tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13930960.post113389260507293409..comments2023-11-05T02:42:05.343-05:00Comments on Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Nachos: Rockin' Around the Christmas TreeStudiodavehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16784469805972410740noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13930960.post-1134137375015274302005-12-09T09:09:00.000-05:002005-12-09T09:09:00.000-05:00I can't believe I forgot to mention Slade's "Merry...I can't believe I forgot to mention Slade's "Merry Xmas Everybody". Even more unbelievable is that Dan Smith didn't include it in his list.pebhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01434129386507788121noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13930960.post-1133982922310900352005-12-07T14:15:00.000-05:002005-12-07T14:15:00.000-05:00Nice list, Dan. I'd forgotten about that AC/DC cl...Nice list, Dan. I'd forgotten about that AC/DC classic.Otto Manhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14051682366565874144noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13930960.post-1133980287044508812005-12-07T13:31:00.000-05:002005-12-07T13:31:00.000-05:00In the spirit of the 12 days of Christmas…12. Jose...In the spirit of the 12 days of Christmas…<BR/><BR/>12. <B>Jose Felciano - Feliz Navidad</B> My son has the book and I discovered the Spanish says Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. The English only says Merry Christmas. I hate gringos too, Jose.<BR/><BR/>11. <B>AC/DC - Mistress for Christmas</B> I ask for this every year, but let’s face it Brian Johnson is no Bon Scott.<BR/><BR/>10. <B>Christmas Regrooved album</B> Electronic Christmas music. I think my wife might let me play this at our Christmas party. That’s worth a top 10 slot.<BR/><BR/>9. <B>Waitresses – Christmas Wrapping</B> This makes me want to go to the mall in leg warmers and do my shopping.<BR/><BR/>8. <B> Beach Boys - Little St. Nick</B> The harmonies on the chorus of “Run, run reindeer” are classic Beach Boys (that’s good).<BR/><BR/>7. <B>Run DMC – Christmas in Hollis</B> My parents took us to see the Christmas show at Radio City Music Hall one year. I guess collard greens w/ Rev Run would have been too much to ask for. <BR/><BR/>6. <B>Plastic Ono Band - Happy Xmas</B> Only John Lennon’s beautiful voice could make me feel good about the lyrics “So this is Christmas, and what have you done.” John Lydon would get punched in the face for saying stuff like that.<BR/><BR/>5. <B>Elvis’ Christmas album</B> An excellent mix of secular and religious songs that my mom took from me for her own personal collection. At least she still lets me listen to it when I visit.<BR/><BR/>4. <B>Bowie and Bing - Peace On Earth/Little Drummer Boy</B> Spy magazine explained perfectly how this captured the spirit of Christmas, but that was a long time ago and my memory is fuzzy. I’m not sure if this still holds true, but I bought the CD single a few years ago and it included the original video from Bing’s holiday special. <BR/><BR/>3. <B>Band Aid – Feed the World</B> This gets bonus points b/c Bob Geldof continues to try and help feed the world. The chorus w/ all those voices still makes me feel like it can happen.<BR/><BR/>2. <B>The Who – Christmas</B> This captures both the childlike wonder of Christmas (“Did you you ever see the faces of the children they get so excited”), and the philosophical questions Christianity raises (“Tommy doesn’t know what day it is….How can he be saved?”). Those rock operas really try and make you think, yet still put a smile on your face.<BR/><BR/>1. <B>Kinks – Father Christmas</B> Unless you get Steve Vai’s Merry Axemas album, you not going to get any better riffs on a Christmas song. Plus feuding brothers really seems like Christmas time to me.Dan Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17087033026055389736noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13930960.post-1133980079859679902005-12-07T13:27:00.000-05:002005-12-07T13:27:00.000-05:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Dan Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17087033026055389736noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13930960.post-1133932688334714962005-12-07T00:18:00.000-05:002005-12-07T00:18:00.000-05:00I'm on the lookout for even more renditions.iTunes...<I>I'm on the lookout for even more renditions.</I><BR/><BR/>iTunes has a ton of versions. Good ones include Ella Fitzgerald and Lou Rawls. Not so good ones include .38 Special.<BR/><BR/>Yes, you read that correctly. .38 Special sings "O Holy Night."Otto Manhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14051682366565874144noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13930960.post-1133929695240570852005-12-06T23:28:00.000-05:002005-12-06T23:28:00.000-05:0010. Silent Night - Stevie NicksI can actually sing...10. <B>Silent Night</B> - Stevie Nicks<BR/>I can actually sing along!<BR/>9. <B>What Child Is This</B><BR/>8. <B>Nutcracker</B><BR/>It hurts to watch, but I like to listen.<BR/><BR/>7. <B>Mama Bake A Johnny Cake, Christmas Coming</B><BR/>Caribbean tune. Mr. Walken had it right--we all need more cowbell!<BR/>6. <B>Do They Know It's Christmas?</B> - Band-Aid<BR/><BR/>5. <B>Ave Maria</B> - Celine Dion<BR/>4. <B>O Holy Night</B> - Celine Dion<BR/>3. <B>O Holy Night</B> - Mormon Tabernacle Choir<BR/>2. <B>Ave Maria</B> - Leontyne Price<BR/>1. <B>O Holy Night</B> - Leontyne Price<BR/><BR/>That would be the Ave Maria by Schubert, which would also make a Favorite Wedding Songs list (which we probably won't see here). Mariah Carey's O Holy Night might work its way in here, but I haven't heard it yet. And I'm on the lookout for even more renditions.Mrs_Thrillhoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05096991615655101515noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13930960.post-1133916192375967012005-12-06T19:43:00.000-05:002005-12-06T19:43:00.000-05:00I very much disagree with the lump of coal given t...I very much disagree with the lump of coal given to the Kink's "Father Christmas". That is a holiday classic around my house. But I won't disagree too much since Mr. Furious appreciates the greatness of Billy Squier.