MUSIC

What Makes the Perfect Christmas Pop Song?

Sophie Harman

There’s no better way to celebrate the holidays than with the perfect playlist, so let’s take a look at what makes a Christmas classic…

As the festive season is upon us, it had me wondering what it is that makes a timeless Christmas classic. Is it heartbreak and betrayal that somehow manage to captivate the holiday spirit? Maybe it’s flawless vocals and a lyrical wishlist? Could it be the reminder that Christmas is a time to reflect and take care of each other? Or perhaps simply a sweet song laced with festive traditions! To best answer this question, I had a peek at the Christmas hits of the past few decades, to work out what makes them such well-loved, timeless tracks.

The 80s

Wham!’s 1984 release ‘Last Christmas’ is arguably one of the most popular Christmas songs of all time. The bouncy intro to this festive track would have you think it’s a celebration of the joys of the holiday season. But what perhaps made this single the success it is, is its melancholy themes of loss and heartbreak, with a glimpse of hope. Contrasted with the soft, melodic beat, George Michael’s lyrics bring a relatable tone to this classic.

Last Christmas, I gave you my heart, But the very next day, you gave it away, This year, to save me from tears, I’ll give it to someone special

As Wham! puts it, whether it’s heartbreak, betrayal, or just a bad Christmas, you can spend the rest of the year looking forward to the next one, and perhaps finding your ‘someone special’. I suppose that’s the ultimate message of the song; no matter what goes wrong throughout your year, you’ll always have next Christmas… and Wham!’s 1984 classic, to get you in the spirit!

The 90s

By the time we reach the 90s, it’s Mariah’s fun-loving classic ‘All I Want for Christmas Is You’ that has everyone hooked for the holidays! While so much can be said for this 27-year-old hit, it’s hard not to start with Carey’s powerhouse vocals. Indulging us with melodies and vocal scales that outshine most pop songs, let alone Christmas songs, it’s hard to ignore, as Mariah belts out her very short Christmas list. “

I just want you for my own, More than you could ever know Make my wish come true, All I want for Christmas is you, yeah

These lyrics over the uptempo beat, make for a catchy and widely appealing tune. While it’s more of a secular love song, the pop queen’s incorporation of nostalgic Christmas themes - such as a wishlist to Santa, stocking on the fireplace, or presents under a tree- create one of the most loved Christmas anthems!

The 00s

As we reach the 00s what makes the perfect Christmas hit becomes a bit less clear, especially in the UK, with many of the prestigious Christmas number 1 spots being filled by X Factor winners’ singles, as opposed to the festive favourites we all had on replay throughout the decade. Though notably in 2004 Band Aid 20 topped the charts, with a rendition of the 1984 classic ‘Do They Know It’s Christmas’. The original record-breaking track was one of the highest-selling of its decade, and even beat ‘Last Christmas’ to the top of the charts, holding its place there for five weeks.

You ain’t gotta feel guilt just selfless, Give a little help to the helpless, Do they know it’s Christmas time at all? Feed the world”

The charitable single has been released first in response to the famine in Ethiopia, and again in 1989; a third time to benefit the region of Dafur, Sudan following war and genocide; and most recently to raise awareness for the Ebola outbreak in several African countries. With somber lyrics and a supergroup formed of, at times, miss-matched voices and talent, it’s difficult to decipher how this track has stood the test of time for almost four decades since its original and indisputably best release. But I think what always draws people back to this tragic anthem, no matter the version, is its reflection on our blessings, its urgency to look after others, and of course its charitable contributions. Christmas is the time for giving!

The 10s

The 10s brought us pop sensation Justin Bieber’s sweet Christmas song ‘Mistletoe’. The cheery beat met with pleasant melodies, and lyrics packed full of holiday nostalgia, creates a single reminiscent of Mariah Carey’s ‘All I Want for Christmas’ or Destiny’s Child’s holiday hit ‘8 Days of Christmas’.

Reindeer’s flying through the sky so high I should be making a list, I know But I’mma be under the mistletoe With you, shawty with you

Much like the songstresses before him, Bieber creates a pop/r’n’b record that just so happens to centre on Christmas, and mostly the relatable theme of love. His smooth voice makes for an easy listen, with the stripped-down track credited with showing off his vocal abilities.

It would seem that what each of these classic Christmas tracks have in common are: a relatable tone, catchy lyrics, and an ability to create nostalgia using some of our favourite holiday traditions. With these winning components, Christmas hits are able to stand the test of time and become central to celebrations in households, cities, and countries throughout the world.