Music

The race for Christmas No.1 is hotting up like Santa in a fully functioning chimney stack. Regardless of who grabs top spot, the real winners are the ones who made the 2023 Pop Golf Christmas playlist.

We’re all about the biggest hits and latest trends, that said Sam Ryder is out, while The Pogues are in. Why? Because we lost and irreplaceable legend this year, but also because our playlists are on Spotfiy and Mr Ryder is an Amazon exclusive. And refusing to share just doesn’t feel like a Christmas vibe.

Luckily there’s loads of slam dunk hits in the mix this year, so here’s the low down on what to expect from the Pop Golf playlist this Christmas.

Creator Universe – I wish it could be Christmas everyday

30 of the UK’s biggest TikTok stars have got together to cover Wizzard’s classic 1973 track I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday.

Music to our ears, we get to blast out the Christmas classic you all want to here, despite it being released 27 years before our music policy allowed. That’s the joy of TikTok, if it’s trending, it’s in.

Recorded at the iconic Abbey Road Studios 100 per cent of profits from the track will go to The Trussell Trust, to provide emergency food support in the UK. Now that’s Christmas vibes.

Nala the Station Cat – Check Meowt

The cat is out of the bag. Nala the Station Cat is a four-year-old cat from Stevenage with a talent for trance. That’s right. The only domestic animal that refuses to be tamed has released a bid for Christmas Number 1. And it’s as catchy as a game of …..cat & mouse?

Believe it or not, this one started life on the platforms at Stevenage railway station. But soon strayed out social media and now it’s one of the sensations of the year.

Check Meowt is produced by Danny Kirsch and written alongside Joe Killington. And Nala the cat. All proceeds from the single will be donated to the RSPCA and Stevenage homelessness charity Feed Up Warm Up.

Mimi Webb – Back home for Christmas

This is a bit of what we’re all about. A brand spanking new Christmas classic from Mimi Webb. This is hands down our number one. It’s one of those tracks that signals the end of the year with cheer and pathos.

We guarantee there will be a million memories made to Back home for Christmas, happy, tipsy, warm, mushy, reflecting on something wonderful kind of memories.

Bravo Mimi Webb. (Whew, got a little emotional there).

Tyla – Water

Not your usual Christmas fare, but an outstanding contender none the less. A sexy fusion of pop and ampiano (a sub genre of house music from South Africa in case you missed it).

The artist has spoken passionately about how this is her opportunity to bring Africa to the world. Well, we say bring it. Inspiring a explosion of viral dances on TikTok, Water is a seductive track with a lot of fans. You might say it’s making waves for all the right reasons.

OneRepublic – Dear Santa

Nostalgia can be a brand new sound. OneReplublic have done a lovely lovely thing. It sounds like it could be a boy band hit from the 90s, but it’s not. And the joyful music video is straight out of the Wallace and Gromet claymation playbook, featuring the band members in Santa’s workshop as they strive to make a Christmas miracle and bring a couple back together.

Head bopping, upbeat, and packed with Christmas spirit. It’ll probably drive the Pop Golf staff mad when they can’t get it out of their heads.

The Pogues – Fairytale of New York

There’s not much that needs to be said about one of the best known Christmas tracks in the world.

Pour yourself a (responsibly sized) drink and join us in raising a glass to lost legend Shane Mcgowan.