Where will you spend Christmas this year?

I'm hoping to go back to Georgia because that's where all my family will be. I did the same last winter, though normally we stay in the UK for Christmas and go to Georgia in the summer. There are a few Georgian Christmas songs but they're not really played on the radio all the time like they are over here.

What Christmas songs do you remember from your childhood?

I remember hearing gospel songs when I was growing up in Belfast. Our school used to take us into the town centre every Christmas and make us stand out in the freezing cold listening to this gospel band. They sang 'Silent Night' and all sorts of other classic Christmas tunes.

Does a Christmas song need to be about Christmas?

No. I loved the lyrics of Gary Jules's record 'Mad World' " the simplicity of the song is probably what appealed to a lot of people. It was a reflective song and people get like that at this time of year, thinking about the world and its good and bad points. With Christmas, it's nice there's this one part of the whole year where anything cheesy goes and you can get away with anything, but I do prefer songs that make you think. 'Bohemian Rhapsody' was a Christmas number one and is an amazing song, one of my favourites. Christmas these days has such a materialistic spin on it " it's all about shopping and the sales, everyone panicking about buying presents for people. I'm not somebody who is particularly religious but it's like, hold on a second, what's Christmas meant to be about?

Do you think a Christmas number one has more value?

I would say it's the opposite. Generally Christmas number ones are quite cheesy " though it is probably when you get the most sales as far as singles go " but I think credibility wise it's pretty poor. I was so happy two years ago when 'Mad World' went to number one. All the time that I've been in the UK " about 10 years " it's been my favourite Christmas number one. 'Fairytale in New York' by The Pogues and Kirsty MacColl, is the best Christmas song ever.

If you had to pick your favourite cheesy Christmas song...

'Jingle Bell Rock' is a good one, it's one of those that's completely off the wall.

What about the best romantic Christmas song?

Good old George Michael when he was in Wham, with 'Last Christmas'. But it gets played so much, that's its only down point.

And the worst Christmas song?

That Mariah Carey one, 'All I Want for Christmas is You'. I'm not saying it's the worst ever, but...

Katie Melua's new album, Piece by Piece (pounds 16.99), and the single, 'I Cried For You'/'Just Like Heaven' (Dramtico), are out now

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