Figures are slightly less, but still very high, for other festive favourites like ‘Stop The Cavalry’ (Jona Lewie), ‘Last Christmas’ (Wham!) and ‘Fairytale of New York’ (The Pogues & Kirsty MacColl). I mean, which artist wouldn’t want to follow suit? How hard can it be for an established vocalist or songwriter to pick up their pen, throw some sleighbells into the mix, and knock out a seasonal smash?

The truth is that many big artists try and fail. Some already have a Christmas chart-topper to their name but are simply coming back for seconds. Others have seen their peers enjoy the rewards and have decided they want a slice of the pie. And a few just happen to have written a song relating to Christmas but without intending it to become a hit anyway (‘Fairytale of New York’ was the result of a bet between Shane McGowan and Elvis Costello).

Many of these failed attempts to become Christmas favourites are truly awful – they’ve flopped for a reason. On the other hand, some of these lesser-known tracks are actually pretty good. Prince’s ‘Another Lonely Christmas’ may yet become a Christmas classic, discovered by future generations who’ve tired of the usual Slade, Wham! and Mariah mix. You might even choose to listen to the Killers’ Christmas album in its entirety, just because it sounds like the Killers and you love the Killers.

Who knows? The possibilities are endless. Because if there’s one thing that’s subjective – it’s Christmas. We each do it our own way, with our family eccentricities and traditions. And it’s very much the same with the music. So, turn off your radio. Pause the Spotify playlist. Put away that dusty Christmas CD you dig out every December. And let’s take a look at 10 Christmas flops – good and bad – by some of pop’s biggest artists.

1. Lady Gaga - Christmas Tree (2008)
Essentially a series of stringed-together sexual innuendos, it’s hard to believe this bizarre, disjointed Christmas clanger from pop behemoth Lady Gaga isn’t some sort of joke release (either way, it flopped in the charts). The electro-pop production and interpolated melodies just don’t work. Neither do the weird innuendos: “The only place you wanna be / Is underneath my Christmas tree,” sings Gaga, “My Christmas tree is delicious.” By all means, YouTube it for a laugh – but it’s unlikely to make the Christmas party playlist. (Gaga’s wholesome lyrics won’t go down too well with your gran: “Take off my stockings, where? / I’m spreading Christmas cheer!”)

2. Bob Dylan - Must Be Santa (2009)
Well known for being a ‘serious’ musician with a penchant for exploring different genres, Bob Dylan surprised even his most hardcore fans when he released an album of Christmas songs back in 2009. The lead single – ‘Must Be Santa’ (a cover of the original first released by Mitch Miller back in 1960) – is performed in a polka-klezmer fusion style that sounds, frankly, a bit insane. Based on a German drinking game, the track is a call and response, by which the chorus responds to Dylan by repeating all the features of Santa listed up to that point in the song. You’ll either love it or hate it, but it’s always great to see Dylan’s humorous side.

3. Cliff Richard - 21st Century Christmas (2006)
I’m not sure what you think, but nothing says 21st Century more than a fax machine – as our mate Cliff points out in the second verse of this embarrassingly cheery 2006 single: “We'll microwave some popcorn / Put on a DVD / Fax Tiny Tim a thank you / For blessing you and me.” Even though we – the UK public – took it to number two, it hasn’t quite reached Christmas Classic status in my book. (PS: You will end up singing this to yourself in the shower. Just remember, that doesn't make it good.)

4. Band Aid 30 - Do They Know It's Christmas (2014)
There are some distinctive voices in the mix but the overall effect is still bland and uninspired. Kudos for switching up the words, which had come under fire in recent years, but I think it's safe to say DJs and punters alike will continue to reach for the earlier Band Aid recordings instead (at least the 2005 remake had some pizazz, with a rap from Dizzee Rascal and trashy guitar riffs courtesy of The Darkness). Of course, all proceeds go to charity – so we can't complain too much – and like all the others, this track wasn't a complete flop on its initial release. But ask yourself, how many times have you heard it since? Exactly.

5. Liam Payne - All I Want (For Christmas) (2019)