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I can't believe I've been doing this for five Christmasses now - and this year the blog has it's own anthem! Check out Disco Lemonade above, produced just for this blog based on the title of my forthcoming novel. Amazing! Each year it's a bit of an organisational feat to pull together, but each year I'm touched by the willingness and kindness of those who actively embrace the challenge and provide readers of this tiny corner of the internet with some festive cheer. So thank you from the bottom of my heart to all who took part, all who have taken part in the past and all who are reading this. Do leave your festive messages in the comments :)
As always, this card is dedicated to my ace gang ~ Darren, Bernice, Kirsty, Simon, Mark, Mark, Ruth, Lou, Lydia, Tom, Justin, Paul and Gareth :)

From Elouise:

Thanks to Elouise and also her quite poorly at the time brother for turning out such a delightful festive visual and a lovely rendition of Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas. Quite heavenly.

From Simon Curtis:

It's been a tremendous year for Simon and after 4 solid years of pestering, he finally put something together for me :) YAY! And in front of Starbucks. Amazing.

From Andreas (Gravitonas):


"Greetings Blog Man! First of all I want to apologize for not making a video... or not even a glittering christmas card. Instead I tattooed my head and took a picture of it. I wish you a super duper christmas my friend. Skål! Andreas "

From The Feeling (Added 24.12):


Not exclusively for myfizzypop but a lovely new Christmas offering from one of my fave bands to emerge in the new millenium. It's a Christmas message from the band, soundtracked by Christmas Is For Children, a brand new song, written and recorded especially for the video you -see above!

From Neo:

After telling ace Swedish popstar Neo that I loved his cane from his melodifestivalen performance earlier in the year, he included it in the video above! Brillo. Now that's what I call the season of giving :)

From DeeDeeLovesMe & Terry Ronald:

"Happy Christmas to all the gorgeous myfizzypop readers (and the gorgeous Paul of course)! Love Terry Ronald & DeeDee!" (Be sure to check out DeeDee's WinterWonderland here and gaze in amazosity at Terry's Gucci coat :))

From the Straight Up boys:

Be sure to check out the boys brilliant Christmas single XXXMas over at their facebook page :)

From Sunrise Beach (the artists formerly known as Sparkling Arrest):

It's a Christmas State of Mind for Sunrise Beach ~ you can download the track for no Christmas pennies (ie FREE) right here!!

From I Am Noxious:

I Am Noxious provided me with a lovely song called The Snowman. It's about a broken heart and snow. You can download its loveliness for zero festive pence here! It's basically amazing.

From Kyle Brylin:

While it makes me want to weep that Kyle actually has no Christmas decorations, his pearly white teeth shine like a million christmas lights. I'm excited to see his new video for his single Committed in January. Bonza!

From CJ Baran (added 24.12):


Again, not exclusive but quite lovely. As CJ himself says ~ "Happy Holidays! In the spirit of giving, please accept the gift of a free download for my rendition of "I'll Be Home For Christmas" to add to your holiday playlist by going to www.cjbaran.com/media/music." Hurrah. Please do. His version of F*** You was one of my fave of the year :)

From "guess who"!


Which former X-Factor alumni are hiding behind santa pug and reindeer pug? Here's hoping they get excellent karma (karma) in the new year :)

From Adam Tyler (added 24.12):


Adam sent over a wonderfully fizzy video despite being under the weather. What an absolute trooper! I'm a bit alarmed he has the same wrapping paper on his presents as I do...!

From Kameron Martinez:

Kameron is purveyor of one of the most addictive yet pervy songs of the year (Kinkky) yet shows his incredibly sweet side with the lovely video above. I appreciate the British accent attempt!!

From The Candle Thieves:

Their music couldn't be any more charming if it shook you by the hand and laid it's coat over a puddle so you didn't get your shoes wet. This recording of Amazing Grace is so serene and delightful, it almost bought a tear to my eye. And you can only hear it here. Thanks guys!

From BoyBanned:



It's the lovely BoyBanned boys whose delightful debut single Street Lights can be pre-ordered now! Do check out their adorable secret santa video too!!

From Miss Kookie:

The lovely Miss Kookie who put out the phantasmagorical Puttin' On The Ritz earlier in the year has a festive message and a quick shout out on her webpage which you can view here. Can't wait for more from her in 2011!!

From The Overtones:

Not specifically for this blog but have been so enamoured with their album and tweets these past few months that I had to absolutely include their Christmas greeting to their fans.

From Jonas Oakland:


It's been an amazing year for Jonas and I'm quite smitten with both his snazzy outfit and deliciously naughty pose within the photo you see above :)

From Joe McElderry:

It's little geordie Joe! With a starbucks! Looking all cheeky and lovely! Do go out and buy his single Someone Wake Me Up cos it deserves to be much higher in the charts than it currently is!

From Ryan Brockington (of New York Post's Pop Wrap):

I got to know Ryan when he co-hosted with Larry Flick on the Morning Jolt and he is a stand up, charming gent of a guy :) And also obliged me with a starbucks picture. Amazing times 100.

From D'Luv & Cracker of Chartrigger:

I do enjoy it when D'Luv gets all festive and whips out his pussy for a good Starbucks fingering. Somehow it doesn't feel like the season without it :) Do check out his other writings on Idolator also :)

From So Hip It Hurts:


Vinny Vero and I share a love of all things fine pop music, particularly if it stems from the 80s. Fact - i would have never have known about a Hue & Cry Christmas album if it wasn't for him :)

From Project 76:


Thanks to lovely XOLondon, I was able to meet Dan this year for a coffee and later a meal. Our musical tastes don't always collide so we are both always pleased when they do (viva St Etienne and Tove Styrke!) and the rest of the time? Well, we'll always have Dr Who!

From Jason of OlgaLovesYuri:

Oh who wouldn't want to give the lovely Jason some extra foam on his gingerbread latte, while reading all the latest happenings in the UK/US charts?!

From Aaron Fabtastic:

Reindeer ears! I love festive antlers. True story. I didn't know reindeer were actually real until about 5 years ago. I thought they were mythical. Like hippogriff. Which is why Aaron is so much smarter than I am. I'm off to feed my unicorn!

From Bruiser:

Bruiser has kindly allowed John from PopMusicNotes to be featured on the blog under the tree that I'm reliably informed Bruiser had to do with no opposable thumbs while John was typing up some blog post or other :)

From Phil Worrapolava:


What I love about this is that it's from the Macy's Parade which takes place every thanksgiving in NYC. While in Florida, Dazpanteloons and I were part of the Macy's Parade at Universal Studios carrying the balloon version of this very ornament! Serendipity!

And a final image from my lovely friend Simon, while you listen to the lovely Louise serenading you with Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas... I'll be back on Sunday 26th with the first of my best of 2010 lists :)

Oh my days and a half! It is actually only five days til Christmas! And I am in full festive spirit. The weather outside is genuinely frightful (snow snow and more snow), i've decked my halls, i've hung my stockings with care, etc. I've trudged into work through the (centi)metres of snow and ignored all around me while singing festive faves at the top of my voice, regardless of who else was around (my walk is usually quite deserted)... I've played a fair few of them on Larry Flick's Morning Jolt t'other day, but this weekend decided that there had been such a delightful plethora of brand new Christmas recordings this year, I would kick off my Best Of lists (singles coming Dec 27th, then lists all that live long week) with the best new songs of Christmas 2010. Magnifico!

