Comments on: Christmas music (5)–Best Christmas album by the Rolling Stones

By: writch

writch — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 17:11:39 +0000

Ok, here’s my *favorite* rock-n-roll Xmas song of all time. It’s the most curious mix of ‘Gloria In Excelsis Deo’ and Van Morrison’s ‘Gloria’. It’s third on the playlist:

http://www.myspace.com/midnightchristmas

By: elaine

elaine — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 18:18:09 +0000

Forgiven.

My hubby loved her to bits.

By: wufnik

wufnik — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 14:17:40 +0000

Everyone’s got an opinion. Sure, submit away!

Elaine–sorry, how could I have forgotten Fairy Tale of New York? I gues I don’t really think of it as a Christmas song, primarily, but it is, isn’t it? But of course, Sam and Jim would probably tell you it’s “folk.” I miss Kirsty too.

By: Dr. Slammy

Dr. Slammy — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 12:13:09 +0000

Might I humbly submit “Merry Christmas Baby (I Don’t Want to Fight Tonight)” by The Ramones and “Christmas at Ground Zero” by Weird Al?

By: wufnik

wufnik — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 10:11:42 +0000

Thanks all. I should have known that this would be the post that would generate comments. Jim, I agree with you to a point–it is a great song, no question. And as a song, you’re right, it’s probably a better song than Slade’s. But it’s not a rock song, even thugh it was written by a rock guy. That’s the point–there aren’t many good rock christmas songs. Father Christmas is another good one (thanks Tom). And there are some good rock covers of Christmas songs, but not many–Eastern Bloc did a kick-ass Jingle Bells years ago, for example. What’s interesting is that there are so few, and it’s probably song dependent. A Metallica version of “Silent Night”, or The Doors covering “Joy to the World”, probably represents a clash of categories–and this would be the case for many Christmas songs. I will clearly have to get that barenakedladies album–another hole in my knowledge base. Lex, let me know when you’ll be letting the rest of us invest in this retirement scheme.

By: Elaine

Elaine — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 10:06:28 +0000

Ok you are definitely missing a classic…

The Darkness, Christmas Time

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-eslNwGXrI

…Kirsty M & the Pogues. It was her biggest ever hit. RIP lady.

Fiary Tale of New York, Kirsty & The Pogues

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWv6CQUOu9I

Blue Christmas, Elvis

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUyuGFoiWJ0

…and finally while everybody celebrates there is always this:

Jona Lewie, Stop The Cavalry

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EOe18JcatZo

By: Tom Shortell

Tom Shortell — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 05:27:12 +0000

I’m a little surprised you can discuss rock and Christmas without mentioning The Kinks’ Father Christmas (No. 19 here http://www.lala.com/#song/504684715144199565). I think it’s as close to a Ramones take on Christmas as we’ll get.

Anywho, the closest I come to having a favorite is The Bare Naked Ladies rendition of God Bless Ye Merry Gentleman (not sure if it’s on Brian’s CD, but I imagine it is.) As for novelty, there’s always Weird Al’s The Night Santa Went Crazy (from the Bad Hair Day album, which, I might add, was the first I ever owned).

By: Lex

Lex — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 04:42:17 +0000

I heard some sort of “heavy metal” Christmas song on the radio today. It was loosely, though not loosely enough, based on the 12 days of Christmas. I made it through the third day of heavy metal Christmas before my embarrassment for whoever recorded the song forced me to change the station.

Wuf, your series has me thinking that perhaps i should share my holiday hobby with the world somehow…other than having someone overhear me. See, i’m subjected to shuffle, repeat all of one Christmas album for 8+ hours at a stretch (nope, changing the CD is frowned upon). This situation has led me to write my own lyrics (or partial lyrics) to a CD’s worth of Christmas tunes.

Christmas with Lex includes such hits as: Walkin’ in Jihadi Wonderland and White Bitches. Order now and Lex will include his secret of spiritual air conditioning and annoying your fellow man by singing Christmas songs 6 months out of phase.

By: Brian Angliss

Brian Angliss — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 02:53:50 +0000

Jennifer and I have the Barenakedladies Christmas album, and it’s pretty good. Not as good as Dr. Demento’s Greatest Christmas Novelty CD (my personal favorite), but pretty good nonetheless. If you have a chance, listen to “Elf’s Lament” sometime.

By: Jim Booth

Jim Booth — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 01:01:06 +0000

Your argument works only if you accept that rock trumps Christmas. As you’ve noted insightfully, the problem with most musicians’ Christmas albums is that they sound like all the other albums by those musicians. (BTW, I agree wholeheartedly.) That would mean that while a rocker might attempt to write a Christmas song, it would end up being a rock song with Christmas references (like Billy Mack’s “Christmas is All Around,” if you catch the reference. . ) While “Father Christmas” sounds like a Greg Lake song, it’s a great CHRISTMAS song. That’s an amazing accomplishment – and one that I would respectfully submit trumps even Slade’s marvellous tune.

By: wufnik

wufnik — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 23:49:00 +0000

Sorry, but no. Yes, it’s a great song. Sophie-Louise does in it the Cohen Christmas sing-along, in fact. But it’s not a rock song, whereas Merry Xmas Everybody is. Slade wins. They’re both great songs. But you can only dance to one of them.

By: Jim Booth

Jim Booth — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 23:30:28 +0000

Greg Lake – “I Believe in Father Christmas” – best Christmas song by any rocker ever. Ever, Bob. And I say that as a true lover of Slade.