5. John Lennon - Happy Xmas (War is Over) (1972)
Possibly both the most famous anti-war song, and at the same time most popular Christmas song. The song was actually released in 1971 in the USA and reached number 3 in the Billboard Charts, but due to a publishing dispute, the song wasn't released in the UK until November '72, where it reached Number 4. Lennon, one of Liverpool's most famous sons was denied by Jimmy Osmonds' "Long Haired Lover" from the same city. Re-released in 1980, after Lennon's untimely death, and fared slightly better, although number 2 was the highest position the song reached. http://youtu.be/yN4Uu0OlmTg 6. Jimmy Boyd - I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus (1953)
Possibly the most commercially driven song on this list, the song was originally made to promote US store Sachs' Christmas Card on sale in 1952. There were 3 different versions of this song released in that year - The Beverley Sisters and Billy Cotton both had versions. Perhaps if all three songs sales were combined this song WOULD have made it to Number 1. However 6 was the highest that Jimmy Boyd's version reached. Harry Belafonte was this years number 1 with "Mary's Boy Child". US Bandleader Spike Jones, who was famous at the time for parodies of popular songs, also released a version in the same year. However his version "I saw Mommy screwing Santa Claus" wasn't as popular... wonder why? http://youtu.be/UI8spatbGEo