20= ~ Big Time Rush, Beautiful Christmas: Hurrah! Boy band mania rules. Not content with covering Mariah's All I Want For Christmas as part of their festive episode, the foursome managed to whip out an original tune full of perky rock-pop jolliness and good times.
20= ~ St Etienne, Come On Christmas: Frankly this would probably be much higher up the list if my postman (sort of hot, so forgiveable) hadn't taken two weeks to deliver the Christmas album it features on. Still, it arrived today so I have a full week of playing it non-stop until next year. This track is vair good and DanP76 approved...
19 ~ Todd Alsup, This Christmas (above): Todd is all sorts of quite lovely as it happens. His music has serenaded me all throughout 2010 and then to top that off, he records a cover of the 1970 Donny Hathaway classic This Christmas. With backing singers. And a video. And looking like he's having a rollicking good time around the piano doing it. In amazing glasses. Watch it. Love it. Worship the ground he walks on.
18 ~ Gavin Mikhail, Evergreen: Gavin is frankly one of the most underrated singer songwriters out there, and I've been a fan of his since I heard Brave in 2006. He has released a Christmas EP this week with some covers on, some instrumentals and this soaring piano-vocal only track that he penned himself. Gorgeous piano work, lovely to listen to over and over again. And interestingly, sounding as classic as any of the other tunes on the EP...
17 ~ Wilson Phillips, Warm Lovin' Christmastime: Oh glorious. Wilson Phillips get back together with Glen Ballard (of their debut album fame) and produce a festive album of material that is like a lovely steaming cup of hot cocoa. With marshmallows. Their harmonies are still exquisite and produces an aural alchemy that just keeps on giving...
16 ~ Glee Cast, Baby It's Cold Outside: I wasn't hugely taken with this at first but having actually seen the Christmas episode and my continuing (and growing) obsession with lovely Darren Criss has put the tune in a whole new light. Expect to find my Darren (non-Criss but obviously equally as lovely) and me miming to it at any given point over the next week...


15 ~ Puppini Sisters, All I Want For Christmas Is You: You may think there are more than enough Mariah cover versions out in the Christmas marketplace as it is and you are probably correct in that assumption. However, when a unique take on this perennial fave emerges it's a joy to behold. It's a jazzy-tinged, Andrews Sisters-esque marvel that holds up to many repeated gleeful listens :)
14 ~ Hurts, All I Want For Christmas Is New Years Day: Hurts have had quite a good year haven't they? Duetted with Kylie, covered by Kylie and produced a sombre but elegant seasonal tale which they have generously given away for zero pennies. And it mentions New Years Day which so many people (other than Abba and Sugababes) forget about. Plus they look proper good in suits. (PS embedding disabled by request? Bah humbugs!)
13 ~ Coldplay, Christmas Lights (above): I felt that Viva La Vida was quite festive sounding anyway, so an actual proper bonafide Christmas tune from Chris and the guys has proved to be incredibly welcome. It sounds immense, gets better with every listen and has lovely festive themes such as sadness, sorrow, hope and redemption. Plus an amazing to the power of balls video (as evidenced above). Tremend.
12 ~ The Killers, Boots: And for the fifth year in a row, the lovely Killers manage to whip out an altogether amazing Christmas single to raise money and awareness for HIV charities. And this is their second best of all their efforts to date (Don't Shoot Me Santa Claus still remains their finest festive moment). And the video has an entirely lovely story to go along with it. Absolutely delightful and as charming as anything on Brandon's still quite good solo album...
11 ~ Mans Zelmerlow, December: Mans does big band at Christmas and the results are both surprising and delicious. Mans remains as genetically perfect as you can get and this swinging little tune does nothing to dampen my need to smooch him ferociously underneath the mistletoe. Here's to more Mans in 2011...


10 ~ The Pipettes, Santa's On His Way: I'm still vaguely amused at the text that alerted me to this song "'av you heard that new Pipettes song Satan's On his Way?" marvelous. perhaps they can consider a bit of a downbeat dub remix of the tune to give away next hallowe'en?! This is as perky and bouncy as a ride on Rudolph's back and will no doubt be as essential at Christmasses to come as mince pie and milk left by the fireplace for old Saint Nick...
09 ~ DeeDee, Winter Wonderland: I wrote about this just a few days ago, so I'm not going to go on about it too much. It's brilliant. As is DeeDee. As is the video. It shows that people with swagger can do sweet just as brilliantly as they tackle pop-venom and errant lover bashing. Check out her interview on lovely Dontstopthepop...
08 ~ Mariah Carey, Oh Santa!: Oh it was never going to reach the levels of amazosity that All I Want For Christmas has attained but actually what transpired was a totally fun, quirky little ditty that got better upon each listen, got people hand clapping away (essential for those cold winter mornings) and made me feel like I could go outside and do some skipping rope contests to the tune along with the best of them :)
07 ~ Kylie, Let It Snow: A new version of Santa Baby and a feather coat filled appearance at Rockafella Centre in NYC performing this tune? Could Kylie give her fans a better Christmas present?! The answer to that question is no she could not, though the news that Steve Anderson is working on new Aphrodite tour arrangements is the bow on the present, the icing on the christmas cake if you will :)
06 ~ Indigo Girls, Feel The Christmas Spirit: Perhaps the most surprising Christmas album of the year came from one of my long time faves. Their bluegrass take on Christmas was often fun, often poignant but always excellent and this exuberant tune was a sheer joy from start to finish. Much like the Wilson Phillips song earlier in the list, it's a song that embodies the ethos of the title from first note...


05 ~ Luke Leighfield, So Confused By Christmas: Ok, I'm cheating. it's actually a song from 2006, but it's new to me and it's my blog so nuh! A vividly clever look at the self imposed rules of enjoying Christmas that hit home a little too hard at times (I'm sure I had a strop as a child over the colour of my hat from the cracker) and makes you want to concentrate on actually just being a better person. This song has actually made me do nice things for people so hopefully Luke's sense of hope isn't kicked too much. Do check out Luke's Christmas tour blog. It's rather brilliant...
04 ~ Pink Martini, Snowglobe Christmas (above): Thank you Starbucks for having this album by your delicious polar bear cookies while I was in Florida. This track in particular made me absolutely swoon over it's lovely islands lilting tune, it's dreamy Doris Day-esque vocals and the timeless beauty of it all that will be forever encapsulated in my heart, just like the flakes of snow in the globe they sing about. divine.
03 ~ Owl City, Peppermint Winter: This song basically lists everything that I love about Christmas in a musical wrapping that is so twee and glorious that it makes the already brimming with goodness festive season seem even better. It's just so so me. E.G. "I twirl down the driveway with angelic grace/til i slip on the sidewalk and fall on my face". Happened to me this morning and still i felt no need to complain. If you feel down this season, just listen to this. It's as good a tonic as Love, Actually. Yes, it's that good!
02 ~ Glee cast, We Need A Little Christmas: I initially was quite loyal to the lovely Kimberley Locke's version of this tune, but Glee have worn me down and won me over. There is something so wonderfully happy and innocent about the tune that is utterly in line with the theatrically needed to perform it. What I love about the version is that the backing vocals are as important in the mix of the track as the main vocal, there is actual delight in the voices of the singers (there is no way they were frowning when they were recording this) and some truly edifying instrumentals - particularly that instrumental breakdown before the end that makes you want to leap for joy. Is played every morning on my walk to work and never feels to imbue me with some Christmas magic :)


