Music Memories during my 3rd Year. From my 2nd Birthday on Wednesday, the 20th of February 1974, through to Wednesday, the 19th of February 1975
The Wombles
Wombling Merry Christmas
Charting in the year of 1974, on the 1st of December, are The Wombles with the single Wombling Merry Christmas.
The first Christmas hit…
…that I consciously remember from an early age, and one of my favourite tracks which flowed from the pen of Mike Batt under his Orinoco hat.
Although there must have been countless Christmas songs flying around, especially during this time which I would call a real golden age for these types of hits, it’s this one which really sticks out.
For Mike,..
…after the Wombles had also previously appeared during the week of my birthday back in February, this single topped off what had been an absolutely incredible year of chart action and success, which culminated with the novelty band being hailed in the UK as the most successful music act of the past 12 months.
If I’m honest,..
…the first song of theirs I truly remember was Minuetto Allegretto; a pastiche in the style of Mozart. However, this Christmas tune came hot on the heels of that, and really made me take notice of them.
That was the magic for Mike, of living under the furred pseudonym of these characters, he could parody all sorts of musical styles, such as the Beach Boys for Wombling Summer Party, or have a shot at Reggae with Banana Rock. It was all very playful and good-natured, and for a 2-year-old, going on 3, this music was actually of a much better standard than some other efforts which had come before it.
The single…
…enters the UK on the first day of that festive month at No.47, and climbs up to No.21 in its second week.
The week before the Christmas No.1 is announced, the track has shot up to No.5, and that’s where it stays going into the following week. However, the final Christmas shopping rush, although it’s now too late for that week’s No.1 challenge, sends it up even higher to reach No.2 as the UK prepares for the New Year’s celebrations.
From there,..
…it’s back down to the No.5 position for the first full week of 1975, before it falls to the edge of the Top 20, eventually leaving exactly a month from Christmas Day, after the 25th of January, with 8 merry weeks to show for it.
The “A” Side
The “B” Side
“Top Of The Pops” TV Appearance
Mike Batt interview for BBC South Today
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