<BR/><BR/>Staying in the classic rock vein, I'd offer the Plastic Ono Band's "Happy Xmas (War is Over)". Moving further from Otto's original theme, check out "Evil Santa" by National Lampoon (I don't know which album though) with Bill Murray as Santa and Gilda Radner as a little girl. It's as funny as it sounds.pebhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01434129386507788121noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13930960.post-1133908130411562762005-12-06T17:28:00.000-05:002005-12-06T17:28:00.000-05:00The Santa on that album cover is starting to freak...The Santa on that album cover is starting to freak me out. Those eyes are a little <I>too</I> all seeing, if you know what I mean. I can't tell if he's listening to enemy troop movements, having an acid trip, or quite possibly both.Otto Manhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14051682366565874144noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13930960.post-1133906743898824072005-12-06T17:05:00.000-05:002005-12-06T17:05:00.000-05:00Oh, Squier will be the first one bumped when I hea...Oh, Squier will be the first one bumped when I hear something better. There are several songs that haven't occured to me yet, simply because I haven't heard them yet this year.<BR/><BR/>I'll never <I>completely</I> dismiss Squier, however, as he (opening for Queen) was the first live concert I ever attended.Mr Furioushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03781439243585972721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13930960.post-1133902143354452082005-12-06T15:49:00.000-05:002005-12-06T15:49:00.000-05:00Nice call on the Rufus Thomas. And on Pat Benatar...Nice call on the Rufus Thomas. And on Pat Benatar's hotness, we are agreed.<BR/><BR/>I can't go with you on the Billy Squier, though. Ever since I saw an old video of his, in which he dances like a 6-year-old girl with skips and arm waving involved, I just can't listen to him. At all.Otto Manhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14051682366565874144noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13930960.post-1133897872434999362005-12-06T14:37:00.000-05:002005-12-06T14:37:00.000-05:00Carryovers from Otto Man's:10. Vince Guaraldi Trio...Carryovers from Otto Man's:<BR/><BR/><B>10. Vince Guaraldi Trio </B> I'll see your "Christmas Time" and raise you "Linus and Lucy" and "Skating"<BR/><BR/><B>9. Burl Ives, "A Holly Jolly Christmas" </B> I actually joked to my wife we should name our first son "Burl" last night. The best part about Burl Ives is, in my head I picture the stop-motion animated version, not the real guy.<BR/><BR/><B>8. (tie) Bing Crosby and David Bowie "Little Drummer Boy" </B>Classic.<BR/><BR/>There is <A HREF="http://www.wnic.com/main.html" REL="nofollow">a R&B radio station</A> in Detroit that started playing all Christmas music <I>the day after Halloween</I>. My list will be heavily influenced by their playlist since we listened as we decorated our tree last night, and I have a lot of 'em fresh in my mind.<BR/><BR/>I'll go with the following additions (in no particular order):<BR/><BR/><B>8 (tie) Bob Seger "Little Drummer Boy" </B>I reallly think this is a strong version of this song, actually kicking ass over the Bing/Bowie version except for the nostalgia factor.<BR/><BR/><B>7. Bruce Springsteen "Santa Claus is Coming to town" </B>I'm actually not a big Springsteen guy, but you can reallly hear the guys in the band having a good time with this one.<BR/><BR/><B>6. Rufus Thomas "<A HREF="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000002TQC/ref=pd_sbs_m_1/103-3021949-9440639?v=glance&s=music" REL="nofollow">I'll Be Your Santa Baby</A>" </B>Another totally sexed-up 70s R&B/funk tune. Heard it on the radio a few years back and grabbed the mix CD at the link.<BR/><BR/><B>5. Billy Squier "Christmas Is The Time To Say I Love You" </B>Too "rock" for WNIC, but I used to really enjoy this one back in Connecticut.<BR/><BR/><B>4. Bob & Doug McKenzie "Twelve Days Of Christmas" </B>The quickest way to feel twelve again...<BR/><BR/><B>3. Pat Benatar "Please Come Home For Christmas"</B> Benatar crosses over and handles this stuff well. Plus, I thought she was totally hot when I was a kid.<BR/><BR/><B>2. Band Aid "Do They Know It's Christmas"</B> Waaay better than "We Are the World."<BR/><BR/><B>1. "O Holy Night" </B>A big song in our house. Celene Dion (shudder) might have the best version, but Stevie Wonder, Josh Groban and others all have good ones. My wife loves this song so much she <I>seriously</I> wants it played at her funeral. <BR/><BR/>Can I get odds on Thrilhous picking Greg Lake - "I Believe in Father Christmas"?<BR/><BR/>My three-year old's (for the moment) favorite? Gayla Peevy "The Hippo Song"<BR/><BR/><B>Lump of Coal category:</B><BR/><BR/>Father Christmas - The Kinks<BR/>Any Mannheim Steaming-roller<BR/>ChipmunksMr Furioushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03781439243585972721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13930960.post-1133897745026258572005-12-06T14:35:00.000-05:002005-12-06T14:35:00.000-05:00This is easy, except that mine's a whole album. Th...This is easy, except that mine's a whole album. There's at least ten tracks on the album tho, so I think it's prolly alright: John Denver and the Muppets: A Christmas Together. It is the BOMB. http://tinyurl.com/b7ucpORFhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05889154291548101387noreply@blogger.com