Last year, the Whos of Rock Town Hall’s Whoville put together what was only, probably, the GREATEST CHRISTMAS RECORD OF ALL TIME!. There are still a ton of great Christmas songs out there, but beating 2008 will be hard to do. Here is the record, which was sequenced by The Great 48
1. “Santa Claus is Back In Town” — Elvis Presley
2. “Run Rudolph Run” –Chuck Berry
3. “Little Saint Nick” — The Beach Boys
4. “Christmas In Suburbia” — Martin Newell
5. “Father Christmas” — The Kinks
6. “Christmas Wrapping” — The Waitresses
7. “Sleigh Ride” — The Ventures
8. “Blue Christmas” — Elvis Presley
9. “Fairytale of New York” — The Pogues with Kirsty MacColl
10. “Please Come Home For Christmas” — Charles Brown
11. “2000 Miles” — Pretenders
12. “Happy Xmas (War Is Over)” — The Plastic Ono Band
13. “Jesus Christ” — Big Star
14. “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” — Darlene Love
15. “Christmas Time Is Here” — Vince Guaraldi Trio
You know the rules by now. You nominate a song for inclusion. The moment another villager seconds your vote, it’s in. We keep going until we have 15.
I am still steamed about John Cale’s “A Child’s Christmas in Wales” not getting in last year. What kind of rock-nerd site is this? I am putting it forth again now. Don’t fuck this up.
I nominate “Purple Snowflakes” by Marvin Gaye.
If I’m allowed a second nomination, I’ll add “Pretty Paper” by Roy Orbison.
And I’m still bent out of shape about that Waitresses tune getting in instead of White Christmas by the Drifters. I think it was Berlyant who strong armed that onto the Record and then he disappeared from the Hall.
I second “A Child’s Christmas in Wales” and nominate “Another Lonely Christmas” by Prince.
Since I didn’t play on this track I think I might get away with nominating it (though only a select few may have heard it before):
“Christmas Party” buy the Dead Milkmen. It’s from a cassette only self release called “Someone Shot Sunshine” 1984.
Basically just Joe and Dave.
I echo the sentiments on the Waitresses’ tune and nominate “This Christmas” by Donny Hathaway.
I do think we erred last year in passing over the Godfather’s Santa Claus Go Straight to the Ghetto.
Second on White Christmas by the Drifters & I like to nominate “Postcard From London” by Ray Davies.
Ok, so far we have:
1. “A Child’s Christmas in Wales” -John Cale
2. “White Christmas” -The Drifters
I forget, can we reject songs? I just listened to that Ray Davies song, and found it DOA, even with the hilarious, bizarre novelty of him singing with his estranged ex, Chrissie H., who recorded her parts when he wasn’t around. I’m not kidding!
http://bit.ly/6GrjHc
Seconding “Santa Claus Go Straight to the Ghetto.”
1. “A Child’s Christmas in Wales” -John Cale
2. “White Christmas” -The Drifters
3. “Santa Claus Go Straight to the Ghetto.” -James Brown
Maybe we can pull great48 out of RTH retirement to sequence this again this year. I think he did a good job last year. Has he been put on RTH waivers?
I am nominating “Christmas Wish” from NRBQ.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50_61zrWdgw
If you’re feeling sentimental, there’s Tom Waits’ Christmas Card From A Hooker In Minneapolis.
And Spinal Tap’s seasonal offering always tears me up:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sixsHSheV4g
I’ll second NRBQ. I’m surprised it didn’t come up last year.
1. “A Child’s Christmas in Wales” -John Cale
2. “White Christmas” -The Drifters
3. “Santa Claus Go Straight to the Ghetto.” -James Brown
4. “Christmas Wish” from NRBQ
I should have known better than to doubt, but so far “Xmas Part Deux” actually looks set to rival the first. I hadn’t heard that NRBQ song before -very nice! Yesterday I thought this concept would have two years tops, but the challenge of uncovering hidden gems is a task that turns RTH’ers into fucking 007’s.
Oh, and I nominate “Frosty the Snowman” by the Ronnettes. Saw GoodFellas for the umpteenth time the other night and forgot how much I loved this version:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xy4eoRedhTU
Sonics – Don’t Believe In Christmas.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbIdCfqyvJk
Tried to get a little kiss
from a pretty little miss
she slapped me down, said “You jerk”
mistletoe doesn’t work
Second the Ronettes’ Frosty. Nice Spector-cle.
1. “A Child’s Christmas in Wales” -John Cale
2. “White Christmas” -The Drifters
3. “Santa Claus Go Straight to the Ghetto.” -James Brown
4. “Christmas Wish” from NRBQ
5. “Frosty the Snowman” by the Ronnettes
I just did a rockin’ Christmas comp for my family and friends (I give them away at Thankgiving.
