Christmas Time (Don't Let The Bells End) - The Darkness, on BBC Radio 2

The Darkness have permission to land their sleigh at BBC Maida Vale Studios to perform a christmas cracker version of their yuletide hit 'Christmas Time', accompanied by a 12 piece choir.
Don't miss out on Justin' Hawkin's red bejewelled festive guitar, plus behind-the-scenes footage from The Darkness menfolk of Justin and Dan Hawkins, Frankie Poullain and Rufus Tiger Taylor.
Filmed especially for a Christmas session on the Jo Whiley BBC Radio 2 show. Listen to the full Darkness special on BBC Sounds: www.bbc.co.uk/...

[@TheActualDarkness]

It was truly a great day! Thank you for having us Jo Whiley and BBC Radio 2! And today is Christmas Time (don't let the bells end) 20th Anniversary!

[@jameswatling01603]

Superb!

[@ZuzuTheLemon]

THE Christmas song!

[@steveshaw5773]

That's my mate Mickey Wade on the sleigh bells...I got to meet the chaps again in Manchester this week and a nicer more generous bunch of guys you couldn't ask for.🙏Top Lads and Lasses all round. Sea biscuit Steve. X

[@Rocksarum]

Happy 20th Anniversary to this absolute Christmas banger! 🤘Don't ever let the bells end!🤘❤

[@Reid_Jorgensen]

Like mulled wine...The Darkness is getting better with age! ❤🎄

[@tammurray8576]

It's easy to forget that for a period in the early 2000s The Darkness were the biggest band in the country, they deserve a resurgence.

[@RosieHarp]

They’ve been touring a *lot* this year

[@tammurray8576]

@RosieHarp yeah I've heard and followed it peripherally. Hopefully more stuff in the mainstream like this

[@McOdinson]

Happy days, 😎🤘

[@paulrichardhammond]

I remember seeing them at leeds festival in what, 2002/3? main stage, it was so packed and they absolutely brought the house down

[@mattjns]

Cramming “bell-end” & “ring-piece” into a Christmas song is something to be applauded.

[@C33Fernandez]

"Come on, kids!"

[@PrivateSi]

I think the order to 'cum on kids' at the end, stolen from Noddy Holder, really should not be taken the wrong way though! Sorry, that was a bit dark...

[@smokinvalves]

The linear progression of your statement is, in itself, something to be applauded. Frankie Howerd would be proud of you, sir.

[@BobGnarley.]

Plus the yearly royalties cant hurt. Not one of their greatest but gotta respect the hustle

[@mattjns]

@@BobGnarley. Absolutely one of their greatest.

[@TricksyBix]

They are so good live! Justin's vocals are amazing 👏

[@WheystedGainzAndArtisticMe]

Haters will say he sounds gay or something 😏

[@LilDrummaDude]

k...@@WheystedGainzAndArtisticMe

[@Dreyno]

@@WheystedGainzAndArtisticMeOnly because they fancy him.

[@ThisUsernameSystemF-ckingSucks]

​@@WheystedGainzAndArtisticMeso what if he did?

[@sirgerbilmacintosh9101]

He's irreplaceable, and one of a kind.

[@Trevenclaw]

The Darkness have been putting out killer records and touring non-stop for a decade+ since they got back together but have been in almost total obscurity for all of it. Then Justin started a KZbin channel and a year later they are everywhere again, jamming with Ed Sheeran and showing up on the BBC. It's so rewarding for all us die-hards to see! Merry Christmas everyone! 😊

[@kkrash]

Justin was long thought of as a joke, what people don't realise is that he has a scientific understanding of music, he knows what he's talking about. The podcast is amazing, he's a very intelligent bloke. Don't let appearances or marketing fool you. The other artist like this, who on the surface, writes cheesy pop songs etc in a man band is Gary Barlow. Some videos out there of how he approaches the art of music, he's a very intelligent bloke and like Justin, lives and breathes music and it's philosophy

[@davidb5173]

​@@kkrashBarlow is a Tory tax avoider - half the man Justin is

[@Chugins]

The Darkness were on the BBC three years ago (before Justin's KZbin channel), and I don't think a lack of said KZbin channel would deter Ed Sheeran from jamming with the band. The Darkness reign supreme, KZbin channel or no.

[@KachZz]

Darkness is cool af but i don't think they've released anything good since One Way Ticket...Title song from Last of our Kind was alright but that's about it.

