c4countdown

Following on from the discussion here, here is the poll for the best Christmas song. It's obviously not an exhaustive list, but I think I've included most of the "main" songs, and everything that got suggested. Some songs have been sung by several people and don't necessarily have a "definitive" version, so I've just made a decision. If your favourite isn't included, then ultimately it's your fault.

You can vote for as many songs as you want, and can change your vote as in the greatest televised game poll. This does away with unnecessary restrictions, vote-splitting and the like. I'm running the poll for 14 days.

Vote away (and discuss).

Are we voting in the cooments and you update the poll or am I missing something

My votes are for
Jonah Lewie
Kelly Clarkson
Greg Lake
Nat King Cole
Bob Dylan.

Nice list with no glaring omissions or dodgy inclusions

Marc Meakin wrote: ↑Thu Dec 21, 2023 5:28 pm Are we voting in the cooments and you update the poll or am I missing something

You are missing something. Tick the boxes to vote. Though I wonder if you have restricted access or something based on what you've previously said about polls.

Charlie? Ben? Can this be looked at and potentially fixed.

Gavin Chipper wrote: ↑Thu Dec 21, 2023 5:54 pm

Marc Meakin wrote: ↑Thu Dec 21, 2023 5:28 pm Are we voting in the cooments and you update the poll or am I missing something

You are missing something. Tick the boxes to vote. Though I wonder if you have restricted access or something based on what you've previously said about polls.

Charlie? Ben? Can this be looked at and potentially fixed.

Sorted now

It had occurred to me that I may have been banned previously for voting in polls as well as making new posts.
Which probably explains why you had to do it

As a discussion topic I didn't realise Lonely this Christmas was originally an Elvis song.
Also those who watched Tuesdays Only Connect pointed out that Marilyn Monroe never recorded Santa Baby

I don't think it was an Elvis song.

Gavin Chipper wrote: ↑Thu Dec 21, 2023 6:15 pm I don't think it was an Elvis song.

Yes you are right
More trivia that I have been fed that is wrong
Blue Christmas was good though

Marc Meakin wrote: ↑Thu Dec 21, 2023 6:09 pm

Gavin Chipper wrote: ↑Thu Dec 21, 2023 5:54 pm

Marc Meakin wrote: ↑Thu Dec 21, 2023 5:28 pm Are we voting in the cooments and you update the poll or am I missing something

You are missing something. Tick the boxes to vote. Though I wonder if you have restricted access or something based on what you've previously said about polls.

Charlie? Ben? Can this be looked at and potentially fixed.

Sorted now

So it let you vote? You haven't voted for Jona Lewie of your list by the way because it's still on zero.

Gavin Chipper wrote: ↑Thu Dec 21, 2023 9:40 pm

Marc Meakin wrote: ↑Thu Dec 21, 2023 6:09 pm

Gavin Chipper wrote: ↑Thu Dec 21, 2023 5:54 pm

You are missing something. Tick the boxes to vote. Though I wonder if you have restricted access or something based on what you've previously said about polls.

Charlie? Ben? Can this be looked at and potentially fixed.

Sorted now

So it let you vote? You haven't voted for Jona Lewie of your list by the way because it's still on zero.

Yeah, I scrolled past it at first

Things are hotting up nicely. Four songs are tied for first with 4 votes each. 51 "votes" have been cast but that's votes for songs, not the number of individuals who have voted. It doesn't seem to give that information. Anyway, vote away! Also each song name in the poll links to a YouTube video of the song, so you don't have to individually look them up.

There's a good Christmas song also by Bing Crosby called Mele Kelikimaka that I feel like can also be on this list

https://youtu.be/hEvGKUXW0iI

It's called favourite Christmas song not songs. You should have only been able to vote for one.

Mark James wrote: ↑Sat Dec 23, 2023 9:42 pm It's called favourite Christmas song not songs. You should have only been able to vote for one.

Or I should have worded the poll differently. First Past the Post voting is terrible. Consider the wording to be as needed for the poll to make sense.

