I may not like Christmas much, apart from the much-needed week off, but I do have a soft spot for some Christmas songs.

Not all of them, of course, and some are enjoyable only in the right circumstances, but I don’t just write them all off.

Top of the list has to be the Pogues and Kirsty McColl. ((Peter Tatchell notwithstanding)) Many of the others I enjoy hearing because they were around when I was a kid and remind of when I did used to look forward to Christmas: Elton John’s Step Into Christmas, Carl Palmer’s I Believe in Father Christmas, plus Slade and Wizzard.

And Mud. Not too keen on hearing it, but love singing along to it when nobody else is around. Its good for that. ((nearly as good as You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling)) ((Yes – I’m trying out a new plugin for footnotes. The novelty will wear off soon))

But a relatively recent song is one that I am getting quite fond of, and its one that I surprise myself by enjoying – Mariah Carey and All I Want For Christmas Is You. It may be because its made in an old-fashioned style and would not sound out of place on the legendary Phil Spector Christmas Album, and part of the blame might rest with Live 8.

As a rule I don’t go for what is called “R&B” or “Soul” these days but I really liked whatever it was that Mariah Carey sang when she hit the stage. If she had stopped there and not done all the faffing about with water and mic stands it would have been better. I was just getting into the groove when she turned all diva-ish.