I said this last year, and I’ll repeat it: There are three ESSENTIAL rock Christmas albums. Elvis, The Beach Boys, and Phil Spector’s. There are other GREAT rock Christmas tunes (alot of which we nominated last year).
That being said, there were two Spector cuts that made my mix this year: Darlene Love’s immortal “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” AND “Frosty” by The Ronette’s. So, if it’s good enough for mine, then it’s certainly good enough for ours. I’ll second Spector’s “Frosty”.
I would also like to nominate Run DMC’s “Christmas In Hollis.”
TB
Does it count if TB and I can conspire for me to second the nomination for “Christmas in Hollis”??
What about the Jackson Five’s version of “Santa Claus is Coming to Town”?
Much better than the constipated Springsteen version (although I do generally like the Boss).
I nominate “back door santa” by Clarence Carter.
Gotta second “Christmas in Hollis.”
I nominate AC/DC’s “Mistress for Christmas.”
“Get a date with a woman in red
Wanna be in heaven with three in a bed”
1. “A Child’s Christmas in Wales” -John Cale
2. “White Christmas” -The Drifters
3. “Santa Claus Go Straight to the Ghetto.” -James Brown
4. “Christmas Wish” -NRBQ
5. “Frosty the Snowman” -Ronnettes
6. “Christmas in Hollis” -Run DMC
“Little Dealer Boy” (Stephen Colbert and Willie Nelson)
Wow, mockcarr – I never heard that Sonics song. I definitely second that! That’s terrific.
No love for Clarence? Geez!
1. “A Child’s Christmas in Wales” -John Cale
2. “White Christmas” -The Drifters
3. “Santa Claus Go Straight to the Ghetto.” -James Brown
4. “Christmas Wish” -NRBQ
5. “Frosty the Snowman” -Ronnettes
6. “Christmas in Hollis” -Run DMC
7. “Don’t Believe in Christmas” -The Sonics
Alright, there’s an elephant in the room since last year that nobody’s mentioning. Bob Dylan just released a Christmas album, “Christmas in the Heart”.
I’m going to go out on a limb and suggest that “Must be Santa” is going to become a sort of Christmas Classic. I nominate it!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVs6X9yIM_k
Stomp, stomp, stomp!
Yes, I have just heard this at my mother-in-law’s house. She has filed it in the so-bad-it’s-awfully funny file and I think she’s right.
My personal favourite – gee, so many to choose from – is Let’s Spend Christmas on Christmas Island. OMG.
Stew- It’s Christmas Again
http://stewsongs.com/music/Stew_It%27sChristmasAgain.mp3
underthefloat:
Ugh! I love Stew but, I canna get that link to work!
Anybody else???
Help!
Christmas at the Zoo – The Flaming Lips
Don’t know what happened before, but I was trying to say that–and I wouldn’t want this to be taken the wrong way–I like George’s “Ding Dong.” Great, no. But I kind of like the Dark Hoarse voice on this, and the whole just sounds so, well, George.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r61noMrx3qw
Maybe this is predictable, but I have to suggest Joni Mitchell’s “River.”
I second that, Trampus.
Wow I love River by Joni and had forgotten about it. Great addition to this list! It’s funny right now I am on a ferry going to see a friend who lives minutes from Joni
Hey Jeangrey,
Sorry about the broken link for the Stew song. I just heard about the song on 12-7 and now it doesn’t work.
I tried finding it again but no luck…
I think I’ve got the link to downloading that Stew Christmas song fixed now.
Only 7 sports left. This one looks like a winner already though:
1. “A Child’s Christmas in Wales” -John Cale
2. “White Christmas” -The Drifters
3. “Santa Claus Go Straight to the Ghetto.” -James Brown
4. “Christmas Wish” -NRBQ
5. “Frosty the Snowman” -Ronnettes
6. “Christmas in Hollis” -Run DMC
7. “Don’t Believe in Christmas” -The Sonics
8. “River” -Joni Mitchell
Both Mikey Dread and I suggested Tom Waits’ Christmas Card from a Hooker in Minneapolis by Tom Waits.
Haven’t heard that Tom Waits song in ages….six spots left Townies.
1. “A Child’s Christmas in Wales” -John Cale
2. “White Christmas” -The Drifters
3. “Santa Claus Go Straight to the Ghetto.” -James Brown
4. “Christmas Wish” -NRBQ
5. “Frosty the Snowman” -Ronnettes
6. “Christmas in Hollis” -Run DMC
7. “Don’t Believe in Christmas” -The Sonics
8. “River” -Joni Mitchell
9. “Christmas Card from a Hooker in Minneapolis” -Tom Waits
I was going to suggest Dan Fogelberg’s “Same Old Lang Syne,” but why wreck a good playlist?
Maybe we are getting pickier in our collective old age, but a ton of songs have been nominated but not seconded. No worthy candidates on this list?
