Watching totp2 christmas edition makes me wonder why there has only been one decent christmas song in the last 20 years (All I want for christmas is you by Mariah Carey), and that only just sneeks into the last 20 years. Most of the best ones are 30+ years and over. Is there nothing new to say about xmas.

Was Steve Wright presenting his not funny ? And his very irritating and think his clever when he insults band which he is not.

It was presented by Mark Radcliffe but I didn't watch much of it because he chopped the songs off half way. At least the video channels allow the songs top finish.

I like a few of the new Christmas songs, but it's true that the mainstream channels ignore them. Most new songs are independent so are missed my most people. That's why I like things like FAB Chart, to help me find decent new music that is not dominated by the majors.

I think its strange how the original "Now - The Christmas Album" from 1985 (with selections drawn from up to Xmas 84) seems to draw a line under things. 1984 was a bumper year for Xmas tunes (Band Aid, Wham!, Gary Glitter, Queen). After that - well there's the Pogues from 87 which, by virtue of the fact its completely uncontrived as well as original, is possibly the greatest Christmas tune of all plus Mariah's Spector/Motown pastiche from 94. Two other big post-84 Xmas hits (Shaky & Cliff's Mistletoe & Wine) are eternally popular but, to my ears anyway, contrived & bland. Stuff like Slade, Wizzard, John & Yoko,Wham! and even Gary Glitter may well be overplayed at this time of year but they all stand up to it.
Most of the Xmas hits from the last 20 years are either forgettably bland or simply comedy records.

The early 70s was a creative peak for most music,not just xmas.Think the money men ruined it after that.