The quest for a timeless Christmas hit is the holy grail for many musicians. A successful festive single can re-enter the charts year after year, becoming a permanent part of the season's soundtrack long after other hits have faded. Yet, these songs represent more than just enduring royalties; they are shared cultural moments that define the spirit of December for generations.
The Enduring Legacy of Festive Classics
From the perennial blare of Slade and Wizzard in shopping aisles to more modern additions from artists like Kelly Clarkson, Christmas pop is inescapable. Sadly, with each passing year, we say goodbye to more of the iconic voices behind these beloved anthems. The recent passing of Chris Rea, creator of the 1986 classic 'Driving Home For Christmas', is a poignant reminder of this loss, echoing the tragic death of George Michael on Christmas Day in 2016. Here, we celebrate the artists whose festive contributions continue to bring joy, even in their absence.
Chris Rea: The Voice of the Christmas Commute
Born in Middlesbrough in 1951, Chris Rea honed his craft for years before his breakthrough 1978 hit, 'Fool (If You Think It's Over)'. While he enjoyed other successes, it was his 1986 release, 'Driving Home For Christmas', that became his signature song, perfectly capturing the familiar frustration and anticipation of the holiday journey. Rea, who suffered a stroke in 2016, died on 22 December at the age of 74 after a short illness.
George Michael & The Timeless Gift of 'Last Christmas'
Few artists have crafted a Christmas legacy as profound as George Michael. He wrote, sang, and produced Wham!'s iconic 1984 single 'Last Christmas' and was a featured voice on Band Aid's 'Do They Know It's Christmas?' the same year. After a stellar solo career, Michael's life was often overshadowed by media scrutiny. He died from heart and liver failure at his home in Henley-on-Thames on 25 December 2016, aged 53, with countless anonymous acts of charity revealed posthumously.
The Unforgettable Duet: Kirsty MacColl & Shane MacGowan
The creation of 'Fairytale of New York' is a legendary story in itself. In 1987, with The Pogues struggling to finish the track, Kirsty MacColl—married to producer Steve Lillywhite—recorded the female vocal part alone. Her performance so inspired Shane MacGowan that he re-recorded his parts with renewed passion, creating a timeless, gritty duet. MacColl died tragically in 2000 at age 41, saving her son from a speedboat in Mexico. MacGowan, the band's poetic frontman, battled addiction for decades and died in November 2023 in Dublin, aged 65.
More Icons of the Festive Season
The list of departed greats extends across decades and genres:
Patty Donahue, lead singer of The Waitresses, delivered the deadpan, cool classic 'Christmas Wrapping' in 1981. She died of cancer in 1996, aged 40.
Bing Crosby fundamentally shaped the sound of Christmas with 'White Christmas', first sung in the 1942 film Holiday Inn. He died in Spain in 1977, aged 74.
Ronnie Spector and The Ronettes gave us the exuberant 'Sleigh Ride'. She died in 2022, aged 78, after a life marked by musical brilliance and personal hardship.
Nat King Cole's smooth, warm vocals on 'The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting...)' are a staple. The legendary singer and pianist died of lung cancer in 1965, aged just 45.
Greg Lake of Emerson, Lake & Palmer offered a more philosophical take with the 1975 prog-rock classic 'I Believe in Father Christmas'. He died in London in 2016, aged 69.
While their voices have fallen silent, the music of these Christmas hitmakers remains a vital, joyful part of our annual celebrations, ensuring their legacies play on with every festive season.
