And because you’ve all been so good this year, Santa says…
Vote For Up To SEVEN Songs!
Wow! What a Busy First-Round Week!
SO many great suggestions, and some pretty spirited competition in Round 1 of the Great Christmas Song Bake-Off!
Oh, wait, sorry.
Technically, there are no baked goods involved.
No – really, it’s fine.
If anyone needs me, I’ll be at the parking garage vending machine, trying to decide between the month-old Fritos, or a questionable-looking pack of Twizzlers.
Sorry, Gary. Maybe if someone wants to send some cookies…
Sweet treats aside, it’s time for Round 2!
The category this time is Christmas songs by more contemporary singers. Yes, we can go back to the 70’s and 80’s, but we’re moving away from the crooners to the rockers and beyond. They can be originals or covers, and the same song can be nominated by more than one performer.
For this round let’s stick with fairly well known songs and singers. ** Hang on to those obscure songs that you love for next week.**
The format will be the same as last week, a few days for nominations, then a few days for voting. Final results will be revealed on Friday!
My personal nominations are:
Happy Xmas (War Is Over)
– John Lennon and Yoko Ono
and The Plastic Ono Band
with the Harlem Community Choir
Father Christmas
– The Kinks
Some Housekeeping:
The following were nominated last week, but held over for this category:
- Wonderful Christmastime – Paul McCartney
- All I Want For Christmas Is You – Mariah Carey
- Merry Christmas (I Don’t Want To Fight Tonight) – The Ramones
- Christmas In Hollis – Run-D.M.C.
Defend and tout your selections in the comments below!
And don’t forget:
We’ll have a little “Reveal Party”
on Saturday Night, December 7!
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Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town – Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band
Christmas Wrapping – The Waitresses
Christmas at Ground Zero – Weird Al
Love all of these.
I had dibs on “Christmas Wrapping”.
Just kidding.
There is one song in the new wave Christmas song canon, and this is it.
As long as it’s in, right?
Well I was going to nominate “Father Christmas” but I’m happy to see that you love the song as much as I do.
My other nominations are:
Glad to share the love of the Kinks. Good choices.
I thought that I wouldn’t have much to say here, but there are several I thought of:
“Last Christmas” – Wham! (I wouldn’t vote for this, but it should be in the discussion, as it really has become a standard)
“Christmas Canon” – Trans-Siberian Orchestra
“Deck the Halls” – Mannheim Steamroller (They’ve put out a ton of Christmas music, and I think this one is probably the most played of them all.)
I really like the Jewel Christmas album that came out in the early 2000s, but I’m not sure if there’s any standards on there. I guess I’ll leave it at that.
Something off the Jewel album might fit next week’s category. And, no, the Wham song is not a favorite of mine, but, yes, it has become a standard and should be in the discussion. I do prefer their version to any of the many covers.
Ditto The Waitresses and The Ramones. I also like The Dickies’ version of “Silent Night.”
I’ll have to go through my collection when I get home and see what else I can dig up.
Ah, how could I forget my friends Markey and Ric. Here’s their song “Christmas Ain’t Christmas.”
https://youtu.be/YMWpUsJg-0Y
I’ve been through my collection and I tend to like obscure and funny Christmas songs. I’m not going to suggest any are worthy for inclusion, but look ’em up if you like.
The Season’s Upon Us – Dropkick Murphys
Feliz Navidad – El Vez
Daddy’s Drinking Up Our Christmas – Commander Cody
I think those will be better in next week’s category, so we’re going to hold them until then.
Yay! While traditional carols are my absolute fave, and classic standards my second, I do really love the fun, unconventional contemporary Christmas tunes.
Here are some picks:
December Will Be Magic Again – Kate Bush
Thanks for Christmas – The Three Wise Men (actually XTC)
2000 Miles – The Pretenders
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer – Tiny Tim
Thank God It’s Christmas – Queen
Fairytale of New York – The Pogues (but let’s go with the edited version)
Checked here again because I realized I forgot to nominate the Pogues… thanks for beating me to it!
