Billy Blagg's 19th Annual Advent Calendar of Christmas Songs

[Billy Blagg]

It's back for yet another year. From December 1st - 25th, the usual smorgasbord of chestnuts, turkeys, tasty morsels and stomach-churning leftovers.

As usual, there is a page for the 19th Calendar at:
https://blaggadventcalendarchristmasson ... gspot.com/

The Home page for access to all the Calendars, plus Spotify lists, is at:
https://www.billyblaggsannualadventcale ... ngs.co.uk/


 

[Billy Blagg]

There surely can't be any compilation of Punk/New Wave that doesn't include Spizzenergi's 1979 seminal  'Where's Captain Kirk?' Despite topping the Indie chart for seven consecutive weeks and selling well over half a million copies eventually, the band failed to crack the national chart with the single, later voted among the UK's best punk rock singles of all time.

Despite various name changes, Spizzoil, The Spizzers and the utterly wonderful Athletico Spizz 80, major chart success has sadly eluded the band, but it's not stopped them continuing as a live act to this day.

'Christmas in Denmark Street' was a 2020 release, and the associated blurb claimed the song was a 'lament to the loss of the cultural and musical landscape of London, currently at risk of being lost forever under the weight of infrastructure projects like Crossrail'.Gotta say personally that, as you can now get from Stratford to Bond Street in 16 minutes, that infrastructure project was something of a Godsend. 

SPIZZENERGI - Christmas in Denmark Street - YouTube

[Gank]

Self praise is no praise 

[Billy Blagg]

Oh God, not this shit again. It was crap the first time and that would have been over 20 years ago.

I think the clue might be in the title, but I've just checked the first one, and it's still bloody good. 

[Gank]

Oh God, not this shit again. It was crap the first time and that would have been over 20 years ago.

[Billy Blagg]

You thought yesterday was a bit populist, perhaps? Well, prepare yourself for Day 2. 

'Christmas Alphabet' was not only a massive No: 1 hit but, providing you don't count the previous year's No: 1, Winifred Attwell's 'Let's Have Another Party,' as a Christmas Record - and I don't think we should - then Dickie scored the UK's first ever Christmas themed chart topper. 

Topping the chart for 3 weeks in 1955, Valentine - or Richard Maxwell as his mum probably called him - was a singing sensation and won the NME poll as best male vocalist that year; in fact, he won the title consecutively from 1953 to 1957. Although the rock 'n' roll and Beatlemania tide inevitably caught up with his career during the 60s, Valentine was still a popular club singer when he was tragically killed, along with his pianist and drummer, on a single-lane bridge travelling home after performing in Caerphilly in 1971.

The bridge in Crickhowell - later replaced with a new bridge - had a commemorative plaque unveiled there in 2021. An honour surely due a man who had every Cliff, Slade, Shaky and Geldof trailing in his wake.

Dickie Valentine - Christmas Alphabet ( 1955 ) - YouTube

[honky cat]

It's been an emotional weekend in one way or another, so I thought I'd dive straight in with a couple of big Christmas hitters and try and get everyone on board quickly.

There have been some suggestions over the years that the Calendar can get a little self-indulgent, but this gives lie to that, as I loathe Queen and this song. Still, after 19 years, I can no longer deny it a place on the playlist, plus the video is rather nice.

Now stop standing around with your hands in your pockets and get up in that loft.

- Thank God It's Christmas (Official Lyric Video) - YouTube

 

A Dreadful start . . .

[Monsieur merde de cheval]

Talking about Christmas before December should be a yellow card offence. Do your job Stubby cock son! 

[Monsieur merde de cheval]

Fuck me that year has flown by

Hasn't it just

[Billy Blagg]

It's been an emotional weekend in one way or another, so I thought I'd dive straight in with a couple of big Christmas hitters and try and get everyone on board quickly.

There have been some suggestions over the years that the Calendar can get a little self-indulgent, but this gives lie to that, as I loathe Queen and this song. Still, after 19 years, I can no longer deny it a place on the playlist, plus the video is rather nice.

Now stop standing around with your hands in your pockets and get up in that loft.

- Thank God It's Christmas (Official Lyric Video) - YouTube
 

[Billy Blagg]

Talking about Christmas before December should be a yellow card offence. Do your job Stubby cock son! 

Vexed, last year, Stubby pinned the post to the top, so be careful what you wish for. Anyway, this is WHO, Christmas is in our hearts all year.

[Vexed]

Talking about Christmas before December should be a yellow card offence. Do your job Stubby cock son! 

[Trilby55]

Yes please fella . ( formerly Lab )

[BRANDED]

Yes Billy

[only1billybonds]

An absolute rock of consistency in this ever changing world.

Thanks in advance Mr Blagg.

[violator]

Fuck me that year has flown by

[Mike Oxsaw]

Welcome back, Sir Blagg of Festiville.

I shall follow with earnest, although he doesn't know this yet.