Essential Advent Calendar: Matt Hurray – ‘Feliz Navidad’

We recently wrote about Matt Hurray’s new album, ‘Unnecessary Commentary’. Now we open the 10th door on our Essential Advent Calendar and find Matt behind it, with his surf-rock take on the José Feliciano classic, ‘Feliz Navidad’.

We don’t know about you, but ‘Feliz Navidad’ is one of those songs that earworms as soon as the very first note is heard. You only have to say the word, ‘Feliz’ and we’re off. Annoying as that track constantly playing in your head might become, it is certainly one of those songs which defines Christmas, and when we saw that Matt Hurray had recorded a surf-rock version of it, we knew it HAD to be made a part of our Essential Advent Calendar.

The track has everything you remember about the original, only without the lyrics, but we’re sure your brain will pop them back in regardless. It’s all about the steel strings and real rockabilly, old skool rock’n’roll sound (think of a blend between The Shadows, Eddie Cochran, and The Surfaris), and it’s guaranteed to have you hitting repeat all Christmas.

‘Feliz Navidad’, by Matt Hurray, is available from his website, as well as iTunes, and CD Baby. You can also stream it on Spotify. Find out more about Matt Hurray from his official website, Twitter, and Facebook.

About the author

Lisa has been writing for over 20 years, starting as the entertainment editor on her university newspaper. Since then she's written for Popwrapped, Maximum Pop, Celebmix, and ListenOnRepeat.

Lisa loves all good music, with particular fondness for Jedward and David Bowie. She's interviewed Edward Grimes (Jedward), Kevin Godley, Trevor Horn, Paul Young, Peter Cox (Go West), Brendan B Brown (Wheatus), Bruce Foxton (The Jam), among many many more. Lisa is also available for freelance writing - please email lisa@essentiallypop.com

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