Sorry, I don't 'Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday'

As anybody who knows me will tell you, I’m really not one to get excited about Christmas just because it happens to be Christmas. Indeed in many ways I actually detest the whole capitalism that now surrounds it. But in general I don’t criticize those who do love Christmas, quite the opposite really, I’m actually a little bit jealous of them. Spending time with your family and friends, listening to Christmas music, giving and receiving gifts, yes it’s all nice and idyllic enough but it doesn’t exactly make me go completely over the top in the same way it does with some people. When you put it in context I just don’t feel like it’s that much different from any other day I might spend with a background of my favourite music in the company of the people I love.

Do I have any favourite Christmas music? 
This is something I often get asked. Well yes and no is the answer, there are a few Christmas tracks that I enjoy for what they are as a piece of music rather than for them being specifically Christmassy. These include 2000 miles by The Pretenders, A Fairy Tale of New York of course and despite my dislike of ELP I do quite like Greg Lake’s I Believe in Father Christmas. Some of Jon Anderson’s interpretations of more traditional Christmas songs such as Three Ships are particularly impressive too. However; you won’t find me buying the ‘Now Xmas’ type albums that come out every year with the same old stale tracks on them I’m afraid. - Although back in the 80s I did buy the first ‘A Very Special Christmas’ charity Christmas compilation which I did enjoy!! 

I appreciate other people like the more regular Slade, Wizzard and Mariah Carey but from November they’re played consistently on the radio and in every shop going and I just feel they’re rammed down our throats constantly to the point why I just don’t enjoy them at all. I personally don’t think this makes me a ‘Bah-humbug’ guy – but others do!!! Each to their own I say!

I think true happiness is often generated by some of the spontaneity in our lives. Musically that may mean discovering a new band that you like or rediscovering an artist or album you haven’t heard for years. Christmas and its associated Slade era tracks often feels ritualistic, like you’re supposed to have fun and enjoy it just because everybody else does, and that has always felt a bit too forced to me. 

Anyway, enough of my ranting for this year. I wish you well and hope you all have the Christmas you want and I’ll see you next year!