13 Christmas tunes for the optimist, the pessimist, and everyone in between.

It is somewhat of  a universal truth that our taste in Christmas songs leave humanity divided. We as humans love and we loathe this time of year and the brain rattling, repetitive, overly cheerful songs that accompany it.  For many, when Noddy Holder bellows, 'It's Chriiiiistmaaaaass' during the intro to 'Merry Xmas Everybody'(1973), Christmas has well and truly arrived. For me (Editor speaking), when Noddy Holder belows  'It's Chriiiiistmaaaaass' during the intro to 'Merry Xmas Everybody' (1973), I wish I was anywhere but in the season that so boldly is associated with that song that has me physically twitching with irritation.

So,  on the eve of the annual event itself,  myself and some of my team have compiled a mixed bag of Christmas tunes you will indefinitely love to love, love to loathe, loathe to love,  and loathe to loathe. Some we all know far too well. Some that are lesser known.  And yes, we were divided as a team on some that made the cut!  So in no particular order, let us begin... Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from When The Horn Blows!

'Fairytale of New York' - The Pogues and Kirsty MacColl

"A harsh reminder that Christmas isn't all happiness and love every year; a bitter ride between the cold floor of reality and the sanguine sky of joy. Also, Shane MacGowan." - Jake Collins

The Active Set - 'Making Out (Is The Best Part Of Christmas)'

'Making Out (Is The Best Part Of Christmas)' is a merry and festive pop-carol of both spirited melodic and lyrical wit, that simply leaves the listener grinning and with yet another joyfully peppy song stuck in his mind" - Nessi Holt

Act As If - 'Sleigh Bells & Reindeer'

"It's a delightfully melodious and charmingly blissful song of vibrant pep and dulcet harmonies." - Nessi Holt.

Richard Marx - The Marx Brothers Christmas 2011. 

"Soulfully inviting and ambient in sound, the song stirs with both its beautiful harmonies and its hopeful, heart-warming lyrics."- Nessi Holt.

Oceansize - 'Walking in the Air'

""The Snowman" is one of my earliest Christmas memories, providing a deep festive commentary on the transient nature of life, contrasted by all the excitement and wonder that comes with life-affirming friendships in such all-too-brief moments. And, well, Oceansize have turned the soundtrack into an epic post-rock crescendo-fest, innit." - DS_convertible



 Mike Oldfied - 'In Dulci Jubilo'

'In Dulci Jubilo' has been my favourite Christmas song since I saw a busker in Burnley town centre playing it on the flute. It made me think of Mr Tumnus dancing through the woods. Mike Oldfield is as close to a real faun as we're ever going to see playing this. This also highlights how much the recorder's sound is ruined by school children. - Sam Hylands

Emerson, Lake & Palmer  - 'I Belive In Father Christmas' 

"A good song about the not so bright side of Christmas is Greg Lake's 'I Believe in Father Christmas'".- Wolfgang Merx.

Editor Picks

Thrice - 'Carol of the Bells'

 Thrice put their own familiar  melodic hardcore touch and express a sense of desperation and through  this cover of  Mykola Leontovych's  1914 Christmas carol. The best kind of songs are an experience. They take us on a journey.They play with our moods, evoke our emotions and get under ourskin. They just resonate. This is what this track does for me.


Panic! At The Disco - 'White Christmas'

Bing Crosby's version of Irving Berlin's 'White Christmas' is perhaps the only Christmas song that can evoke a sense of warmth and nostalgia out of me. We all know that one though don't we? Panic! At The Disco's underrated version shows the band in a completely different light to what we  have come to expect from them. The track balances traditional aspects of the track with quirky interludes and it's a fair contender to make your Christmas playlist.

Eva Cassidy - 'Silent Night'

 Eva Cassidy: One of the greats. A track that will make even the hardest of hearts find some conform and content this Christmas.


Set It Off - This Christmas (I'll Burn It To The Ground)

Don't be lured into a false sense of secuirty by the intro. Set It Off take a fun yet extremely sinister approach to Christmas, and I have the hugest soft spot for this particular track.  I have never heard anything quite like this in this context.

Joni Mitchell - River

 Arguably this isn't a conventional or  an immediate Christmas song but Joni Mitchell is one of the most beautiful vocalists I have ever heard. This is sombre yet soothing.

"It's coming on Christmas , they're cutting down trees, they're putting up reindeer  and singing songs of joy and peace. Oh I wish I had a river I could skate away on."


Blondie - 'We Three Kings'

No one does a punk rock Christmas quite like Blondie! We very much hope you enjoy yours.