Deck the halls indeed... The Christmas party season approaches, and the call comes in: can you help us with some music for our party? Here on the Observer Music Monthly, we'd welcome your suggestions.
Every year yields a small number of nailed-on obvious classics: Beyoncé's Crazy in Love in 2003; just possibly that Eric Prydz tune in 2004; Madonna's Hung Up last year. This time round we've had the Scissor Sisters' I don't Feel like Dancin' (and next year, I suspect, it'll be something by Mika).
But go any further back, and you get into dodgy territory. Well I remember spinning the Jam's Beat Surrender, but rather than unite young and old in a warm and sticky embrace, a long queue outside the Ladies' materialised. And do you really want to rely on the same old tired favourites? Dolly's 9 to 5, possibly; but just sticking on The Greatest All-Time Disco Classics Ever Ever Ever - no.
And Elton John's Christmas Party? First released through Starbucks in the States, you can probably pick it up on import in the UK now. And to his credit, it's a nice enough selection of tunes, mixing Rufus Wainwright with the Beach Boys, the Flaming Lips and Kate Bush. But would you want to photocopy your arse for a Christmas card to any of those songs?
Every year yields a small number of nailed-on obvious classics: Beyonce's 'Crazy in Love' in 2003; just possibly that Eric Prydz tune in 2004; Madonna's 'Hung Up' last year. This time round we've had the Scissor Sisters' 'I Don't Feel Like Dancin'' (and next year, I suspect, it'll be something by Mika). But go any further back, and you get into dodgy territory. Well I remember spinning the Jam's 'Beat Surrender', but rather than unite young and old in a warm and sticky embrace, a long queue outside the Ladies' matterialised. And do you really want to rely on the same old tired favourites? Dolly's '9 to 5', possibly; but just sticking on 'The Greatest All-Time Disco Classics Ever Ever Ever' - no. And 'Elton's Christmas Party'? First released through Starbucks in the States, you can probably pick it up on import in the UK now. And to his credit, it's a nice enough selection of tunes, mixing Rufus Wainwright with the Beach Boys, the Flaming Lips and Kate Bush. But would you want to photocopy your arse for a Christmas card to any of those songs?
