Shakin' Stevens - Blue Christmas (Epic)

Time to don armour plated vest and crash helmet in anticipation of all those Shaky fans threatening death and misfortunes after we make heartfelt, considered comments about old chubby chops. As always, the only wonderful thing about a Shaky record is the cosmetic job on the single sleeve. (Robin Smith, Record Mirror, December 11, 1982)

Gingerbread - Christmas Time (RCA)

Another nice song about joining hands and peace on earth - sentiments which will all be forgotten well before the decorations come down. (Captain Sensible, No 1, December 21, 1985)

Wham! - Last Christmas (Epic)

And the public gets what the public wants . . . The mega-duo celebrate a mega-golden year with another mega-hit - no doubt about that. Well, it is Christmas and George finds himself in the clutches of a young-love crisis while Andrew looks on sympathetically and the Whamettes swoon. For all musicologists out there note the close similarity to Peaches & Herb's cream-curdling duet, "Reunited". (Lesley White, Smash Hits, December 6, 1984)

Predictable schmaltzy seasonal love story from Pinky and Perky. This must be the tenth song in the last six months to have lifted the chord structure of Peaches And Herb's "Reunited". Obviously a hit, but I'd rather listen to the Queen's speech myself. (Andy Strickland, Record Mirror, December 8, 1984)

Laudable B-Sides: Now considered something of a Christmas staple, "Last Christmas" was originally released as a double A side single, with "Everything She Wants" on the flip. After Christmas, Epic simply put the same single in a new sleeve and reversed the order, causing "Everything She Wants" to become the next big hit for the group. Incidentally, the much more obscure extended mix of "Last Christmas" was known as the "Pudding Mix".

The Pogues Featuring Kirsty MacColl - Fairytale Of New York (Stiff)

Just the very thing, you might think, to slap on if you're feeling tired, emotional and melancholy of a Christmas Eve is a slab of Shane MacGowan groaning charmingly off-key, lonely and drowning (literally, probably) in has sorrows as he props his weary body over his winnings on the horses. But not quite. Up pops Kirsty MacColl (whose dad wrote "Dirty Old Town" for the Pogues), along with a pile of accordions and what not and together they enter into a spirited duel, with Kirsty chucking insults such as "You scumbag/You maggot/You cheap lousy faggot." Quite magnificent. (Lola Borg, Smash Hits, December 2, 1987)

The Pretenders - 2000 Miles (WEA)

The first Christmas song of 1983 is a beautiful but sad affair - and is really a mourning for those Pretenders no longer with us. Superb, gentle guitar work and Chrissie's haunting voice add up to a song that should outlast the Xmas rush. Great, but again, mainly sad. (Paul Bursche, No 1, November 19, 1983)

Frankie Goes To Hollywood - The Power Of Love (ZTT)

Led Zeppelin do a ballad! Gosh, these boys are versatile. I've tried to see some redeeming feature in this - as you might expect, it's Trevor Horn's lush production. Otherwise the thing's a fairly major disappointment. Seventies' kitsch seems to be the Flavour Of The Month, but a pomp rock revival I can live without. (Sunie, No 1, November 24, 1984)

A stronger-than-brandy, big ballady monster. A lot of heart, all over the place. Strings sweep, fools weep. 'Make love your goal', pleads Holly, going over the big top and outta sight. The B-side carries the Lads' Xmessage - beep beep! - in which they get pissed, take the piss out of themselves, and make a few suggestions (about getting the most out of the festive season). O come, all ye ... (Mark Cordery, Record Mirror, November 24, 1984)