December Song (I Dreamed of Christmas)

George Michael first gave this away as a free download on Christmas Day 2008, then released it properly in December 2009, when it reached number fourteen in the UK. He wrote it with his longtime partner David Austin, and it is a far gentler record than Last Christmas, looking at the season through a child's eyes and opening and closing with a sample of Frank Sinatra singing The Christmas Waltz. Couples who want a British festive song choose this one, and the slow pulse suits a first dance where the two of you barely move. Michael sang it live on the final of The X Factor in December 2009, and the next day the shops sold out of copies.