Killing In The Name [Explicit]

Not since Bing Crosby's 'White Christmas' has such a beautiful Christmas song been written.

This release from Rage Against The Machine gently plucks on our heart's sentimental strings, and whisks us off into a winter wonderland full of love and hope, befitting of this time of year.

The opening stanzas softly move from allusion and metaphor to a more direct comment on how Christmas brings out the child in us all and the importance of recognising love in our surroundings.

As the song briskly flitters into the bridge, we can almost smell the log fires burning and taste the sweet and heady mixture of mulled wine and dark yuletide chocolate dancing in our mouths. De la Rocha's sweet refrain conjures visions of Elks sprinkled with snow, scattered across a wintery mountainside as one peers from a warm cabin in the distance, sharing anecdotes with loved ones next to a crackling fireside.

Then, just a jaunt away, the chorus is a thrilling sleigh ride, glistening and sparkling our way across a winter scene, punctuated by crystal beads of snow prickling the skin, filling us with joy and reminding us of the true nature of Christmas once again...love.

This slightly up-tempo but heart-felt song is truly a breath of fresh air. In a society where Christmas seems to have lost some of its meaning this festive song takes us back (or forwards maybe) to a simpler time when what really counted was 'togetherness' and 'virtue', and of 'altruism' and 'honesty'.

With a subtle nod to the cool Jazz standards of 30s and maybe influenced slightly by such great vocalists as Vera Lynn and Cliff Richards, this song will appeal to everyone both young and old, and seems on course to make it into the echelons of great Christmas records.

I had never heard of these newcomers called Rage against the Machine nor this track, but I have to say how delighted it is to hear such great Christmas songs.

Perfect for a nice family moment with your loved ones during your Christmas dinner.

I bought this record for the sake of the planet. Not just for me, but for my children, and my children's children.