Leslie Massey
Christmas songs are an integral part of the festive season, and while many classics evoke images of snow and warm fireplaces, Australian Christmas songs offer a unique twist to reflect the summery Christmas celebrations in the Southern Hemisphere. From quirky carols about birds and Uncle Bruce to catchy pop tunes, Aussies have developed their own brand of Christmas cheer. So, what is the most popular Christmas song in Australia, and how does it reflect the Australian Christmas experience?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Most popular Christmas song in Australia | "All I Want for Christmas Is You" by Mariah Carey |
| Other popular songs | "How to Make Gravy" by Paul Kelly, "Oh Christmas" by Zefereli, "Fairytale of New York" by The Pogues, "Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays" by NSYNC, "Aussie Jingle Bells", Last Christmas by Wham!, "Blue Christmas" by Jimmy Barnes, "White Christmas", "Jingle Bell Rock", "Let It Snow!", "When Christmas Comes Again" by Grentperez, "Christmas Lights" by Coldplay covered by Amy Shark, "Who Would Imagine A King" by Whitney Houston covered by Budjerah, "42 Degrees" by Matty Took, "Merry Xmas Everybody" by Slade, "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)" by John Lennon, Yoko Ono, The Harlem Community Choir & The Plastic Ono Band |
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What You'll Learn
'All I Want for Christmas Is You' by Mariah Carey
"All I Want for Christmas Is You" is a song by American singer-songwriter Mariah Carey. It was released as the lead single from her fourth studio album and first holiday album, 'Merry Christmas', in 1994. The song is an uptempo love song that includes bell chimes, backing vocals, and synthesizers. It has become a Christmas standard, with a significant rise in popularity every December.
The song was written and produced by Carey and Walter Afanasieff. It was initially met with resistance from Carey, who was young and felt that a Christmas album was "uncool" and "old-fashioned". However, record executive Tommy Mottola, who had signed and married Carey, decreed that she would create a Christmas album. Despite her initial reluctance, Carey would later call the decision a "brilliant business move".
"All I Want for Christmas Is You" has received critical acclaim, with The New Yorker describing it as "one of the few worthy modern additions to the holiday canon". Shona Craven of Scotland's The Herald praised the song's universality, attributing its success to the subject "you" in the lyrics. Craven also noted that the song is "a huge hit" and "a song of optimism and joy that maybe, just maybe, hints at the real meaning of Christmas."
The song has enjoyed commercial success, reaching number six on the Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary chart in the United States and number two in the United Kingdom and Japan upon its initial release. It has since become a perennial favourite, topping the charts every December and breaking longevity records. Carey earns millions of dollars each year from the song, which has become synonymous with the Christmas season.
The song's enduring popularity has led to various performances and appearances in media. Carey has performed the song on multiple television shows, including 'The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon', 'The Late Late Show with James Corden', and her own Christmas specials. The song has also been featured in music videos accompanying ESPN's and ABC's Christmas Day coverage of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Additionally, a remix of the song was released in 2009, produced by Carey and Low Sunday, titled "Mariah's New Dance Mix".
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'How to Make Gravy' by Paul Kelly
"How to Make Gravy" is a popular Christmas song by Paul Kelly, a singer-songwriter who has been recognised as one of the most significant in Australia. The song is about a family and the holidays, with the protagonist, Joe, writing a letter to his brother on 21 December from prison. Joe is remorseful for his actions and worried about his brother making advances on his partner, Rita. The song has become a cult classic, with fans dubbing 21 December 'Gravy Day'.
The song was written for the charity record "Spirit of Christmas", which has been produced annually since 1993, with proceeds going to the Salvation Army. The gravy recipe in the song is a family recipe passed down to Kelly by his then father-in-law. The song has been covered by several artists and was issued as a US single in 1998 with a Christmas-themed cover.
In 2012, Kelly performed "How to Make Gravy" at the AFL Grand Final. The song has also inspired a film, set to be released in late 2024, starring Hugo Weaving and directed by Nick Waterman. Kelly has also toured a series of concerts named after the song, featuring guest stars such as Julia and Angus Stone.
"How to Make Gravy" has become a beloved part of modern Australian culture, with its lyrics evoking a familiar Christmas scene. The song's popularity continues to endure, with many Australians considering it a staple of the Christmas season.
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'Aussie Jingle Bells'
Christmas in Australia is a unique affair, with the season falling during the summer holidays. It's no surprise that Aussies have come up with their own versions of Christmas carols, with a twist of Australian culture and humour. One of the most well-known Australian Christmas songs is "Aussie Jingle Bells", a parody of the classic "Jingle Bells".
"Aussie Jingle Bells" was created by Colin Buchanan and Greg Champion and first appeared on their 1995 album, "Aussie Christmas with Bucko & Champs". The song has since been featured on several of their albums and has become a beloved part of Australian Christmas traditions.
Verse 1:
Dashing through the bush in a rusty Holden ute
Kicking up the dust, esky in the boot
Kelpie by my side, singing Christmas songs
It's summertime and I am in my singlet, shorts, and thongs
Chorus:
Oh, jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way
Christmas in Australia on a scorching summer's day (Hey)!
Jingle bells, jingle bells, Christmas time is beaut
Oh, what fun it is to ride in a rusty Holden ute!
Verse 2:
Engine's getting hot, dodge the kangaroos
Swaggie climbs aboard, he is welcome too
All the family is there sitting by the pool
Christmas day, the Aussie way: by the barbecule!
