Wham-ageddon: Could a new song top the Christmas charts?

Wham-ageddon is upon us once again this Christmas season, as the familiar tunes of festive favorites like Wham!, Noddy Holder, and Mariah Carey make their annual appearance on the charts, vying for the coveted number one spot. The inclusion of streaming figures in the chart calculations has tilted the scales in favor of these classic hits, overshadowing newer releases in December.

Despite the overwhelming presence of these perennial favorites, there is a glimmer of hope for a fresh contender in the race for Christmas number one this year. Artists like Kylie Minogue, Tom Fletcher, Alison Limerick, Laufey, Roland Gift, and Emily Fern are offering up new, original songs that could potentially break the stranglehold of the holiday classics.

Kylie Minogue, with her sparkling new release “XMAS,” is leading the charge against the established favorites. Record for the 10th anniversary edition of her Kylie Christmas album, Kylie describes the song as a decade-long exorcism that captures the festive spirit. With exclusive distribution through Amazon, “XMAS” stands to make a significant impact on the charts.

Tom Fletcher’s “One Of Us” takes a unique route to the Christmas song contenders’ circle, stemming from his work on the score for the Paddington musical. The heartfelt ballad resonates with the themes of kindness and family, making it a strong emotional contender for the holiday season.

Alison Limerick’s 1990 hit “Where Love Lives” experiences a revival this year, thanks to its appearance in the John Lewis Christmas advert. Reflecting on the renewed interest in her song, Limerick reminisces about the underground origins and unexpected success of the track, which has now found a new audience through the holiday commercial.

Laufey, known for her timeless jazz compositions, puts a cozy spin on the holiday classic “Winter Wonderland” with her enchanting rendition. Following her Grammy-nominated album, Laufey’s version of the festive favorite captures the magical essence of the season and has already made a significant impact on the UK charts.

Roland Gift, best known for his work with Fine Young Cannibals, ventures into the Christmas music scene with “Everybody Knows It’s Christmas,” a joyful track celebrating the holiday season. The song’s evolution from a darker theme to a more festive tune reflects Gift’s desire to spread cheer and goodwill during this time of year.

Emily Fern’s collaboration with Bez and the London Symphony Orchestra on “Christmas Dream” adds a touch of magic to the holiday music landscape. Written serendipitously in a church hall, the twinkling ballad captures the essence of Christmas spirit and showcases Fern’s talent alongside her illustrious collaborators.

As these new contenders enter the ring, there is a palpable sense of excitement and anticipation surrounding their chances of dethroning the perennial Christmas favorites. Whether one of these fresh offerings will claim the coveted number one spot remains to be seen, but one thing is certain – the battle for Christmas number one just got a whole lot more interesting this year.