Surrey's favourite Christmas No.1s Countdown: Honourable Mentions
We’ve polled staff, students and alumni… and here are some of the honourable mentions that didn’t quite make it into our Top 10 of Christmas No.1 hit singles as voted for by our University community. Some of them didn’t even make it to No.1 either…
Southampton-born singer-songwriter Jona had an unlikely Xmas hit with his anti-war single
“This reached No.3 in Dec 1980. It reminds me of the family parties we use to have at my Nannie’s house, with all of us cousins going crazy on sherry trifle and eating chocolate yule logs, and singing and dancing to the top Christmas tunes. Merry Christmas Everybody by Slade and Tiger Feet by Mud were regularly played, too!”
Shellie Pettitt, Advancement
1986: Driving Home for Christmas by Chris Rea
Chris originally released his seasonal smash as a B side for his 1986 single, Hello Friend
“It may not have reached No.1, but this is my all-time festive favourite. It always gets me in the Yule mood, particularly as I’m usually on the road at this time of year!”
Laura Roser, Advancement
1986: Caravan of Love by the Housemartins
One of Hull's finest exports missed out on the Xmas No.1 thanks to Jackie Wilson
“I loved The Housemartins and I saw them in their prime at Hull City Hall. The band were funny, politically engaged, sardonic and creators of some truly great tunes.
“Their a capela cover of the Isley-Jasper-Isley song played to the band’s strengths and it was the perfect vehicle for Paul Heaton’s soulful voice. Cruelly knocked off the Yuletide top spot by Jackie Wilson’s Reet Petite, it remains the greatest Christmas No.1 that never was.”
Paul Brooks, Communications
1986: Last Christmas by Wham!
The boys from Bushey missed out on the Yuletide top spot thanks to Band Aid
“This song, which made it to No.2 at Christmas in 1984, is close to my heart. I remember singing and dancing to this with my family as a young teenager at our countryside home on the outskirts of Bath.
“Christmas is my favourite times of the year and this brings back beautiful and sentimental memories.”
Alberto Verme, Business Management Graduate
1987: Fairytale of New York by the Pogues and Kirsty MacColl
Kirsty, Shane and the Pogues produced a magical musical treat for Christmas in 1987
“Where are The Pogues and Kirsty MacColl and a Fairytale of New York on this list? I know it only reached No.2 but it should still be included!”
An outraged colleague from Marketing
2000: Can We Fix it? by Bob the Builder
Pilchard the Cat and Bob were definitely up to the job of securing a seasonal smash hit
“What other musical titan could hammer the likes of Westlife, Eminem and Robbie Williams in the competition to top the festive charts? Of course, it's Bob the Builder uniting the nation by asking one simple question, Can We Fix It?
“Could Bob fix the competition in his favour so he nailed the No.1 spot in 2000? Yes, he could.”
Alice Bryant, Advancement