The Struts‘ Luke Spiller Shares Stripped-Back Cover of slades ‘Merry Xmas Everybody’
The Struts frontman Luke Spiller has shared a cover of Slade’s festive classic ‘Merry Xmas Everybody’ – check it out here.
Spiller’s version is a little different from the original, which became Christmas Number One in 1973 and was certified double platinum in 2021 after repeatedly returning to the charts during the holiday season.
It’s more stripped-back and mournful, and it’s joined by a video which features Spiller sporting a Santa hat and riding through the concrete channel of the Los Angeles River.
“Like so many of us, I have always loved Christmas,” he said about the track. “For me personally,it’s a time where I often travel back to the United Kingdom and spend quality time with my family after a long year of touring and seeing the world.
“I grew up listening to this song and have such great memories being surrounded by the peopel I love celebrating the year coming to a close. I wanted to put my own spin on this classic and decided to strip back the music so people can really focus on the lyrics.”
He also paid tribute to Slade, describing them as an “incredible band” and a “huge influence” on him, “so I really wanted to do it justice”.
Spiller isn’t the only artist to cover ‘Merry Xmas Everybody’.Last month, Anne-Marie released her own version, while Oasis, Suzanne Vega and Steps have also shared their own renditions over the years.
Robbie Williams covered it in a duet with Jamie Cullum for his album ‘The Christmas Present’ in 2019, while it’s also on Girls Aloud’s ‘Christmas ‘Round At
## The Struts’ Luke Spiller to Host Christmas Number One Countdown on BBC Radio 2
Luke Spiller, frontman of the British rock band The Struts, will host a special countdown show on BBC Radio 2 this Christmas, revealing the nation’s favorite festive songs. The show will culminate in the announcement of the official Christmas number One for 2023.
### A Festive Line-Up & Competition
Spiller’s show will feature a mix of classic Christmas hits and more recent contenders for the coveted top spot. The countdown is expected to include perennial favourites like Wham! – whose “Last Christmas” recently made a historic return to the UK christmas Number One on its 40th anniversary – and Mariah Carey. The show will also highlight newer entries, including McFly’s Tom Fletcher and Paddington Bear’s collaboration, “One Of us”.
### Spiller and The Struts: Recent Projects
Spiller released his debut solo album, ‘Love Will Probably Kill Me Before Cigarettes And Wine’, in April 2023. The Struts themselves released their fourth album, ‘Pretty Vicious’, in 2023, continuing their trajectory as a prominent force in British rock music.
### the Christmas Number One Tradition
The Christmas Number One is a significant cultural event in the UK, with the race for the top spot often generating considerable media attention and public engagement. The official chart is compiled by the Official Charts Company, based on sales of physical copies, downloads, and streams.
The countdown show with Luke Spiller promises to be a festive highlight for radio 2 listeners, celebrating the music that defines the Christmas season and ultimately revealing the song that will claim the Christmas Number One title for 2023.
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