This Christmas, a new piece of in-store theatre from Spar, named SPARaoke is aiming to put a spotlight on the unsung heroes of our communities.
However, it comes with the help of festive icon and writer of one of the best known seasonal hits of all time, Roy Wood.
Having got to number two in the charts in 1973 (behind Slade’s own Christmas offering, no less) with I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day and his band Wizzard, the rocker is now asking community shoppers to grab a mic and win.
Speaking exclusively to Convenience Store, Roy said he still has warm feelings about the song even after all these years. “It’s amazing to think I created a piece of art, and I see it on compilations alongside the likes of Bing Crosby all those years after making it. It means something to people.”
But does Roy ever get annoyed at this time of year, hearing his own music everywhere? “Sometimes it annoys me, ha! I don’t play my old stuff at home though, unless I’m writing something new and I need to do my homework,” he says.
The idea behind the Spar campaign is to make sure shoppers don’t forget their Christmas essentials, like bin bags and tin foil. It’s the UK’s first convenience store karaoke, where shoppers are encouraged to sing along to Roy’s iconic Christmas song and win their shopping for free - and also be in with the chance to win their Christmas lunch for free.
While karaoke is perhaps something better suited to late nights and drunken parties, Roy says he has no fears about what people might do to his beloved tune. “This Spar idea really appealed to me. I think it’s I think it’s going to be good. I’m not worried about anyone slaughtering the song or anything - I’m used to that, it’s all right.
“If the song comes on the radio, it just reminds me of what a great time we had when we recorded it. And I think it still sounds alright now. Really, it still sounds good…”
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