4. The Darkness - Christmas Time (Don't Let The Bells End)
Allegedly forced to write this song by their record label, The Darkness released Christmas Time in time for the holiday season 2003, imbuing it with typically over-the-top fanfare and the traditionalist mentions of Santa and sleigh bells that are somewhat at odds with the rock and roll image. The video features Hawkins finding lingerie in his stocking before thinking that he hasn't seen much of his girlfriend, and (aside from the awful Retrobot "Christmas Robot" that is currently making a bid to break into the UK Top 200) it has to have a reasonable claim to be one of the only Christmas songs to feature a singing robot. Which is almost reason enough to get it on your Christmas playlist. The school choir that provide backing vocals, which can be heard on the song and seen in the video, are from Haberdashers' Aske's Hatcham College school, in New Cross, London, which Justin and Dan's mother once attended. The song was odds on favourite to be No 1 for Xmas that year but unfortunately was beaten to the top spot by "Mad World," which was ultimately a shame. Still, that makes it the most commercial song featured on this countdown, which isn't a bad achievement in itself.
Wayne Madden
Contributor
First studied Journalism in Ireland in 2003, returning to Sunderland University on the tenth anniversary of my first studies in the subject to continue towards an MA. Interested in all sorts including WWE, Music, Film, TV and Games. Has travelled around a bit to places like California, Ontario and Mexico and plans to do more of the same soon again.
Recently I've been writing pieces on my favourite topics which have included obscure theme music from nostalgic shows, Guns N' Roses and a few other surprises I'll be happy to share in time!
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Wayne