01 ~ Bananarama, Baby It's Christmas: Sigh. It's just so utterly glorious. Not only have Britain's still premiere girl group managed to whip out an absolutely edible teardrops on the disco floor christmas boogie on down number, but it's also one of the more amazing pop treats of the entire year. Entirely in line with their Viva sound, yet moving towards a new era of dancefloor dominance that absolutely must continue in 2011. Love the juxtaposition of the sad lyrics against a joyous grab the one you love and shimmy soundtrack. A deserved and brilliant number one :)

Back on Wednesday with the 5th annual Myfizzypop Online Christmas Card. It's going to be amazes!

Honestly you turn your back for 2 minutes (ie, 2 weeks in Florida - part two of holiday diaries here; cutesy EPCOT video here)and a plethora of aces new Christmas songs pop up in your absence. Most festive and delightful they are, like biting into a slightly warm and heavenly moist mince pie on a cold winters night. Here are five of the best new tunes, with some more to follow on Friday. Amazes...

• Hotel Rival ~ A Rival Christmas: Oh. My. God. Remember when I was obsessed in 2009 with the penned by Benny and Bjorn Abba "Second Best To None" song that was sung by their staff to promote their Swedish hotel? It was (and still is) an epic tune, ideal for X-Factor finalists to release as a charity single. Less brilliant is a festive little effort from them to promote their holiday sales on room rates (or something, probably). To be fair, it's a cutesy folky effort and it's always a delight to get anything Abba related. Plus the hunky barman is there (top right) which is always a must. Pleasantly singalong rather than outstanding, but a nice Christmas gift for any Abba fans out there. PS, I do like the theme of "let them in" - both good for hotels and of course Mary and Joseph, etc. Tres bon.
• Darin ~ O Holy Night: Two facts. I adore little Darin, think he is one of the finest male popstars of the new millenium. And! I adore O Holy Night. It's a bit more of a carol than a song, but it can sound great sung by a heavenly choir or by a strong vocalist. Thank heavens then for Damian over at Swedish Stereo for alerting me to Darin singing O Holy Night. How absolutely magnifico. He sounds both reverent and delightful, and is rocking the bow-tie look. What an angelic little choir dude he is. Oh the thoughts running through my head... :P
• The Pipettes ~ Santa's On His Way: I played this (among others) when I visited Larry Flick on The Morning Jolt for a festive natter with him and lovely Ryan Brockington. It's not the first time The Pipettes have done a Christmas song and this one is certainly less melancholy than their last effort. It's more true to the sound of their debut album but their are some adorable fuzzy/fizzy synths in the middle 8. Look, basically it's a frothy peppermint white chocolate mocha of a song that sparkles like a beautiful snowflake from start to finish. Jingle bells, chimes, echoey vocals and a riff to die for. Santa's on his way and he's already granted my musical festive wish with this little bauble...
• The Unconventionals ~ Long Distance Christmas: Remember The Unconventionals from a few x-factors ago? They put out an actually very charming album earlier this year and now have an equally lovely Christmas song that is heavy on harmonies, tambourines, finger clicks, a mention of Starbucks (it like they wrote it for me!)and a brilliant ad-lib vocal over the chorus at the end of "ring out the bells" that is so blinking joyous you can feel festive goodness eminate from your speakers. Just so perfect in every way. Je t'adore...

• The Killers ~ Boots: Hurrah! A festive tune for AIDS charities by The Killers is now as traditional as hearing Last Christmas as you rush round Tesco to get the last Christmas Pudding with an orange in the middle. I was hoping that at least sexy B-Flo would get down with a Christmas tune, but yay, he convinced his Killers buddies to contribute too. There is a heartbreaking clip from It's A Wonderful Life to start it all off, before a pleading vocal from Brandon set over a shuffling instrumental and thought provoking lyrics that all swell together to make an anthemic addition to their festive pantheon. When i (repeatedly) listen to this, it strikes me that it's pure vocal, no autotune, chiming bells and muted choral additions. They know how to craft a great tune and this is up there with their best. Lovely.
• Coldplay ~ Christmas Lights: Ooo it's already creeping up the UK charts and may be a festive top ten. And perhaps should have been the new winners single from Matt Cardle. I wasn't sure about this on my first listen, but suddenly on the second listen, everything clicked into place and I was a smitten little kitten. The song details how sometimes the harshness of winter and bleak emotions can contrast with the seemingly forced joviality that Christmas brings. Lovely piano, great chorus and a slither of hope as the Christmas lights continue to light up the street. Is that a celtic influence I hear in there??
• VIT ~ The Ghost of Christmas Past: Frankly, I love an alternative musical view of Christmas. A song with brilliant, wistful, melancholy, reflective lyrics set to a haunting melody with a gothic overtone to it. It's got a somewhat eerie feel to it, like walking down a dark victorian street with snow falling on your face as you hear an unwelcome footstep behind you. Basically, it's a wonderfully vivid Doctor Who Christmas Special in song! The vocal delivery is just perfect for the tune and the lyrics are so vividly evocative that you can't help but be transported by the song. I hear there is some lovely single art work by Liam too...
• Kylie ~ Let It Snow: Kylie has ventured into sex kitten Christmas before now (Santa Baby) and now she's back! Back at Rockerfella centre (leg kickingly beautiful), draped in pure white and delivering a simply shimmering orchestral version of Let It Snow. With a hand swaying and a woooo in the middle. The only way this could get any more adorable is if puppies with ribbons round their necks ran onto the stage. What I love about Kylie (everything) is that every performance she does seems so natural yet so carefully planned out to give the production and visuals maximum effect. God she's gorgeous :)

The forgotten classic:

Just play it and tell me that isn't the most discotastic festive amazingness you've heard in ages?! Totally and criminally forgot about it til I heard it playing after this in Abercrombie!! Back Friday!!

Hurrah. I have returned from the amazing holiday/vacation that was Florida. You can read all about that here. I have had a mad busy time since I got home - drove back from airport, hosted x-factor finale party, caught up on Corrie tram crash episodes (amazing), harassed people for online Christmas card entries, caught up on blogs and (ugh) went back to work. Tomorrow is all the Christmas stuff I've missed but for now here are five fabulosities that I missed while in the US of A...

