Tina Arena - The Things We Do For Love

39 DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS!!

While England basks in the sentimental journey of Monty the Penguin (the John Lewis Christmas ad, ably soundtracked by Tom Odell), on the other side of the world equally magical campaigns are being conjured up to delight the masses with their whimsical wiles. You'll either adore this type of commercial or not, but if - like me - you open yourself up the spirit of the season then there is a lot to fall in love with on the David Jones store festive campaign. Christmas down under (does that make the UK up over?) yields even less chance of snow and winter wonderlands than most countries what with it being in the height of Antipodean summer - yet that doesn't stop children and adults alike yearning for the traditional scenes from holiday cards and seasonal movies. That's the general idea behind the David Jones clip which sees a young fella me lad pining for a chimney for Jolly Ol' Saint Nick to pop down on the most wondrous night of the year - and what can happen when your loved ones will move heaven and earth (boxes/sticky back tape) to make your dreams come true. It is of course a clip that is beautifully accompanied by a delightful ballad rendition of The Things We Do For Love by national treasure Tina Arena. Set to a lovely lilting lullaby of a piano instrumental, each note feels like a delicately falling snowflake as Tina imbues the enduring lyrics at first with a wistful pathos and then with a yearning optimism that indeed reminds that when love is put into action anything is possible. The middle 8 adds a dramatic emphasis to the stirring track and Tina adds some angelic cooing that is the aural realisation of the childlike wonder that is inherent in the song - and is something we could all do with holding onto all year round. It's a beautiful reinvention of the song that does have an elegiac vibe to it yet focuses on the optimistic with nuanced vocals and a nurturing piano riff. Plus proceeds from the track go to Breast Cancer charity so you're doing a little extra with your holiday soundtrack - and that can only be a good thing...

Ghosts of Christmas past:

• 16th November 2013 ~ Omar Afuni, Spirit of Christmas
• 16th November 2009 ~ Pet Shop Boys, Christmas EP
• 16th November 2009 ~ A Fine Frenzy, Oh Blue Christmas