I used to run a lyric quiz on my last lesson before Christmas every year. Nothing to do with maths, but we’d do 3D initials on Isometric paper, or Christmas co-ordinates – basically a colouring in lesson with lots of Christmas music playing. See how you get on – answers next week.
1) You were handsome, you were pretty, Queen of New York City.
2) This year, to save me from tears I’ll give it to someone special.
3) I sing this song to pass the time away, driving in my car.
4) I just want you for my own. more than you could ever know
5) Baby if you’ve got to go away, don’t think I could take the pain.
6) Snow is falling all around me.
7) You know that I’ll be waiting to hear your footsteps saying.
8) At Christmastime we let in light and we banish shade.
9) Think of all the fun I’ve missed Think of all the fellas that I haven’t kissed.
It’s no good looking for clues below – all but one were released after 1979.
And now for the year-by-year Christmas hits.
This is not a comprehensive list by any means, but it includes many of my all-time favourites.
Early Hits
1942 – Bing Crosby – White Christmas
1951 – Perry Como – It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas
1952 – Bing Crosby – Silent Night, Jimmy Boyd – I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus
1953 – Eartha Kitt – Santa Baby
1957 – Harry Belafonte – Mary’s Boy Child, Frank Sinatra – Have Yourselves a Merry Little Christmas
1958 – Johnny Mathis – Winter Wonderland
1959 – Max Bygraves – Jingle Bell Rock, Dean Martin – Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow
1960s
1960 – Ella Fitzgerald – Frosty The Snowman, Adam Faith – Lonely Pup (In A Christmas Shop)
1961 – Nat King Cole – The Christmas Song
1962 – Brenda Lee – Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree
1963 – Johnny Mathis – Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas, Andy Williams – It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year,
The Beach Boys – Little Saint Nick, Bing Crosby– Do you Hear What I Hear?, The Crystals – Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer,
Dora Bryan – All I Want For Christmas Is A Beatle
1964 – Burl Ives – A Holly Jolly Christmas, Elvis Presley – Blue Christmas
1966 – Elvis Presley – If Everyday Was Like Christmas, Dean Martin – A Marshmellow World
1967 – Barbra Streisand – The Christmas Song, The Beatles – Christmastime Is Here Again
1969 – Engelbert Humperdinck – Winter World Of Love
1970s
1970 – José Feliciano – Feliz Navidad, The Carpenters – Merry Christmas Darling, Jackson 5 – Santa Claus is Coming to Town
1971 – John and Yoko and The Plastic Ono Band – Happy Xmas (War Is Over)
1972 – Mud – Lonely This Christmas
1973 – Slade – Merry Xmas Everybody, Wizzard – I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day,
Elton John – Step into Christmas, Steeleye Span – Gaudete
1974 – The Wombles – Wombling Merry Christmas, Showaddywaddy – Hey Mr Christmas, Mud – Lonely This Christmas
1975 – Greg Lake – I Believe In Father Christmas, Chris de Burgh – A Spaceman Came Travelling, Mike Oldfield – In Dulce Jubilo,
The Four Seasons – December, 1963 (Oh, What a Night), Dana – It’s Gonna be a Cold, Cold Christmas,
Love Unlimited – It May Be Winter Outside (But In My Heart It’s Spring
1976 – Johnny Mathis – When A Child Is Born, Jethro Tull – Ring out Solstice Bells
1977 – Donna Summer – Winter Melody
1978 – David Bowie and Bing Crosby – Peace On Earth/Little Drummer Boy, Boney M – Mary’s Boy Child
1979 – Paul McCartney – Wonderful Christmas Time, Kate Bush – December Will Be Magic Again
JRo Author 