Girls Aloud, Gabrielle Aplin and Kylie Minogue: The best and worst Christmas covers
Every year without fail, someone out there in the music industry will decide it the right time for their artist to cover a beloved Christmas record.
Now this can be a risky idea- get it wrong and youve ruined a classic, get it right and you could find yourself on the latest Now Thats What I Call Christmas compilation album.
Here are omg!s best and worst Christmas covers from over the years.
Best: Gabrielle Aplin- The Power of Love
The John Lewis Christmas advert track is fast becoming a festive tradition in itself and this years offering, a cover of Frankie Goes to Hollywoods Power of Love, is an absolute gem. Newbie Gabrielle Aplins hau! nting vocals breathes new life into the classic eighties track.
Listen to Gabrielle Aplins cover here
Worst: Girls Aloud- Merry Christmas Everybody
After third album Chemistry failed to set the charts alight, Girls Aloud re-released the LP just in time for the festive period with eight additional Christmas songs. Clearly a marketing ploy, the girls sleep their way through the covers, with Slades Merry Christmas Everybody proving to be the most lackluster effort.
Listen to Girls Alouds cover here
Best: Stacey Solomon- Driving Home For Christmas
Stacey Solomons Driving Home For Christmas is a surprisingly touching version of the song- especially when paired with last years overly sentimental Iceland advert. Although were not sure what Chris Rea would make of Stacey using his beloved Christmas song to boost sales of Iceland hoisin duck Christmas trees.
Listen to Stacey Solomons cover here
Worst: Pop Idol finalists- Happy Xmas (War is Over)
Some classics should never be touched. The Pop Idol series two finalists released the track during the show's run and was terrible on all accounts- poor production [check], faux emotion [check] and weak vocals [double check]. Well what would you expect from a series that crowned Michelle McManus its champion?
Listen to the Pop Idols cover here
Best: Michael Bubl - 'Santa Claus Is Coming To Town'
The king of swing made the Jackson 5 festive hit his own as part of his excellent Christmas album last year. By converting the Motown track into a fully fledged jazz number Michael once again proved he has the midst touch when it comes to rejuvenating classics.
Listen to Michael Bubls cover here
Worst: Band Aid 20- 'Do They Know Its Christmas?'
You cant knock the sentiment behind Band Aid 20. Re-record the track with todays relevant popstars twenty years after its original release and donate all the proceeds to charity. Unfortunately, not even Joss Stones warbling or Didos whimsical, breathy tones could hide the fact that you simply cant top the original.
Best: Destinys Child- '8 days of Christmas'
Youve got to hand it to Beyonce and co, managing to transform the 12 days of Christmas into a cult urban track that is in fact very listenable is no mean feat. With ridiculous lines that include, 'On the 6th day of Xmas my baby gave to me, a cropped Jacket with dirty denim jeans, its hard not to enjoy. Although the girls lose points for not bothering to cover all 12 days.
Listen to Destinys Childs cover here
Worst: Samantha Mumba- All I want for Christmas
Perhaps the most celebrated Christmas track of all time and! who deci! des to cover it? Samantha Ive had a few but ultimately forgettable hits Mumba. And after this rather dull cover, you can understand why.
Listen to Samantha Mumbas cover here
Best: Kylie Minogue- 'Santa Baby'
If there was ever a Christmas track meant to be covered by the Kylie, this would be it. The princess of pops silky smooth, sexy vocal perfectly compliments this classic cheeky Christmas number.
Listen to Kylie Minogues cover here
Worst: The Spice Girls- 'Christmas Wrapping'
Almost a carbon copy of the Waitresses' festive ditty, minus the dry delivery. The Spice Girls inject a bit too much excitement for the festive season on the track which, considering goes completely against the point the lyrics, means the cover is a bit of a festive failure.