Christmas Song of the Day: Slade's Merry Xmas Everybody

The snowy weather here in DC has put me in even more of a holiday spirit (OK, CHRISTMAS spirit, jeez!)...and here's the first in a series of Christmas songs that rock my personal world.

I was watching the Christmas 2003 episode of the brilliant BBC show "The Office" when I heard this song being played at the Wernham-Hogg Christmas party. I'd never heard it before but liked it. The Ricky Gervais commentary revealed that it was Slade, who I liked and remembered from the 80s power rock hit "Run Runaway."

I did some research but couldn't find it online, and have never seen it on any US compilation. Thanks to Limewire, however, I finally got my copy of it earlier this year.

The song was written in 1973 and went in "straight at No. 1" in the UK, where it went on to become a million seller and a sentimental favorite amongst Brits. I'm pleased to announce you can listen to at least part of this great track on the BBC Radio's website by clicking here.

It's surprising to me that "Merry Xmas Everybody" never made a dent here in the US. It's a great rocking alternative to the pop schlock that gets hauled out every year. Is it too rockin'? Maybe it's the lyrics, which don't glamorize the season and are slightly off-beat. Example: Does he ride a red nosed reindeer? Does he turn up on his sleigh? Do the fairies keep him sober for a day? Brilliant stuff.