If I change it now, I'm worried it will reset.

Gavin Chipper wrote: ↑Sat Dec 23, 2023 9:47 pm

Mark James wrote: ↑Sat Dec 23, 2023 9:42 pm It's called favourite Christmas song not songs. You should have only been able to vote for one.

Or I should have worded the poll differently. First Past the Post voting is terrible. Consider the wording to be as needed for the poll to make sense.

If I change it now, I'm worried it will reset.

For me, nominating your preferred 5 was the proportional representation part and then the poll would determine the overall winner. And proportional representation is also usually done with ranked choice which isn't being done here. Sorry I am being nitpicky. You put in a lot of effort. It's a good poll. I guess I am just interested in what the results would have been if you could only pick one.

Mark James wrote: ↑Sat Dec 23, 2023 10:16 pm

Gavin Chipper wrote: ↑Sat Dec 23, 2023 9:47 pm

Mark James wrote: ↑Sat Dec 23, 2023 9:42 pm It's called favourite Christmas song not songs. You should have only been able to vote for one.

Or I should have worded the poll differently. First Past the Post voting is terrible. Consider the wording to be as needed for the poll to make sense.

If I change it now, I'm worried it will reset.

For me, nominating your preferred 5 was the proportional representation part and then the poll would determine the overall winner. And proportional representation is also usually done with ranked choice which isn't being done here. Sorry I am being nitpicky. You put in a lot of effort. It's a good poll. I guess I am just interested in what the results would have been if you could only pick one.

I'm glad you appreciate the effort. It's not supposed to be about proportional represention though. It's just that approval voting is better than first past the post for electing a single winner.

When does it close?

Hadn't heard Kelly Clarkson's before this poll. Its relative success here inspired me to give it a listen. It's made my Christmas playlist. Thank you c4cers!

There's an article about Jona Lewie in today's Sunday Times. He says that he wrote Stop the Cavalry as an antiwar song, but the single line "wish I was at home for Christmas" meant it made sense to release it in December. It topped the charts in France at the height of summer.
It's the Die Hard of Christmas songs.

But Die Hard is good.

I had never heard Stop the Cavalry until this year. I wish I never had. Can't believe it got so many votes.

One of my favourites I forgot to mention was Mike Oldfield's version of In Dulci Jubilo.

https://youtu.be/VCvz7uflMIU?si=eb4HEU8k823hm8SV

Marc Meakin wrote: ↑Sun Dec 24, 2023 10:17 am When does it close?

I set it for 2 weeks. 4th Jan.

Not on the list. December Song by George Michael.

Ian Volante wrote: ↑Mon Dec 25, 2023 7:29 pm Not on the list. December Song by George Michael.

I didnt want to be critical of the list as I was grateful to Gev for doing it, largely at my behest but I'm pleased it's proved popular.
But yes East 17s Stay Another Day is more deserving than Bo Selecta and Cliff but I'm not sure how big a hit December Song was.

Maybe Gev can add some more

Stay Another Day isn't a Christmas song. Though if anyone had nominated it, we could have discussed it.

Anyway, all nominations went on. Tough luck to all you latecomers!

Edit - Proper Crimbo was a bit of a joke entry but both Cliffs were Christmas number 1s. I don't think I can alter the poll without breaking it. And I also don't think anyone has suggested any new potential winners.

Gavin Chipper wrote: ↑Mon Dec 25, 2023 9:16 pm Stay Another Day isn't a Christmas song. Though if anyone had nominated it, we could have discussed it.

Anyway, all nominations went on. Tough luck to all you latecomers!

Edit - Proper Crimbo was a bit of a joke entry but both Cliffs were Christmas number 1s. I don't think I can alter the poll without breaking it. And I also don't think anyone has suggested any new potential winners.

Stay another day was never intended to be a Christmas song considering it was originally about Tony Mortimers brothers suicide but I think the Christmas Bells were added as it was released around Christmas time in fact I think it pipped Maria Carey song to the no1 spot in 1994.


