Before the advent of reality TV, the Christmas number one was the holy grail for many artistes and a lot of planning, writing and luck would be needed to get to number one. These days it appears to be sewn up who will get number one as soon as the X Factor winner is announced but enough about that and lets get back to the eighties.
I seem to remember in my dim and distant past that you found out who got the top spot on the day and you would find out either on Radio One or wait for the Christmas edition of top of the pops which was often the highlight of the day apart from our Queens speech. I do remember it was on before the Queen speech and we would wait for Jimmy Saville, Mike Read or Steve Wright to deliver the news after going through the hits of the year.
Some of the songs would have a Christmas theme or feel but more often than not some did not. Often the more christmassy it was the more likely it was not going to get the top spot. Here is the official list of the top singles at Christmas in the 1980s.
1980 - St Winnifred's School Quior - Theres no one quite like grandma
1981 - Human League - Dont you want me
1982 - Renee and Renato - Save your love
1983 - Flying Pickets - Only you
1984 - Band Aid - Do they know its Christmas
1985 - Shakin Stevens - Merry Christmas everyone
1986 - Jackie Wilson - Reet petite
1987 - Pet shop boys - Always on my mind
1988 - Cliff Richard - Mistletoe and wine
1989 - Band Aid II - Do they know its Christmas time
As you can see quite a mixed bag there with only 3 songs with a Christmas theme. However, there are many great songs that didn't get the coveted spot. Two of the unluckiest were The Pogues Fairytale of New York which was kept of by the Pet Shop Boys and Wham Last Christmas which was kept out by Band Aid. With that in mind I have done an alternative list of the Christmas songs that didn't hit the top spot. In no particular order....this isn't, in my opinion is below.
Just outside the top 10 is Mel and Kim with rocking around the christmas tree..shame but no time for sentiment!
10 - Chris Rea - Driving home for christmas
9 - Aled Jones - Walking in the air
8 - David Essex - Winters tale
7 - Slade - Merry Christmas
6 - Frankie goes to Hollywood - Power of Love
5 - Paul McCartney - Wonderful christmas time and Pipes of Peace
4 - John and Yoko Lennon - Happy xmas (war is over)
3 - Wham - Last christmas
2 - Jona Lewie - Stop the Cavalry
1 - Pogues - Fairytale of New York
So there you have it, close call between the pogues and Jona, but I feel as you hear the piano on the beginning of fairytale of New York then everything is all ok.
Recommended Purchase or further listening.
Christmas Hits by various artists
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