The festive season seems to come equipped with a ready-made soundtrack.
But beneath the gloss, some of those tracks are actually imbued with hidden depths. If you take a second glance, the Christmas spirit is actually fuelled by some terrific songwriting.
Something that Tom Prior knows a thing or two about. New EP 'Paint The Ceiling Blue' is out now, and it's a mature, poetic and lyric document from the rising artist.
With this in mind, Clash decided to probe Tom Prior on what he feels are the festive favourites that rise above the bunch.
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John Lennon – 'Happy Xmas (War Is Over)'
For me, this is the ultimate Christmas song. Obviously this man had a way with words like no other. This time of year is great because for a few days everything shuts off and i'm able to spend time with the people who i don't see enough but i couldn't be without. To me, this song celebrates unity but also acts as a reminder that not everybody has the luxury of family.
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Palma Violets – 'Last Christmas On Planet Earth'
I heard this on the radio last night and though, fuck I would definitely write a Christmas tune if it would sound like this. I love the whole dystopian angle on it, it makes me wanna put on a christmas party and have my arms round all my mates to celebrate the year.
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Chris Rea – 'Driving Home For Christmas
It was either this or Wham's 'Last Christmas', for about five days a year these songs are acceptable to listen too. My family are really important to me, this year especially music has really begun to take me away from home more and more often. I have a show at Blue Flowers Sunday but I can imagine driving home Monday morning with the gang having a good time to this one.
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The Pogues – 'Fairytale Of New York'
I've always heard this song at Christmas since I was a little kid, I never really use to understand it – but now I love it. I love the lyrics, as I said, I can't ever imagine writing a Christmas song because it feels very difficult for it to not become too cheesy or whatever. It takes me to a snowy New York City every time I hear it.
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Stormzy – 'Shut Up'
I think it's quite clear that grime is probably the most important cultural movement musically at the moment. As an artist and a lyricist, I admire everything Stormzy has created and achieved. This is the perfect time to celebrate culturally important music and send a big fuck you to the corporates who have been ruining the fun of a Christmas Number One for some time now.
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'Paint The Ceiling Blue' is out now – buy it HERE.
