UNLIKELY PAIRINGS

HITS

Fairytale of New York: By the Pogues and Kirsty MacColl. The 1987 hit is so ubiquitous these days that we can forget just how dark this song featuring a reminiscing, bickering couple is. The contrast between Shane MacGowan’s rough delivery and MacColl’s warm vocals couldn’t be greater.

Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy: By David Bowie and Bing Crosby. The pair recorded this duet for a 1977 television special just weeks before Crosby died. On paper, it shouldn’t have worked. But Bowie’s counterpoint melody over Crosby’s honeyed voice is glorious.

MISSES

Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree: By Kim Wilde and Mel Smith. Although pop star Wilde and comedian Smith played their incongruity for laughs on this 1987 song, it was still a stinker. It retains marks for being in aid of Comic Relief.

All I Need is Love: By CeeLo Green and the Muppets. Even Green’s megawatt voice couldn’t save this baffling 2012 mash-up of the Muppets’ cover of Mah Na Mah Na and Mambo No 5.