Christmas Tunes

[swb118]

I'll preface this by stating that I absolutely despise this time of year. I've called the time after Thanksgiving till Jan 2nd The Season Of Doom and Gloom since I was 13.
But The time also has its upsides, namely some great songs. In No particular order, I give you my 4 favorite songs for this time of the year.
Kinks- Father Christmas

Robert Earl Keen- Merry Christmas from the Family

Greg Lake(RIP)- I Believe in Father Christmas

The Pogues- Fairytale Of New York
Honorable Mentions - Darlene Love Christmas(Baby Please Come Home) and The Dropkick Murphys The Seasons Upon us.

 

[mackeson]

I'll preface by saying, I love this time of year. For me, it has the association of large family gatherings (even though most of them are a comfortable 2,000 miles away now :P ), and more recently, the joy of watching my kids enjoy the holiday.

I've always collected some of the offbeat Christmas music and do enjoy that.

Modern classic = Bruce's version of "Santa Claus is Comin' to town"

Other fun ones:

Crash Test Dummies, "The First Noel"

Henry Rollins reading "'Twas the Night Before Christmas"

and... The entire Mojo Nixon album, "Horny Holidays"
oh yeah, Southpark Christmas album is a good one also.

 

[aldecaker]

Fairytale of New York has got to be my favorite Christmas-themed song ever. By far. But I do like Bing Crosby's White Christmas, and for some inane reason, Burl Ives doing Holly Jolly Christmas.

 

[skraps]

I'll second what Mackeson said. This is my absolute favorite time of the year. There is a running joke with our friends that if you want something from me, ask between Thanksgiving and New Year, because I'm unlikely to say no.
Fairytale of New York is such an overlooked song. Great call on that. Anything Bing Crosby hits home for me. It just doesn't get more Christmas than that in my opinion.

 

[ssjones]

@swb118 - your list pretty much nails it for me!
I'd add The Pretenders "2,000 Miles".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1SkWIqQ3oLY
"A Christmas Gift to You" is the best Christmas album of all time.

We saw Ronnie perform last January, she did a few songs from this album. Now, if I can see Darlene Love, my life's ambitions are fulfilled.

 

[ssjones]

I left off "Christmas in Prison", shame on me.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jj-Vff5HPhc
Silver Bells from "A John Prine Christmas" is also a classic.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFwJKiu7s88

 

[cabinfever]

"Must be Santa" by Bob Dylan
Click here ==> Must Be Santa

 

[cabinfever]

@ssjones: Never heard that song from John Prine. He sure sounds like Bob Dylan.

 

[ray47]

Any of the old Christmas Hymns from my youth at church. Too many to list.

 

[hextor]

Billys Christmas Wish - Red Sovine
dam every time i hear this sing, it pulls the strings in my heart, i get kind of teary eyed, i think is a really sad song, have yall heard it
here is the link

billy's christmas wish

 

[ssjones]

Wow,I hadn't heard any Red Sovine for 40 years. I used to work at my Uncle's gas station/hunting/fishing store, he played a lot of Red, including the tear-jerker, "Little Rosa", "Teddy Bear", etc. I don't think Red did many upbeat songs...

 

[jpmcwjr]

I'm in between horrible and best time of the year.
Reminded me of a John Denver song, Please Daddy, (Don't get Drunk this Christmas)
Whoa, will hit home for some of us!

Please Daddy, dont get drunk this Christmas

I dont wanna see my Mumma cry

Please Daddy, dont get drunk this Christmas

I dont wanna see my Mumma cry
Just last year when I was only seven

And now I'm almost eight as you can see

You came home at a quarter past eleven

Fell down underneath our Christmas tree

 

[jpmcwjr]

On a happier note, a favorite is mine is "We Jammin for Christmas" on the Parang Soca Christmas Vol 3. Anyone know it?

Is it real Reggae??

 

[sablebrush52]

2016 has been a decidedly mixed bag, so my pick is going to be Tom Lehrer - A Christmas Carol.

 

[alexnorth]

I really enjoy the American classics for Christmas. I can't stand the fairytale of new York though!

 

[deathmetal]

Nothing but Slayer here.

 

[ssjones]

For my guitar-slinger side, Merry Axemas I & II are favorites.

 

[tuold]

This time of year I tend to look for the traditional but somewhat different.
Apollo's Fire - Oikan ayns Bethlehem

 

[aldecaker]

Red Sovine goes well with whisky and anti-depressant pills.

 

[Sjmiller CPG]

Run Rudolph Run by Chuck Berry

Jingle Bell Rock by Bobby Helms

Rocking Around The Christmas Tree by Breda Lee