Slade’s “Merry Xmas Everybody” Marked 50 Years On Midlands Today
On December 19, 2023, Midlands Today aired a special report marking the 50th anniversary of “Merry Xmas Everybody”, the song that became Slade’s most enduring cultural legacy. Presented by Ben Sidwell, the segment revisited the remarkable journey of a record that has outlived its era to become a permanent part of the British Christmas soundtrack.
Originally released in December 1973, “Merry Xmas Everybody” reached number one on the UK Singles Chart and has returned to the charts repeatedly ever since. The Midlands Today feature brought together reflections from Noddy Holder, Jim Lea, Dave Hill and Don Powell, offering personal insights into how a glam rock single evolved into a national tradition.
Rather than focusing solely on commercial success, the report explored the unexpected longevity of the song and its deep connection with the public. The band members reflected on how the track transcended Slade’s original fanbase, crossing generations and social boundaries in a way few pop records ever achieve.
The feature also included a short clip from Slade’s 1973 Earls Court performance of “Skweeze Me, Pleeze Me,” placing “Merry Xmas Everybody” firmly within the context of the band’s explosive live peak. The footage served as a reminder that the song emerged at a moment when Slade were not only chart-dominant, but also one of Britain’s most powerful live acts.
Fifty years on, the Midlands Today report highlighted why “Merry Xmas Everybody” continues to resonate. Its appeal lies not just in nostalgia, but in its sense of shared celebration and collective memory. As the anniversary piece made clear, Slade did not merely record a Christmas hit. They created a song that Britain continues to sing together, half a century later.