Spanning decades & genres, you know you couldn't hear 'em all! Besides, a little "Jingle Bells" and that Mariah song go an awfully long way! Holiday songs don't have to be overbearing and monotonous!
Sadly, more prescient today than on its first release! It's been a while since I've heard that, and I don't recall seeing the video! Again, my age prompts me to mention (and the vid reminds me) that I remember the Friday noon neighborhood air raid siren blaring, and our regular school drills to practice desk-diving in elementary school (I was in 2nd grade in 1962, and in too-close-to-Cuba-to-risk-it Houston)! Thank goodness we had those nuke-proof wood'n'metal desks under which to dive! What made me feel secure then now just makes me shudder! We'd never say this to Putin, but I gratefully point this in your direction....."thanks for dropping this"!!😉
Always happy to introduce new-to-you music to folks! Thanks, Chris! Well....looks like you're fairly well deep into the FRONT ROW & BACKSTAGE rabbit hole! Good on ya! There be links galore, ARRR!, in each one, matey! If you're not up for air shortly, we'll send a search party! Enjoy!🎼🎵
Thanks, Hugh! Through the years, as well as collecting songs about radio (I made a mixtape in the '80s with a bunch of 'em!), I enjoyed collecting Christmas singles and albums, and of course, many of the oddball C-mas issues....that's a lot of what informed this list, as well as searching for new ones!
Heh. You didn't even mention the good ones, such as Ronnie James Dio's metal version of "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" or the classic "Chipmunks Roasting on an Open Fire"...
That would be a nifty niche list, and, I'm guessing rather entertaining. Makes me think (and, I'm aware of a few) that most every genre, and even sub-genre, has quite a few examples of Christmas recordings....some "serious" and some bordering on parody.
Thanks, Pe! As I put that one out a year or two ago, I knew that might be a post you missed, being more or less a newbie! Got a handful of past C-mas posts I'll be sharing on Notes in the coming days! Stay tuned!
Had the Steeleye Span albums at the time, and as a high schooler, things like "Gaudete" were certainly new to me! And, with a lot of the similarly-"medieval" Tull output at the time (which I was all over and loving), I was getting a cultural/history lesson along with my musical enrichment! Span and Tull were both distributed by Warner Bros (U.S.), and, as that was the label most frequently brought home by Dad from the radio station (in the form of promos), I was a blessed lad, indeed!
"Tunes"? Plural? There was even ONE Rob Halford Holiday tune? No, don't have one of those, but I do have a Halford story (involving a friend of mine in the '70s) that won't be finding its way onto these pages. Can I coerce you into a Tune Tag by telling you the story when you send me your first song? Just e-mail it to me, and I'll send you that story (remind me), some brief info, and my connecting song! Can't be bribed? That's cool, too!
Like Patrick, I also worked retail during the holidays as a young person and the trauma is still real. Though I had a period of collecting kitschy Holiday albums. My favorite being Jim Nabors Christmas Album. Too tired to find a link to share....
I'm not a Christmas music hater, but I don't understand how people can listen to it from October to December. Christmas Eve and Day are plenty for me. Honestly, I think working retail for several years in my 20's ruined a lot of xmas music for me. However, in recent years, A Very Spidey Christmas has played in the background at my house when we open presents!
Maybe time sweetens all memories, but the holidays were my favorite time to work in retail. I absolutely could've done without some of the music, but still...
I didn't realize Jim did the Shatner duet! I actually had that Ramones track on this Playlist a year ago! I updated and souped-up the article and Playlist for this year, just 'cause, and The Ramones one (and several others) lost out to other songs newly-remembered! Hope you dig my Ig meeting piece! He was something.
Brad, don't forget about Weird Al's "Christmas At Ground Zero!"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t039p6xqutU
Sadly, more prescient today than on its first release! It's been a while since I've heard that, and I don't recall seeing the video! Again, my age prompts me to mention (and the vid reminds me) that I remember the Friday noon neighborhood air raid siren blaring, and our regular school drills to practice desk-diving in elementary school (I was in 2nd grade in 1962, and in too-close-to-Cuba-to-risk-it Houston)! Thank goodness we had those nuke-proof wood'n'metal desks under which to dive! What made me feel secure then now just makes me shudder! We'd never say this to Putin, but I gratefully point this in your direction....."thanks for dropping this"!!😉
<3
Brad, I mentioned 1962 a lot today! https://goatfury.substack.com/p/the-other-things
Brilliant. A few I need to add to massive (almost 3 hours) holiday playlist. Thank you
Always happy to introduce new-to-you music to folks! Thanks, Chris! Well....looks like you're fairly well deep into the FRONT ROW & BACKSTAGE rabbit hole! Good on ya! There be links galore, ARRR!, in each one, matey! If you're not up for air shortly, we'll send a search party! Enjoy!🎼🎵
I’m a big deep dive guy. And if it involves music - please don’t rescue!
