Tonight we continued our Christmas celebrations. It was the birthday of John Legend, 40 today.

We looked at the chart of this week in 1973. Four of the songs are in this weeks top 40. It is amazing how the same tracks come out every year and continue to sell. We tried to play mainly other Christmas songs that we rarely hear. Rene told us about the kinds of Christmas she had in South Africa, which appeared to focus around two words: beach; party.  We remembered Honey Lantree, drummer and singer with the Honeycombes. This band were formed in 1963. In 1964 they released ‘Have I the right’. A No 1 in Australia, Canada, Sweden & UK. Also no 5 in USA. We also had a little chat with Matt, presenting the last Nightswimming between 10-12. It has been great to have Matt follow me over the last two years. Over 100 of his shows have recordings on his showblogs.

Tonight’s playlist

John Legend – Bring me love

Lady Antebellum – This Christmas

Kacey Musgrave – Christmas makes me cry

Madie Prior – God rest you merry gentlemen – requested by Phyl

Mike Oldfield – In duci jubilo

Paul McCartney – Wonderful Christmas time

Ingatestone and Fryerning Junior school – Peace and love to all mankind – from ‘It’s Christmas’ – published by Edgy Productions, written by Andrew Oxspring & Ian Faraday.

Chart this week from 1973

No 1. Slade – It’s Christmas

No4  – Wizzard – I wish it could be Christmas every day

No 14 – Steeleye Span – Gaudete

Ronnetts – Sleigh ride

Honeycombes – Have I the right

Pentatonix – That’s Christmas to me

Alison Krauss – Wexford carol

Casting Crowns – I heard the bells on Christmas day

Baron Knights – Open the presents – loved by some of the listeners who had never heard it before.

Ladbaby – We built this city on sausage rolls – All proceeds to the Trussell Trust, who run foodbanks  in conjunction with churches.

Enya – Journey of the angels

Michael W Smith – Christmas angels

Ingatestone & Fryerning Junior school – Everybody sing along – song published by Edgy productions.

Flakefleet Primary school – Light up – another charity single

Beach Boys – Sail on sailor – for Matt who said he always heard the last 30 mins of the show and loves the music. He particularly talked about the Beach Boys and said that this was his favourite track.

Shakatak – Christmas in Rio -loved by Rene

Coldplay – Christmas lights – let us keep them shinning until 6th of January, 12th night and the end of the 12 days of Christmas.

Katie Melua & Gori Women’s choir – Little swallow

Join me next week for the first Friday Night Extra of 2019.

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