Is there such a thing as the definitive Irish Christmas tune? Maybe, and there are a few that continue to dominate the annual festive soundtrack — chief among them, the Pogues’ Fairytale of New York which, given the death of Shane MacGowan, will almost certainly take on an added poignancy this year.
Just this week, we welcomed two new contributions to the festive Irish songbook. One of them — Villagers and Lisa Hannigan’s enchanting rendition of The Little Drummer Boy — is every bit as magical as you’d expect. The other — a Christmas remix of Eleanor McEvoy’s South Anne Street — adds a new spin to a familiar favourite. Together, they make for wonderful combo, a sign perhaps that our brightest music-makers are unbeatable around this time of year.
If in doubt, feast your eyes on this neat collection of homegrown Christmas chart crackers…
1. U2’s Christmas (Baby Please Come Home), 1987
Recorded during a sound check in Glasgow, U2’s spirited take on the Darlene Love smash is up there with the best of them. Ms Love agrees, and she declared it one of her favourite covers of the song. She also provided backing vocals for Bono and the boys, and the band’s version appeared on the 1987 Special Olympics benefit LP, A Very Special Christmas. Listen closely, and you’ll hear an excitable Bono cracking up over the final verse. What, exactly, was he laughing at? Answers on a postcard, please.
2. CMAT & Junior Brother’s Uncomfortable Christmas, 2020
Back before CMAT became a superstar (she was always one, says you), the artist formerly known as Ciara Mary-Alice Thompson recorded a mischievous festive duet with alternative folk chief, Ronan Kealy, aka Junior Brother. The song, Uncomfortable Christmas, playfully documents a doomed romance at the height of the Christmas holidays. Sample lyric: “The one thing I don’t want is a holiday fight / Everybody laughs but it leaves us in the wreckage”. Oof. Like all the best sad songs, it stays with you for days. A tremendous tune.
3. Delorentos’ Be Here Christmas Time, 2018
A self-proclaimed “lullaby for grown-ups”, this beautiful original is, essentially, an ode to the power of friendship. The message is clear: sometimes Christmas sucks, but your best mates will always have your back. “Come stay with me tonight,” sings Ro Yourell, “I’ll give you peace of mind / And if you get cold, I’ll light a fire behind your tired eyes.” Lovely stuff, altogether.
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4. Gemma Hayes and Jape’s The Christmas Song, 2012
Also known as the SPAR Christmas ad tune. Indeed, this magical cover was originally recorded by Danish indie rock duo The Raveonettes. An inspired collaboration, Gemma Hayes and Richie Egan (Jape) delivered a thoughtful, tender version that’s lighter, breezier, a touch more magical, even. Better than the original? Maybe.
5. The Pogues’ Fairytale of New York, 1987
What is there left to say? Originally conceived as part of a bet, Shane MacGowan and Jem Finer’s magnificent ballad changed the way that people think about Christmas songs. It would, in time, develop a tricky reputation for its problematic lyrical content. These are conversations worth having — but there is no denying the world would be a poorer place without MacGowan and Finer’s timeless festive classic. Rest in peace, Shane.
6. Sinead O’Connor’s Silent Night, 1991
A knockout version, the late, great Sinead O’Connor’s masterful take on the traditional Austrian carol will stop you in your tracks. The accompanying video depicts Sinead as a sort of Victorian-era spectre – a haunting image, and this beguiling cover peaked at number 12 in the Irish charts back in 1991. You’d listen to it all day.
7. Band Aid’s Do They Know It’s Christmas?, 1984
Another obvious entry. Bob Geldof and Midge Ure’s clumsy charity tune is a bit of an oddity. Well-intentioned, no doubt, but a little all over the place, and perhaps Mr Ure summed it up best when he declared it “a song that has nothing to do with music.” An amusing assessment, but admit it: It’s the weirdest song you know all the lyrics to — and it’ll never go away.
8. James Vincent McMorrow’s At Christmas, 2022
Originally designed as a gift for his three-year old daughter, James Vincent McMorrow’s charming festive tune comes from a beautiful place. McMorrow was in London and missing his family, and so he wrote a song to send back home. “Just know that wherever you are, I’ll keep you close,” he sings, “at Christmas, I miss-miss you the most”. Simple, sincere, undeniably sweet — nice work, Mr McMorrow.
9. Lyra’s The Magic of Christmas, 2020
You’ll know this one from the An Post Tin Man commercial. Believe it or not, Lyra’s renowned Christmas song is, in fact, about a couple of loved-up Christmas tree decorations. A barmy concept, but whaddaya know? It works. “My world comes alive when I’m with you,” sings Cork’s premier pop merchant in the chorus. Magical and relatable — a genuine Christmas pop cracker.
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