• One Direction ~ Forever Young: So the X-Factor is over for another year. I'm saddened that One Direction didn't win, but looking at the voting stats, it seems they were never really in with a chance (though always consistently popular). And coming third meant we never got to hear their winners single. Oh so I thought. It has leaked! if you have a butchers round the blogs/youtube you will probably find it. And rather marvelous it is too. It's a cover of Forever Young and very apt for them. It's appropriately harmonised, anthemic and singalong. And definitely the best of the bunch of the top 3. Here's to hoping they get a decent record deal and release this as their first single proper...One Direction Infection rages on!
• Matt Cardle ~ When We Collide: And here we have the actual winner's single - a cover of the Biffy Clyro "classic". I'm not overly familiar with the original so this has taken a little getting used to. I've heard it a couple of times over the past few days and slowly, but surely started to fall in love with it. It's definitely a grower and not your atypical winner song, so I'm hoping there won't be quite the backlash there was last year. Now watch Simon turn Matt into the new British David Cook...
• The Ultra Girls ~ Lose My Mind: I am loving the Ultra Girls. Not least because their name conjurs up images of a Saturday morning cartoon when superhero girls band together to free the world of evil music. Their deliriously catchy and delicious first single Girls will be Girls will be out soon and I'm hoping the pop world will explode at their magnificence. I still think the b-side should be a cover of The Ordinary Boys "Boys Will Be Boys" but until that dream happens they have covered The Wanted's latest single Lose My Mind. Not only does it show off their fine vocals and confidence together as a group but it's available as a free download at www.ultragirls.com! Magnifico! Merry Christmas to us :)Now if they'd like to contribute to my online Christmas card I'd be delighted :P
• Alex Goot ~ Bad Romance: I'm loving a bit of Alex Goot. It's true that you of the tube is littered with wannabe artists trying to show that they can cover songs as well as your average x-factor contestant, but Alex seems to stand out from the crowd. not only does he play all the instruments himself, but judging from the video, he throws himself into each performance with enthusiasm and passion. Plus he has a kicking pair of headphones on while he tinkles the ivory, and I do love a boy playing piano. He gives Bad Romance a more organic, rock feel that brings an already outstanding song a new vibrant twist to make it brilliant all over again. Definitely one to keep an eye on.
• Same Difference ~ Karma Karma: Oh. Em. Gee. My love for the Diff is well documented. Their "sophomore" album is out early next year and teasers from their new single have already hit the internet. And what a marvelous, festive, camp little ditty it is. Duetting with swe-pop superstars Alcazar, this is by far the most joyous and danceable tune to hit and will certainly brighten up the new year. it has shades of Boney M, a definite hint of Eurovision yet still manages to retain the charm of both individual groups. Plus a throbbing disco refrain to die for - "karma karma, cut the drama, never satisfi-ee-ied". Uh-may-zing.

Back tomorrow with christmas stuff!!

I'm flying back! Have you missed me? Here is the alternative musical tributes to the festive season. Still to come - best of Christmas tv and movies, comedy christmas and more new tunes :) Is the Coldplay one any good?! See you tomorrow!!

An Alternative Christmas View #2

• Matt Dusk ~ White Christmas: Before Mans charmed the pants off me with his swinging Christmas album, Matt Dusk was there with his finger clicking goodness and all round good guy charm. His version of White Christmas is one of those timeless tunes that sounds good whatever trends are dominating the charts and the dramatic horns, lolloping piano and elegant strings are just the icing on this very delicious cake. Plus how delightful does Matt look? Yummers.
• Barenaked Ladies ~ Elf's Lament: Love this song - it's basically a tongue in cheek look at what would happen if the elves of santa's workshop had a union to oversee their probably quite disgraceful working conditions. This song actually inspired a short story that i gave to my neices and nephews one year about Santa actually being a crook who stole all toys all the year round like some sort of festive Robin Hood. The link is to a more live version of this song but it doesn't lose any of it's endearing charm or humour...
• Blues Traveler ~ Christmas: I'm not a massive fan of Blues Traveler but after hearing this song several years ago on one of those A Very Special Christmas compilations, I've been a smitten little kitten with the tune ever since. It's got a tremendously earnest vocal and just shines with it's tambourine bells and lovely message. I love an optimistic tune to make you feel a bit thoughtful but also a bit more hopeful...
• Rockapella ~ It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas/Glowbug: It's not a mash up before you rob this Glee :) What it is is a flawlessly harmonised acapella tribute to the glowbugs that light the sky intertwined with the classic Grinch song. Fun to try and match the harmonies as you sing along and one of the most feelgood songs on this list :)
• Lenka ~ All My Bells Are Ringing: Tribute to the girl groups of the 60s with all the "oo ba ba" and swoony whoas set to a handclapping, bell chiming tune where little Lenka offers her love to her beau in a dreamily romantic festive tune. Rebecca would do an amazing version of this on the X-Factor. Jus' saying...

Top 21 songs of the week:

21 ~ McFly, Shine A Light
20 ~ Shayne Ward, Gotta Be Somebody
19 ~ JLS, Love You More
18 ~ P!nk, Raise Your Glass
17 ~ Deborah Gibson, I Love You
16 ~ A1, In Love & I Hate It
15 ~ Bjorn Johan Muri, Nobody Knows (NE)
14 ~ Erik Hassle, Standing Where You Left Me (NE)
13 ~ Gabriella Cilmi, Defender
12 ~ Joe McElderry, Someone Wake Me Up
11 ~ Andrea Lewis ft Simon Curtis, Talk To Me
10 ~ Eric Saade, Break of Dawn
09 ~ Darin, Drowning
08 ~ EMD, What Is Love
07 ~ Kylie, Better Than Today
06 ~ Le Kid, We Should Go Home Together
05 ~ Take That, The Flood
04 ~ Tove Styrke, Standing Where You Left Me
03 ~ Gravitonas, You Break Me Up
02 ~ Daniel Boys, To Make You Feel My Love (VID)
01 ~ Elouise, You'll Never Walk Alone (3 weeks)

back properly! Tomorrow! With part one of a massive x factor weekend :)

I'm probably knackered from trawling round Disney World/Universal/International Drive/the shops so I'll keep this short and to the point and introduce you instantly to a more alternative, less poppy musical tribute to the time of year that celebrates the birth of Santa...

An Alternative Christmas Choice #1:

• Luke Leighfield ~ I'm So Confused By Christmas: I've been obsessed with this song ever since I belatedly discovered it earlier this month (it's from 2006!!) and even better, you can download it for zero pence (up to whatever you wish to pay) at the lovely Mr Leighfield's website. Huzzah. Basically it's a tune that acknowledges that this time of year should be a jolly good treat, but asks the question of why are people so sad, moody, miserable, dissatisfied, ungenerous, etc... all set to an appropriately magnificent festive soundtrack. As with all of Luke's tunes, it's incredibly singalong and yet makes you have a darn good think about the real meaning of Christmas. Exemplary.
• Pet Shop Boys ~ It Doesn't Often Snow At Christmas 2009: One of my favourite christmas tunes was given a smashingly decent sprucing up in 2009 and made it even better - there was more chiming, more pomp, a deliriously good middle 8 and even more choir (BING CROSBY! Are you listening to me?!). It's a vaguely cynical look at Christmas but made all the better by juxtaposing the Mariah-esque backing track to the lyrics and having a wry "merry Christmas" towards the end. Play loud and play often (see also West End Girls version).
• St Etienne ~ I Was Born On Christmas Day: By the time I get back from Florida, I am hopeful that the all new limited edition Christmas album for the Ett will be sitting on my doorstep. This will be very bonza indeed because I am hoping that it will be full of tunes such as this one. An icy cool, yet engaging shuffling gem of a pop tune that just sparkles and shines from start to finish. Be sure to check out another of their tunes - 21st Century Christmas because it is very marvelous to the power of indeed.
• Kate Bush ~ December Will Be Magic Again: Trust Kate to have produced a tune that is as wild, wilful and slightly magical (and a little bit bonkers) as a disobedient reindeer. It's a runaway snowflake of a song that just takes you along for the ride - kind of like a musical version of The Box Of Delights. Utterly nutty but utterly brilliant. Always makes December magic for me.
• The Feeling ~ Feels Like Christmas: Essentially just Dan running his fingers over a piano keyboard (oh to be that keyboard) to create a yearning, sombre ballad that strips back the tune to the bare basics and is still as beautiful as a stark, frost covered twig on a chilly Christmas eve. God I'm so excited for their return in 2011... (see also their thrilling version of the amazing Stop The Cavalry)...
• (see also The Hives and Hurts)

