The Official Christmas Song Thread

[Nordling]

He makes me kinda sorta believe in God.

[buster00]

Saw him the other day on "Austin City Limits" and was very impressed. I immediately began looking for more info about him as soon as the show was over.

[stereosforgeeks]

He's a great performer. I saw him a couple years ago and no one was there. Then recently he was featured in Rolling Stone and I had to fight to get tickets and it ended up selling out.

There is a really cool interview with him from NPR. They asked him to write a song about a random place and then he talks about the process and the song.

[Flumm]

Sufjan has done the round a little bit Zonewise, KC, doglips and crew were sharing their love with ILLINOIS back last year I think it was, also.

I love the record, but haven't had a the chance to hear much else as of yet, although I surely will.

He is a scarey talented songwriter for sure.

The album for every state thing is a well worn discussion point for him I imagine, but the sheer simplicty of the idea makes it one of my favourite pieces of music lore of recent years, I think.

Not to mention the thought that he actually has the genius chops to pull it off, as unlikely as it seems when dwelled apon.

Or at least make it a deeply enriching journey on the way.

[Nordling]

His SONGS FOR CHRISTMAS Box Set comes out in a couple of weeks. it has some old standards as well as songs he wrote about, well, Christmas. There's one called "Come on! Let's Boogey to the Elf Dance!" that needs to be in a movie. I could imagine a whole credits sequence to it. Excellent, excellent stuff.

[doglips]

Love him, Illinoise is an all time classic album. The amount of songwriting that went into it was astounding, The Avalanche has plenty of quality and that was just the outtakes etc.

After I heard Illinoise I went on a downloading frenzy and got Greetings from Michigan, A Sun came and Seven Swans. I like the uber-folk of Seven Swans and A Sun Came, but the more pop inclined roots of Michigan and Illinoise are where he really grabs me. I love the mix of styles he brings to those 2 albums.

[Doc Holliday]

I was always torn between "This Ole House" and "Green Door"....

[Keepcoolbutcare]

There's one called "Come on! Let's Boogey to the Elf Dance!" that needs to be in a movie. I could imagine a whole credits sequence to it. Excellent, excellent stuff.

scroll down a tad and you can downsteal that track here.

but, since I'm so simple (I get the basics)*, it's the loud-quiet-loud sing-along 'cuz it makes you feel like a 'lil kid coming down the steps and seeing all the pwesents lined up under the tree sweet, sweet release of "Hey Guys! It's Christmas Time!" that I'll be bumping ALL day on X-Mas. Preview it Here.

*big ups to Lil Wayne

[Keepcoolbutcare]

so, turns out I'm hosting several wayward, family's far away so let's make our own here and now schlubs on Christmas day, so now, after the Sufjan, I need Christmas music!

I'm going to kick this off here with two of the best (non-Sufjan) X-Mas tracks, like, ever, from Big Rock Candy Mountain, links below for the lazy...

The Pogues - Fairytale of New York

Tom Waits - Silent Night

[Fried Gold]

I tried out The Killers Christmas song, after Atomic mentioned it. It's nothing special. Plus their lead singer has turned into a bit of a Struggling Background Artist, which sours their music.

[AtomicHyperbole]

Eh, it's a bit pants. Reminds me of when Coldplay fella Chris Martin did that song for his son, complete with video. Sure, I'm sure the band love it, but did we need to hear it too?

I tried searching for Sufjan's album today, but much like the Nintendo DS it's sold out everywhere. Mebbe next year. I've still not got Illinoise anyhow, myself be damned...

Meanwhile, I'm listening to TV On The Radio's Return to Cookie Mountain. Possibbly the least Christmassy album EVAH! (even if it is as dense and rich as a good hot chocolate)

Cheers for the tracks, KC.

[burlivesleftnut]

I don't know what possessed me, but I bought Sarah McCachlan's Christmas album. I love her voice, and the album is actually pretty good. Really lush arrangements, and her original Christmas songs on it are not altogether embarassing.

But I have been jamming down to Jackson 5's, Diana Ross and the Supreme's (god she makes me really want to get my hands on BLUE SATIN SASHES!), Louis Armstrong's, and Ella Fitzgerald's.

