You don't have to go this far,
but alternative is good
Photograph: Frank Baron
Having traversed the party season via dancing, smoking and drinking, we're nicely set up for the Christmas playlist but this week's recommendations have to be alternative Christmas songs. We're all more than familiar with the ones they play on a constant, punishing loop in department stores. I worked in Woolworths one Christmas and after hearing Wonderful Christmas Time for the 93rd time I wanted to kill Paul McCartney - literally kill him - and I like Paul McCartney. Imagine what I wanted to do to Wizzard.
So, no Slade, Bing Crosby or anything else that appears on this album. I want undiscovered gems, underrated oldies, unlikely cover versions and other festive curveballs. You can have songs which include seasonal references and ones which feel somehow Christmassy even if they're not explicit. They can be as merry or as maudlin as you like. Ho ho ho.
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