Back on Friday with part 2 of this list and my weekly chart countdown!

Boooo! Half my holiday is now over unless i am snowed out of England and have to remain in Florida indefinitely, like all those poor people affected by the ash cloud earlier in the year. Still, it's probably been a lovely week and I've probably had a reet good time. Let's say yes and pretend I have as (as I've pointed out before) I'm writing this a week ago yet you are only reading it now. It's myfizzypop and the ultimate time conundrum. And as stated before, please do leave comments this week as they are coming right through to my phone and will give me a reet good laugh. Probably. Today's festive list focuses on harmony...

HARMONIOUS TIDINGS OF JOY:

• G4 ~ When A Child Is Born: This is one of my favourite christmas carols and I saw the lovely G4 perform it in a chilly coventry cathedral when their dulcet tones were only interrupted by my mom asking loudly if I wanted a cough sweet. Good times. An absolutely delightful version with a lovely restrained instrumental letting their gorgeous voices shine through. The standard by which all future poperatic christmas tunes need to be measured.
• Il Divo ~ Oh Holy Night: The international G4! Simon Cowell must have been furious when they did so well on the X-Factor, taking away the limelight from his long brewing multi national project! Anyway, they do a nicely reverent version of O Holy Night that absolutely rouses in the right places before falling away for a revered hush. When A Child Is Born? Absolutely - with a rousing crescendo of a finish...
• Blake ~ White Christmas: Extra kudos to the lovely Blake boys for getting their nads out for the Gay Times naked special. Not that it was necessary, they look delightful suited and booted too. Their version of White Christmas is elegant, restrained and makes full use of how their beautiful voices weave together with each note. When A Child Is Born? Oh yes, it was on their rereleased Together album last year. And mighty fine it is too.
• Only Men Aloud ~ Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas: It's the choral harmony group that i think won some competition that wasn't that fiasco on channel 5. This is a very nice version indeed, rich in layers of excellent vocals and warm festive hugs. It's like a more competent Glee! When A Child Is Born? Not that I know of, but they are doing a Christmas tour so who knows what will come up!!
• Wilson Phillips ~ Silver Bells: God, i'm loving the reformed for Christmas Wilson Phillips. This is a rapapumpum driven, church bell ringing version of the tune with a intricately harmonised chorus that makes their voices sound like one heavenly instrument. When A Child Is Born? YES! It's on the album too. It's almost too much to take!!
• Puppini Sisters ~ Winter Wonderland: Another jazzy tinged, 40s inspired track that takes you back to days of yore. By god they do it incredibly well. Loving their christmas work... When A Child Is Born? No, sadly not but they do a nice O Holy Night!

Top 21 songs of the week:

21 ~ McFly, Shine A Light
20 ~ Shayne Ward, Gotta Be Somebody
19 ~ Ola, Riot
18 ~ Gabriella Cilmi, On A Mission
17 ~ Westlife, Safe
16 ~ P!nk, Raise Your Glass
15 ~ JLS, Love You More
14 ~ Joe McElderry, Someone Wake Me Up
13 ~ Darin, Drowning
12 ~ Eric Saade, Break of Dawn
11 ~ A1, In Love and I Hate It
10 ~ Deborah Gibson, I Love You
09 ~ Kylie, Better Than Today
08 ~ EMD, What Is Love?
07 ~ Tove Styrke, White Light Moment (NE/VID)
06 ~ Le Kid, We Should Go Home Together
05 ~ Andrea Lewis ft Simon Curtis, Talk To Me
04 ~ Take That, The Flood
03 ~ Daniel Boys, To Make You Feel My Love
02 ~ Gravitonas, You Break Me Up
01 ~ Elouise, You'll Never Walk Alone (2 weeks)

Back Sat with some x-factor amazingness...

Greetings from Florida! Unless the British snow prevented me from getting here as I am writing this before I go but it won't go up on the blog until I'm actually in Florida. It's one of those Doctor Who time connundrums like Amy's gash (in her wall). Anyway, two of the most glorious songs that celebrate the festive season from the last two decades also happen to be the most covered! So I thought I would celebrate the originals and some of the sublime and ridiculous covers out there :) Enjoy and do let me know what you think - comments will be texted straight to my phone!!

ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS YOU:

• Original Mariah version ~ let's face it, Mariah struck gold with this track. It's been a perennial christmas favourite, returning to the charts time and time again since 1994. It's joyful, it's upbeat, it's brimming with hope and optimism, full of jingle bells and a rollicking cantering beat propelling it all to festive glory. How can anyone hear this track and not be filled with an urge to hug everyone they are near?! Many have come close, but nothing has topped this and it's now one for the ages. And deservedly so...
• Love, Actually version ~ As long time readers will well be aware, Love, Actually is one of my favourite films of all time and definitely my most favourite film to watch several times before Christmas. This school play performance is improbably good and shows little orphan drummer boy trying to get his young lady friend Joanna to notice him through the power of beat! What follows is the young chap breaking all sorts of security rules to chase down his love through an airport all to a stirring instrumental. It's oddly affecting. Love love love. Off to watch again now!
• Mans Zelmerlow duet version ~ Well, good for Mans for turning the ebulliant original into something quite refined and dignified as a ballad version. His voices soothes like eggnog as he serenades the lovely Agnes Carlsson on this smooth, slowed down but equally lovely version. Click the link and see stills of Mans in all his winter finery. My fave ~ 22secs when his shirt sleeves are pushed up but he is still wearing a scarf. His neck is chilly but his arms are hot. Still totally snoggable under the mistletoe though!
• Lady Antebellum version ~ taken from their too short seasonal EP, this continues with the slowed down theme, but strips it back a little bit for a more countrified twang. It works quite well as it goes and makes for a most subtle rendition of a tune that works best as an over the top party poppers glitter fest. Surprisingly lovely!
• Big Time Rush version ~ I think if Simon Cowell worked it well, One Direction should be doing some songs like those on the BTR album. They've teamed up with Miranda Cosgrove on their cute tv show to perform this tune and jolly jolly they look doing it too. It's not a version that will change the world, but it's cheesy and fun and the video is too too adorable. Oh those boys!
• Mariah's extra festive version ~ There have been a couple of not very good at all remixes of this tune over the past few years (the less said about the hip hop version, the better) but Mariah has kept the essence of the original on her latest album, amped up the orchestral beginning and added a generous sprinkling of rousing drum beats. Reinvigorates the tune without losing any of the charm of the original. Well done Mrs Canon - it makes me want to write a whole musical based on her albums (hint, check back soon).