I am not sure what the criteria is for a Christmas song does it have to include the words Christmas?

Marc Meakin wrote: ↑Mon Dec 25, 2023 10:35 pm

Gavin Chipper wrote: ↑Mon Dec 25, 2023 9:16 pm Stay Another Day isn't a Christmas song. Though if anyone had nominated it, we could have discussed it.

Anyway, all nominations went on. Tough luck to all you latecomers!

Edit - Proper Crimbo was a bit of a joke entry but both Cliffs were Christmas number 1s. I don't think I can alter the poll without breaking it. And I also don't think anyone has suggested any new potential winners.

Stay another day was never intended to be a Christmas song considering it was originally about Tony Mortimers brothers suicide but I think the Christmas Bells were added as it was released around Christmas time in fact I think it pipped Maria Carey song to the no1 spot in 1994.


I am not sure what the criteria is for a Christmas song does it have to include the words Christmas?

Actually it turns out that Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! doesn't mention Christmas, but I think its generally assumed to be Christmasy. I suppose there's no hard line, but in the absence of specific nominations, I drew the line myself. I think Stay Another Day is a level down in its Christmasiness from Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! anyway.

I think that when Christmas songs from years gone by are churned on the radio, Stay Another Day, gets plenty of airtime.
Don't You Want Me was a huge Christmas no1 but don't get played as it's clearly a hit that made Christmas no 1.
Without any Christmas lyrics or bells in the song.

I think it shouldn't matter if it's a sad song as long as it's Christmassy (ie Bells)

More observations
Just heard Leona Lewis Christmas hit which I forgot
about.
Also, Walking in the Air not a Christmas song in isolation.

Where are You Christmas from the Grinch I completely forgot about as its my kids favourite

This poll expires on 4th January (which is now today) at 5:14pm so get those final votes in!

So the Pogues and Kirsty McCall have 7 votes
Jona Lewie and Slade have 6 votes each

Marc Meakin wrote: ↑Thu Jan 04, 2024 10:53 am So the Pogues and Kirsty McCall have 7 votes
Jona Lewie and Slade have 6 votes each

Close at the top.

Marc Meakin wrote: ↑Thu Jan 04, 2024 10:53 am So the Pogues and Kirsty McCall have 7 votes
Jona Lewie and Slade have 6 votes each

OK, so it's all over, and Jona Lewie managed to tie with The Pogues and Kirsty MacColl for first place on 7 votes at the end. The top 3:

1. The Pogues featuring Kirsty MacColl - Fairytale of New York - 7
=. Jona Lewie - Stop the Cavalry - 7

3. Slade - Merry Xmas Everybody - 6

A whopping seven songs tied for 4th with 4 votes:

José Feliciano - Feliz Navidid
Mud - Lonely This Christmas
Greg Lake - I Believe in Father Christmas
Chris de Burgh - A Spaceman Came Travelling
Chris Rea - Driving Home for Christmas
Mariah Carey - All I Want for Christmas Is You
Kelly Clarkson - Underneath the Tree

Gavin Chipper wrote: ↑Thu Jan 04, 2024 10:29 pm

Marc Meakin wrote: ↑Thu Jan 04, 2024 10:53 am So the Pogues and Kirsty McCall have 7 votes
Jona Lewie and Slade have 6 votes each

OK, so it's all over, and Jona Lewie managed to tie with The Pogues and Kirsty MacColl for first place on 7 votes at the end. The top 3:

1. The Pogues featuring Kirsty MacColl - Fairytale of New York - 7
=. Jona Lewie - Stop the Cavalry - 7

3. Slade - Merry Xmas Everybody - 6

A whopping seven songs tied for 4th with 4 votes:

José Feliciano - Feliz Navidid
Mud - Lonely This Christmas
Greg Lake - I Believe in Father Christmas
Chris de Burgh - A Spaceman Came Travelling
Chris Rea - Driving Home for Christmas
Mariah Carey - All I Want for Christmas Is You
Kelly Clarkson - Underneath the Tree

I thought you might have given the casting vote