I am ridiculously sentimental and have a real weakness for silly and romantic things. Christmas has always been a favourite time of the year, even though it only seems to become more stressful and complicated with time. One thing I really love is a good Christmas song, and so I thought that since this is my blog and these are days of self-indulgence, I would repeat my list of my Top 5 Christmas Songs, which is unchanged since I first posted it back in 2009.

Because I’m older many of these are a little melancholy, but they’re all ones I’ve come to love.

1. Fairy Tale of New York, The Pogues with Kirsty MacColl

This one’s the gold standard in indy Christmas songs. MacColl and McGowan are perfect, even if the story they tell is a sad one.

2. How to Make Gravy, Paul Kelly

Another sad Christmas song. A man calling from prison to make contact with his family. Probably my favourite Australian Christmas song ever.

3. White Wine in the Sun, Tim Minchin

Though this one is a close runner-up. The image of the family drinking white wine in the sun is one that resonates when you live in a place where Christmas Day itself is often blisteringly hot.

4. Happy Xmas (War is Over), John Lennon and Yoko Ono

One of the first great rock/pop Xmas songs, and a Lennon song I like better than “Imagine” these days.

5. Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town, Bruce Springsteen and the (mighty mighty) E Street Band

But most great Xmas songs aren’t sad. Every now and then you have to turn to the hard-rockin’ E Street Band to kick out the jams and party at year’s end.