LAST CHRISTMAS:

• Wham version ~ Frankly i love a bit of heartbreaking tragedy set to a percolating and festive groove. Wham perfected this with their joyous (musically) and sad (lyrically) yuletide tune that quickly became as longlasting as their partnership was short. Try and find a Christmas store around the world that doesn't play this. Still the original and the best, though many others have tried (no, let's not discuss the Whigfield or Crazy Frog versions...)
• Alcazar version ~ look, if anyone is going to do a jingled up euro-pop version then it should absolutely be Alcazar. It's exactly the same as the Wham version but with female vocals, a higher bpm and a whole plethora of santa's crackers sound effects added in for good measure. It's jolly and jolly fantastic.
• Kimberley Locke version - presented as a stripped back acoustic hand clapping groove - her whole Christmas album is one of the best I've ever heard and this is a giddy treat. Beautiful vocals, different version but familiar enough that it is instantly warming and brimming with charm. Oh I adore Kimberley so very very much.
• Puppini Sisters version ~ As you already know, I'm loving their Christmas album and this jazzy version gives the song a whole new vibe and totally sounds like it belongs in some smoky downtown nightclub where sozzled old drunks are nursing their sorrows in a double brandy. Yes, it's that good.
• Glee version ~ the song that was released for the sake of it last year WITHOUT EVEN FEATURING IN AN EPISODE. Oh the avant gardness of it all. And they've tagged it onto this year's fairly disappointing festive album. It's a decent version - totally sounds like an X Factor single I suppose. Not the best of the bunch, but you can also check out versions by Atomic Kitten, Cascada, Busted, Coldplay, Darren Hayes, Hilary Duff, Human Nature, Jamelia, JLS, Little Boots, The Ordinary Boys, Taylor Swift, Travis and probably many more...

Did I miss any other versions of these songs? Back on Fri with a chart run down and more festive playlist madness :) Do stop by!

Ooo it really is the most wonderful time of the year. The walk to work this morning was jolly freezing, the fields were glistening with frost and I get to go home tonight and pack for two weeks of Florida! How magnifico. I have lots of posts to keep you going over the next couple of weeks and hope you will keep me entertained with plenty of comments as although I am having a self imposed internet exile (it's so cleansing!), comments will come straight to my phone. Hurrah! In the mean time (and in between time - guess that pop reference, 90s disney group fans!), here are 10 lovely new Christmas songs and one extremely brilliant non festive treat (for more excellent Christmas stuff visit John's writing on top40about.com)...

The non-festive nugget ~ Dirty Disco return with Storyteller:

Sometimes, just sometimes at Christmas you need a bit of respite from the relentless cheer and good tidings that are almost rammed down your throat. Dirty Disco's excellent and thoughtprovoking new single is just the tune to do this. Following on from deliriously bonkers yet quality pop like Sista, Vulture and White Room, the innovative and artsy group have returned with an intense, brooding, gothic electro tune. It's tinged with eerie synth sounds and a stark strumming guitar and tackles aging, our obsession with youth and fitting into a restrictive society while remaining true to yourself. If you need a comparison, try Kidz or SOS on the new Take That album - yet it's different to those and has it's own Dirty Disco charm. Adam's distinctive voice consumes the lyrics to make them both angry and regretful at times without sounding aggressive (though there is a rather glorious "fuck" early on). The instrumental parts weave together and elevate an already good tune into a great one - little touches like the sounds of strings at the end or the guitar playing off the synth give little frissons of excitement throughout. Check the video above too as Adam and the boys in some haunting costumes seek down the Storyteller they wish to become. Tremendous stuff...

10 New Christmas Tunes:

• Hurts ~ All I Want For Christmas Is New Years Day: Yay! Hurts top off a year of quality music with an exquisite new festive offering that examines the bleaker side of this time of year. With a familiar sounding shuffling beat, sound effects that sound like walking over freshly crunching snow and chiming bells through a soaring chorus, the boys look at how the hope can make one feel even more lonely and hopeless as the persevere to get through the season. I like a bit of bleakness at Christmas and this is one beautifully crafted tune that once again proves they are stars in the ascendency. Check out vinny vero's review also...
• Owl City ~ Peppermint Winter: It's Fireflies the festive edition and the complete antithesis of the Hurts track. It's a love letter to all the cheesiness of this time of year and how it's even more magical if you just embrace it. Full of feel good bon mots like "i troll through the driveway with angelic grace/til i slip on the sidewalk and fall on my face" & "the snowflakes are falling and I start to float/til my mean older brother shoves snow down my coat", it's built around a sleigh ride of bells and the glorious refrain "what's december without Christmas eve". Heavenly optimistic and joyful. Love.
• Mans Zelmerlow ~ Christmas (Baby Please Come Home): I shall return to Mans' festive album a few more times before the big day. His big band readings of yuletide faves are brimming with elegance and a genuine warmth and love for the genre and songs he sings. This is a classy addition to any Christmas dinner party soundtrack and gets you fingerclicking along. Brilliant orchestration of the music too. I'm loving Mans formal Christmas look too - you can just imagine him coming home, loosening his tie and smooching the face off you under the mistletoe. Now, that's magic :)
• Wilson Phillips ~ Warm Loving Christmastime: It's not the first time the Wilsons have done Christmas (indeed this song featured on the second Wilson linked Christmas album - Carnie's solo) but it is the first time they have all felt the seasonal pull together. And hurrah, it's glorious, particularly for a long standing Wilson Phillips fan like myself :) It's a swinging and fun pop song with enough added jingle and bells to make it feel as Christmas morn as possible. And those choruses are saturated in their amazing harmonies. So so lovely. Well worth the import charges!!
• Jessica Simpson ~ My Only Wish: Jessica gets a lot of stick and I'm not sure why. I'm glad she's done a Christmas album anyway. This single from it is a decent pop tune and a nice ode to her new fella. Showcases her great pop voice (come back from country music!) and reminds me of how fun some of her music has been. Bits of it are reminiscent of Darlene Love's Alone on Christmas (which Britney liberally borrowed for her christmas tune) but it's a catchy little number with a lovely intricate piano middle 8. marvy.
• Indigo Girls ~ Mistletoe: Who would have thought that a blue(grass) Christmas would be so enchanting? The Indigo Girls did - their Happy Holly Days album alternates between rollicking joy and reflective pauses. This is one of the most beautiful on the album - a stripped back lyrical poem, resonant in a superb tenor vocal and supported by subtle harmonies and a gentle guitar. Makes me stop and luxuriate in it's beauty each time I hear it. Reminds me a little of Bette Midler's The Folks Who Live On The Hill. Never thought i'd make that comparison, but it's a complimentary one :) Delightful tune that you should really check out...
• Pink Martini ~ A Snowglobe Christmas: It's like being transported to a simpler time when the movies were black and white and people wrote to each other using pen and paper. This is a timeless, hawaian tinged classic that would sound beautiful whatever time period you are in when sung like this. it's from a whole album of magical wonder and one that should really investigate. As close to Doris Day as you are going to get this snowglobe Christmas. Like a festive hug and kiss. Melts me every time.
• Mariah Carey ~ Christmastime Is In The Air Again: I'm sure I'll return to Mariah's new Christmas album again lots more before the 25th December. There are lots of fun moments on that but this is one of the slower, sipping mulled wine by the fireplace moments. It's a string laden track with a restrained and impeccable vocal from Mariah that enables the song to transcend genres and time. The pull of the tune is undeniable and I soon find myself having little memory flashbacks to the ghosts of my own Christmas past. Dickensian!
• Lady Antebellum ~ Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas: A lovely little reading of this classic tune from the country group du jour. The cd of Christmas faves is (I believe) only available at Target but it's worth tracking down as it's full of faithful renditions like this that just sparkle with sincerity. Plus the fellas look proper foxy on the cover :)
• Puppini Sisters ~ Step Into Christmas: SCREAM! The Puppinis are back! And they have stuck to their absolutely delightful Andrews Sisters for the new millenium mantra. This has led to an amazing album of jazz tinged, boogie woogie Christmas faves and their turn on this Elton John fave is a fizzy explosion of joi de vivre all wrapped up in their tightly knitted harmonies. So much fun yet put together so very cleverly, very carefully and very well. Check out their older christmas tunes too like Jingle Bells and Little Match Girl. Top drawer!