Great list!
Thanks, Hugh! Through the years, as well as collecting songs about radio (I made a mixtape in the '80s with a bunch of 'em!), I enjoyed collecting Christmas singles and albums, and of course, many of the oddball C-mas issues....that's a lot of what informed this list, as well as searching for new ones!
Heh. You didn't even mention the good ones, such as Ronnie James Dio's metal version of "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" or the classic "Chipmunks Roasting on an Open Fire"...
Oh, those are good’uns, alright, Ken, but there’s only so much room! I might take a stab at a Part 2, and we’ll see where they land! Thanks!
There are other heavy metal versions of Christmas songs out there, but the Dio one I mentioned is my absolute favorite.
That would be a nifty niche list, and, I'm guessing rather entertaining. Makes me think (and, I'm aware of a few) that most every genre, and even sub-genre, has quite a few examples of Christmas recordings....some "serious" and some bordering on parody.
When you get to that heavy metal list, don't forget Spinal Tap's "Christmas With The Devil"!
And, somebody must've recorded the dyslexic's nightmare: "Satan Claus is Coming to Town"!
Great list. Go Iggy.
Thanks, Bob! Much appreciated! Ig’s the man!
Some surprises indeed. "Gaudette" for instance. Great song !
Thanks, Pe! As I put that one out a year or two ago, I knew that might be a post you missed, being more or less a newbie! Got a handful of past C-mas posts I'll be sharing on Notes in the coming days! Stay tuned!
Had the Steeleye Span albums at the time, and as a high schooler, things like "Gaudete" were certainly new to me! And, with a lot of the similarly-"medieval" Tull output at the time (which I was all over and loving), I was getting a cultural/history lesson along with my musical enrichment! Span and Tull were both distributed by Warner Bros (U.S.), and, as that was the label most frequently brought home by Dad from the radio station (in the form of promos), I was a blessed lad, indeed!
Hmmmm, no Rob Halford Holiday tunes?
"Tunes"? Plural? There was even ONE Rob Halford Holiday tune? No, don't have one of those, but I do have a Halford story (involving a friend of mine in the '70s) that won't be finding its way onto these pages. Can I coerce you into a Tune Tag by telling you the story when you send me your first song? Just e-mail it to me, and I'll send you that story (remind me), some brief info, and my connecting song! Can't be bribed? That's cool, too!
Rob halford, celestial. Christmas carols for the not of faint of heart.
And to make sure I have the rules correct, I start with any song?
Yep. Any song, any era, any artist, any genre. I'll have to check out that Halford song. I await your song via e-mail! And, thanks!
Very honored to be asked to play along.
Happy to baptize a newbie......also, happy to have you partake in the mighty TT!😁
Like Patrick, I also worked retail during the holidays as a young person and the trauma is still real. Though I had a period of collecting kitschy Holiday albums. My favorite being Jim Nabors Christmas Album. Too tired to find a link to share....
I'm not a Christmas music hater, but I don't understand how people can listen to it from October to December. Christmas Eve and Day are plenty for me. Honestly, I think working retail for several years in my 20's ruined a lot of xmas music for me. However, in recent years, A Very Spidey Christmas has played in the background at my house when we open presents!
Maybe time sweetens all memories, but the holidays were my favorite time to work in retail. I absolutely could've done without some of the music, but still...
A "Very Spidey Christmas"? I looked for it in-store last week, but no luck. Guess I can find it on the...................uh, web.🕸
I didn't realize Jim did the Shatner duet! I actually had that Ramones track on this Playlist a year ago! I updated and souped-up the article and Playlist for this year, just 'cause, and The Ramones one (and several others) lost out to other songs newly-remembered! Hope you dig my Ig meeting piece! He was something.
Be sure to catch my Ramones piece, as well, if you haven't: https://bradkyle.substack.com/p/keyless-entry-my-night-in-the-ramones
And The Dead Boys: https://bradkyle.substack.com/p/unearthing-the-dead-boys-young-loud
And, bunches of others! Root around, and thanks for dropping by, Nat! Feel free to stay awhile!