I love both versions, but, yes, the edited version is much more appropriate for the atmosphere on a PG leaning site.
Hmmm, I don’t know whether to stick or twist. There’s a dilemma in what is well known over here may not fit that description over your way. I’ll operate on the basis that these are very well known here and whether they enter the fray this week or next they probably won’t get anywhere. Its not the winning, its the taking part.
As several people have kindly nominated The Pogues that means I don’t have to.
So then;
Jona Lewie – Stop The Cavalry
Slade – Merry Xmas Everyone
Frankie Goes To Hollywood – The Power of Love (which isn’t necessarily a Christmas song but had a Christmas themed video, was #1 just before Xmas and gets plenty of Christmas airplay here so it counts in my book).
I’m in favor of all things Slade. Good call.
I know none of these, but I’m with VDog on Slade, so I don’t know how I missed them. Going to listen to all of them right away. Thanks!
It’s Chriiiiisstmaaaaaaas!!!
Being from Gainesville, I’m obligated to nominate “Christmas All Over Again” by Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers (1992). (Also, I like it.)
And an excellent nomination it is.
I’m from Indiana, but this is one of the few times that I don’t advocate for John Mellencamp. He does it as well as it can be done, but I don’t like “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” in any form.
I am also from Indiana and completely understand the Mellencamp hesitation. I usually say yes to most anything he does but not this one.
The only version of ISMKSC I like is the Jackson 5. Little Michael songs are so cute.
That song is really only tolerable when sung by an actual child. And, yes, Michael sang it best.
I like that Jackson 5 as well. Unless I realize that if Michael told Papa Joe about what Santa had done, it would’ve been a bloody beating there in the Jackson household afterward.
I thought of that “I’m going to tell me dad” comment, too. Wouldn’t have boded well for Ms. Jackson if it had really been Santa.
Not sure if this fits, but I would like to submit another more modern Darlene Love nomination: her SNL song from several years ago, “Christmastime for the Jews”
https://youtu.be/BGzO1ghRKp4
I think we might need a Christmas novelty song category.
Is there any point in having a contest when we know who the winner will be?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLRnNMUOccY
That’s a new one on me. I kinda like it. And kinda not.
Oh man. I think that I like this.
Score one and a half for Wing!
When Wing appeared on South Park, and even though the creators let it be known that she was real, I still had to see and hear her with my own eyes. Her cover of “Back in Black” is sublime. It doesn’t always work, her schtick. But when it does, she transcends novelty and becomes avant-garde. Sometimes she’s Yoko Ono’s weird pal, sometimes she’s avant-garde. My other favorite is “Dancing Queen”. Oh, that first line: “You can dance…,” gets people laughing, and then I put my hand up. No, no, no, you’re not listening to it right. Flying Lizards! Flying Lizards!
This is a great original song. Never heard it before.
I had no idea Wing made it to South Park. That’s awesome! I’ll have to check it out.
I think you may be right.
I’ve made no secret of the fact that I am a complete nerd for comedy writing. And among the all-time greats is Robert Smigel.
Is the creator of the above, and I’ll go to my grave trumpeting his genius.
A great and creative effort, and it should be noted: a huge factor in the comeback of Darlene Love.
Anyone who can make “For Me toPoop On” a catchphrase coming from a cigar chomping dog puppet is an automatic comedic genius in my book. 😁
Triumph the Comic Insult Dog invaded our NBC affiliate 6’o’clock news broadcast. It was glorious.
For a very new one (released last month), how about Debbie Gibson’s “Christmas Star”?
https://youtu.be/mUJi47PqB7c
I too will nominate that festive tune that a certain George Michael came up with one hot July afternoon while bumming around his parents house watching soccer on the telly with BFF Andrew Ridgeley……
I’ve always considered “Gabriel’s Message” from Sting to be a Christmas Song, don’t know if others do though.
Christmas in Hollis I know has been mentioned already, but it’s too awesome to not mention again.
I’ve always had a soft spot for Bob Seger’s “Little Drummer Boy”
Gabriel’s Message is absolutely a Christmas song, and a very good one.