Top 21 songs of the week

21 ~ Gabriella Cilmi, Defender (NE)
20 ~ Jessie J, Price Tag
19 ~ Ola, Riot
18 ~ McFly, Shine A Light
17 ~ Shayne Ward, Gotta Be Somebody
16 ~ Joe McElderry, Someone Wake Me Up (VID)
15 ~ Darin, Drowning
14 ~ Eric Saade, Break of Dawn
13 ~ Westlife, Safe
12 ~ Kylie, Better Than Today
11 ~ A1, In Love & I Hate It
10 ~ P!nk, Raise Your Glass
09 ~ Deborah Gibson, I Love You
08 ~ EMD, What Is Love?
07 ~ JLS, Love You More
06 ~ Le Kid, We Should Go Home Together
05 ~ Andrea Lewis ft Simon Curtis, Talk To Me
04 ~ Take That, The Flood
03 ~ Daniel Boys, To Make You Feel My Love
02 ~ Gravitonas, You Break Me Up
01 ~ Elouise, You'll Never Walk Alone (1 week)

I can't help but imagine that Christmas in Sweden would just be exquisitely lovely. All roaring fires and hot chocolate. A chill in the air as you walk through the night, wishing you could walk through the windows of time. Oh, that actually might be Jason Donovan. Regardless, I still suspect a winter in Sweden would be jolly chilly but jolly marvy too (especially if i was bedded down at Hotel Rival). So i've dug out some old and new Swedish readings of festive tracks for today's list...

CHRISTMAS GOES SWEDISH POP:

• Mans Zelmerlow ~ December: After two explosively fantastic pop albums, Mans has gone all undone bow tie and classy strings with his HEAVENLY new album, Christmas With Friends. And rather delightful it all is too. One of the original tracks from the album is this track - a warm, engaging, swinging big band tune. There's something magical about hearing a festive song sung in Swedish and the melody is pure joy. I'll be returning to this album more in upcoming lists, but for now just luxuriate in this winning tune and try not to get too excited by the outstanding key change & sing-repeat finale. Bliss.
• Jill Johnson ~ Christmas On My Own: One of those brilliantly worded tracks that you can almost get away with playing all year round thanks to the gorgeous vocals of Jill belting out a dear diary of how her love went wrong from January to December. It's all set over a pulsating, sparkling dance track with added bells to give that extra festive feel. An absolute corker of a tune, even when it's bitterly bitterly sad :(
• Straight Up ~XXXmas: I love Swedish electro-pop duo Straight Up. They make no secret of their love on man-o-man smoochies and pumping. They have produced some brilliantly cheeky pop tracks this year (including the amazing Twink). Lucky for me, they have put out a festively filthy track that musically is like a forward thinking Last Christmas set to a disco beat and with sex on the brain. Lyrically, it's like nothing you've heard before - i mean there are "adult" christmas songs (Frosty The Pervert; Rudolph The Deep Throat Reindeer), but those are mainly parodies where as this is just a down and dirty need for someone to empty their sack this Christmas eve. Quite magnificent. In fact, i get the impression that secret santa with the Straight Up fellas would find me a beefy young dude tied up in green and red ropes with a bauble strapped in his mouth! Now, that's the type of alternative white Christmas I want :P (Check it out on their facebook page!)
• Sarah Dawn Finer ~ Winter Song: Another new album travels across the chilly seas from Sweden to my living room and it is one that is as beautifully crafted as it is excrutiatingly heartbreaking. Sarah has lovingly picked a blend of songs that flow perfectly and create an a pretty well themed holiday record. One of the highlights is the bleak but entrancing Winter Song sung with Louise Hoffsten. Their combined vocals create a haunting few minutes of music, perfect for those more reflective moments next to the tree...
• Hilda ~ Just One Wish: Hilda is new! She's Disney! She's from the same pop stable as the delectable Eric Saade! And she's got a rather yummy Christmas song out. It's pure pop with an added rock guitar riff to make it a bit edgy - i'd have preferred a few more sleigh bells but there is no denying how catchy this tune is and the refrain is pure ear worm. And at the end of the day isn't that what we all want for Christmas?
• Magnus Carlsson ~ Wrap Myself In Paper: Magnus is the king of Swedish Christmas. He has probably had just as much festive output as he has had regular albums and each are imbued with a genuine warmth and love for the time of year. This little gem gets pulled out each year - imagine Emma Bunton doing Maybe but sung by a men in a santa costume with some shimmying gogo dancing elves in the background and that's where you will come out with this song. It's a santa's grotto of delights and one I never, ever tire of.
• Play ~ Rudolph: Back in their heyday, Play were the epitomy of feel good pop and their Christmas album was a solid jewel. They churned out an energetic, fizzy and totally fun version of Rudolph that always makes me smile. Sure it is as kitsch as all my Grandma's kitchen but cram a few eggnogs down your neck and you will be singing along to your hearts content. Amazing. Rudolph!
• West End Girls ~ It Doesn't Often Snow At Christmas: Whatever happened to West End Girls? I was hoping they would evolve into a brilliant pop act a la A*Teens after they stopped doing the Abba covers... They have turned in a stomping eurodisco version of the Pet Shop Boys classic. It's not as amazing as the 2009 remix the PSB did (which will feature in an upcoming list), but it's still brava diva all round.
• The Hives ft Cyndi Lauper ~ A Christmas Duel: The first few notes may fool you into thinking this is a scrummy Christmas ditty, but the lyrical confession of no gift and sleeping with your lover's sister it turns into something completely different. It's no less magnificent and actually is probably best described as a modern day Fairytale of New York. Gleefully malevolent lyrics continue to follow with Cyndi confessing she went down on her fella's mother! AMAZING. Play loud. Be proud. Sometimes Christmas is like this and we should all just accept it!!