Oh and of course the inimitable Burl Ives.

"Please brings some snow... some snow for Johnny.
He wants to build... a big snowman."

Indeed.

[burlivesleftnut]

I tried out The Killers Christmas song, after Atomic mentioned it. It's nothing special. Plus their lead singer has turned into a bit of a Struggling Background Artist, which sours their music.

I admit this isn't the place for it, but how did this band go from being the best thing I ever heard to being aural diarrhea?

[Keepcoolbutcare]

I tried out The Killers Christmas song, after Atomic mentioned it. It's nothing special. Plus their lead singer has turned into a bit of a Struggling Background Artist, which sours their music.

I admit this isn't the place for it, but how did this band go from being the best thing I ever heard to being aural diarrhea?

you're right.

but it's never the place to admit the Killers were the best thing you ever heard.

tho' I do get a perverse thrill in mocking critical darlings 2nd albums (yeah, I'm looking at you, Clap Your Hands and Say Yeah, 'cuz from what I've heard so far, the second album's gonna be a huge letdown.)

[Fried Gold]

I tried out The Killers Christmas song, after Atomic mentioned it. It's nothing special. Plus their lead singer has turned into a bit of a Struggling Background Artist, which sours their music.

I admit this isn't the place for it, but how did this band go from being the best thing I ever heard to being aural diarrhea?

When Brandon Flowers revealed to the world that he has his head stuck up his arse.

[pheadx]

hah, great thread. i listened to the surfjan steven's christmas box for the last month, nothing else... tomorrow i'm gonna abandon it from my mp3 player (but maybe it'll stay there for the whole next year)...


merry christmas @ all

[Keepcoolbutcare]

someone just sent this to my gf on a mixtape.

O Holy Night

apologies if it's been used elsewhere today...

[Seppuku]

Eek! This thread reminds me of when I once worked in a supermarket around Crimbo time to make some extra moolah. They started playing Christmas-themed songs around late October/early November and didn't let up until well after New Years.

I'm sure he's probably a nice guy and all, but if I ever met Cliff Richard face to face I think I'd have to plant him one right on the nose, just for torturing me so.

I spent five years just like Alex after his "treatment" in A Clockwork Orange, but instead of Beethoven triggering an episode, I had Wham, Slade, Bing Crosby, Paul McCartney and...

Aaaaaaaagh! Will I never get healthy again?

[Lady Sheridan]

Heh, when I was working the Christmas season at Barnes and Noble, we had a cool guy running the music department. He rarely put on Christmas music and if he did, it was always really good stuff.

But the one unfortunate side effect was that he often played whatever compilation had been shoved out for Christmas. So while it was really awesome to hear the Best of Eric Clapton instead of bad Christmas covers, I'll always associate "Layla" with being sick, tired, overheated and banged to a pulp by Christmas shoppers.

[Chairman Kaga]

banged to a pulp by Christmas shoppers.

[Fievel]

So is this a Sufjan Stevens thread or a Christmas thread!??

So confused.

[Lady Sheridan]

banged to a pulp by Christmas shoppers.

Oh, my!

There's still nights Loincloth and I put on the Clapton. Sets a certain mood.

[LaDracul]

One of my favorites is Blink 182's "I Won't Be Home for Christmas". It's about a guy who goes crazy, attacks carolers, and then is sent to jail. Which is why there's a line that goes-

"Some guy name Bubba unwrapped my package. -oh DAMN-"

Yeah.

I also like that Slade song (Because it's probably the only time a Glam Christmas song has been made), but I can't stand Sir Elton's "Step Into Christmas". (Well, I can TOLERATE it now...) But I don't like "Wonderful Christmastime" by Sir Paul McCartney. No. Terrible and grating.

And even though I'm Catholic, I'm amused by Adam Sandler's Hannukah song trilogy.

As for serious, Chris Cornell's "Ave Maria" and a spoken word by One Track Mike about the city covered in snow (I forgot what it's called, I have the CD, though...) are my favorites. EDIT-It's called "Snow Angel".

[thomasgaffney]

Burl Ives - "Holly Jolly Christmas"!

