To ask if Fairytale of New York is your favourite Christmas song?

[harmoneygarxe]

Just that really.

Is it a love it or hate it song?

@MasterBeth why do you want to argue with everyone? Very odd.

I don't want to argue with anyone. I want everyone to talk about their favourite Christmas songs.

I think we should just pretend they aren’t here. Only way to deal with people like that, desperate for attention because they don’t get any outside of an internet forum.

I'm starting a petition to get the Wombles re-released immediately now there's 3 of us on the thread that like it

@TempestTost
It is one of the best songs ever
It has the line Its coming on Christmas
Therefore I am claiming it is the best Christmas song ever 😀
@MasterBeth I think there are some songs (and films) that are directly about Christmas and some that have become synonymous with Christmas. As a film example nobody would really say The Great Escape is a Christmas movie but it is on every single Christmas so for many people it is their favourite Christmas movie. Really not worth all the arguments people are perfectly aware of the difference.

I love it. But I am a big Pogues fan, and pre kids we saw them just before Christmas every year so it holds some wonderful memories for me.

I agree. If I hear a Christmas song on the radio before 25 December, I tend to find another station 😊

It’s not my favourite Xmas song but I like it. Definitely in the top 20. To be fair, there aren’t many Xmas songs that I don’t like. I was even listening to Heart Xmas on the radio in my car this morning.

If you’re fed up with the original, here’s a lovely piano instrumental rendition

There's also a nice version sung by the actress who was in Taggart and another Scottish male singer.

They are talking about their favourite Christmas songs. And then you are arguing and telling them they aren't Christmas songs.

The East 17 one isn't really a Christmas song. But it always makes me think of Christmas. And almost The Sound of Silence by Disturbed which nearly made it to Christmas number one.

Incidentally Back for Good by Take That is an Easter for me. Because I listened to the cd on repeat whilst stuffing my face with Easter eggs one year.

Music can invoke very strong memories, causing some songs to have links to things they aren't really linked to.

Here it is. Lovely video too

I love the Home Alone one! Apparently it's called Carol of the Bells by John Williams.

I love it but it's not my favourite, quite a way down the list actually. I prefer The Night Santa Went Crazy, Christmas at Ground Zero, Merry Xmas Everyone, Christmas at the Zoo, Christmas Clearout, there are loads that I like better.

I love a good Christmas clearout! 🤣

Love it, but not as much as I love The Waitresses - Christmas Wrapping.

They are talking about their favourite Christmas songs. And then you are arguing and telling them they aren't Christmas songs.

The East 17 one isn't really a Christmas song. But it always makes me think of Christmas.

This is some deep level existential argument you've got going on here.

You're arguing with me that I'm arguing that a song that isn't a Christmas song isn't a Christmas songs while at the same time agreeing that it isn't a Christmas song!

Stay Another Day is a song about fraternal suicide. It's a song that gets played at Christmas but, as you say, it's not a Christmas song.

Why is anyone getting upset to be reminded what is and what isn't a Christmas song? Why are you insisting that up is down and black is white and that East 17 were singing about Christmas?

My point is that it isn't a song about Christmas, but it is a Christmas song because our brains associate it with Christmas. It's that simple.

people don’t like the original lyrics but most haven’t heard the Irish version:

“the boys of the NI peeler team were playing GAA
And the crowds were singing up the (blank)

And I see that people are arguing about East 17

you haven’t head the Irish version:

”Maybe he was in the ira, don’t think he will ever say
Gerry stay another day”

Is sliced white bread a Christmas food?

I say no, even if you wrap it in Christmas iconography and eat it at Christmas. It's still not Christmas food.

Even if you put East 17 in snowproof coats and release their single at Christmas, it's not a Christmas record.

This bread is the Stay Another Day of food:

Do you generally only eat it at Christmas? When you eat it, does your brain say "oh... it must be Christmas?"
If yes. Then yes. It is, arguably Christmas food.
If no, then no it isn't.

And Warburtons putting elves on the packaging is just marketing ffs.

And again. Why are you still here?

Hmm. I don't think anyone's personal association of sliced bread with Christmas would turn it into Christmas food when it has none of the characteristics of Christmas food.

It's more nuanced than Christmas songs or movies, though, because the characteristics of Christmas food are based on tradition or taste (spices, winter flavours) rather than any intrinsic qualities. Christmas songs, though, are easily identified - they are about Christmas story or Christmas themed.

And, yes, you're right, the Christmas bread packaging is just marketing for pre-existing non-Christmas food. Like the videos for The Power of Love, Pipes of Peace and Stay Another Day are just marketing for pre-existing non-Christmas songs.

To have a conversation about Christmas songs. Do you have anything to say on the subject?