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When Christmas rolls around, the same question is asked each year; what’s the best Christmas song?
There’s no correct answer, music taste is subjective. That being said, you’ll often hear the same suggestions:
- All I want for Christmas
- Last Christmas
- Jingle Bell Rock
None of these are my favourite though. Oh no no no.
Boney M’s cover of Mary’s Boy Child is mine – which is always a surprise to people when I tell them.
The song itself was first recorded by Harry Belafonte in 1956 but the cover by Boney M in 1978 is my preferred rendition. I hadn’t actually heard the song myself until 2011, when I was introduced it to it by my then-girlfriend.
I instantly loved it. The track has a very enjoyable bounce to it – I can’t resist tapping my feet on bouncing in my office chair when it comes on. The lyrics themselves, like a lot of Christmas songs, are very religious in nature and simply structured. It’s certainly not a work of art in any sense, but it always brings a smile across my face. Partly from the forementioned bounciness and also in part the memories I’ve had when this song has been playing.
It wasn’t until I wrote this article that I realised just how many covers there have been of Mary’s Boy Child – there’s been over 15! Even the Bee Gees did a cover, which I’m listening to right now – it doesn’t quite hit the same as Boney M.
So, reader, this Christmas I recommend giving Mary’s Boy Child a go. Try and listen to the whole song without bobbing your head – I bet you can’t.
