My Favourite Christmas Songs Trivia Quiz

Answer: Slade

Formed in Wolverhampton, England in 1966, Slade are a glam rock group that originally consisted of Noddy Holder, Dave Hill, Jim Lea, and Don Powell.

Released in December 1973, "Merry Xmas Everybody" was that year's UK Christmas number one, and is Slade's best selling single.

Answer: The Pogues Featuring Kirsty MacColl

Written by Pogues members Shane MacGowan and Jem Finer, "Fairytale of New York" is considered by many the best Christmas song of all-time, although it failed to claim the UK Christmas number one slot in its year of release, 1987, being beaten to the top by "Always on My Mind" by the Pet Shop Boys.

The song, an Irish folk-style ballad, features Kirsty MacColl on vocals. MacColl tragically died in 2000 after being hit by a powerboat whilst on holiday in Mexico.

Answer: Paul McCartney

Born on 18th June 1942, Paul McCartney was a member of The Quarrymen, The Beatles, and Wings as well as being a very successful solo artist.

He released his Christmas song "Wonderful Christmastime" in November 1979, and although it only reached number six in the UK singles chart, it remains a very popular Christmas song, netting McCartney an estimated $400,000 a year.

Answer: Kelly Clarkson

Born on 24th April 1982, Kelly Brianne Clarkson became a household name after winning the first season of "American Idol" in 2002.

"Underneath the Tree" was released in November 2013 as the lead single from her sixth studio album "Wrapped in Red", with the accompanying music video featuring footage of Kelly's performance of the song at The Venetian hotel in Las Vegas.

Answer: Chris Rea

Born in Middlesbrough in 1951, Chris Rea is an English singer-songwriter who began his music career in 1978, and is recognisable for his husky singing voice.

He was inspired to write his 1986 single "Driving Home for Christmas" when he was stuck in traffic whilst driving home for Christmas. Although the single didn't fare overly well in the charts, it remains one of the most popular Christmas songs of all-time.

Answer: John & Yoko/Plastic Ono Band

Written as a protest song against the Vietnam War, "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)" was released in December 1971 in the US, and in November 1972 in the UK (the delay due to publishing issues with respect to Yoko Ono's composing credits).

The song also features the talents of The Harlem Community Choir.

Answer: Elton John

Born Reginald Kenneth Dwight on 25th March 1947, Elton John is one of the UK's most prolific and successful singer-songwriters, and has worked with top lyricist Bernie Taupin since 1967.

Their 1973 collaboration "Step into Christmas" is an up-tempo Christmas song, with the accompanying music video foreshadowing Elton's relationship with Watford Football Club as he holds up his 'Watford A.F.C. Supporters Club Membership Card'. He would later become an owner of the club, and an honorary Life President.

Answer: Wizzard

Formed by Roy Wood in 1972, Wizzard were an English glam rock band who had a relatively short existence, disbanding in 1975 primarily due to financial difficulties.

Their 1973 Christmas single "I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday" is by far their most successful song, however it only reached number four on the UK Singles Chart that year, with Slade's "Merry Xmas Everybody" claiming that year's UK Christmas number one.

Answer: Shakin' Stevens

The UK's biggest selling singles artist of the 1980s, Shakin' Stevens was born Michael Barratt on 4th March 1948 in Cardiff, Wales, and enjoyed four UK number one singles in the 1980s - "This Ole House" (1981), "Green Door" (1981), "Oh Julie" (1982), and his Christmas smash hit "Merry Christmas Everyone" (1985).

Shaky had originally planned to release "Merry Christmas Everyone" a year earlier, but delayed it due to the December 1984 release of the charity single "Do They Know It's Christmas" by Band Aid, which became that year's UK Christmas number one, and stayed at the top of the chart for five weeks.

Answer: Mud

English glam rock band Mud were formed in 1966 and originally consisted of Les Gray, Rob Davis, Dave Mount, Ray Stiles, and Andy Ball.

With a distinctly Elvis-like sound, Mud's 1974 single "Lonely This Christmas" topped the UK singles charts in late 1974 and early 1975, claiming the UK Christmas number one for 1974 during its four-week run at the top of the charts over the festive period.