Other Nordic wonders:

• Maria Mena ~ Home For Christmas: As Deborah Gibson has proved in the past with her stunning Christmas Without You, there is often nothing more effective than a piano and a plainative plea at this seasonal time of year. Maria has created a soul searching poem that will touch anyone who just yearns for those carefree childhood moments where your biggest worry was how many gifts you would have to open on Christmas morn. Sheer beauty.
• Christian Ingebrigtsen ~ Paint Christmas White: Before Christian got back together with the A1 boys, he had quite the little solo career going which really showcased his rich resonant vocals (and charming good looks). The title track from his swoony festive album is a soaring, classic duet (with the aforementioned Jill Johnson) that sounds like it came from some lost Disney musical. Glorious use of strings, lovely lyrics and beautifully complementary vocals. Totally wonderful and wonderfully inspiring.

Hurrah! It is only 35 days until Christmas and therefore I feel totally legitimised to undertake some Christmas magic and start doing a whole host of Christmas lists to take us up until the big day! I know you are just as excited about this as I am and cannot wait to join in the festive spirit! Deck your halls! Roast your chestnuts! Get those lips puckered for the mistletoe!! I always like something as brilliantly deliriously amazing as Mean Girls doing Jingle Bell Rock (above) to kick off my Christmas Crazy so you all enjoy that while I compose my first list of essential festive feel gooders to persuade you over to my way of thinking! Oh! And read the comments for how to contribute to the online Christmas Card this year. It's going to be a doozy!

CHRISTMAS GOES POP, VOLUME ONE:

• Glee ~ Deck The Rooftop: One of the two saving graces on the Glee christmas album (the other makes a different list)is this medley of Deck The Halls and Up On The Rooftop - all set to a backing track that owes quite a lot to Beyonce's Single Ladies! It's perky, it's joyous, it's fun, it's catchy, it's like a sumptuously filled marks and spencers mince pie (not one of the cheap ones from Asda). Absolutely essential...Sue The Grinch airs when I'm in Florida too (Dec 7th). Amazes.
• Bananarama ~ Baby It's Christmas (above): I was lucky enough to give you a preview of what this sounds like a little while back and played it on Larry Flick's Morning Jolt yesterday. It's a hi-NRG, big beat, solid dance floor filler that is equal part tears on the dancefloor as it is hopeless optimism. A chorus that is more giving than Santa's sack, it beautifully complements the Viva era Bananarama and proves that they still have a knack of churning out absolutely brilliant tunes. So baby, just stop stop pulling my heartstrings...
• A*Teens ~ I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday: The turn of the new millenium saw a whole host of poptastic acts like A*Teens taking on festive faves with a whole new disco spin to them. The Swedish four piece give this Wizzard classic a dancefloor dressing down that will keep your candy canes spinning until new years... PS Christ on a trampoline, have you seen Dhani lately (scroll down! Thanks Scandipop!)
• Fast Food Rockers ~ I Love Christmas: It's all sorts of a travesty that the FFR didn't somehow manage to break out of their food themed debut. There is something deliciously melted cheesy about this song with it's snowy video and warming message. It should absolutely be my anthem.
• Girls Aloud ~ I Wanna Kiss You So: Bish bash bosh, whooo! You give me something that i never get from santa claus!! What else is there to say?! I always use this song to seduce Darren :)
• Kimberley Locke ~ We Need A Little Christmas: Mame the film is grossly underrated. This song from Mame is criminally overlooked. And Kimberley's definitive version of it from her entirely delightful Christmas album should be played loud and proud as you start to welcome those festive revellers who have come around to help you pop up your eco-sustainable Christmas tree. So good I can never listen once.
• Kylie ~ Santa Baby: There are many naughty, saucy, slutty and downright disgraceful versions of this track. Kylie manages to of course ooze the right amount of sex appeal while balancing it with a charmingly innocent and naive sounding vocal - almost like she doesn't know how foxy she is being. And seeing as this is circa the gold hot pants era, that's quite the achievement. Brava diva kylie, brava.
• Play ~ As Long As There's Christmas: Take the song from one of fave Disney spin offs ever (Beauty and the Beast: An Enchanted Christmas), give it a shuffling disco-swe-pop beat and I'm in jingle bell heaven. It's one of those ridiculously optimistic christmas singles that just makes you feel a little bit better knowing it exists. Or is that just me?
• Steps ~ Merry Christmas Everyone: Hurrah! Steps do Christmas! Well they did about 8 years ago, but it's still a giddy little treat. Essentially exactly the same as A*Teens did with I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday but with the Slade classic. The middle 8 manages to sound positively filthy somehow. What on earth were people getting upto under the mistletoe?!
• S Club Juniors ~ Sleigh Ride: I love Sleigh Ride and you can't really top the Debbie Gibson version from the early 90s, but this is just so enthusiastic and jolly that it makes want you to pop on bobble hat, scarf and those mittens that have the string that goes down your coat sleeves so you don't lose them! Roast those chestnuts!!
• S Club ~ Perfect Christmas: And finish off with one of the most beautiful yearning ballads that those slightly more mature S Clubbers did. Wasted as a b-side but I somehow manage to use the lyrics in Darren's Christmas card every single bloody year. He must be sick of it by now but the tradition will continue this year... Poor lad :P

Many more Christmas lists coming soon! And here's this week's festive top ten NEW Christmas songs... 10) Annie Lennox, Universal Child 09) Indigo Girls, I Feel The Christmas Spirit 08) Lady Antebellum, All I Want For Christmas Is You 07) Pink Martini, A Snowglobe Christmas 06) Wilson Phillips, Warm Loving Christmastime 05) The Puppini Sisters, Step Into Christmas 04) Sarah Dawn Finer, Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas 03) Mans Zelmerlow, December 02) Mariah Carey, Oh Santa 01) Bananarama, Baby It's Christmas (2 weeks)

Top 21 songs of the week:

21 ~ Robbie Williams, Heart & I
20 ~ Jessie J, Price Tag
19 ~ Joe McElderry, Wake Me Up
18 ~ Darin, Drowning
17 ~ Eric Saade, Break of Dawn
16 ~ Kylie, Better Than Today
15 ~ Ola, Riot
14 ~ A1, In Love & I Hate It
13 ~ McFly, Shine A Light
12 ~ Shayne Ward, Gotta Be Somebody
11 ~ Daniel Boys, To Make You Feel My Love (NE)
10 ~ Le Kid, We Should Go Home Together (VID)
09 ~ Westlife, Safe
08 ~ EMD, What Is Love
07 ~ JLS, Love You More
06 ~ P!nk, Raise Your Glass
05 ~ Deborah Gibson, I Love You
04 ~ Andrea Lewis & Simon Curtis, Talk To Me
03 ~ Elouise, You'll Never Walk Alone (NE)
02 ~ Take That, The Flood
01 ~ Gravitonas, You Break Me Up (3 weeks)