[Cha-Ka Khan]

I always enjoy hearing Greg Lake sing "I Believe in Father Christmas," but MAN are the lyrics a downer or what? Quite disparaging of Christmas, but masked by the lush holiday sound of the music itself. Makes you wonder how many people actually listen to the lyrics when it's played on the radio this time every year.

--------------------
They said there'll be snow at Christmas
They said there'll be peace on earth
But instead it just kept on raining
A veil of tears for the virgin birth.

I remember one Christmas morning
A winter's light and the distant choir
And the peal of a bell and that Christmas tree smell
Eyes full a tinsel and fire.

They sold me a dream of Christmas
They sold me a silent night
They told me a fairy story
Till I believed in the Israelite.

And I believed in Father Christmas
I looked to the sky with excited eyes
Than I woke with a yawn in the first light of dawn
And I saw him through his disguise.

I wish you a hopeful Christmas
I wish you a brave new year
All anguish, pain, and sadness
Leave your heart and let your road be clear.

They said there'd be snow at Christmas
They said there'd be peace on earth.
Hallelujah, Noel, Be it heaven or hell,
The Christmas we get we deserve.
---------------------

I do love that verse in bold. One of those things that can bring tears to your eyes if you think back on all the mistakes you made during the year.

[Fawst]

Dominic the Donkey.

Game. Set. Match.

[pheadx]

yeah it's Sufjan time again! I need to copy the 5 cds to my itunes.

[stereosforgeeks]

yeah it's Sufjan time again! I need to copy the 5 cds to my itunes.

Don't forget some Vince Guaraldi.

[Seppuku]

But I don't like "Wonderful Christmastime" by Sir Paul McCartney. No. Terrible and grating.

De La Soul once cut a version of this called "Simply" that makes it go down so much easier.

[thomasgaffney]

Christmas Wrapping - The Waitresses.

[Cha-Ka Khan]

But I don't like "Wonderful Christmastime" by Sir Paul McCartney. No. Terrible and grating.

No argument there. My most hated of all Christmas songs.

Except maybe "God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman" by Bare Naked Ladies.

It's a toss-up.

[The Vicar]

Father Christmas by Greg Lake.


Good thing I looked down the thread & saw that Cha-Ka got there first.
Loved the lyrics.
Like the original mix better than the over orchestrated version, replete with screeching chorus.

Prefer the more acoustic & less frantic version.

[St. Alphonzo]

Christmas Wrapping - The Waitresses.

Yep. Heard this for the first time this season in Toys R Us yesterday. I love that tune. Totally '80s.

[junesquad]

My Favorite Christmas Song is

I Want A Hippopotamus For Christmas

I want a hippopotamus for Christmas
Only a hippopotamus will do
Don't want a doll, no dinky Tinker Toy
I want a hippopotamus to play with and enjoy

I want a hippopotamus for Christmas
I don't think Santa Claus will mind, do you?
He won't have to use our dirty chimney flue
Just bring him through the front door,
that's the easy thing to do

I can see me now on Christmas morning,
creeping down the stairs
Oh what joy and what surprise
when I open up my eyes
to see a hippo hero standing there

I want a hippopotamus for Christmas
Only a hippopotamus will do
No crocodiles, no rhinoceroses
I only like hippopotamuses
And hippopotamuses like me too

(Short Music Interlude)

Mom says the hippo would eat me up, but then
Teacher says a hippo is a vegeterian

(Short Music Interlude)

There's lots of room for him in our two-car garage
I'd feed him there and wash him there and give him his massage

I can see me now on Christmas morning,
creeping down the stairs
Oh what joy and what surprise
when I open up my eyes
to see a hippo hero standing there

I want a hippopotamus for Christmas
Only a hippopotamus will do
No crocodiles or rhinoceroseses
I only like hippopotamuseses
And hippopotamuses like me too!

[The Vicar]

"I Saw Mommy Blowing Santa Claus"

Sounds like the old standard,
but with somewhat more modern lyrics.
Even so, the only thing that can save this song would be gasoline & matches applied to the original master tape and any found copies.

[Ribbons]

I never really liked Burl Ives that much, but ever since I started visiting teh Zone I always give "A Holly Jolly Christmas" a spin...

