A Few More of My Favorite Christmas Songs
1. “Christmas Wrapping” -- The Waitresses. Another Christmas song for the single folk. Especially for the non-church-going, non-present-buying single folk. As well as those of us who see Christmas not so much as a religious holiday or a celebration of materialism as simply an excuse to get together with either loved ones or potential loved ones. Besides, the lead singer's voice is kinda sweet and I love those opening jingle bells.
2. “Feliz Navidad” -- Jose Feliciano. Latino corn, but I like it. Even though they do tend to play it way too often on the radio.
3. “Grandma Got Run over by a Reindeer” -- Elmo and Patsy. My generation's answer to “White Christmas.” No, seriously. Just as “White Christmas” seems to be the one Christmas song every American in my father's generation knew by heart, “Grandma Got Run by a Reindeer” seems to be the one Christmas song every member of my generation can sing. Which is a scary thought when you think about it.
4. “Happy Xmas (War Is Over)” -- John Lennon. My sister used to cry every time they played this song on the radio back in 1980 -- the year John Lennon was shot and killed. Which is a shame because I would rather have only happy memories to associate with this song. But I don't. And since it is an anti-war song thinly disguised as a Christmas song, that's probably just as well.
5. “It's So Chic to Be Pregnant at Christmas” -- Nancy White. This song is not meant to be a slap at the Virgin Mary but rather a bouncy reminder by Canadian singer Nancy White that the winter holiday season is not always as family-friendly as we'd like to think. Especially when pregnant women are involved. Consider it if you will a sequel to “Christmas Wrapping.” (And wouldn't a conversation between the protagonists of those two tunes be interesting?)
6. “Mr. Grinch” -- The Whirling Dervishes. I always had a weakness for the theme song for How the Grinch Stole Christmas. And this very easily is the best cover version of it that I've heard thus far.
7. “Rockin' Little Christmas” -- Carlene Carter. Interestingly enough, a country song which apparently celebrates religion and family life. Apparently, “rockin'” has a different meaning in Carlene Carter country.
8. “Rockin' Little Christmas” -- Deborah Allen. Not to be confused with the Carlene Carter song of the same name. Not quite as family-friendly as the Carlene Carter tune, but just as fun. I've always loved the instrumental version of “Auld Lang Syne” that begins the tune and Ms. Allen's bouncy singing is a hoot. If David E. Kelly had a favorite country Christmas song, it would probably be this one.
9. “Rudolph the Manic Reindeer” -- Los Lobos. A Tejano version--or at least pseudo-Tejano version (Los Lobos is, after all, a Californian group) -- of the traditional Christmas song about a red-nosed reindeer. Quite fun to listen to but way too short.
10. “Talkin' Christmas Goodwill Blues” -- John Wesley Harding. One of the few -- very few -- tunes to give a shoutout to those of us who work Christmas shifts. It's about time we got recognized.
1. “Christmas Wrapping” -- The Waitresses. Another Christmas song for the single folk. Especially for the non-church-going, non-present-buying single folk. As well as those of us who see Christmas not so much as a religious holiday or a celebration of materialism as simply an excuse to get together with either loved ones or potential loved ones. Besides, the lead singer's voice is kinda sweet and I love those opening jingle bells.
2. “Feliz Navidad” -- Jose Feliciano. Latino corn, but I like it. Even though they do tend to play it way too often on the radio.
3. “Grandma Got Run over by a Reindeer” -- Elmo and Patsy. My generation's answer to “White Christmas.” No, seriously. Just as “White Christmas” seems to be the one Christmas song every American in my father's generation knew by heart, “Grandma Got Run by a Reindeer” seems to be the one Christmas song every member of my generation can sing. Which is a scary thought when you think about it.
4. “Happy Xmas (War Is Over)” -- John Lennon. My sister used to cry every time they played this song on the radio back in 1980 -- the year John Lennon was shot and killed. Which is a shame because I would rather have only happy memories to associate with this song. But I don't. And since it is an anti-war song thinly disguised as a Christmas song, that's probably just as well.
5. “It's So Chic to Be Pregnant at Christmas” -- Nancy White. This song is not meant to be a slap at the Virgin Mary but rather a bouncy reminder by Canadian singer Nancy White that the winter holiday season is not always as family-friendly as we'd like to think. Especially when pregnant women are involved. Consider it if you will a sequel to “Christmas Wrapping.” (And wouldn't a conversation between the protagonists of those two tunes be interesting?)
6. “Mr. Grinch” -- The Whirling Dervishes. I always had a weakness for the theme song for How the Grinch Stole Christmas. And this very easily is the best cover version of it that I've heard thus far.
7. “Rockin' Little Christmas” -- Carlene Carter. Interestingly enough, a country song which apparently celebrates religion and family life. Apparently, “rockin'” has a different meaning in Carlene Carter country.
8. “Rockin' Little Christmas” -- Deborah Allen. Not to be confused with the Carlene Carter song of the same name. Not quite as family-friendly as the Carlene Carter tune, but just as fun. I've always loved the instrumental version of “Auld Lang Syne” that begins the tune and Ms. Allen's bouncy singing is a hoot. If David E. Kelly had a favorite country Christmas song, it would probably be this one.
9. “Rudolph the Manic Reindeer” -- Los Lobos. A Tejano version--or at least pseudo-Tejano version (Los Lobos is, after all, a Californian group) -- of the traditional Christmas song about a red-nosed reindeer. Quite fun to listen to but way too short.
10. “Talkin' Christmas Goodwill Blues” -- John Wesley Harding. One of the few -- very few -- tunes to give a shoutout to those of us who work Christmas shifts. It's about time we got recognized.
posted by Tonio Kruger at 3:39 PM
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