Kirsty Weakley highlights some of the songs in the charts which are raising spirits and money for a good cause at the same time.
Christmas Collective: ‘Dance Tonight (It’s Christmas)’ for Break and Love Norwich
A group of people from Norwich have come together with the aim of making the “Christmas number one Christmassy again”. They've crowdsourced the lyrics for a new song and auditioned new participants.
All proceeds are being split between Break, a local charity that supports young people in care, and Love Norwich, a community initiative
The initiative has been organised by the Proclaimers church in the city and in the first few days achieved 50,000 views of the video.
Parliamentary Choir/Friends Of Jo Cox: ‘You Can’t Always Get What You Want’
A coalition of politicians from different parties and musicians are raising money for the foundation set up in the name of the MP Jo Cox, who was brutally murdered earlier this year, with the cover of the Rolling Stones’ ‘You Can’t Always Get What You Want’.
If features MP4 (a cross-party band from the House of Commons, including Kevin Brennan, Sir Greg Knight, Pete Wishart and Ian Cawsey), Steve Harley, Ricky Wilson, KT Tunstall and David Gray.
They chose the song because it “called for multiple singers and choirs, reflecting a message of togetherness”.
X Factor winner: Matt Terry, ‘When Christmas Comes Around
It’s something of a tradition for the X Factor winner’s single to donate proceeds to Together for Short Lives and Shooting Star Chase, as well as being a strong contender for the number one slot, with seven of the last 12 winners achieving the honour.
But this year they’ve pulled out all the stops and even enlisted Ed Sheeran to write a a new Christmas song, instead of covering a classic.
The London Hospices Choir: ‘The Living Years’
A new choir of 300 patients, families, staff and volunteers from 18 hospices have worked with the singer Paul Carrack and is hoping to make it to number one with a cover of ‘The Living Years’.
Carrack was the lead singer on the original Mike & the Mechanics version, which reached number two in the UK Chart in 1989. He said: “The Living Years has been an important song for me for many years, but this is the version that means the most. Recording it with this incredibly special group of people for such a worthwhile cause has created some kind of magic. It’s a powerful and inspiring track, and I hope that everyone gets behind it this Christmas.”
All profits from the sale of the single will be divided between the 18 hospices involved. The hospices include; Demelza Hospice Care for Children, Greenwich & Bexley Community Hospice, Harlington Hospice, Haven House, Marie Curie (Hampstead), Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice, North London Hospice, Pembridge Palliative Care Centre, Princess Alice Hospice, Richard House, Royal Trinity Hospice, Shooting Star Chase, St Christopher’s, Saint Francis Hospice (Romford), The Hospice of St Francis (Berkhamsted), St Joseph’s Hospice (Hackney), St Luke’s Hospice and St Raphael’s Hospice.
Travis: ‘Nothing Ever Happens’ for Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Scotland
Scottish rock band Travis have covered ‘Nothing Ever Happens’, originally performed by Del Amitri, and are donating the proceeds Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Scotland.
To give the track festive twist Travis have included the sound of sleighbells.
The track will also feature on a fan-produced album of Del Amitri covers and will launch on 17 December and is raising money for the charity.
Fran Healy from Travis, said: “Nothing Ever Happens is a perfect song which is as relevant today as it was when it was written. I feel honoured to have been allowed to give it a shot. It’s never going to be as good as the original but it’s a decent effort.”
Cruz Beckham: ‘If Every Day was Christmas’ for Global’s Make Some Noise
Cruz, the 11-year old son of David and Victoria Beckham has released his first single to raise money for Global’s Make Some Noise charity, which supports disadvantaged children and young people across the UK.
While the concept may not be an entirely original one for a Christmas song, it is catchy and upbeat, so it will probably do quite well.
YouTubers: ‘Christmas Without You – Hello Christmas’ for Make a Wish UK
Some 25 YouTube stars have collaborated on a new song that is supporting Make a Wish UK.
The song was written and produced by The Jackie Boyz & The Producers House.
It’s got all the key attributes of a key Christmas playlist in one song, starting off as a romatic ballad before moving more up tempo. A particular highlight is the rap about half way through.
Labour MPs: ‘Do retail workers know it’s Christmas?'
A group of Labour MPs have recorded a parody version of ‘Do They Know it’s Christmas’ to highlight retailers who they say are not being fair to their staff.
As the song is a trademark of the Band Aid Trust it will receive the profits - not necessarily a cause that is particularly connected to song but we’ll gloss over that for the purposes of this feature.
To be honest the production values and performance levels aren’t great - but they get full marks for creativity.
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