Merry Crimble

The Beatles recorded a Christmas song, but never officially released it. They sent it to out via their annual present to fans. It just a doodle and never caught on, but it's pretty catchy.



But both John and Paul, as solo acts, recorded their own Christmas song. Neither was exactly a hit, but the songs get played a lot this time of year.

John, as you might expect, had a message--war is over (if you want it). He even took out billboards to that effect. I admire how he put his money where his mouth is, though the effectiveness of his campaign is still highly in doubt.

It's not a bad tune, but it doesn't rank with his best solo work, much less his Beatles' stuff.



Then there's Paul's tune. It's regularly attacked as being too poppy (a popish plot!) and mindess. People use John's anthem to beat Paul over the head with, but I'll take a well-crafted tune over grandiose but vague wishes any day.

It's been 30 years since Paul recorded this, and I hope it's not too heretical to say I prefer it to John's song.