The holiday season has taken on a new note with the release of the satirical song "Freezing This Christmas," which has quickly become the talk of the town. Bookmaker William Hill has named it the second favorite to become this year's Christmas Number 1 single, garnering both attention and controversy for its biting social commentary.
Written by Chris Middleton, a 33-year-old freelance writer from Newcastle, the track critiques the government's recent decision to slash winter fuel payments for millions of pensioners. Released under the playful band name Sir Starmer and the Granny Harmers, the song is actually a parody of Mud's 1974 hit "Lonely This Christmas" and has quickly turned from jest to serious contender on the charts.
The song was recorded by Dean Ager, 51, known for impersonations of Frank Sinatra and Michael Bublé, who managed to lay down the vocals in just 15 minutes for the sum of £50. Despite its relatively quick production—Middleton wrote the lyrics after being inspired by pensioners’ struggles during the winter—the track has struck a chord with the public, with lyrics such as: "It'll be freezing this Christmas, without fuel at home, it'll be freezing this Christmas, whilst Keir Starmer is warm. It'll be cold, so cold, without fuel at home, this Christmas." The heartfelt and scathing lyrics highlight the plight of many vulnerable seniors who feel abandoned by government policies.
Widely circulated online, the song's accompanying video has amassed over 1.4 million views on YouTube, where audiences express their overwhelming support for its message. Commenters convey their sentiments, with one caregiver noting, "Seeing some of my clients with their hats and gloves on in their home just breaks my heart. Thank you for raising awareness and charity." The track has also raised more than £24,000 for Age UK, which supports elderly individuals during tough winter months.
Yet, amid its popularity and charitable success, the song has drawn ire from major broadcasting outlets, particularly the BBC, which has refused to play it. A BBC spokesperson claimed decisions on airplay are made based on audience expectation, but critics are calling this decision biased censorship. Dean Ager reacted, saying, "The BBC's refusal to play it is giving them bad publicity for being so biased.”
Political reactions to the song have been mixed, with Tory MP Greg Smith criticizing the BBC’s stance as "an absurdity" and rooting for it to receive airplay, citing the song’s success as evidence of public interest. Meanwhile, social media users have challenged the broadcaster’s credibility, implying it seeks to insulate Prime Minister Starmer from embarrassment.
"Middleton and Ager have pointed out the hypocrisy of the current Labour government, noting how these cuts weren't included in their manifesto. Middleton remarked, "Pensioners have told me they feel abandoned, and the changes to winter fuel allowance only serve to highlight this fact. Older people do feel the cold more,” reflecting on his own experiences being raised by his grandparents.
Initial motivation for the song came from Middleton's desire to create awareness around the hardships many elderly individuals face, particularly during the winter season when energy costs soar. The song paints a vivid picture of the difficult reality for many: "Try to envision being 80 years old... What can I do without fuel? I’ve got no place, no place to go," he penned, showcasing the urgency of the message.
Critics have drawn parallels between this situation and past controversies faced by the BBC, such as when it refused to play "Ding Dong! The Witch Is Dead" after Margaret Thatcher's death, which resulted from public outrage and protests. This time around, the absence of "Freezing This Christmas" from their playlists has prompted many to call out what they perceive as bias against political parody.
Rob Davis, former member of Mud and now 77, supported the effort behind the song, stating, "That's not a good thing. I mean, there are many very broke people out there. It's very hard.” He acknowledged the quality of the rendition, praising Ager’s vocals which remind listeners of the late Mud frontman Les Gray.
For Middleton and Ager, the Christmas song has turned out to be more than just another holiday tune. It's become emblematic of the growing discontent with government policies affecting society's most vulnerable members. The tracks' powerful message and charity fundraising efforts serve as reminders of the importance of supporting the elderly, proving music can be both entertaining and poignant.
With the final countdown to Christmas upon us, the song remains at the forefront of holiday conversation. Bookmakers still rank it as a contender for Christmas Number 1, but its true victory may lie not just in chart placements, but also in raising awareness around pensioners' plight. Middleton quipped, “If we make it to number one, it’ll be the first time a band that's never met does so,” illustrating the quirky and unexpected nature of this modern Christmas phenomenon.
