Top 10 famous festive singles

Legendary festive hits - what are they? Today, the arrival of new music every festive season is a given. In the UK, 'Christmas numbers' have traditionally been very important. However, to an outside observer, the battle for the top spot can seem like an arms race... From new releases to singles, appearances on reality TV shows and the release of charity tracks, it seems the cult of Christmas Numbers is not about to die down.

But not always songs of a persistent Christmas nature were so... For example, the Beatles broke into the festive charts not once but four times with their 60s pop hits "I Want To Hold Your Hand", "I Feel Fine", "Day Tripper" and "Hello, Goodbye". That said - no mention of sleigh bells or snow.....

It wasn't until 1973 that the stakes were raised in this annual battle for the Christmas charts. In an era of civil and economic unrest, competition swept the country as glam rock bands Slade and Wizzard released their festive anthems.

Long before the battle for Britpop, the two bands faced off with Slade's "Merry Xmas Everybody" versus Wizzard's "I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday" pitting fans against each other to decide who would get the crown. In the end Slade came out on top, but the contest was a welcome distraction during a tense time... Today we take a look back at 10 of the most memorable Christmas numbers that won the hearts of millions.....

Band Aid: "Do They Know It's Christmas?" (1984)

There is a common belief that charity songs don't age well... And they do! The release of the single "Do They Know It's Christmas?" was a legendary event in the Band Aid discography... It sold over 3.8 million copies in total! A perfect example of 80's maximalism with good intentions.....

Benny Hill: "Ernie (The Fastest Milkman In The West)" (1971)

Just as classic or charity songs enter the holiday charts, novelty songs are also a holiday favourite! Many such tracks make it to the top of the chart tree, but none of them compare to this cheeky single by comedian Benny Hill. The former milkman turned TV icon originally wrote the tune for his famous sketch show, and it became a Christmas number one in 1971, with Hill extolling the virtues of "hot rolls every morning and puffins every night"....

Queen: "Bohemian Rhapsody" (1975 / 1991)

Released just before the holidays, the stunning lead single "Bohemian Rhapsody" conquered every single line of the charts and never faltered... The song not only joined the ranks of the Christmas Number Ones in 1975, but accomplished the same feat 16 years later, after the death of Queen frontman Freddie Mercury. The song went on to become the UK's best-selling single of all time, and in December 2018 it became the most streamed track of the twentieth century... Here's the ultimate proof that a true hit never gets old!

Wings: "Mull of Kintyre" (1977)

This legendary composition was written by Paul McCartney and his Wings bandmate, Danny Lane. The wistful tune is hardly a festive anthem, but it became Wings' biggest hit in the UK and the first British single to sell over two million copies! Today, it is firmly associated with the spirit of celebration ...

Boney M: "Mary's Boy Child" / "Oh My Lord" (1978)

This seasonal hit from disco band Boney M is best experienced with full visuals, as the band is dressed in furs and dancing to the calypso rhythm. Boney M had already released the million-selling single "Rivers Of Babylon" / "Brown Girl In The Ring" in 1978, and their new holiday single is a take on it, combining the '50s anthem "Mary's Boy Child" with an additional arrangement of producer Frank Farian's "Oh My Lord"....

The Human League: "Don't You Want Me" (1981)

The holidays can be an emotionally taxing time for all of us, so it's no wonder so many people associate them with the romanticised verses and incredibly catchy chorus of synth-pop anthem by The Human League. Supported by a beautiful music video, 'Don't You Want Me' was a standout entry on the Christmas chart, topping the UK chart for five weeks....

East 17: "Stay Another Day" (1994)

Many consider this ballad a seasonal classic, but others aren't at all sure it can be called a true festive song... East 17 member Tony Mortimer actually wrote sombre lyrics about the death of his brother... Nevertheless, this widely misunderstood pop anthem became the third Christmas bestseller of 1994.

Girls Aloud: "Sound Of The Underground" (2002)

Since the rise of singing competitions in the early noughties, reality TV stars have dominated the Christmas charts. Girls Aloud became one of them. It happened in 2002. The composition "Sound Of The Underground" literally captivated the public, breaking into the festive charts later...

Rage Against the Machine: "Killing In The Name" (2009)

This track made RATM the first band to win the Christmas Number Ones award with a download-only single.

The Justice Collective: "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother" (2012).

Using a micro approach to raising money for charity, this 2012 hit didn't solve world hunger, but it did raise money for charities... The supergroup performing the track includes everyone from Paul Heaton and former Spice Girl Melanie C to Robbie Williams, as well as two original members of The Hollies, Bobby Elliott and Tony Hicks, who first made 'He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother' famous....