This year has been quite unusual when it comes to Christmas music. I didn't hear Slade's "So Here It Is, Merry Christmas" in November at all. In fact, I didn't hear it until sometime last week. This, coupled with the fact that I've not really noticed a huge quantity of outrageous exterior lighting on houses, has misled me about how soon Christmas really is.

When it comes to Christmas music, though, I'm quite torn. I rather love the warm smooth chord progressions and tinkly music, which evokes the race memory being warm in front of a fire while all outside is cold. I'm quite happy to buy into Hollywood's pretty picture of Christmas in reds, whites, yellows and glitteriness. Yet... there's something almost needy about the jollity of the music. As if it's not really giving love, but trying too hard to be happy when there's no reason.

The classic case in point is the song "We Wish You A Merry Christmas", which starts jolly enough, but then begins to demand some Figgy Pudding and if they don't get any, then they're going to sing and sing until they get it. I've not even got a fig roll. This song is surely the "I know a song that'll get on your nerves" of the Christmas music canon.

And that's a fact pop pickers.