Ronan Keating records Southern Hemisphere version of Christmas hit

EVERY year, we sing irrelevant Christmas songs about winter. Ronan Keating has recorded a hilarious southern hemisphere version of a festive classic.

EVERY year, we sing irrelevant Christmas songs filled with references to snow, sleigh bells and winter.

Ronan Keating has just turned that on its head, recording a Southern Hemisphere special for Air New Zealand. The Irish singer appears in the airline’s latest advertisement alongside rising Kiwi talent Julian Dennison, who appeared in the recent film Hunt for the Wilderpeople. In the video, Dennison plays Keating’s picky music producer as they record a new version of the 1958 classic Winter Wonderland. Keating barely gets past the opening line before Dennison squeals through the intercom, asking for changes to suit a warmer festive season. “Sleigh bells ring, are you listening, in the lane, snow is glistening,” Ronan croons. “I’m gonna stop you there,” interrupts Julian. “It doesn’t really snow down here at Christmas, so let’s go with ‘your bro is glistening’ because a lot of people get sweaty down here. It’s really sunny.” Keating makes a note on his lyrics, and starts again. “Gone away, is the bluebird,” Keating croons. “It’s more like a greeny-brown bird,” Dennison points out. “And I’m also thinking jandals.” Eventually, it becomes too much, and Keating storms out in a huff. Dennison walks out to try and make amends, and together they rewrite the song. “Sleigh bells ring, are you listening, sunburn sting ...” Keating begins. “ ... Ice blocks glistening,” continues Dennison. “A beautiful sight ...” “ ... Of barbies alight.” “Strolling through a summer wonderland,” Keating sings. Of course no summer song would be complete without references to Pavlova, pineapples on ham, backyard cricket, distant rellies, and mozzie spray. The result hilarious.