[@Luckytrowel12]

​@@KachZz but sure you've heard Solid Gold? The riff on that track is amazing!

[@redwildgeeza]

20 years old - officially a classic !

[@jamesbell5382]

Annnnnd now I feel old.

[@colonelcrackerz2320]

Is it?! Fuuuuuuuuckkk

[@BodaciousWickerman]

I heard this on the radio earlier today and thought the same thing! Damn, time flies.

[@WheystedGainzAndArtisticMe]

​@@jamesbell5382not really still in 30s lol and 40s?

[@Seaby41]

Really? Wow

[@QuiteVeryJohn]

It's a crime that this didn't get Christmas number one back in the day. Absolute banger.

[@cyclingartist6827]

I was gutted. Thought it was a dead cert

[@alexgreenwood404]

20 years on, and I'm still bitter. I have an irrational hatred for mad world because of it

[@bluemike175]

@@alexgreenwood404likewise who TF is listening to mad world at Christmas these days….

[@iandunsmore8091]

I don't think it was even released at Christmas actually haha

[@P.Whitestrake]

Totally unfair.

[@Alicedoesart]

His voice is better than ever! So much control and strength!

[@cindyadzukichang]

Justin really sounds amazing! The whole band is tight!

[@eily_b]

Well, he skipped the high pitched part with the "children's" choir.

[@colonelcrackerz2320]

@@eily_bwell 🤓, he also hit 99% of all the other high notes pretty perfectly

[@TerryWeir-d4g]

Justin Hawkins is around 45 years old now i think, His voice is still incredible as ever 😄😄

[@cindyadzukichang]

@@TerryWeir-d4g actually he's 48, soon to be 49 in March. Yes, his voice is still incredible!

[@damo85]

One of the few modern Christmas classics, honestly. I love these guys for doing it, nothing like a good guitar-heavy Christmas tune!!

[@Jordan-ft1jb]

It's two decades old 😅

[@foxdenham]

A proper British Rock band. Tight and Loose in equal measure. Well, that's me full of the Christmas spirit! Cheers guys...🎅🎸

[@tctc8578]

And one of the most annoying falsetto’s in rock music!!! Just saying

[@duncanjbrown]

Sicne watching Justin rides again i have completely done a 360 on him. I didnt like him at the time but now agree that this song is getting better every year! Love this version.

[@jimmygillard]

Saw em last Tuesday. Got me feeling all christmassy. Justin's bejeweled Les Paul is spectacular.

[@neonshaker9312]

Dudes voice has held up really well twenty years later!

[@karadan100]

He rested it for seven whole years and then had singing lessons to learn a different style which will save his vocals. He can't quite do *everything* he was once able to, but that would be impossible anyway. Good for him.

[@pattfoad]

Having a 12 piece choir belt out Bells End is just magic

[@jamessauer7867]

Goosebumps every time I listen to this song. Absolute banger.

[@kevinmoore7255]

Great live band! This is definitely a classic Christmas song , up there with all the 70’s and early 80’s classics . Justin’s voice is still magic!

[@lizarrrdbeth]

Oh that guitar sparkles in The Darkness!!

[@robertbordevik5072]

Rare thing to hear such a big produced song preformed perfectly down to a tee. Didn’t miss a thing and it sounded fantastic! And it’s a great Christmas song! Underrated

[@imasoboredlol1]

When that choir goes OFF I get a huge lump in my throat. This was just incredible

[@LoneStreet]

This song has been on my Christmas playlist since I first found it, I used to set is as my alarm too. An absolutely banger. Justin’s vocals are insane. Have a great one lads!

[@rickykent4543]

Truly one of the best live bands on the planet.

[@eckhas2524]

Seeing the darkness back on top is a real joy 👏

[@roxyskinflint22222]

absolutley robbed of xmas number one back in 2003, Mad world cover was awful, glad this has stood the test of time still getting belted out every xmas, best xmas song ever for me

[@LarkKristensen]

This will forever be my favourite christmas song.

[@kmaudiobooks]

First Album I ever bought was Permission to Land. Always been a huge fan, and it's fabulous to see them having this resurgence. Hoorah!

[@Bosdavid]

Great one! Probably the best Christmas song of the past 40 years.