Chorus:
Oh, jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way
Christmas in Australia on a scorching summer's day (Hey)!
Jingle bells, jingle bells, Christmas time is beaut
Oh, what fun it is to ride in a rusty Holden ute!
Verse 3:
Come the afternoon, Grandpa has a doze
The kids and Uncle Bruce are swimming in their clothes
The time comes round to go, we take a family snap
Then pack the car and all shoot through before the washing up!
Chorus:
Oh, jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way
Christmas in Australia, let's all hit the waves
Jingle bells, jingle bells, Christmas time is beaut
Oh, what fun it is to ride in a rusty Holden ute! (I said!)
The song is a fun and light-hearted take on the traditional Christmas carol, showcasing the Australian landscape, culture, and the unique experience of celebrating Christmas during the summer. It has become a staple of Australian Christmas celebrations and continues to bring joy and laughter to people of all ages.
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'Christmas Lights' by Coldplay, covered by Amy Shark
Christmas is a time for togetherness, and what better way to celebrate the festive season than with music? In Australia, Christmas falls during the summer, so Aussies have come up with their own unique takes on Christmas songs, with some even becoming classics. One such modern classic is Coldplay's 'Christmas Lights', which has been covered by Australian singer-songwriter Amy Shark.
The original Coldplay version is one of the only Christmas songs to earn plaudits in the modern era. Amy Shark's rendition replaces the piano balladry of the original with acoustic touches. Shark explains, "In typical Amy Shark style, I have picked a sad song for the holidays. This feels like the song to play at the end of the night when everyone is full and sleepy on the sofa." The cover was released in November 2022 as part of Amazon Music's festive offerings, which also included a cover of Whitney Houston's 'Who Would Imagine a King' by Budjerah.
Amy Shark's version of 'Christmas Lights' features poignant lyrics such as "Christmas night, another fight / Tears, we cried a flood / Got all kinds of poison in / Of poison in my blood". The song continues, "I took my feet to Oxford Street / Tryin' to right a [...] Those Christmas lights light up the street / Down where the sea and city meet / May all your troubles soon be gone / Oh, Christmas lights, keep shining on".
The song's music video shows Shark performing the song in a studio filled with Christmas lights, interspersed with shots of a couple experiencing a relationship breakdown during the festive season. The video ends on a hopeful note, with the couple reconciling and enjoying a Christmas dinner together.
Amy Shark's cover of 'Christmas Lights' by Coldplay is a beautiful addition to the canon of Australian Christmas songs. With its mix of sadness and hope, it captures the emotions that the holiday season can bring and is perfect for those quiet moments of reflection during the festive hustle and bustle.
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'When Christmas Comes Again' by Grentperez
"When Christmas Comes Again" by Grentperez is a heartwarming song about love and togetherness during the Christmas season. The lyrics paint a picture of two people embracing under the mistletoe, celebrating their bond and wishing for more time together during the festive season. The song was released on November 30, 2022, and quickly became a favourite among Australians, capturing the sentiment of Christmas.
The chorus is particularly memorable, with the lines, "Oh, when Christmas comes again/ We'll be sat under a starry sky/ Wishin' it never ended/ Every second spent/ We've cherished it all/ Before all the lights that turned into Christmas comes again," resonating with listeners. The post-chorus, with its catchy "Oh, oh, oh, no, no, no" melody, adds to the overall appeal of the song.
In the verses, Grentperez contrasts the traditional imagery of snow and carols with the unique Australian Christmas experience. Despite the differences, the song emphasizes that the true essence of Christmas lies in the love and joy shared with those we hold dear. The lyrics, "You're the reason I never needed the snow/ The soul that we bring into the season/ On such a wondrous night, not a hiccup in sight/ There's nothing else I'd want," beautifully capture this sentiment.
The song's production, led by Maths Time Joy, enhances the overall listening experience. The instrumentation and arrangement create a warm and festive atmosphere, complementing the heartfelt lyrics. "When Christmas Comes Again" has become a staple in many Australian households during the holidays, spreading cheer and reminding listeners of the true meaning of Christmas.
While "When Christmas Comes Again" by Grentperez is a beloved addition to Australian Christmas music, other popular songs in Australia include classics like Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas Is You," Last Christmas" by Wham!, and Happy Xmas (War Is Over)" by John Lennon, Yoko Ono, and The Harlem Community Choir. Australian artists have also contributed unique and humorous takes on Christmas songs, such as Paul Kelly's iconic "How to Make Gravy," capturing the feelings of an Aussie summer Christmas.
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Frequently asked questions
According to Spotify, Aussies' most popular Christmas song is "All I Want for Christmas Is You" by Mariah Carey.
Other popular Christmas songs in Australia include "Last Christmas" by Wham!, Fairytale of New York by the Pogues, "How to Make Gravy" by Paul Kelly, and "Oh Christmas" by Zefereli.
Australian Christmas carols tend to be hyperspecific to the nation and often include references to the hot summer weather and unique Australian wildlife. Some examples include "The 12 Days of Aussie Christmas" and "The Nutbush."
"Blue Christmas" by Jimmy Barnes and "Christmas Songs" by Darren Hanlon are popular Australian Christmas albums.
Australian musicians have varying tastes in Christmas music. Some of their favorites include "White Winter Hymnal" by Fleet Foxes, "Pennies from Heaven" by Louis Prima, and "Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays" by NSYNC.
