The BWU Guide to... UK Christmas #1 Singles (Part 1)

Having a single go to the top of the music charts is a major achievement for an artist. In the UK, however, that achievement is heightened during the holiday season. In fact, many artists and their record companies strive to get their songs to the top spot during the week of Christmas. This chart battle has become known as the Christmas number-one.

We don't focus on it in the States, but across the pond, going to #1 during the Christmas week is HUGE. It guarantees maximum sales, and plus, it's cool to have your song declared a Christmas number-one.

You would think that only the best songs are given the coveted crown, but sometimes, that just isn't the case. Other times, however, the Christmas number one belongs to a massive single. Here is a look at the Christmas #1s from the past 10 years:

1998 - "Goodbye" by Spice Girls


For many people, the Spice Girls are a joke. Yet, they have the distinction of having three consecutive Christmas number one single. Their last was in 1998 with "Goodbye", their unofficial bon voyage to quitting band member Geri Halliwell (aka Ginger). It's an earnest pop song about saying goodbye, and although it's a bit sad for the festive season, it sounds like it was made for Christmas playlists.




1999 - "I Have a Dream"/"Seasons in the Sun" by Westlife


In 1999, Irish boy band Westlife were gods in the eyes of teenagers, pretty much meaning they would buy virtually anything they would put out. It was this crazed consumerism that gave them a string of seven consecutive #1 singles, including this double-A side number one. Their ABBA cover "I Have a Dream" is insanely cheesy, but through festive eyes, it's kind of  fun pop brilliance. "Seasons in the Sun" is a hideous misstep in their mostly unblemished career. Not even Rudolph and his red nose could brighten the darkness that song creates.

2000 - "Can We Fix It?" by Bob The Builder

An anomaly. That is the ONLY way to explain the Bob The Builder theme's arrival at the top of the UK charts. The song that should've never been a single beat Westlife to the top, breaking their #1 single streak. For that reason alone, this song should be demonized (or celebrated, depending on how you feel about Westlife). Apparently, UK shoopers regret their choice; the song was voted one of the worst #1s in a Channel 4 poll.

2001 - "Somethin' Stupid" - Robbie Williams and Nicole Kidman

Robbie Williams could do no wrong at one point. Want proof? His traditional pop/jazz duet with Oscar winner Nicole Kidman "Somethin' Stupid" topped the Christmas chart in 2001. The timing was pretty perfect for Nicole; she had proven her singing chops in her Oscar-nominated turn in Moulin Rouge!, and she was still in the process of separating herself from her mega star husband Tom Cruise. What better way to re-establish yourself than with a very sweet and pleasant collaboration with pop music's bad boy? How about winning an Oscar (something Tom has yet to do) one year later?

2002 - "Sound of the Underground" - Girls Aloud

Before they would gain pop credibility with songs like "Biology" and "Call The Shots", Girls Aloud were just another manufactured pop group from reality television who beat their male counterparts One True Voice to the top of Christmas charts with their debut. Their success set the standard for future reality TV monopolies of the charts during the holidays. Despite the #1 hit, many were betting that they would be over very soon. Well, 6 years and 19 Top 10 singles later, they are alive and kicking. I hope serious money wasn't lost