“My Favourite Time of Year” is a Christmas song performed by The Florin Street Band which was written and sung by British composer Leigh Haggerwood in 2010. His aim was to create a song with strong melodies that would match the classics, and bring back the Christmas magic that he felt had been missing from the UK charts for decades.
Haggerwood was disappointed by the yearly non-festive songs released by The X Factor finalists, and the protests that ensued which seemed more concerned with spiting Simon Cowell than bringing back Christmas songs. When writing the song, he recalled his own childhood in the early 1980s when songs like “Fairytale of New York” were released.
“My Favourite Time of Year” evolves around a catchy, carol-like melody which weaves up and down the major scales of Eb and Bb. The song is piano-led with instrumentation that includes many traditional Christmas elements such as orchestral chimes, choral harmonies and string lines.
Please share our original Christmas songs with your friends and family, and help spread some festive cheer this holiday season! Winner in the UK song writing contest 2013, and theme to ITV’s Text Santa appeal in the UK, these Christmas songs are part of a new Florin Street Christmas musical. Find out more at our website, and Join us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/florinstreet
Despite being made without record company help, My Favourite Time of Year has spanned the globe and is being performed by countless schools, colleges, choirs and orchestras around the world – even the United States Army band! It receives regular TV broadcasts across Europe and is touching hearts regardless of religion and nationality.
After trying to gain record company support, Leigh decided to make it happen himself by gathering together his musician friends and writing, producing and singing this Christmas song. The video was filmed at the fantastic Blists Hill Victorian Town at Ironbridge in Shropshire. It features the skills of top director Nick Bartleet and Cinematographer John Perez (known for his work on Coldplay’s Viva La Vida, Beyoncé and many other productions). You can help spread some Christmas magic by spreading the word – thanks for your support and best wishes for 2014!
My Favourite Time of Year Words & music by Leigh Haggerwood