[@GregGallagher]

Justin has such a great voice, they sound incredible, they’ve aged so gracefully

[@ΜαιρηΛιδου]

One of the best singers out there!!

[@0xM4ND]

I always considered this to be one of the last *classic* feeling Christmas songs to come out; one of the keepers that fits in a playlist with all the oldies that have been played year on year.

[@jonhulton]

Superb record. Only modern Xmas song that stands the test of time. Genius

[@bjpgm1233]

This was my grandmas Favourite Christmas song she was in her late 80s so it was surprising

[@RockinRich71]

One of ‘the’ great Christmas songs!! Bloody well played and sang too!! 😀🤘🏻

[@mediajunkie333]

Best Christmas song ever! What a band. Bigger now than ever and two outstanding guitarists.

[@littlebigcat]

Gotta respect the choir for singing Bells End with such conviction.

[@zyonmdc]

justin hawkins rides again 🎶

[@Verdademundial]

The darkness rocked my youth, it was incredible and always will be! Thank you for this moment.

[@LurgsHowToGuides]

Modern Christmas songs are normally awful drivvle but this is a modern classic. Thanks guys

[@ChristopherCaldwell72]

Lovely clean take. I am amazed you can still hit those notes Justin. More than that. You killed it! Love love love the choir.

[@alelollipop1903]

Feels like it was released yesterday. Timeless masterpiece

[@jedionboard1233]

This song is 20yrs old,,,, HOW DID THAT HAPPEN,,,, sounds soooooooooooooooo good live,,, this should of been the crimbo number 1 .

[@j.christopher.arrison]

Loving the Darkness-assance we're living through.

[@jpyoungs]

What a band! What a song! What a lovely bit of cheer!

[@きこ-n8y]

Absolutely classic! got emotional😭

[@gooberthoreau]

My daughter sings this song around the house during Christmas season. To her it is no different than all the other seasonal songs as she has grown up with it her whole life.

[@mattjns]

And let her never know of the huge double entendre that this song is. 😂

[@wolfman909]

double entendre? Did I miss something? 😂

[@mattjns]

@@wolfman909 serious?

[@Crashed2023]

Great sound. Especially Rufus on the kit. Amazing all round. Merry Christmas Everybody!

[@sticksman1979]

Best guitar solo in a xmas song to boot!

[@neatspy]

Incredible. Amazing voice.

[@Rocksarum]

The sound of that guitars is superb!!!🎸🎸 Great performance!👏👏👏

[@Claymore5]

Brilliant - the most Christmassy track since the seventies! Bring on The Darkness!

[@barryvercueil2346]

Absolutely love The Darkness 🔥

[@kmgnr]

Ive watched a lot of their recent live footage cant beleive how good they sound.. Come back to Manchester soon.I am/was a massive Slade fan and these boys are as close as you get to the atmosphere of a Slade gig in full flow ...Praise indeed.

[@Samm801]

The biggest Christmas miracle is that both of those LP’s were still in tune at the end! Amazing jobs as always boys

[@pbjam2182]

Well custom shop level gear tends to perform well in every aspect 😅

[@TheTightheadChief]

Saw them live the other day, never seen two guitars go off for tuning that much! They were bloody brilliant mind!

[@xasperations]

Remember reading that Justin's goal was to get the expression "bell end" on the charts. Made me laugh then, raises a smile every time I hear it years later. Funny fucker.

[@manzino11]

Actual music! Actual musicians! An actually written song! We are so lucky to have Justin. Dear ‘Music Industry’, more actual music please. X

[@jamiefoyers2800]

One of the better Xmas songs out there...bit of class...

[@dbg32]

Love how the song sneakily mentions bell ends and ring pieces.

[@anthonyholmes9291]

its actually astounding how he can still hit those high notes

[@Musiklife.9049]

Ahhh have become a real fan of Justin Hawkins over the past year…and The Darkness..Happy Christmas y’all

[@leehall8830]

Superb ! Should have been xmas number 1!

[@AToolyTime]

Love this tune! Justin and the Darkness bringing Christmas joy. ❤

[@magnusindridason8368]

Truely majestic performance

[@Finny14754]

One of the UK’s BEST bands , bloody brilliant. Justin’s YT show is fantastic as well .

