Christmas Moon: Barry Blue’s Forgotten Sparkle from the Glam Rock Festive Season
Think back to the early-to-mid 1970s in the UK – a time of platform boots, catchy choruses, infectious energy, and a pop scene dazzling with glam rock sparkle. Amidst the Slad-es, Sweet-s, and Suzi Quatro-s, there was the unmistakable presence of Barry Blue. With his signature star motif often adorning his attire and a knack for crafting irresistibly catchy tunes, he rocketed onto the charts with instant classics like the stomping “Dancin’ (on a Saturday Night)” (#2 UK hit in 1973) and the equally effervescent “Do You Wanna Dance?” (#7 UK hit later that same year). He was a bona fide pop star, delivering a string of memorable hits (“School Love,” “Miss Hit and Run,” “Hot Shot”) that perfectly captured the upbeat, slightly cheeky spirit of the era. It was during this whirlwind period, likely around 1974 or 1975 when releasing festive singles was practically de rigueur for pop acts seeking holiday airplay, that Barry Blue offered up a charming, yet largely forgotten, seasonal tune: “Christmas Moon.”
Unlike his major hits, “Christmas Moon” made no impact on the UK charts. It remains a deep cut, a curio primarily known to dedicated fans of Barry Blue or collectors of 70s pop obscurities. Specific details surrounding its release – the exact date, the label, even the precise songwriting credits (though likely involving Blue himself, possibly with collaborators like Lynsey De Paul, with whom he did release a charting Christmas duet “Happy Christmas To You From Me” in late 1975, or Ron Roker) – are somewhat hazy, lost in the shuffle of a busy pop career and the passage of time. What isn’t lost, however, is the context. This was the era when artists like Wizzard wished it could be Christmas every day, Slade merrily wished everybody a Merry Xmas, and Mud lamented being lonely this Christmas – all massive, enduring hits. Barry Blue, riding high on his pop success, understandably dipped his toe into the festive market, aiming to capture some of that seasonal magic.
So, what feeling does “Christmas Moon” evoke? While not possessing the immediate, generation-defining hooks of his biggest singles or the perennial staying power of the era’s Christmas giants, the song undoubtedly carries the DNA of Barry Blue‘s signature sound. Listening to it, one expects (and likely finds) that familiar upbeat tempo, the layered vocals, the driving rhythm, and the bright, slightly glam-infused pop production typical of his mid-70s output. The meaning, as suggested by the title, surely revolves around Yuletide romance and atmosphere – perhaps finding love under the glow of a winter moon, sharing festive moments, or simply celebrating the season with that characteristic buoyant energy. It’s less about profound statements and more about capturing a lighthearted, cheerful Christmas spirit, tailor-made for Top of the Pops during the tinsel season.
Hearing or thinking about “Christmas Moon” today, April 8, 2025, feels like uncovering a slightly faded bauble packed away in the attic. It doesn’t possess the immediate nostalgic rush of hearing “Dancin’ (on a Saturday Night),” nor does it command the airwaves each December like Slade or Wizzard. Yet, it holds a certain charm precisely because of its obscurity. It’s a reminder of a specific moment when a particular pop star, Barry Blue, was at his peak, participating in the festive pop traditions of the time. It represents the countless charming, well-intentioned seasonal songs that added to the pop tapestry but didn’t quite achieve immortality. For fans of that specific glittery era of British pop, “Christmas Moon” is a small, twinkling light, a nostalgic echo of Barry Blue‘s brief but vibrant time in the pop firmament.