Over the next several weeks we will be featuring Top 10 lists from some of our DJs and volunteers here at SPACE 101.1 FM.
Every Monday night from 9 to 10 pm Trent Kelly spins alternative tracks from RETRO to today. Below is his special selection of NEW WAVE Xmas songs from the heyday of the 80’s & 90’s. Enjoy!
#10 The Smithereens – Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer
Released as a single in 1992 this take on a Christmas classic by this New Jersey power-pop outfit has been included on numerous Alternative Christmas ‘various artist’ collections.
#09 Billy Idol – Yelling at the XMAS Tree
Yes, this track was released in 2005 but the energy from this 80’s punk hero is right up there with Rebel Yell and White Wedding from the 80’s. And YES, it ROCKS!
#08 Ramones – Merry Christmas (I Don’t Want to Fight Tonight)
Speaking of PUNK heroes and probably should be higher on our list. Released in 1989 on BRAIN DRAIN which also includes a HALLOWEEN favorite, PET SEMATARY. Other bands covering this classic include Cheap Trick, LA Guns and The Smithereens.
#07 The Alarm – Happy XMAS (WAR IS OVER)
A cover of John Lennon / Yoko Ono holiday statement from 1971 which was a protest song about the Vietnam War. Twenty years later in 1991 this Welsh New Wave band included this version on STANDARDS. I love this recording because lead vocalist Mike Peters beautifully captures the spirit of the original recording.
#06 Sinead O’Connor – Silent Night
Since O’Connor’s passing in 2023 I’ve found myself gravitating toward this release of this Christmas carol standard each season. This single included two versions and released during the holiday season in 1990. Sinead sings the song mostly quiet acapella with just a keyboard in the background sounding as an organ. I get chills when she sings ‘SLEEP IN HEAVENLY PEACE’.
#05 Pretenders – 2000 Miles
Originally released November 1983 as a B-side to Middle of the Road. The song written by Chrissie Hynde is about two long-distance lovers who miss each other at Christmastime. The song often reappears on single charts during the holidays. The official video features Hynde dressed as a member of The Salvation Army. Always a staple on our Christmas specials on The Wave Show.
#04 WHAM! – Last Christmas
Released as a single December of 1984 by this UK Syth-pop duo, the late George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley. It immediately became a hit and Christmas music staple with an accompanying video that tell’s the story of lost love and hope for the New Year. ‘Last Christmas’ had its beginnings in 1983, while George and Andrew were visiting Michael’s parents. It was written in his childhood bedroom. There are many different versions and remixes of the song but you’ll hear the ‘Pudding Mix’ on ‘Trent’s Alt. Xmas’ special.
#03 The Waitresses – Christmas Wrapping
Past years this song has been #1 on our NEW WAVE Xmas Top-10 but things change. The Waitresses were an American NEW WAVE band from Akron, Ohio which also had a hit single ‘I KNOW WHAT BOYS LIKE’. This Christmas song was initially released by ZE Records in 1981 on compilation album ‘A CHRISTMAS RECORD’. The song is about a single woman preparing to dine alone on Christmas Eve since she didn’t want to deal with the holiday season stress. After running to the grocery because she forgot cranberry sauce she finds her holiday spirit after meeting her dream partner.
#02 The Pogues – Fairytale of New York (Featuring Kirsty MacColl)
Written as an Irish folk-style ballad and duet by the late Shane MacGowan of the Celtic Punk band The Pogues. According to MacGowan the origin of the song is based on a wager by the Pogues’ producer at the time, Elvis Costello, that the band would not be able to write a Christmas hit single. Each year as I get older I love it more and more. A couple of years ago though a genealogy search I found out that my family originated from Northern Ireland. Along with MacGowan is British singer/song writer Kirsty MacColl and released as a single in November of 1987. It took two years to develop and record and it’s popularity keeps building. It has landed on the Top 20 singles chart every year during Christmas since 2005. The song is named after J. P. Donleavy’s 1973 novel A Fairy Tale of New York which a copy was in the studio when recorded.
#01 BAND – AID – Do They Know It’s Christmas
I’m not a big fan of this song but I must give it mad respect on how much good it has done in the world since it was recorded 40 years ago in 1984. So, this year the song hits #1 on the 2024 ‘The Wave Show NEW WAVE Xmas Top 10’ especially with its newly released 2024 40th Anniversary edition that released in November. It was a Christmas miracle in itself in 1984 that this charity song was recorded at all by this ‘supergroup’ Band-Aid lead by Bob Geldof to raise money for the famine in Ethiopia. Since the original songs release it has raised over $24 million. Check out the new documentary ‘Band Aid – The Making of the Original Do They Know it’s Christmas?’ available on YouTube. Next year in 2025, it will be down a few pegs.