[@WITHNAIL66]

Brilliant and LIVE!!! Sounding great guys and girls!!! Well Done

[@54spatula]

I know we’ve got all the old classics like Bing Crosbys ‘White Christmas’ and Lennons ‘Happy Christmas (war is over). But IMO this is the best Christmas song in the last thirty years. It’s seriously that good!!

[@thecinematicmind]

I unanimously agree.

[@chaoticspear]

These boys get better with age unbelievable

[@adiohead]

Love The Darkness. I always go and see them live! Their other Christmas song is great too, 'I am Santa'.

[@garycheesman6821]

I am Santa, the bringer of joy I am Santa, manufacturer and distributor of toys

[@bluemike175]

Criminally underrated band

[@ashvanden]

Real music. High quality

[@SuperDamienV]

Justin Hawkins is such a top bloke.

[@MLBPeacePlanet]

Noooow it's Christmas.......that got me all emotional, been a long and tough year. Cheers guys.

[@EmbedGolf]

One of the best Christmas songs ever scribed!

[@imnotokayipromise5940]

my band tried to cover this at our school's christmas concert a few days ago and oh my GOD, the newfound extra respect i have for justin to be able to sing this so well while playing guitar...😅😅 100% the best christmas song out there i love it so much (and i hope my band did it even HALF the justice it deserves

[@jamesdixon6903]

Brilliant performance

[@silver87142]

Ahhh glorious!

[@patrickmoraras]

Super great song. I liked it from the first listening

[@carlosmauricio6493]

Great band! Great sound! Justin is one of the most underrated artists today

[@westernsellers9148]

My favorite Christmas song

[@matthewwalker8521]

This band is so underrated, they’re truly amazing . 🤟

[@LiamGaughan]

still in the original key as well, sick

[@KyleLeeman]

The renascence of The Darkness is the best part of 2023

[@paullawson8610]

Justin has still got it

[@frankmenke125]

Happy and peaceful Christmas for everyone. Thank you for the great song.

[@jorgearriagadasanchez]

amazing sound, amazing band! What a voice Justin!

[@nealm6764]

Oh, that is great!!!! The song is like a warm Christmas morning blanket! Good stuff! Thank you!

[@TonyField]

Proper band. Brilliant

[@Graemie123]

That tone though ! Still my favourite Christmas song. Saw these lads a few weeks ago and holy shit what a show they put on 💙

[@vicobaptista]

Been supporting the band since Permission To Land. Boy, are we getting freaking old! 🤘🏻🎄🎅🏼

[@pf100andahalf]

This is by far the best version of this song.

[@MetalmcBiff]

The chorus at 2:59 gives me goosebumps all over. Justin tends to add a bit of distortion to his voice when singing high notes live now, which sounds great, but the absolute _clarity_ and _power_ with which he belts out the final "Christmas Time" is out of this world. The vibrato, the timbre, the... *everything!* Look at him. He knows he nailed it.

[@JohnField]

He said in an interview they still love this song, but in hindsite would have written it slightly lower for the long run hah

[@SteveBaerThatsMe]

Aside from this being an epic performance, the finish on Justin's guitar is incredible.

[@barrycoomer8137]

Superb band. So good live. Great rendition of a classic Christmas song. Nice one guys. 👏👏👏👏👍👍👍👍🤙🤙🤙

[@markynobody8984]

This guitar riff......is like a Queen song......somebody to love....

[@snoozieboi]

I am pretty sure he said so in his youtube-channel any band has to combine at least two sounds to not be a copycat. I am pretty sure he said, and it's obvious, The Darkness is Queen mixed with ... something harder, I don't remember. Did a quick google and found "The darkness is a mix of Queen as a straight band and AC/DC as a gay band". That is... kinda funny.

[@savo456]

Roger Taylor's son on the drums as well

[@natpicking]

The choir was absolute 🔥🙌🏻

[@moreheff]

What a song, what a band and what a brilliant performance.

[@mariaevaotero949]

Beautiful! Merry Christmas everywhere! This world needs Peace and Love ❤ Greetings from Argentina!

[@tb_muscle6352]

His voice - Live. tremendous

[@ant16rst]

Bloody awesome! I love this band so much!!

[@malcolmcog]

Best Christmas song ever !!!

[@ryanwalsh133]

Amazing performance! What a band.

[@emilym1280]

Takes me back to my childhood! One of m most favourite Christmas songs, Justin is amazing. I must say though, with the dark hair he reminds me of the actor Ralph Little 😂