"Wombling Merry Christmas" is a Christmas song written by Mike Batt,[1] and recorded by British band the Wombles. Released in November 1974, the song rose to a peak of No. 2 on the UK Singles Chart in December that year, spending 8 weeks in the chart.[2] The song was also released in West Germany, but failed to chart.
| "Wombling Merry Christmas" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by The Wombles | ||||
| from the album Keep On Wombling | ||||
| B-side | "Madame Cholet" | |||
| Released | November 1974 | |||
| Genre | Glam rock, Christmas, children's music | |||
| Length | 3:18 | |||
| Label | CBS | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Mike Batt | |||
| Producer(s) | Mike Batt | |||
| The Wombles singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Music video | ||||
| "Wombling Merry Christmas" on YouTube | ||||
Music video
editThe video was recorded in 2011 as part of a re-release that year and shows the Wombles dancing to the song.[3] The band also appeared on Top of the Pops performing the song over Christmas 1974.
Reception
editDespite significant success, the song was widely mocked on release. However, the song, labelled as 'innocent',[4] and likened to 'golden tears falling from heaven'[5] was liked by many, and was described in 2011 as 'actually sound[ing] good this time around'.[6] Bob Stanley described it as having 'more bonhomie than a dozen boxes of crackers'.[7]
Later on, Mike Batt remarked on this criticism of the song, saying '...I wrote Wombling Merry Christmas, so I'm not scared of cliches',[8] and that 'back in the 1970s people were more in tune with the spirit of these songs'.[9]
Chart performance
edit| Chart (1974) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK Singles Chart | 2 |
The song was prevented from reaching number one by Mud's "Lonely This Christmas" which (combined with a poor marketing campaign on behalf of the Wombles) 'more than halved' sales.[10] The song is also widely believed to have prevented Ralph McTell's "Streets of London" from reaching number one on the UK Singles Chart.[11]
2011 re-release and Christmas number one campaign
editIn December 2011, after the Wombles performed at the Glastonbury Festival, Dramatico released a CD single of "Wombling Merry Christmas", and this was set for the Christmas number one, hoping to beat the X Factor winner.
Track listing
edit- "Wombling Merry Christmas"
- "The Wombles Warning"
- "Miss Adelaide (She's Got a Lot of Knowledge)"
- "The Jungle Is Jumping" (download and streaming only)
The release failed to reach the Christmas number one spot, which was achieved by the Military Wives Choir with "Wherever You Are".
I Wish It Could Be a Wombling Merry Christmas Every Day
editIn 2000, the song was used as part of a medley with Wizzard's "I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday", titled "I Wish It Could Be a Wombling Merry Christmas Every Day". This song was described by Batt as a "very silly record",[12] however it proceeded to reach No. 22 on the UK Singles Chart, and staying on the chart for 3 weeks.[13]
Chart performance
edit| Chart (2000) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK Singles Chart | 22 |
References
edit- ^ "Elisabeth Beresford". The Times. 2010-12-27. p. 48. ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 2018-01-01.
- ^ "wombling-merry-christmas | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". Official Charts. Retrieved 2018-01-01.
- ^ Corner, Lewis (2011-11-11). "Wombles debut new Xmas video - watch". Digital Spy. Retrieved 2018-01-01.
- ^ Sexton, Paul (2010-12-24). "Christmas No1? Don't bet on it". The Times. p. 4. Retrieved 2018-01-01.
- ^ Hann, Michael (2011-11-17). "Readers' Reviews". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2018-01-01.
- ^ Hodgkinson, Will (2011-12-23). "All I want for Christmas is a No 1 smash hit". The Times. p. 43.
- ^ Potton, Ed (2006-12-23). "Get the party started". The Times. p. 24.
- ^ Rogers, Jude (2011-12-18). "The Xmas factor: what makes a great Christmas song?". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2018-01-01.
- ^ Paphides, Pete (2008-12-05). "Give me a rhyme for pudding". The Times. p. 14.
- ^ Perry, Andrew (2011-06-15). "The Wombles at Glastonbury 2011: interview". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 2018-01-01.
- ^ Denselow, Robin (2006-10-06). "CD: Ralph McTell, The Journey: Recordings 1965-2006". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2018-01-01.
- ^ "Wizzard, it's the Wombles". BBC News. 2000-11-20. Retrieved 2018-01-01.
- ^ "i-wish-it-could-be-a-wombling-christmas | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". Official Charts. Retrieved 2018-01-01.