Every year, without fail, someone out there in the music industry will decide it's the right time for their artist to cover a beloved Christmas record.
Many an artist has covered a Christmas hit, but were they any good? Copyright [Wenn/Rex]
Now this can be a risky idea - get it wrong and you’ve ruined a classic, get it right and you could find yourself on the latest ‘Now That’s What I Call Christmas’ compilation album.
Here are omg!’s best and worst Christmas covers from over the years.
Best: Gabrielle Aplin - ‘The Power of Love’
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The John Lewis Christmas advert track is fast becoming a festive tradition in itself and this year’s offering, a cover of Frankie Goes to Hollywood’s ‘Power of Love,’ is an absolute gem. Newbie Gabrielle Aplin’s haunting vocals breathes new life into the classic eighties track.
Listen to Gabrielle Aplin’s cover here
Worst: Girls Aloud - ‘Merry Christmas Everybody’
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After third album Chemistry failed to set the charts alight, Girls Aloud re-released the LP just in time for the festive period with eight additional Christmas songs. Clearly a marketing ploy, the girls sleep their way through the covers, with Slade’s ‘Merry Christmas Everybody’ proving to be the most lacklustre effort.
Listen to Girls Aloud’s cover here
Best: Stacey Solomon - ‘Driving Home For Christmas’
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Stacey Solomon’s ‘Driving Home For Christmas’ is a surprisingly touching version of the song - especially when paired with last year’s overly sentimental Iceland advert. Although we’re not sure what Chris Rea would make of Stacey using his beloved song to boost sales of hoisin duck Christmas trees.
Listen to Stacey Solomon’s cover here
Worst: Pop Idol finalists - ‘Happy Xmas (War is Over)’
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Some classics should never be touched. The Pop Idol series two finalists released the track during the show's run and it was terrible on all accounts - poor production [check], faux emotion [check] and weak vocals [double check]. Well, what would you expect from a series that crowned Michelle McManus its champion?
Listen to the Pop Idol’s cover here
Best: Michael Bublé - 'Santa Claus Is Coming To Town'
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The king of swing made the festive hit, previously recorded by the Jackson 5 amongst others, his own as part of his excellent Christmas album last year. By converting the Motown track into a fully fledged jazz number Michael once again proved he has the Midas touch when it comes to rejuvenating classics.
Listen to Michael Bublé’s cover here
Worst: Band Aid 20 - 'Do They Know It’s Christmas?'
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You can’t knock the sentiment behind Band Aid 20. Re-record the track with today’s relevant popstars twenty years after its original release and donate all the proceeds to charity. Unfortunately, not even Joss Stone’s warbling or Dido’s whimsical, breathy tones could hide the fact that you simply can’t top the original.
Listen to Band Aid 20’s cover here
Best: Destiny’s Child - '8 days of Christmas'
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You’ve got to hand it to Beyonce and co. Managing to transform the 12 days of Christmas into a cult urban track that is in fact very listenable is no mean feat. With ridiculous lines that include, 'On the 6th day of Xmas my baby gave to me, a cropped Jacket with dirty denim jeans,’ it’s hard not to enjoy. Although the girls lose points for not bothering to cover all 12 days.
Listen to Destiny’s Child's cover here
Worst: Samantha Mumba - All I want for Christmas
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Perhaps the most celebrated Christmas track of all time and who decides to cover it? Samantha ‘I’ve had a few but ultimately forgettable hits’ Mumba. And after this rather dull cover, you can understand why.
Listen to Samantha Mumba’s cover here
Best: Kylie Minogue- 'Santa Baby'
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If there was ever a Christmas track meant to be covered by the Kylie, this would be it. The princess of pop’s silky smooth, sexy vocal perfectly compliments this classic cheeky Christmas number.
Listen to Kylie Minogue’s cover here
Worst: The Spice Girls - 'Christmas Wrapping'
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Almost a carbon copy of the Waitresses' ditty, minus the dry delivery. The Spice Girls inject a bit too much excitement on the track which, considering it goes completely against the point of the lyrics, means the cover is a bit of a festive failure.