Christmas time is here again…

Unlike in other years, I wouldn’t say that it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas…in the Christmas month of December! We all know the reason for this…the Coronavirus pandemic.

Yes, the usual rush of Christmas shoppers is noticeably missing – not only here, but the world over, I’m told.

I guess, the only way we could enjoy the beauty, and excitement, of this festive period, is by listening to those songs that give us the festive feel.

There’s one particular song, done by a group of local artistes, that should give us the courage to face the ‘new normal,’ in an enthusiastic way…especially at Christmas time.

The song is called ‘Arise,’ the brainchild of Noeline Honter and Melantha Perera, and performed by Voices in Harmony, featuring Corrine Almeida, Damian Wikkramatillake, Donald Pieries, Jacqualine Hettiarachchi, Melantha Perera, Noeline Honter, Rukshan Perera and Sohan Weerasinghe.

Noeline came up with the lyrics for ‘Arise,’ while the melody and musical accompaniment were handled by Melantha.

The virtual (video) version will be aired shortly, said Noeline.

She went on to say that ‘Arise’ is a song, with a message, which encourages people of the world to stand together, ‘bound in strength, and hope, peace and harmony,’ adding that ‘together we CAN overcome this deadly pandemic. Let’s look with hope to a new tomorrow.’

In the meanwhile, the race for the Official UK Christmas Number 1 is coming. The winner of the biggest chart of the year will be announced on Christmas Day itself, Friday, December 25.

The Christmas Number 1 is a British institution and has been claimed by some of the world’s most iconic music stars – Queen, The Beatles, Spice Girls, Cliff Richard and, ahem, Bob The Builder, have all landed Christmas chart-toppers in the past.

Last year saw YouTuber and dad-blogger LadBaby claim the festive crown for a second year, in a row, with his second sausage roll-themed charity single, ‘I Love Sausage Rolls’ – a spin on ‘I Love Rock N’ Roll’ – in aid of foodbank charity The Trussell Trust. He topped the chart the previous year with ‘We Built This City,’ making him only the third act in chart history, after The Beatles and Spice Girls, to land consecutive Christmas Number 1s.

Some of the contenders for this year’s Christmas Number One are:

* Jess Glynne – This Christmas

‘This Christmas’ is as part of Amazon’s Originals series. It’s already proving popular. Similarly, Justin Bieber’s new Amazon Original, a cover of Brenda Lee’s ‘Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree,’ is also shaping up to be a hit this Christmas. Last year saw Ellie Goulding’s Amazon Originals track, a cover of Joni Mitchell’s ‘River,’ reach Number 1, so don’t underestimate these.

* Liam Gallagher – All You’re Dreaming Of

‘All You’re Dreaming Of’ is a track that the Oasis legend says “is perfect for this time of year, considering the year that we’ve all had.” Billed as ‘Imagine meets Wonderful Life,’ Liam is confident of his chances for a good chart performance; responding to a fan on Twitter who asked if it is going to Christmas Number 1, the rock legend said: “it’s gonna be rite up there you gotta be in it to win it.”

* Becky Hill – Forever Young

Becky Hill is no stranger to the UK Number 1 spot; in fact, she’s the only artiste who appeared on The Voice UK to have scored a chart-topping single. Can she reach the peak of the Official Chart once more with ‘Forever Young’?

* Matt Lucas – Merry Christmas, Baked Potato

“Merry Christmas, Baked Potato,’ by comedian and Great British Bake Off host Matt Lucas, is a seasonal continuation from ‘Thank You, Baked Potato,’ Matt’s first UK Top 40 single that he released, during the first lockdown.

* Nathan Dawe & Little Mix – No Time For Tears

While not a Christmas song, the sentiment of Nathan Dawe and Little Mix’s collaboration is one that we hope rings true for everyone this year – there’s ‘No Time For Tears.’ With Nathan and Little Mix both fresh from scoring Top 3 singles in the last few months, can they climb that little bit further and sit atop the tree this Christmas?

* Rigaid – It’s Christmas Time, It’s Time To Lash.

Archie Curzons is a social media infleuncer, the self-proclaimed CEO of London’s Clapham, and is the host of The Rig Biz podcast – a comedy show with celebrity guests packed with lashings of #banter and #ladchat. He’s roped in an impressive lineup of his so-called celebrity pals/podcast guests, for this Christmas single – a lighthearted song to wave off a disastrous 2020.

* The Dancing Binmen – Boogie Round The Bins At Christmas

Three binmen from Wolverhampton – Jack Johnson, Henry Wright and Adrian Breakwell – shot to fame in the city earlier this year for dancing on their routes during the first lockdown. Now they’ve got their eye on the Christmas Number 1 with ‘Boogie Round The Bins At Christmas.’

* Robbie Williams – Can’t Stop Christmas

Robbie Williams claimed a Number 1 album, in December 2019, with ‘The Christmas Present.’ Can he add a festive Number 1 single to his sack of gifts this Xmas? In a manner that only Robbie could pull off, his new song ‘Can’t Stop Christmas’ references the rotten year we’ve all had and is a cheeky, fell-good tale at how we need to enjoy ourselves this Christmas, complete with references to social distancing and Zooms.

* The Celebs – Merry Christmas Everyone

Lead by X Factor winner and 2013 Christmas Number 1 champion Sam Bailey, The Celebs have recorded a cover of Shakin’ Stevens’ festive classic.