Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree

Source: Daily Mail

Grandma singing along to Cliff Richard’s Mistletoe and Wine. Kids enlightening the rest of us about a certain red-nosed reindeer. Dads belting out Chris Rea’s Driving Home for Christmas (no? Ah, just mine then). This can only mean one thing. It’s that time of the year again when the dusty Christmas CDs are brought down from the tallest shelves.

But has the scene changed? Are we simply harking back to a time before time? When a woman from Newcastle could still dream of going to America and finding a job as a talent show panellist or the Kaiser Chiefs were only predicting riots.

The worst bit of news I heard last week was surrounding exactly this subject. The cast of The Only Way is Essex are recording a Christmas single, one of the nation’s favourites, Last Christmas by Wham! I imagine that George Michael would be spinning in his car. Although it is for a good cause and there are some average vocal performances (no, really), some of the interest is stricken down by its sheer stupidity. The well rehearsed smouldering looks and talking over the track (for example, “I can’t wait to get my Christmas vajazzle” – PLEASE do not google this). If this single gets anywhere near the Top 10, I will physically eat my laptop. I fear the UK will regret unleashing these people on the World, if you give it even two years.

Moving on to the Pogues. Whom, in my opinion, have the best Christmas song by the least Christmassy band in existence. Although it signals the start of the season, I feel that it could be sung just as well by a drunk sitting outside the Off Licence. Furthermore, it has gained quite a reputation over the years as one of those songs, which it is cool to enjoy.

Source: Andres Otero/WENN

Justin Bieber. Alleged Canadian teen sensation. I recognise that as a 20 year old heterosexual male I am not the target audience for such a musical ‘talent’, but I still don't see the appeal of a remarkably stupid, fringey, high-pitched, alleged runaway father. As such, why did he feel the need to release a Christmas album, including such classics as All I Want for Christmas is You and Mistletoe. I do not know of any section of society that were screaming out for a new version of the Mariah Carey tune.

Source: aaanything.net

Finally, enter X Factor. No doubt Simon Cowell will push his lamb to the slaughter out to the public again this year. Amelia Lily, Little Mix and Marcus Collins are apparently through to the final next week, after which, they will regurgitate an average pop song or ruin a remarkable rock ballad (See Biffy Clyro). But what hasn’t been said about this year’s X Factor too much was its attempt to compromise a music charity. Originally, Little Mix were named Rhythmix but had to be renamed after the Syco’s couldn’t get its namesake to change. In order to raise money for the charity as well as backlash against the X Factor abattoir, Facebook groups are asking for people to purchase Nirvana’s Smells Like Teen Spirit instead. This is where my support is going for Christmas Number One.

Overall, if you don’t want a drunkard, or a group of reality TV stars, or a choice of two different manufactured pop stars, there’s only really one option. A drug-infused, depressed singer-songwriter from Seattle, Washington (or Michael Buble, you be the judge!)     

Love Chips x  

Scenes of a Charitable Nature

Only three months ago, sporadic violence broke out in towns and cities across the United Kingdom. Frighteningly, the majority of rioters – 51.8% to be precise - were below the age of 20. Although the original riots were caused by the death of Mark Duggan, there were several who tried to justify their actions for alternative reasons, from poor treatment by the police through to high levels of unemployment and government cuts. This may have painted a portrait of Britain in severe depression from the economic crisis but there are two sides to every story; and this is no different.

The British are a pro-active people and no sooner had the riots finished than hundreds of Facebook users and ‘Twitterers’ were on the streets of London and Liverpool, cleaning up the carnage that was left behind. The selfless actions of these 500 or so people, shows on a micro-scale just how much we as a country care about our communities, even in times of individual economic hardship. The last two weekends have given further evidence of this remarkable attitude, with Remembrance Sunday and Children In Need on Friday.

Americans are repeatedly cited for both their patriotism, and unwavering support of their military. I believe, in both respects, that the British people are extremely similar, but the cynical tabloid press can frame the debate to suggest that our society is on a largely negative plane. But this does not explain how or why the whole country, quite rightly, comes together to remember for one day to remember those who have given so much to protect us and our loved ones.

These emotions are evoked in us all on 11^th November, from sportsmen on the field right through to accountants in Croydon. Armistice Day is simply part of the heartbeat of Britain, and instils within us, an enduring reminder that we should have pride in our brave armed forces. I think it is comforting that whatever the future may hold, liberal or conservative, growth or recession, Edward or Jacob, red or black, deal or no deal (I promise I will stop now), charities continue to inspire us all, whatever walk of life.  

Children in Need and Comic Relief are unique projects. The figureheads put in a great deal of organisation at the top table to make sure that all sorts of grass roots projects can inject their passion and ingenuity, coalescing with charities overseas and here at home.  According to BBC Statistics, since the recession hit in 2008, fundraising totals for Children in Need have increased by two million pound in the average year. This is even more remarkable, given that a third of all fundraising comes from the nation’s purses and wallets.

This shows that even when we have felt the pinch in our everyday lives, and even when the charity single has destroyed a classic (if you haven’t heard it, don’t), the British public have continued to generously give, to those whose need is ultimately greater than our own, across the globe.

Overall, I wanted this post to serve as a notice that all in Britain is not as bad as it may seem in the Fleet Street newspapers.  We should take pride that even in times of trouble; our society is an extremely humbling and heartwarming place, if you should dig deep enough.

Love Chips x