CHRISTMAS PARTY PLAYLIST

Here we go then. Mariah’s just been on; now we’ve got Shakin’ Stevens. I always think about the drummer in that song. I do hope he got a lie down after all that. It’s hard work.

Of course, what I’m supposed to be thinking about during these tracks is partying - that’s what Christmas is all about, isn’t it? Having a good time. I guess there’s some joy to pretending you’re stuck inside while the snow falls.

Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree is up next. I guess from the 50s. This one’s for parties of a different era - when there were paper chains strung up from the ceiling - but nevertheless for those who see the festive season as a big old knees up. I still have no idea what a ‘new, old-fashioned way’ means.

By the way, I don’t really think that’s what it’s all about - partying. I was being facetious. I just don’t think I like these poppy tunes quite as much as I like the classics, but that’s okay - it’s my upbringing and taste, and I always say you’re allowed to like what you like, and you can’t let anyone tell you that what you like you shouldn’t like… unless what you like is illegal. Or nasty. The consequence is the logical conclusion that: if you like what you like and it’s okay - then it’s also okay for someone else not to like it.

Oh here they are. The inevitable Pogues. As far as I can make out, the lyrics of this are the ramblings of the inebriated patrons in a New York bar. I guess you’re supposed to look back with nostalgia at this as though you were there with them, celebrating Christmas in a snowy New York and wishing you were somehow Irish in some way.

I don’t know why we’re listening to these today. I mean it sounds like I mind, but I don’t think I do; not really. Sammy’s chosen this playlist, and I think it makes her happy. I’m all for that. Although, the playlist I made for her was a bit more…. classical. I think making a playlist for someone is at least as difficult as choosing a birthday card; it has to say something about them, and about you, and be careful not to explode the boundaries under which your friendship/relationship function. Sounds like a blog for another day, but it is true.

Kelly Clarkson’s having a good time. Her beau is back and she’s celebrating ‘Underneath the Christmas Tree’. How tall is she? How tall is her tree? I can only imagine she’s suspended the tree somehow at head-height, which means - either she’s got ridiculously high ceilings, a ridiculously little Christmas tree, or Kelly herself (and her man) are unaccountably tiny.

Sammy really goes for the upbeat Christmas tunes it seems. We’ve now got Elton imagining he can watch snow-fall ‘for ever and ever’. Meteorologically impossible Elton, isn’t it.

Sigh. I’m maybe a bit of a curmudgeon, liking the traditional carols and crooners, the classical strings and stylings of tenors and choirs over the new-fangled party playlists. But you like what you like! Perhaps one day, like Brenda Lee I’ll find that new old-fashioned way - whatever that means.