Christmas Song of the Week: "Father Christmas"

It took me a long time to appreciate this song. On one hand, it's one of the most cynical Christmas song ever recorded; on the other, it has a genuinely idealistic message that lacks the self-congratulation that mars similar efforts like "We Are the World" and "Do They Know It's Christmas?" Of course, YMMV but I would like to think the song is still worth listening to if only for the last few lines.

Christmas Song of the Week: "I Want a Hippotamus for Christmas"

An updated version of a classic Christmas novelty song.

Christmas Song of the Week: "Last Christmas"

This week I post yet another selection from our good friends at Postmodern Jukebox. And this time it's a Christmas song. With tap dancing. Yay!

Christmas Song of the Week: "You're A Mean One, Mr. Grinch"

Violinist Lindsey Stirling and singer Sabrina Carpenter fiddle around with a classic Christmas song.

Christmas Song of the Week: "Mr. Heat Miser"

This week I post one of my favorite versions of an old standard.

Christmas and TV Song of the Week: "That's What Christmas Is For"

From the Community's episode "Abed's Uncontrollable Christmas" comes one of the better new Christmas tunes I have heard on TV in a long while. It took a long while for this tune to grow on me but grow on me it did. It does not hurt that it even manages to give a shout-out to non-Christians without dissing actual Christians. Of all the songs that Community has created in response to the Christmas season, this is perhaps the most heartfelt -- even though bits of it are obviously meant to be humorous.

Christmas and TV Songs of the Week: "The Snow Miser Song" and "The Heat Miser Song"

From the 1976 special The Year Without a Santa Claus, it is a song that dares not leave my memory for some reason even though I don't recall seeing this special during prime time. The Snow Miser was voiced by the late Dick Shawn -- an actor most famous for his role as Hitler in the 1969 comedy The Producers -- and the Heat Miser was voiced by George S. Irving -- best known to my generation for being the narrator of the Underdog cartoon series.

Christmas Song of the Week: "It's So Chic to Be Pregnant at Christmas"

It is that rarity of rarities: a feminist Christmas song. And yes, it actually does have something serious to say about the winter holiday season though it might not seem like it. And no, this song was not inspired by actress Demi Moore.

Christmas Song of the Week: “Text Me, Merry Christmas”

This week I post a new song from my beloved Kristen Bell and her backup group Straight No Chaser.

A tip of the sombrero to blogger Samurai Frog for recommending this song.

Christmas and Pop Song of the Week: "Santa and His Old Lady"

Because we all need a little Christmas humor every now and then.

Christmas and Pop Song of the Week: "All I Want for Christmas Is You"

For mi novia. I have known her for about five years but it was not until this year that I realized how much I cared for her.

Christmas and Pop Song of the Week: "Rockin' Little Christmas"

Deborah Allen isn't going to settle for just some tinker toy this Christmas. Come to think of it, she probably doesn't have much use for any type of toy. Or so I hope.

Christmas Song of the Week: "Rudolph the Manic Reindeer"

An oldie but a goodie -- at least as far as my music collection is concerned. And yes, I know the video spells it "Rudolf" but the CD on which I first encountered this song spelt it "Rudolph."

Christmas Song of the Week: “All I Want for Christmas Is You”

Reposting this video from times past because I really would like to hear something upbeat this week.

Besides, nothing really says Christmas to me like the sight of Mariah Carey in a pair of white go-go boots...

Christmas Song of the Week: “Christmas Wrapping”

This isn't the best ever video made of one of my favorite Waitresses song but at least it's watchable which is more than I can say for some of the other versions. (Though I have to admit being more than a bit awed at the chutzpah of the YouTube person who chose to use this song as the soundtrack for a collection of scenes from The Exorcist. Words fail me. No, seriously, words fail me.)

Anyway, please sit back and enjoy the song before some Scrooge makes this video disappear from YouTube.

Christmas Song of the Week: “Happy Xmas (War Is Over)”

As long as we're celebrating the memory of those who are no longer with us:

Christmas Songs of the Week

“All I Want for Christmas Is You” -- Mariah Carey
“All I Want for Christmas Is You” -- Vince Vance and the Valiants
“Christmas Wrapping” -- The Waitresses
“Father Christmas” -- The Kinks
“Happy Xmas (War Is Over)” -- John Lennon
“I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas” -- Lauren Tyler Scott and Postmodern Jukebox
“It's So Chic to Be Pregnant at Christmas” -- Nancy White
“Last Christmas” -- Ariana Savalas, Cristina Gatti, Melinda Sullivan, Sara Niemietz and Postmodern Jukebox
“Mr. Heat Miser” -- Ernie Haase and Signature Sound
“Rockin' Little Christmas” -- Deborah Allen
“Rudolph the Manic Reindeer” -- Los Lobos
“Santa and His Old Lady" -- Cheech and Chong
“Text Me, Merry Christmas” -- Straight, No Chaser featuring Kristen Bell
“That's What Christmas Is For” -- cast of Community
“The Heat Miser Song” -- George S. Irving, from The Year Without a Santa Claus soundtrack
“The Snow Miser Song” -- Dick Shawn, from The Year Without a Santa Claus soundtrack
“Twelve Days” -- Straight, No Chaser
“You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch” -- Lindsey Stirling and Sabrina Carpenter

Christmas Song of the Week: “Twelve Days”

A friend recommended this video by the men's a cappella group Straight, No Chaser and I liked it so much I just had to share it with you all this week.

I hope you all like it.

Christmas Song of the Week: “All I Want for Christmas Is You”

On a cheerier note, there is this song by Vince Vance and the Valiants. No, it's not the same song I posted last week. It's a different song with the same title and sentiment but different lyrics. (And, of course, a different singer.)

I hope you all like it. If you all want to see a more conventional video version of this song, you all might want to go here.

Anyway, I hope you all enjoy it.

Christmas Song of the Week: “All I Want for Christmas Is You”

It's that time of year again and what more appropriate way to honor it on this site than by posting one of the most famous Christmas songs of a fellow “half-breed.” (Not that I'm implying that Mariah Carey needs my help to get attention but hey, it couldn't hurt.)

Of all the video variations Ms. Carey has done on this one song, this version -- which pays homage to the black-and-white videos of yesteryear -- is my favorite.

I hope you all like it too.