The Christmas compilation equivalent of Marmite. If you like stadium-filling dad rock, you’ll love it. But if the thought of Bon Jovi, U2, Sting and Bryan Adams, reworking your cherished festive favourites with massive sincerity and a delay pedal, makes you puke a little bit into your mouth, look away now... but don’t go too far. A Very Special Christmas is a charity record, after all. And its initial 1987 release has spawned no less than six follow-ups including live and acoustic collections. So we’re guessing a significant amount of people fall into the former category.

Among the aforementioned big hitters you’ll also find some surprisingly original cover versions from the likes of Eurythmics, Stevie Nicks and The Pretenders. As far as charitable Christmas albums go, A Very Special Christmas sets the bar.

Listen: Stevie Nicks - Silent Night

BUY: A Very Special Christmas Vol. 1

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