It’s THAT time of year, or as Mike at About Britain 

calls it, ‘the festering season’. On the whole, I don’t mind Christmas, it’s not a huge thing for us, but we have a decorated tree with fairy lights, and a smashing dinner, roast lamb with all the trimmings as they say.  

I like to listen to the radio a fair bit throughout the year, I have radio 2 on in the car, and in the background at my clinic, in the kitchen when I’m cooking and in the shed when I’m doing mosaics. Sometimes I change things up and go for Planet Rock, especially when Steve Wright or Jeremy Vine are on (sorry chaps). 

But in December we get the dreaded Christmas songs, Slade still droning on about the future just beginning, for the past 45 years (oh dear lord 45 YEARS!!!)

The Pogues and Kirsty McCall and their not so magical lyrics 

You’re a bum
You’re a punk
You’re an old slut on junk
Lying there almost dead on a drip in that bed
You scumbag, you maggot
You cheap lousy faggot
Happy Christmas your arse
I pray God it’s our last

in the Fairytale of New York, yes I know, great song but I’ve heard it at least 20 times already and that’s been the same for 31 years. 

Here at Fraggle Towers we eschew the regular stuff they trot out every year and have our own playlist of special Christmas songs.

So put away your Mariah Carey’s and The Darkness, stomp on your Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra 45’s and give your ears a treat with our Top 5 that should be on the radio but generally are not.

Starting gently with a little blues/swing

A little honky tonk from Elton

Some great Rock from one of the best bands ever! 

A beautiful romantic ballad with the hugely talented but vastly under-rated Dina Caroll

Lastly, for those with dysfunctional families and a penchant for alcohol a country song that makes me LOL (you don’t have to like country to appreciate the lyrics here!)

So that’s 5 of our extensive alternative Christmas songs, hope you enjoyed them, let me know if you need more 🤣