So now that the songs I hate have been playing in my head for a few days, it's time to replace them with a list of the Christmas songs I really love. The ones I never get tired of hearing, usually because they don't get played once an hour LIKE THAT FRAKKING DO THEY KNOW IT'S CHRISTMAS, IF I HEAR THAT ONE MORE TIME....
Sorry. Chocolate break. Better now.
Here's the list of favorites, in no particular order, with my reasoning for their awesomeness. Check them out, maybe you'll find a new favorite too.
"Welcome Christmas" - the Who song from "How the Grinch Stole Christmas." (The cartoon, not the Jim Carrey monstrosity.) A sweet song of beautiful harmonies and a Christmassy message. Check out the Glee version from last year's Christmas episode, they do a great arrangement.
Also from "Grinch" - "You're a Mean One Mr. Grinch." How could anyone not love a song with lyrics like "Your heart is full of unwashed socks, your soul is full of gunk Mr. Grinch." Plus, it's sung by Thurl Ravenscroft, who was also the voice of Tony the Tiger.
"What Can You Get a Wookiee for Christmas (When He Already Owns a Comb)" - off the Star Wars Christmas album "Christmas In the Stars" - not to be confused with the Star Wars Holiday Special. The whole album is cheesy Star Wars goodness, but this is the best track, in my opinion. The album is also notable for lead vocals on several songs by a teenaged Jon Bon Jovi. (He's really, really bad.)
"The 12 Days of Christmas" by Straight No Chaser. The one exception to the "nobody should ever sing this song" rule. It's funny, it's short, and the last verse is to the tune of "Africa" by Toto. If you've never seen the video, look it up on You Tube, it's fantastic.
"God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen/We Three Kings" by The Barenaked Ladies with Sarah McLachlan. A jazzy, bouncy arrangement with wonderful harmonies. Impossible not to dance around like a lunatic when you hear it (unless, of course, you're in the car.)
"Carol of the Bells" by Mr. Mackey from the South Park Christmas album. This whole album is gold (as long as you're not easily offended) but I picked this one because a) I love any version of "Carol of the Bells" and b) it's the only song on the album you can listen to with kids in the car/room.
"Christmastime Is Here" from the Charlie Brown Christmas special. Instant nostalgia - nothing takes you back to childhood like A Charlie Brown Christmas. For something a bit different, check out Afro Blue's super-jazzy a cappella arrangement.
"Snoopy's Christmas" by The Royal Guardsmen. A strange little song from 1967 about Snoopy and the Red Baron and a World War I Christmas truce. I first heard this song as a child in the '70s, and it just mesmerized me. It gets very little radio play, which is too bad, because I could listen to it over and over.
Honorable mention: "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer" - a controversial pick, since I know there is VIOLENT hatred for this song. I think it's hilarious. I first heard it in junior high, and it still appeals to that junior high sense of humor buried deep down. I can't say I NEVER get tired of it, but I can handle about four or five repetitions through December. But only if I'm somewhere I can sing along at the top of my lungs.
I see we like and dislike some of the same x-mas music. That version of God Rest Ye Merry Gentle Men/ We Three Kings is awesome (The entire album by BNL is great) and Christmas Is Here is another favorite.
ReplyDeleteThe Same Old Lang Zyne is HORRIBEL, it's like someone trying to sing a story...a story no one wants to hear.