It’s been such a strange year and in the spirit of togetherness and community, we’re going to be counting down to Christmas by sharing a selection of our – and our friends’ – favorite festive songs. Today, TK Roberts, Youth Sector, Yumi and the Weather, Frauds and Zarif – all artists on the Wall of Sound roster (thanks to Jamie for organising) – choose their favourites…
TJ ROBERTS
Thomas (vocal/guitars) – ‘Christmas All Over Again’ by Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
“Easily the most overlooked and unfairly forgotten Christmas rocker. The timpani are unbelievably audacious, the percussion is abrasive and the drum solo is filth, but it’s just pure joy from start to finish. Tom Petty is one of my heroes and to hear him tear it up even whilst shilling for the corporate machine, unlike some of his contemporaries (I’m looking at you Macca), just elevates him to god status.”
Youth Sector
Harvey (Synth Player) – ‘Christmas Wrapping’ by The Waitresses
“‘Christmas Wrapping’ by the Waitresses is a song that often gets overlooked when the discussion of “best Christmas Song” comes up amongst friends and families. Yeah sure, it probably doesn’t have the classic Christmas clout that emanates from the front runners in that conversation; The Pogues, Slade, Mariah, The Beach Boys and, god forbid, Wizard. But it does have the benefit of being the only Christmas song to sound like it was written by Tom Tom Club.
It also harkens us back to that time when Christmas appeared to be a gluttonous, guilt-free affair; John Hughes, John Candie and John Christmas. I’m personally glad that consumerism now has a greater conscious but consider ‘Christmas Wrapping’ a momento of what it was like to not have to think about anything at all other than big fat Christmas and all his pals. Also, that brass section.”
Yumi And The Weather
Ruby (vocals) – ‘The Little Drummer Boy 1987’ by Bob Seger
“Was on a Very Special Christmas compilation and takes me back to the house I grew up in and the Xmas Box that we still have with all the decorations in it that still smell the same but just a little bit dustier. We listened to this CD every Christmas, and will always take me back to that moment staring at the Christmas tree and the little decorations on it, with the twinkling lights.”
FRAUDS
Mike (guitar) – ‘Ang Pasko Ay Sumapit’ by Bayanihan Philippine Dance Company
“My favorite Christmas song is “Ang Pasko Ay Sumapit” by Bayanihan Philippine Dance Company. This is a fantastic festive Filipino romp that never fails to get me into a very specific Christmas spirit. Ditch the turkey for some chicken adobo, the Baileys for a few lambanogs, and make yourself a trippy as f*ck Belen. Also, I don’t understand the lyrics which elevates it above other Christmas songs.”
ZARIF
‘The Best Christmas (in Lockdown)’ by Electric Umbrella
“This is a brand new Christmas song with one of the most heart-warming videos you will ever see, all written and performed by an incredible group of people with learning disabilities alongside a colourful cast of about 100 singers, musicians and some celeb cameos. I’ve chosen it because, apart from it being a genuinely catchy Christmas song, it was put together by one of my favorite charities, Electric Umbrella, who put on amazing musical events for people with learning disabilities. The charity’s run by a good friend of mine, so I was lucky enough to get involved with the song, and it’s already in the iTunes chart and is getting shared all over so I’m rooting for them for Christmas Number 1!”
