Iamreally Everyone.. Proudof MerryChristmas IjustwishIhadwrittenit
NOT even a global pandemic can stop Merry Christmas Everyone – or singer Shakin’ Stevens.
The Welsh star, born Michaell Barratt, is now 72 but he’s stillll rocking with a new 19-CDD retrospective and his festiveve tune racing up the charts.
But unlike stars such as Noddyddy Holder or Mariah Carey, Shaky’sky’s Christmas cracker isn’t his pension. It was Scot Bob Heatlieatlie who wrote the 1985 Christmasmas No1.
Shaky laughed: “I wish I had written it. Bob is the one whoo gets a nice Christmas off it.
“But I’m quite happy. It’s a classicl and at least you’re always remembered every year. Whatever happens, even a global pandemic, you’ll hear that record in the run-up to Christmas.”
The Green Door rocker isn’t wrong. The track is at No33 in the charts – and it’s only just December.
Since downloads were included in 2007 the song has charted every year, reaching No6 in 2019 – it’s highest position since it was No1 in 1985.
Bob, who also wrote Japanese Boy for Aneka, penned the tune for Shaky who by then was the biggest selling UK act of the 80s with a string of hits such as This Ole House.
The plan was to release the single in 1984 but then Band Aid came together for Do They Know It’s Christmas and Shaky and Bob decided to hold their song back a year.
He said: “I’m not blowing my own trumpet but Merry Christmas Everyone is a classic. I’m very proud of it. When I first heard it, I felt very strongly it deserved to be No1.
“So we held it back and it went to No1 the next year.”
Shaky is also playing Santa this year for his fans. He has released a 19-disc, 266-track anthology bookpack, Fire in the Blood, as well as 3-CD Singled Out – which marks the first time his entire solo singles collection has been put in one release and includes his latest, Wild At Heart.
Shaky, from Ely, Cardiff, said: “It feels
Singer on fascinating storyt behindbhid hihis festive smash.. and how he’s still making music after 40 years in the business
like a nice present. We couldn’t get to see each other live this year but the bookpack include my first ever live gig release, so hopefully it’s a lift for my fans.”
Fire in the Blood has kept Shaky busy for 11 months and given him something to enjoy during lockdown. A decade ago, he had a heart attack while gardening at his home. Coupled with his age, he and partner and manager Sue Davies have kept themselves to themselves.
Shaky said: “Because I had the heart attack I have to be more careful.
“We have a lot of respect for the people in health care and we stay indoors as much as possible.
“We have to be very careful and get through this dreadful situation. But I’m healthy. I don’t smoke, I don’t drink. I don’t miss it.
“We used to go to the gym on a regular basis but not at the moment. We are confined but we try and get out for walks when it’s not raining. You have to keep moving.”
And while an anthology like Fire in the Blood suggests a door closing, Shaky insisted he’s not thinking of
retiring. He said: “This is not to end, there is more to come.”
He last played Scotland – Glasgow and Edinburgh – in March last year and has toured many times in his 40-year career.
He said: “We both like each other’s company. I did gigs at Stirling University in the early days. As well as Bob writing Merry Christmas Everyone, another Scot, Gordon Campbell, wrote Because I Love You.
“I always feel an affinity to Scotland.”
Shaky was 33 when This Ole House went to No1 and he became a household name – but he was already successful fronting Shakin’ Stevens and the Sunsets from the late 50s. ith his good looks and hipswivelling routine, it was a no-brainer for Shaky to play The King in West End musical Elvis! in 1977.
By the 80s, Shaky had quit the Sunsets for a solo career, becoming the UK’s biggest selling act with four No1s, This Ole House, Green Door, Oh Julie and Merry Christmas Everyone, as well as hits like A Love Worth Waiting For.
Shaky admits he was different to the other big names of the 80s like Duran Duran or Michael Jackson.
He laughed: “I stood out like a sore thumb. But in a nice way. There was no one else doing what I did.
“I think parents were the big fans. There weren’t a lot of music shows in the 80s – Saturday morning TV and
WTop of the Pops really – so parents used to watch them with their children.
“The parents were fans and that rubbed off on the children who have grown up and I see them at my concerts now.
“I think with other 80s acts people grew up and at a certain age moved away from liking them, whereas with me my fans have stayed with me throughout all the years.”
Shaky also helped Culture Club to their success. When he had to drop out of a performance on Top of the Pops, Boy George’s group were given their big break performing future No1 Do You Really Want to Hurt Me? and never looked back. Shaky said: “I wasn’t well so couldn’t do Top of the Pops. I met Boy George at a later Top of the Pops and he was all smiles. We shook hands and he thanked me.
“I didn’t get ill on purpose but if that gave them their chance, that’s great.”
Fire in the Blood and Singled Out are out now.
When I first heard it, I felt it deserved to be No1 SHAKIN’ STEVENS ON MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE