Written by: Alex Green

Photo Credit: Joeseth Carter

If Chris Simmons is starting a holiday tradition, we are SO on board.

Last year, the British singer/songwriter’s first-ever holiday tune “A Cold December” roared up the charts, the ravishing, wonder of a track perfectly capturing the melancholic vibe that Christmas can deliver.

“I wanted to write a Christmas song that could be sung at full voice, arm in arm with your mates down the pub, but also one that shines a light on how rarely tell those closet to us just how important they are to us in our lives,” Simmons tells SEM. “What better time to do this than at Christmas?”

Turns out, there’s no better time at all. Bringing to mind a perfect blend of the pop mastery of Squeeze with Peace and Love era Pogues, Simmons is one of those musicians who’s always in full command and “Christmas Day” is no exception.

“I can drink to you, you can drink to me/Lining up another one for us,” Simmons sings, before the chorus rises in the kind of harmonic holiday refrain that makes “Christmas Day” an instant classic.

This is one of those rare numbers that arrives and feels instantly familiar. Simmons is a beast of a singer and it’s hard to think of anyone around who sings with such muscle and finesse.

It’s also hard to think of any reason why “Christmas Day” shouldn’t shoot straight to Number One.