1. “Purple Snowflakes” by Marvin Gaye
2. Pretty Paper” by Roy Orbison
3. “Christmas Party” by the Dead Milkmen
4. “This Christmas” by Donny Hathaway
5. “Postcard From London” by Ray Davies
6. “Christmas with the Devil” by Spinal Tap
7. “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” by The Jackson Five
8. “Back door Santa” by Clarence Carter
9. “Little Dealer Boy” by Stephen Colbert and Willie Nelson
10. “Mistress for Christmas.” by AC/DC
11. “Must be Santa” by Bob Dylan
12. “It’s Christmas Again” by Stew
13. “Christmas at the Zoo” by The Flaming Lips
14. “Ding Dong” by George Harrison
I’m away on business tonight. I meant to pack a Christmas CD that General Slocum made me last year to get some song titles (such as an excellent Otis Redding Christmas song). Alas, I forgot to pack it. Tomorrow, if spots remain, I’ll have some suggestions.
Meanwhile, I was reminded of a Christmas tune by the General’s Big Mess Orchestra: “Snow.”
You can hear it and other excellent Christmas tracks here:
http://www.last.fm/music/The+Big+Mess+Orchestra/_/Snow?autostart
Surprised that no one has nominated “Merry Christmas Everybody” by Slade
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6YbLZf8i5I
I’m obliged to second that one!
Five spots left:
1. “A Child’s Christmas in Wales” -John Cale
2. “White Christmas” -The Drifters
3. “Santa Claus Go Straight to the Ghetto.” -James Brown
4. “Christmas Wish” -NRBQ
5. “Frosty the Snowman” -Ronnettes
6. “Christmas in Hollis” -Run DMC
7. “Don’t Believe in Christmas” -The Sonics
8. “River” -Joni Mitchell
9. “Christmas Card from a Hooker in Minneapolis” -Tom Waits
10. “Merry Christmas Everybody” by Slade
I’m seconding “It Must Be Santa” from that Bob Dylan Christmas album.
To be topical and relevant, I’ll second the J5’s “Santa.” We would be remiss he in the Hall to not include the dearly departed MJ on a 2009 Xmas Mix.
TB
Otis Redding – Merry Christmas, Baby
This might be the one you’re thinking of, Mod.
“Silver Bells,” “C-H-R-I-S-T-M-A-S,” and “12 Days of Christmas” by the Yobs, from the Yobs’ Christmas album, the only Christmas musical tradition in my house…
Three spots left:
1. “A Child’s Christmas in Wales” -John Cale
2. “White Christmas” -The Drifters
3. “Santa Claus Go Straight to the Ghetto.” -James Brown
4. “Christmas Wish” -NRBQ
5. “Frosty the Snowman” -Ronnettes
6. “Christmas in Hollis” -Run DMC
7. “Don’t Believe in Christmas” -The Sonics
8. “River” -Joni Mitchell
9. “Christmas Card from a Hooker in Minneapolis” -Tom Waits
10. “Merry Christmas Everybody” by Slade
11. “Must be Santa” -Bob Dylan
12. “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” by The Jackson Five
“Pete Townshend’s Christmas” by Billy Childish. The only Christmas song, to my knowledge, set to the tune of A Quick One.
How about “My first X-mas as a Woman” from the Vandals! Gets me every time.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nF1meLIHcEM
I’ve got to nominate The Sensational Alex Harvey Band’s There’s No Lights on the Christmas Tree, Mother, They’re Burning Big Louie Tonight.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1s6WMCSGUlQ
It’s a crappy sounding video, but one of my favorite christmas songs, for sure!
Still three spots left…
Yes, mockcarr, I’m pretty sure Otis’ “Merry Christmas, Baby” is the one I like. SECONDED!
I’ve never heard the Billy Childish song, but it sounds promising…
Two spots left:
1. “A Child’s Christmas in Wales” -John Cale
2. “White Christmas” -The Drifters
3. “Santa Claus Go Straight to the Ghetto.” -James Brown
4. “Christmas Wish” -NRBQ
5. “Frosty the Snowman” -Ronnettes
6. “Christmas in Hollis” -Run DMC
7. “Don’t Believe in Christmas” -The Sonics
8. “River” -Joni Mitchell
9. “Christmas Card from a Hooker in Minneapolis” -Tom Waits
10. “Merry Christmas Everybody” by Slade
11. “Must be Santa” -Bob Dylan
12. “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” by The Jackson Five
13. “Merry Christmas, Baby” -Otis Redding
Wow, that is Otis song is really good, even if the only version I can find is someone playing the record on YouTube…
I heard that Billy Childish song here:
http://therealbigrockcandymountain.blogspot.com/
And there’s a ton of additional obscure Xmas tuneage there.
How about I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday by Wizzard/Roy Wood?
oh yeah, I’m gonna second that!