Once again, we find ourselves in this awkward time of year. Is it Autumn or Winter? Is it cold enough to wear a coat? The most difficult dilemma we wrestle with at this time of year is when to start listening to Christmas songs.
As a self-confessed Christmas enthusiast, I am always appreciative of an unexpectedly early Christmas tune on the radio. However, even I try and wait as long as possible before digging out the Christmas playlist. I am very aware that if I start too early, the novelty will wear off. The excitement of the build up to Christmas is the only time of the year with its own soundtrack, so why would you want to ruin that by being bored of Christmas songs by the end of October?
I think most people would agree that Christmas songs should not be played any time before Halloween, if not Bonfire Night. With two celebrations in a week, why would you muddy the waters and add a third into the mix. However, Magic FM made headlines after taking the decision to launch their Christmas channel ‘Magic 100% Christmas’ in August!
Given the events of this year, it does not surprise me that the demand for Christmas has come early this year. What could be more joyful and hopeful than a Christmas song in September? But I believe Magic FM have missed a trick.
There are several songs that are classed as ‘Christmas’ songs that would be appropriate to listen to at other times of the year. For example, if it were not for the nativity-themed music video, Frankie Goes to Hollywood’s The Power of Love could easily be removed from Christmas playlists all over the world. Christmas is not referred to once in the lyrics. There is, however, mention of vampires, claws, and death, making it an acceptable ‘Christmas song’ to play in October if you were desperate to get Christmas started early.
There are numerous other non-Christmassy seasonal songs that are suitable to play in this awkward period of uncertainty. Stop The Cavalry (Jona Lewie) and Stay Another Day (East 17) are commonly included in the annual Christmas playlist alongside The Power of Love, but similarly are not about Christmas at all. River (Joni Mitchell) and the ever-popular Fairytale of New York (The Pogues ft. Kirsty MacColl) are anti-Christmas in their sentiments, and so are great additions to the early Christmas playlist. And of course, any song that has featured on the John Lewis Christmas advert is bound to be acceptable to listen to before the beginning of the festive season.
So, start making your early Christmas playlist and fill it full of all those songs that are not necessarily about Christmas but give you that holiday feeling. This year especially, anything that makes you feel warm and fuzzy and full of hope is worth doing. Hopefully this tip will help you to enjoy an early Christmas tune without any guilt.
Edited by Jemma Snowdon