Last week we delved into the minds of the Mackman team to create a list of our favourite festive adverts and invited you to vote for your favourite. The competition is still going and it’s pretty fierce, but the current winner was “Ferrero Rocher – The Ambassadors Reception”.
Since the concept was so popular, we thought that it would be fun to explore the other festive favourites of the Mackman team, finishing this week off by composing a list of our favourite (and least favourite) festive songs. So without further ado – strike up the band, let the bells ring out and let the carollers sing…
Paul Mackman, Director:
Bing Crosby and David Bowie – Little Drummer Boy/Peace On Earth
“Some of the first albums I ever bought were by David Bowie, so I had to choose this song. I think he’s brilliant anyway, so it’s a bonus that he released a Christmas song. The addition of Bing Crosby’s smooth vocals underneath both contrasts and compliments the overall sound of the song too.”
Natash Clarke, Communications Lead:
Merry Christmas Everyone – Shakin’ Stevens
“It’s such an upbeat song and has a lovely sentiment – “it’s the season of love and understanding”. I love the fact that there is a saxophone dance break in the middle, and find it all the more endearing as it’s just a little bit naff.”
Natasha Clarke, Communications Officer:
God Only Knows – The Beach Boys
“Obviously because of Love Actually! We might go through Christmas without having watched the film, but we never fail to bring out the soundtrack every year. It’s a warm and fuzzy song too, the scene in the film where they’re all re-united with the people they love. And the best bit of the song, the really best bit is at the end when they all start singing in a round. Ah, I do love Christmas!”
Jim Carr, Communications Assistant:
Fairytale of New York – The Pogues ft. Kirsty MacColl
“As I mentioned last week, hearing this song on the radio is one of the signs that Christmas has started. When I was a child I really enjoyed the instrumental parts that you could dance to, as well as singing along with Shane MacGowan in a very slurry, Irish accent. As an adult, I now enjoy the bitter sweet lyrics too.”
Sarah Nagra, Client Lead:
Santa Baby – Eartha Kitt
“I’m not honestly sure why this song is my favourite! I know that it’s quite materialistic for a Christmas song, but there are some great little innuendos in there…unless it’s just me reading too much into it! It’s one of those songs that just has to be sung in a very sultry voice.”
Angela Balaam, Senior Graphic Designer:
Santa Claus Is Coming To Town – Elf Soundtrack
“I have two reasons that this is my favourite Christmas song. This version of it was sung by the crowd during the most magical part of the film “Elf”, and my daughter loves it too, so I love singing it with her.”
Bruce Burgoyne, Creative Lead:
It’s Beginning To Look a Lot Like Christmas – Perry Como
“This song makes me feel that Christmas is under way, which is nicer than being told that it’s Christmas. It’s just a very simple song that doesn’t need to rely on adding the bells and choirs that we would expect from a modern Christmas song. The lyrics set the scene perfectly.”
Suzanne Smith, Graphic Designer:
Please Come Home For Christmas – The Eagles
“I wouldn’t call this my favourite Christmas song, but it is definitely my guilty festive pleasure!”
James Royce, Technical Lead:
I Believe In Father Christmas – Greg Lake
“I Believe In Father Christmas has everything you would expect from a Christmas song – a choir, a snare march, a string section and even some brass thrown in for good measure. It just sounds right.”
Adam Chamberlin, Web Developer:
Oh Santa – Mr. B The Gentleman Rhymer
“This song is a refreshing break from traditional Christmas music. I don’t think that there is anything better than a Christmas song that combines a Banjolele with such a glorious moustache – look at it!”
Amanda Ansell, Senior Researcher:
War Is Over – John Lennon
“This song offers a really lovely message at Christmas. It makes the point to remind everybody that there are less fortunate people who aren’t able to celebrate a time of peace due to the economic and political situations they find themselves in.”
Abi Mackman, Researcher, PR:
Traditional Christmas Carols
“I am a bit of a traditionalist at Christmas, so I enjoy a good Christmas carol. They remind me of my own childhood and performing in Nativity productions, and I now have the added memories of my own children doing the same.”
[CP_POLLS id=”4″]
Our Least Favourites…
If these songs were people, it’s fairly safe to say that we wouldn’t buy them presents for Christmas. They’ve been crying, they’ve been pouting, they’ve been generally bad – they’re the songs that members of our team love to hate. In no particular order:
Last Christmas – Wham!
I Wish it Could Be Christmas Everyday – Wizzard
Never Do a Tango With an Eskimo – Alma Cogan
Wonderful Christmas Time – Paul McCartney
Mr Blobby Song – Mr Blobby
Mistletoe and Wine – Cliff Richard
Have a Cheeky Christmas – The Cheeky Girls