WINGS - JUNIOR'S FARM

Here's an ultra rare performance from what looks like Top Of The Pops in 1974. Wings performing 'Juniors Farm'.



For one week only
download a HQ version here

DEBORAH HARRY - FELIZ NAVIDAD

Deborah Harry joined Spiraling onstage for a christmas benefit concert recently.
This was filmed at the Count Basie theater in Red Bank.

MANIC STREET PREACHERS - LAST CHRISTMAS

This track was performed live on TFI Friday back in 1996. It was later included on the CD 'Lipstick Traces - A Secret History Of Manic Street Preachers'.

'Last Christmas'

GARY GLITTER - ANOTHER ROCK AND ROLL CHRISTMAS

Let's get the offending tunes out of the way now! Shame Gary Glitter is such a dirty word these days, but you can't deny this is a christmas classic. The song has vanished from our airwaves and christmas compilations of late. 'Another Rock And Roll Christmas' reached number 7 in the UK charts back in December 1984.

'Another Rock And Roll Christmas'

MR GARRISON - MERRY FUCKING CHRISTMAS

Time to offend every Muslim with one silly song. I used to love playing this, but now there are Muslims living in the flat above I'm paranoid to crank the volume up. This is taken from the album 'Mr Hankey's Christmas Classics'.

'Merry Fucking Christmas'

ADAM FAITH - LONELY PUP IN A CHRISTMAS SHOP

Whilst appearing in panto during Christmas 1960 Adam Faith unleashed this christmas novelty tune on us. 'Lonely Pup In A Christmas Shop' reached number 4 in the UK charts.

'Lonely Pup In A Christmas Shop'

SPARKS - THANK GOD IT'S NOT CHRISTMAS

Two treats in one post for you Sparks fans out there. First a picture I scanned from Paula Yates classic book 'Rock Stars In Their Underpants' of Sparks from May 1980. This picture is actually taken by Michael Montfort and not one of Paula's grubbier looking Polaroids.
The second treat is Sparks anti-christmas anthem from 1975 'Thank God It's Not Christmas'. This track is for my pal in NY, the very SpecialK who suggested this tune. Merry Christmas.

'Thank God It's Not Christmas'

McFLY - DECK THE HALLS

Here's a festive treat from McFly's recent Woolworths exclusive CD 'The Greatest Bits:B-Sides & Rarities'. 'Deck The Halls' was recorded back in 2004.

'Deck The Halls'

LITTLE CINDY - HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS

'Happy Birthday Jesus (A Child's Prayer)' is one of the reasons why you should own 'A John Waters Christmas', a collection of songs that make you appreciate the insanity of the yuletide season.
Some of us get neurotically religious during the holiday season, so 'Happy Birthday Jesus (A Child's Prayer)' by scary Little Cindy will be perfect to play if Christian guilt ever creeps into your celebration. Listen to this child's voice, so godawful, so devout, so beautiful, so perfect. No second take in the recording booth for this motley muppet! Little Cindy regrets nothing and neither should you.

'Happy Birthday Jesus (A Child's Prayer)

QUEEN - THANK GOD IT'S CHRISTMAS

Here's Queen's festive offering from 1984. 'Thank God It's Christmas' seems to have been abandoned by Queen and ignored by radio. I don't think a video was ever made for this song either.

'Thank God It's Christmas'

THE GOONS - I'M WALKING BACKWARDS FOR CHRISTMAS

'The Goon Show' was a BBC radio comedy show that was broadcast in the 1950's and into the early 1960's. It starred Michael Bentine, Harry Secombe, Peter Sellers and Spike Milligan. This track was issued as a single back in June 1956 (Yes June!) and reached number 4 in the UK charts. It also re-appeared as the b.side to the 1973 Top 10 single 'The Ying Tong Song'.

'I'm Walking Backwards For Christmas'

THE KINKS - FATHER CHRISTMAS

If you're looking for someone to satirize the whole idea of Christmas, Ray Davies would be high on the list of suspects to do so. This 1977 single by the Kinks does exactly that, intimating that happy holidays are a luxury for the rich and that for everyone else, it's every man for himself. 'Father Christmas' gets mugged by a bunch of street toughs in this anti-classic.

'Father Christmas'

THE SENSATIONAL ALEX HARVEY BAND - THERE'S NO LIGHTS ON THE CHRISTMAS TREE MOTHER, THEY'RE BURNING BIG LOUIE TONIGHT

The Sensational Alex Harvey Band were formed in 1972. The eerie half-hard rock, half-carnival number 'There's No Lights On The Christmas Tree Mother, They're Burning Big Louie Tonight' (which tells the story of exactly that subject, if you're curious), was the bands debut single also issued in 1972.

'There's No Lights On The Christmas Tree Mother, They're Burning Big Louie Tonight'

THE WOMBLES - WOMBLING MERRY CHRISTMAS

Christmas wouldn't be the same without The Wombles 1974 festive offering. A few years ago Roy Wood joined them to make the godawful 'I Wish It Could Be A Wombling Merry Christmas Everyday'. I'll give that one a miss and stick with the original.

'Wombling Merry Christmas'

THE KILLERS - DON'T SHOOT ME SANTA

Following last years 'A Great Big Sled', The Killers are back with another festive offering. Watch the video below.

IKE & TINA TURNER - MERRY CHRISTMAS BABY

Ike and Tina recorded this christmas song for the b.side of 'Ooh Poo Pah Doo' released in December 1964.

'Merry Christmas Baby'

ROLF HARRIS - LITTLE DRUMMER BOY

Here's a funny little christmas tune that reminds me of being a small kid. Rolf recorded his version of 'Little Drummer Boy' for his 1975 album 'She'll Be Right'.

'Little Drummer Boy'

EARTHA KITT - I'M GETTING NUTTIN' FOR CHRISTMAS

We all know and love Eartha's version of 'Santa Baby', but way back in the 1950's she also recorded another christmas tune for the b.side of her single 'Je Cherche Un Homme'. One of the sauciest christmas songs ever.

'I'm Getting Nuttin' For Christmas'

BOBBY 'BORIS' PICKETT & THE CRYPT KICKERS - MONSTER'S HOLIDAY

Best known for the smash hit 'Monster Mash', this christmas themed follow-up reached number 30 in December of 1962.
Pickett died at the age of 69 on April 25, 2007 in Los Angeles, California, due to complications from leukemia.

'Monster's Holiday'

AGNETHA & LINDA FALTSKOG - JINGLE BELLS

This track was recorded in late 1980 by Abba's Agnetha Faltskog and her daughter Linda. It's an album of Swedish christmas standards and the English translation is 'A Thousand Candles Are Being Lit'. This track is 'Bjällerklang', 'Jingle Bells' to you and me. Some of Abba also play on this album.

'Bjällerklang'

HOT CHOCOLATE - BRAND NEW CHRISTMAS

Over the next few weeks I'll be digging out the more unusual and rare of christmas tunes. To begin with here's Hot Chocolate.

'Brand New Christmas'