Yes, there are definitely some differences between the US and the UK when it comes to music. I play a "Name that Tune" style game online now and then, and the person who runs it is in England so it includes songs from the top 40 lists in both countries. Some odd songs hit #1 over there. (On a related note, your book helped me get one right the other day. The first two seconds of the song were the intro to "Every Breath You Take" but it was a song that sampled it, not the original. I remembered you had mentioned that one and guessed it correctly.)
I've lived in Europe a long time now, and I sometimes wonder if the jukebox technicians accidentally installed 45s upside down so that people grew up listening to American B-sides.
In the other direction, I continue to be amazed that, unlike Chris Rhea, I never heard anything by Slade played on Philadelphia rock radio. Not once.
You should write a piece on how seemingly every live musical appearance on UK TV is ruined by the audience beginning its inevitable a-rhythmic hand clapping :-(
How about a combo of British and US, "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)" released in 1971 as a single by the Plastic Ono Band with the Harlem Community Choir. Just a thought. Great article, Chris!
Well, Chris, a full reply to your post here will have to wait until after Christmas Day here, since I eagerly bought your latest book for my husband, the 45rpm collector. From 1999 onward we sent out about 23 hours of Christmas music, called A Top 40 Christmas, first on cassette then CDs, to most family and friends. Yes, the Brits have distinct taste in music. However, wasn’t the Phil Spector Christmas album big there circa 1963, or later on re-release?
"The median American Christmas classic that isn’t big in the United Kingdom was released in 1986. The median British Christmas classic that isn’t big in the United States was released in 1960."
"Christmas in Killarney" mentioned! One of my favorites. Probably my favorite Bing Crosby recording, actually. I'm always surprised that more people don't know it! I learned a few years ago that Rend Collective has a rendition of that song, which I don't like as much as Crosby's version, but is very fun if you want a fresh take on the tune after listening to Crosby over and over.
I was actually looking for this data for a blog I was writing about The Hold Steady’s song ‘Chicago Seemed Tired Last Night’ as part of a larger project about the band. The song has the line ‘They faked their way through Fairytale of New York’ and I was trying to figure out if the song was popular or even known in America, since I hadn’t heard it at Christmas until I moved to Australia, where it’s an Xmas staple. I never could figure out if it was
I'm from the UK and every year I make an 'unusual' Christmas playlist for my friends featuring little known Christmas tracks from the UK and around the world (think Jingle Bells sitar, Japanese string cover of Mariah). It's been great learning about American classics that are completely unknown here. For example Robert Earl Keen's Merry Christmas to the Family (akin to maybe The Pogues in its subversion of Christmas tropes, but more affectionate, less bitter) or Billy Squiers' Christmas is the Time to Say Love You (the US version of Wizzard in its glam rock-ness). But streaming is changing things. I remember hearing Donny Hathaway for the first time in a discount supermarket and thinking 'aha, he's finally arrived in the UK'
Yes, there are definitely some differences between the US and the UK when it comes to music. I play a "Name that Tune" style game online now and then, and the person who runs it is in England so it includes songs from the top 40 lists in both countries. Some odd songs hit #1 over there. (On a related note, your book helped me get one right the other day. The first two seconds of the song were the intro to "Every Breath You Take" but it was a song that sampled it, not the original. I remembered you had mentioned that one and guessed it correctly.)
Happy to help. Sad you had to listen to that Diddy song lol
I've lived in Europe a long time now, and I sometimes wonder if the jukebox technicians accidentally installed 45s upside down so that people grew up listening to American B-sides.
In the other direction, I continue to be amazed that, unlike Chris Rhea, I never heard anything by Slade played on Philadelphia rock radio. Not once.
You should write a piece on how seemingly every live musical appearance on UK TV is ruined by the audience beginning its inevitable a-rhythmic hand clapping :-(
My copy of Uncharted Territory arrived today! I'm so excited to read it!
Christmas came early! Thanks for ordering
I let myself open it and it has readability charts and mentions Paul Simon, I can't wait to read more!
How about a combo of British and US, "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)" released in 1971 as a single by the Plastic Ono Band with the Harlem Community Choir. Just a thought. Great article, Chris!
Well, Chris, a full reply to your post here will have to wait until after Christmas Day here, since I eagerly bought your latest book for my husband, the 45rpm collector. From 1999 onward we sent out about 23 hours of Christmas music, called A Top 40 Christmas, first on cassette then CDs, to most family and friends. Yes, the Brits have distinct taste in music. However, wasn’t the Phil Spector Christmas album big there circa 1963, or later on re-release?
Thanks for buying! There are many that crossover. Darlene Love’s cut from that Spector album is popular in both countries
"The median American Christmas classic that isn’t big in the United Kingdom was released in 1986. The median British Christmas classic that isn’t big in the United States was released in 1960."
Did the years get swapped?
Ha! Yes. I’ll edit
My brother loves Christmas songs so I really like this list 😎
"Christmas in Killarney" mentioned! One of my favorites. Probably my favorite Bing Crosby recording, actually. I'm always surprised that more people don't know it! I learned a few years ago that Rend Collective has a rendition of that song, which I don't like as much as Crosby's version, but is very fun if you want a fresh take on the tune after listening to Crosby over and over.
I used to work retail years ago and that's where I first heard "Christmas in Kilarney" and it's been one of my favorite Christmas songs ever since.
I was actually looking for this data for a blog I was writing about The Hold Steady’s song ‘Chicago Seemed Tired Last Night’ as part of a larger project about the band. The song has the line ‘They faked their way through Fairytale of New York’ and I was trying to figure out if the song was popular or even known in America, since I hadn’t heard it at Christmas until I moved to Australia, where it’s an Xmas staple. I never could figure out if it was
I'm from the UK and every year I make an 'unusual' Christmas playlist for my friends featuring little known Christmas tracks from the UK and around the world (think Jingle Bells sitar, Japanese string cover of Mariah). It's been great learning about American classics that are completely unknown here. For example Robert Earl Keen's Merry Christmas to the Family (akin to maybe The Pogues in its subversion of Christmas tropes, but more affectionate, less bitter) or Billy Squiers' Christmas is the Time to Say Love You (the US version of Wizzard in its glam rock-ness). But streaming is changing things. I remember hearing Donny Hathaway for the first time in a discount supermarket and thinking 'aha, he's finally arrived in the UK'
I have one just like that, which the Germans seem to like https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6GQAAqo9ELlqlDnYLtKNp8?si=PlQF15n8Rk-0s_wlMiWdrg&pi=JU6JJ_ykR46Ec
I’ve got a playlist like that too
Of the biggest British stars that didn't make it in America the only one I've heard of is Blur.
A music critic who has never heard Christmas in Killarney before this week? For shame! Bobby Vinton also did a cover of this.
If you like Christmas in Killarney, listen to the Irish Rovers version.
I also love Bing Crosby's rendition of Christmas in Killarney!
For that matter, it’s always been a huge deal in the UK to have the Christmas No. 1. Here? Just another chart week.
I am a big fan of the not-so traditional Christmas music. This is a great list, I'm off to search for these tracks.
Could you provide a playlist of all the tracks you found in your research for this article?
Happy holidays!