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Imogen Bowlt

The Best Christmas Charity Singles

Christmas time calls for Christmas music - that is a given. Many artists and singers bring out songs at this time (that of Michael Bublé comes to everyone's mind) but this also means a lot of them sound basically… the same.

I love Christmas music, but some songs just do not seem to give that festive feeling.


A modern, electrified beat with overdone and clichéd lyrics all in the same key does not really give me that Christmas feeling. A lot of Christmas singles from recent years seem to fall into this category.


But not to worry, because some Christmas singles have something distinct, and potentially powerful about them.


These songs are worth the listen and will get you excited for the festive season.


Amy MacDonald - This Christmas Day (2017)


This is possibly the most alternative Charity Single on this list; The solemn lyrics about Christmas and that “there’s no fairy tales in New York” makes this Christmas song distinct from other singles.


The song was written about losing her Grandmother, who died from Alzheimer’s and raised money for Alzheimer's Research UK. It is a song about grief. But it is also about family and full of emotion which brings a cathartic feeling as you listen to the words.


Band Aid - Do they know it is Christmas (1984)


You know it, you love it (or hate it because you hear it every December) and it is a classic. The covers have been made time and time again since its release in 1984 have all been pleasant, but the original seems to capture the magic in a way that covers don’t seem to.


The song was written as a reaction to the famine in Ethiopia and was number one for five weeks after its release.


Always - Pop Chorus (2017)


This is a little more niche but a joy to listen to. This song has such beautiful harmonies and a powerful crescendo to the chorus which brings a sense of unity and community. This is definitely one to listen to send shivers down your spine.


Pop Chorus is a community choir in Suffolk which released this debut single to help it’s local St Elizabeth Hospice. The group had the help of Phil Harding and Ian Curnow, who have worked with Kylie Minogue and Take That, to produce this soulful song.


Run - The X Factor Celebs (2019)


This was a cover of “Run”, originally by Snow Patrol, by the X Factor Celebrity finalists. The heavenly chorus to this song is and so, as a Christmas single, it works beautifully. Also, a song which has a string instrument has got me weeping.


The profits went towards the Charities Together for Short lives and Shooting Star Children’s Hospices.


Edited by Jemma Snowdon

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