Christmas Songs-They don't make them like they used to.

There was a time in the UK, before such shows as X Factor, when the Christmas Number One single, for Christmas, would be a Christmas song. Slade's Merry Christmas, Cliff Richard's Mistletoe and Wine and John Lennon's Merry Christmas War is over all had chart success at Christmas.

Somewhere along the line though new Christmas songs started to become scarce. There was Wham's Last Christmas, Mariah Carey's All I Want For Christmas and this year George Michael has released a Christmas song.

This year the UK has Rage Against The Machine battling for the top Christmas spot with X Factor winner Joe McElderry and his winner's song of The Climb. Whether you love or loathe either of these songs neither are Christmas songs, by any stretch of the imagination.

Here then are a few of my Christmas favourites which have the Christmas Factor in so many ways.

Fairytale of New York

The Pogues teamed up with Kirsty MacColl for this unusual Christmas song. The words are a couples drunken reminiscing of what might have been. As a couple who have hit the bottom of life they both blame each other somewhat for their demise.

Despite this unlikely Christmas message the song works so well. It speaks of hopes, love and despair. The Irish themed music is perfect for Christmas The rough edge of Shane Macgowan's voice sits well with Kirsty's beautiful vocal tone. This song is made more poignant as Kirsty sadly died in an accident in December 2000 aged 41.

Classic line from this song:

I should have been someone.

Well so should anyone.

Merry Christmas Everybody

Slade's Merry Christmas Everybody still receives masses of Christmas airplay. Originally released in glam Rock's heyday of 1973 this song is now 36 years old. It has been re-released more than once and remains popular.

Let it Snow

Classic Dean Martin, Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow. This has been recorded by so many people. Doris day, Frank Sinatra and more. However for me Let It Snow needs Deano's warm, relaxed singing voice in order to excel.

Hallelujah

Hallelujah was Christmas number one in the UK for Christmas 2008. The single was a recording by that year's X Factor winner Alexandra Burke. For me though Jeff Buckley's original is the best and perfect for Christmas. However as a fan of Leonard Cohen his version runs a close second.

Merry Christmas War is over

John and Yoko's hopeful anthem for world peace was first released in 1971. The song hoped to express that War, such as the campaign in Vietnam, could be over, if people wanted it to be.

Sadly all these years later the world has war, terrorism and strife rife in many countries. The YouTube video I have chosen for this Hub is doubly sad as it shows John Lennon with his own family.

Silent Night

Silent Night is I guess my all time favourite Christmas carol. It has been recorded by many artists down the years. However for the best version is a choir of young people gently singing their heart out.

I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday

Roy Wood, previously of The Move, sang this Christmas song with his band Wizard. First released in 1973 the fashions may have dated but the Christmas feel good factor has remained.

And more, and more.

Of course there are just so many great Christmas songs. From Carols such as "Oh Little Town of Bethlehem" to children's favourites such as "Santa Claus is coming to town" and "Frosty the Snowman". "Mary's Boy Child" expresses the true meaning of Christmas whilst others have immortalised "Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer"

However most of the Christmas Classics that we love are from the past.

Recent offerings, in the UK for example, such as "Proper Chrimbo" were funny but have these renditions longevity? I doubt it.

So as you settle in to your Christmas celebrations, search out your favourite Christmas songs and play them long and loud. These classics deserve to be enjoyed and celebrated, that is until some new classics come along, if they ever do.