One 2 Three
Patrick Sherring
Sally Croft talked about how we tend to have forgotten the purpose of Advent. It is intended to be a time of reflection about our lives and whether we are not just ready to celebrate the birth of Jesus but also to contemplate the Christian belief of Jesus returning to “bring heaven to earth”. We chatted about the idea of a reverse Advent calendar. Instead of expecting to receive a Chocolate or some other gift every day, Sally suggested donating an item on each shop to a foodbank collection. Sally said that the best gift anyone could give to family and friends would be the gift of time over the Christmas period. We could do this by celebrating the period of twelve days after Christmas, rather than feeling exhausted by focussing everything on just one day.
Playlist
Marvin Gaye – Mercy, mercy me – from the 1971 album ‘What’s going on’ – The no 1 in the Rolling Stone 500 Greatest albums of all time.
Shea Rafferty – Making history – title track from his recent album.
Aretha Franklin & George Michael – I knew you were waiting. Sally chose this UK, USA and 5 more countries no 1 from 1987.
Frankie Goes to Hollywood – The Power of love. 1984 UK and Ireland Christmas no 1. Top 10 in 12 more countries. Sally chose this because love is the source of everything good.
Enya – O Come, O come Emmanuel – from her 2008 album – And winter came. UK no 6, USA no 8, Belgium no 1, Top 10 in 14 more countries. Global sales of 3 million. Sally wanted to choose this Advent carol as it sums up all that Christians hope for at this time and leading into the Christmas season.
Birthdays competition
Above, Miley Cyrus in 2007 when playing Hannah Montana.
Below, Miley Cyrus in 2022.
Miley Cyrus recently celebrated her 30th birthday. We heard her 2007 breakthrough single – See you again. This track was a UK no 11, USA no 10 and Top 10 in 3 more countries.
Jimmy Brown has been the drummer in UB40 since the band’s inception in 1979. He recently celebrated his 65th birthday. We heard the band’s 1993 track – Can’t help falling in love with you. This reworking 1993 of a 1962 hit for Elvis Presley was a UK no 1, no 1 in USA for 7 weeks and no 1 in 9 more countries.
Norman Greenbaum is 80 years old. We heard – Spirit in the sky. No 1 in UK and 5 more countries. USA no 3.
Thanks to Chris, Bob, Sarah, Tatenda, Hatti and Toni in Harlow, Chris in Guildford and Sally in the studio for taking part. Congratulations to Bob, Chris in Guildford, Tatenda and Toni who were all joint winners with 3 pts.
Patrick in Ingatestone requested Dusty Springfield’s UK no 8 from 1965 – The middle of nowhere.
Jamie Wooding – 2 kids (in love) – new to PhoenixFM A list.
Jon Batiste, Pentatonix, Diane Warren – Sweet. New release from Grammy award winner Jon.
Chart this week in
no 1 Various artists – Perfect day. BBC Children in Need single. UK no1 for 7 weeks, including over the Christmas period. No 1 in Norway for 7 weeks. Top 10 in 4 more countries. Total sales over 1.5 million.
no 4 Natalie Imbruglia – Torn. First single release from the actress from Neighbours. UK no2, Sweden no1, Top 5 in 5 more countries.
No 11. Candle in the wind 1997. Total world sales of 33 million copies. Best-selling single in UK history. USA no1 for 14 weeks. No 1 in 18 more countries. Best-selling single of the year in 9 countries.
Vamps – Seat at the table – a new release today.
Crowder – Thanks giver – a new release.
Jamie Wooding – 2 Kids (in love). Now on the PhoenixFM A list.
Jon Batiste, Pentatonix & Diane Warren – Sweet – Recent release from three multi-award winners.
Deodato – Also Spacht Zarathustra – 1973 USA no 2 and UK no 7 version of the theme from the film 2001 A Space Odyssey.
Next Friday my guest is Graham Headley from Brentwood Christians Against Poverty.
