The Story of the Christmas No. 1 : Mistletoe and Vinyl: NEW EDITION

The Story of the Christmas No. 1 tells the fascinating story behind one of Britain's most enduring musical traditions: the race to become the Christmas Number One. Every December, the battle for the festive chart crown captures the nation's imagination. But why does a Christmas No. 1 still matter? What makes it such a uniquely British phenomenon, and what does it reveal about our changing tastes, culture and music industry? Award-winning author Marc Burrows takes readers on an entertaining journey through more than six decades of chart history, uncovering the stories behind the songs, artists and rivalries that have defined Christmases across generations. From The Beatles and glam rock to charity singles, novelty records, reality TV winners and today's streaming-era sensations, he explores the triumphs, controversies, unexpected upsets and unforgettable moments that have shaped the festive charts. Packed with fascinating music trivia, cultural insights and behind-the-scenes stories, this updated 2026 edition also includes the remarkable tale of Kylie Minogue's first-ever Christmas No. 1 with XMAS. Released through Amazon, the single ended the recent dominance of charity releases and perennial festive favourites, while making Kylie the first female artist to achieve UK No. 1 singles across four different decades. The new edition examines what this landmark success says about the modern music industry and the changing nature of chart success in the streaming age. Whether you're a lifelong chart watcher, a pop music enthusiast or simply curious about one of Britain's quirkiest annual traditions, The Story of the Christmas No. 1 is an entertaining and authoritative celebration of the songs that have soundtracked the nation's Christmases. AUTHOR: Marc Burrows is an award-winning author, comedian, musician and journalist based in Bristol. His acclaimed biography The Magic of Terry Pratchett won the 2020 Locus Award for Best Non-Fiction and was adapted into a successful stand-up show that toured the UK following its Edinburgh Fringe debut. He is also the author of The London Boys, an acclaimed exploration of 1960s London through the early lives of David Bowie and Marc Bolan. The first edition of The Story of the Christmas No. 1 was met with widespread critical acclaim and sold out before Christmas in its first year of publication. This fully updated 2026 edition brings the story right up to date, including the remarkable tale of Kylie Minogue's XMAS, which became the Christmas Number One of 2025 and marked a historic milestone in British chart history. A regular contributor to The Independent, The Big Issue, New Statesman and many other publications, Burrows is renowned for combining meticulous research, sharp humour and engaging storytelling, making him one of Britain's leading writers on popular culture and music history.