Hi!
Over the years, I have often shared Christmas songs throughout December, with varying themes.
I’ve decided to return the feature this year.
Each day throughout December, I’ll be sharing two songs. One ‘Christmas Classic’ – a classic Christmas song and one ‘Hidden Gem’ – a song which might be buried away on a Christmas album or be too new to be a classic just yet.
Think of it as a gift from me to you!
Hope you enjoy.
Marc
You may have noticed we are taking a little hiatus here at The Music Box. This is due to work commitments and it is hugely difficult to run a blog alone! Bear with us and we’ll have more content up as soon as we have some time to prepare it!
We just wanted to break our silence to express our shock and sadness over the death of Prince. He was nothing short of a musical genius – blurring boundaries between all genres of music, being one of the most underrated guitarists and vocalists of all time. He was a global icon, incredible songwriter and a true artist; one we will never again see in our lifetime. Similarly to Michael Jackson, he was one of a kind whose career spanned over thirty years, hopping from genre to genre and reinvented himself multiple times, remaining ever-relevant.
We plan to upload much more Prince-themed content when we get a moment but we just wanted to respond at the appropriate time.
Sometimes it Snows in April.
RIP Prince.
Thank you for sharing your gift with us and for being the soundtrack to millions of lives all over the world.
1) Aqualung ft Lianne La Havas – Eggshells
Haunting piece of electro-pop comprised of eerie synth sounds, soft beats, tinny guitars and fierce piano chords. La Havas’ soulful vocals and Aqualung’s excessively auto-tuned vocals are a surprisingly effective combination.
2) Years & Years – Memo
Stunning electropop ballad which closes Years & Years’ début album. Olly Alexander’s vocal performance is powerful and sincere as it drifts effortlessly over soft hip-hop beats, piano chords and distorted synthesisers.
3) Years & Years – Eyes Shut
Another beautiful gospel-influenced ballad with jazzy chords and soulful vocals from Olly Alexander. One of the highlights from Years & Years’ début album.
4) Years & Years – Ties
Years & Years doing what they do best; a powerful electronic piece with slamming beats, stuttering synths and sincere lyrics.
5) Seal – Kiss From A Rose
One of the most beautiful love songs ever written. Seal’s raspy vocals have a distinctive flare and powerfully soar above sweeping strings and acoustic guitar strums. It’s hard to believe this gorgeous ballad was not initially a success upon its release until it was included in the movie Batman Forever a year later. It’s also a shame Seal hasn’t maintained this level of success – his music is still just as well-written and powerful. One of the most underrated British artists around.
6) The Internet ft Kaytranada – Girl
A rich fusion of neo soul, electro and R&B with gorgeous vocals, shuffling percussion and littered with eerie sounds.
7) The Blue Nile – Sentimental Man
One of the most underrated bands of all time, not aided by their very limited output over a twenty+ year career. Gorgeous track from their 1996 album ‘Peace At Last’.
8) Nothing But Thieves – Trip Switch
LOVE this right now. Explosive track from Essex-born band Nothing But Thieves with a massive chorus. Conor Mason’s robust vocal delivery often drifting into his falsetto range really drives this powerful song.
9) Matthew Morrison & Laura Michelle Kelly – What You Mean To Me
Absolutely stunning ballad composed by Gary Barlow & Eliot Kennedy for the Broadway musical ‘Finding Neverland’. Matthew Morrison & Laura Michelle Kelly is a perfect pairing and their voices gel perfectly on this dreamy duet.
10) The Corrs – What Can I Do
Upon release in early 1998, this song wasn’t a hit until it was remixed by Tin Tin Out who added the punchy percussion and metallic guitar riffs. The remixed version was released in the summer 0f 1998 and became a massive hit. One of the greatest pop songs ever written with a syrupy sweet melody, gorgeous strings, a catchy beat and awesome vocals.
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