Off the first “Very Special Christmas” LP, my bets (other than U2’s excellent cover of the Darlene Love song I nominated last name) would be the Pretenders’ take on “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” and Bruce Springsteen’s “Merry Christmas, Baby” (which hasn’t gotten as overplayed as his “Santa Claus…”)
A few more:
* Elton John’s “Step Into Christmas”
* The Eagles’ “Please Come Home for Christmas”
* Colbie Caillat’s “Mistletoe”
And I second the nomination for Kelly Clarkson’s “Underneath the Tree.” Great song!
I love the Elton John song. All very good choices.
(…nominated last TIME), not “last name”…
Ack! Also nominated last time, “What Christmas Means to Me” by Stevie Wonder. Don’t want to leave this suggestion out.
“Winter Wonderland”- The Roches
“If You Believe in Christmas Trees”-Cardinal
“I Was Made for Losing You”- Eric Bachmann
We may hold the last two for next week’s category. You stay ahead of the curve!
Whoops. Seventies and eighties. Sorry.
Not at all. I love it that you are taking such an interest and coming up with such innovative choices.
Sorry, you mentioned baked goods, and I’m pretty sure Gary in the picture above indulges.
Work notes for 12-06-22:
Look into down-throttling the bandwidth for thegue.
Here’s my suggestions for this:
This Christmas – Donnie Hathaway
What Christmas Means to Me – Stevie Wonder
All I Want for Christmas is You – Vince Vance and the Valiants (not the Mariah Carey song and definitely not a hit making group, but if you’ve heard it, you’ll recognize it)
Felice Navidad – Jose Feliciano
I love the Vince Vance song and her fantastic vocal, and prefer it over Mariah’s song in a heartbeat.
Jose Feliciano: “Thank you. (applause) Thank you very much. And at this time ladies and gentleman, here is one of England’s biggest stars: Mr. Adam Ant.”
Tough crowd. Diana Ross saved Adam Ant.
I think this might belong to a future round but because I’m afraid I might forget it altogether (which would be a shame) … Amy Grant’s “Grown-Up Christmas List.”
Nope, it’s perfect for this round, and it’s in.
so many fantastic tunes already mentioned, so I will add a wonderful swipe at Scrooges everywhere, It’s Cliched to Be Cynical at Christmas by Half Man Half Biscuit
That is fantastic, but I think that we will hold it for next week, as it will fit that category better.
Pre-tnocs, me and another commentator debated which band name was worse: Half Man Half Biscuit or Crispy Ambulance. In retrospect, both band names sound awesome in comparison to Cocaine Piss, one of the bands that was in yesterday’s yearly “In Memoriam” video.
I love it. It captures them perfectly. and makes me hungry!
HMHB that is
Wonder of wonders, I’m logged back in, Can’t figure out what’s happening
but I’ll take this little miracle.
Lovethisconcept, you’ve struck gold again! I’ve been lurking from afar and this has been a very enjoyable contest.
Bruce gets my nod but I hadn’t realized there were so many songs from this era for Christmas. Shows you what a great shift there was in the music industry during that time.
Welcome back! Yes, I think that most of the musicians of this era were raised on the songs from the last poll that we did, and many of them wanted to have their own signature Christmas songs like the ones that they had grown up with. Only with a little twist. They produced some great music.
Gary told me he’s gonna give a wedgie to anyone who votes for Macca’s all-time stinker, “Wonderful Christmastime.” I don’t trust the crazy glint in his eye… maybe best to play it safe gang!
I won’t be voting for it. I love McCartney … and I *loathe* that song. Only “The @&*$#/% Girl Is Mine” is worse in his discography.
This is 100% correct.
Come on, Tiny Tim… 👃
On the run and quickly scanned submissions. Some of these may be repeats. Tried to stay with songs heard in the wild. I have tons of more obscure songs but will hold for next week.
Merry Christmas Darling – The Carpenters
The Christmas Waltz – The Carpenters
Driving Home For Christmas – Chris Rea
One More Sleep – Leona Lewis
I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus – The Jackson 5