song. I would say I have heard it on average once a year on Christmas FM!

OUTDOORLASS · 14-12-2019 1:21pm

Santa Baby ......Love singing along to that ..

OUTDOORLASS · 14-12-2019 3:31pm

Christmas ShoesðŸ˜©ðŸ˜© Even though it's kind of grown on me

Declan A Walsh · 14-12-2019 6:12pm

I was surprised to hear * Mark Byrne (he of various Dublin stations, 4FM, Century Radio, Atlantic 252 and Radio Ireland/ Today FM) this morning. I don't think he has ever done temporary license stations before. I heard Robbie Irwin (best known for RTE Sport these days) this afternoon. He was about to hand over to an ex-colleague of his from 2FM: Mike Maloney.

It's interesting the names that Christmas FM have secured over the years. Like many temporary licenses, it started off with largely people who had been with the smaller pirates over the decades or pirates from the 90s/00s or community stations. But over the years, it has managed to secure some big names. I think it's the nature of the station.

* Incidentally, I believe there was a a different and lesser known Mark Byrne on temporary licensed Hot Country a number of years ago!

odyssey06 · 14-12-2019 6:59pm

Bought the RTE guide and some mince pies at the shops and head for home in the car.
Turned on the engine.
Christmas FM kicks in with Driving Home for Christmas.

Get home and put on Christmas FM as I pick out my christmas tv viewing in the guide.

Its all coming together nicely.

Cork Lass · 15-12-2019 2:38pm

They’ve redeemed themselves- just played “Baby it’s cold outside”

jr86 · 15-12-2019 3:56pm

Cork Lass wrote: »

They’ve redeemed themselves- just played “Baby it’s cold outside”

Also @LoughC I heard Peter Kay yesterday too!

Great weekend put down !!

Loughc · 15-12-2019 11:04pm

jr86 wrote: »

Also @LoughC I heard Peter Kay yesterday too!

Great weekend put down !!

All is right with the world again

dubstepper · 18-12-2019 4:30pm

Is it only me or are other people getting tired of Christmas FM?

I'm not sure if I have overdosed the last few years, or it's the case that after a couple of weeks of it I'm done, but I find I can't listen to it as much. I find it odd as I really enjoyed it the first few years.

*runs for cover*

OUTDOORLASS · 18-12-2019 10:39pm

The first 4 words of your opening line..... Bah Humbug to you....

Aside from the gr8 Christmas Songs, no Brexit, no talk of elections, no Trump.....no lengthy ad breaks. And its always for a super cause. So its a win win for me...

Loughc · 18-12-2019 10:57pm

dubstepper wrote: »

Is it only me or are other people getting tired of Christmas FM?

I'm not sure if I have overdosed the last few years, or it's the case that after a couple of weeks of it I'm done, but I find I can't listen to it as much. I find it odd as I really enjoyed it the first few years.

*runs for cover*

I think it’s the opposite in general ChristmasFM is getting more popular and popular each year. The social media following is growing. I enjoy it more dropping in and out throughout the day rather than long listens throughout the day.

Postgrad10 · 18-12-2019 11:14pm

I’ve made my own iTunes Christmas song list mixed with some classic pop or rock songs too. It’s a big mix of everything so I don’t get bored. But yeah I switched off the Christmas songs this evening. Sometimes quiet is good too.

jr86 · 18-12-2019 11:19pm

dubstepper wrote: »

Is it only me or are other people getting tired of Christmas FM?

I'm not sure if I have overdosed the last few years, or it's the case that after a couple of weeks of it I'm done, but I find I can't listen to it as much. I find it odd as I really enjoyed it the first few years.

*runs for cover*

Yeah to be honest I generally "burn out" after a couple of weeks of it myself

as the month goes on I listen less and less, but that goes for Christmas music in general tbh

I agree with Loughc though, in that I find it best to just dip in and out during the day rather than sustained listens

That said its mainly my Spotify playlist I'm using at present.

Heroditas · 19-12-2019 1:17am

I like dipping in and out of it. I couldn't listen to it for the whole day.
It's ideal for when I'm in the car.

DvB · 19-12-2019 11:08am

I love the period just after it goes live, i tend to just listen when im in the car though as anywhere else I've no access to a radio to hear it.
But I have noticed i only dip in & out even when in the car after that. I tend to stick on my Christmas playlist on my iPod when I'm coming home on the train from work as it has all my favourites on it. Even when at home i'll do the same & dock the iPod or stick on MTV Christmas or one of the other music channels, so I find my listening diminishes the longer its on air. I do try to listen in for the last couple of days its on air though & do feel a little sad when it shuts down each year.

jr86 · 19-12-2019 12:10pm

DvB wrote: »

I love the period just after it goes live, i tend to just listen when im in the car though as anywhere else I've no access to a radio to hear it.
But I have noticed i only dip in & out even when in the car after that. I tend to stick on my Christmas playlist on my iPod when I'm coming home on the train from work as it has all my favourites on it. Even when at home i'll do the same & dock the iPod or stick on MTV Christmas or one of the other music channels, so I find my listening diminishes the longer its on air. I do try to listen in for the last couple of days its on air though & do feel a little sad when it shuts down each year.

Yeah 100% I'm the same

I have a Spotify playlist of about 50/60 songs I all like. Some days I'm in the mood to hear some more than others

I love Christmas Fm when it starts but as the month goes on if I listen at work I find I'm just switching over to my Spotify playlist anyway - there's too many songs on it I just get a bit fed up of, whereas Spotify is tailored to my own favourites

OUTDOORLASS · 19-12-2019 6:06pm

Flying with the fundraising today. Some of the stories would make a stone cry.

TRS30 · 19-12-2019 8:54pm

Over €200k raised in 12 hours! That is amazing really and is testament to how popular it is I guess.

Declan A Walsh · 19-12-2019 10:21pm

I heard Once Upon a Time by Geraldine McQueen, aka Peter Kay, this evening. My first time hearing it this year!

Declan A Walsh · 20-12-2019 6:57pm

I haven't heard Hugh O'Brien this year so far. He would tend to be on Saturday evenings when he is on Christmas FM. Has anyone heard him so far?

Heroditas · 20-12-2019 7:49pm

Declan A Walsh wrote: »

I heard Once Upon a Time by Geraldine McQueen, aka Peter Kay, this evening. My first time hearing it this year!

I've heard it a few times the last few days.
Enough of Hudson Taylor though. Seriously, their song is being played to death!

Loughc · 20-12-2019 11:29pm

Declan A Walsh wrote: »

I heard Once Upon a Time by Geraldine McQueen, aka Peter Kay, this evening. My first time hearing it this year!

Heard it twice today alone. Delighted

Declan A Walsh · 21-12-2019 12:13pm

Here is another interesting Christmas tune that you don't hear on Christmas FM. I heard it a short while ago ago on 8Radio.com.
I Wish It was Christmas Today by Julian Casablancas.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wS-k66MKgs

Heroditas · 21-12-2019 11:42pm

The Taylor Swift song Christmas Tree Farm is really growing on me! Could become a classic in a few years. Nostalgia dialled up to 11.

The official Christmas FM thread

Comments

"I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year" - Charles Dickens