I just bought A Charlie Brown Christmas by the Vince Guaraldi Trio, so I'll probably be listening to that in the coming weeks.

[minstrel]

This is Jethro Tull's Christmas song. It poops the party. It guilts you up. Not very cheerful at all.

"Christmas Song"

Once in Royal David's City stood a lonely cattle shed,
where a mother held her baby.
You'd do well to remember the things He later said.
When you're stuffing yourselves at the Christmas parties,
you'll just laugh when I tell you to take a running jump.
You're missing the point I'm sure does not need making
that Christmas spirit is not what you drink.

So how can you laugh when your own mother's hungry,
and how can you smile when the reasons for smiling are wrong?
And if I just messed up your thoughtless pleasures,
remember, if you wish, this is just a Christmas song.

[HollywoodBabylon]

Except maybe "God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman" by Bare Naked Ladies.

It's a toss-up.

There's a joke somewhere in there but I just haven't quite figured it out yet.

[Nordling]

The Killers have a new one out on iTunes called "Don't Shoot Me Santa!" It's actually really good.

[The Vicar]

Except maybe "God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman" by Bare Naked Ladies.

It's a toss-up.

There's a joke somewhere in there but I just haven't quite figured it out yet.

I know.
It's busting my ass too......

[minstrel]

Except maybe "God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman" by Bare Naked Ladies.

It's a toss-up.

There's a joke somewhere in there but I just haven't quite figured it out yet.

I know.
It's busting my ass too......

"Bare Naked Ladies" can be rearranged to spell "Brain-dead sea elk."

Does that help?

[The Vicar]

Except maybe "God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman" by Bare Naked Ladies.

It's a toss-up.

There's a joke somewhere in there but I just haven't quite figured it out yet.

I know.
It's busting my ass too......

"Bare Naked Ladies" can be rearranged to spell "Brain-dead sea elk."

Does that help?

Not so much.
I think we were seeking something...sluttier.

Jeebus, IS there a sea elk?
I rarely watch Animal Planet anymore.

[darkjedijaina]

I used to listen to 98° christmas album a lot.

but, that was a long time ago, i swear!

edit: thx to seppu for showing me how to make the °!

[Seppuku]

(how do you do the degree symbol)

º Brought to you by Alt 0176.

[darkjedijaina]

"I Saw Mommy Blowing Santa Claus"

Sounds like the old standard,
but with somewhat more modern lyrics.
Even so, the only thing that can save this song would be gasoline & matches applied to the original master tape and any found copies.

ha. that sounds like it goes in this slightly more rugged christmas songs thread. unless the mods want to lock it.

[DinoDeLaurentiis]

(how do you do the degree symbol)

º Brought to you by Alt 0176.

Goddamn putz! It's a not as easy as alla that, no?

First a what a you gotta to do is a remember to use a the goddamn NUMPAD, eh? A 'cos a the normal numbers, they donna work, no?

Anna so's a you hold a down a the ALT key, anna then onna the NUMPAD, you type a the '0176' anna THEN let a go of a the goddamn ALT anna voila! You gotta your ° symbol, eh?

Here is a the goddamn ASCII chart, eh? Go ahead anna experiment with alla your favorite character, like a the ©, ¶, ö, anna of a course, ½, eh?

Of a course, donna forget, you gotta to type inna the goddamn 4-digit number, eh? A so's iffa the ASCII code, she is a the '123', you gotta to type inna the '0123', eh?

Have at it, putzes!!

[DinoDeLaurentiis]

ha. that sounds like it goes in this slightly more rugged christmas songs thread. unless the mods want to lock it.

Yes... we'll keep a them both a so's a you can alla talk about a the goddamn Josh Groban inna here anna talk about a the little ditty you made uppa onna your way a to work inna there, no?

[Maui]

Gary Hoey: The Best of Ho! Ho! Hoey

[pheadx]

you should also try the O.C. christmas album. While the show is not everyone's taste, the soundtracks are always great.

[SilentBobX]

ha. that sounds like it goes in this slightly more rugged christmas songs thread. unless the mods want to lock it.

Yes... we'll keep a them both a so's a you can alla talk about a the goddamn Josh Groban inna here anna talk about a the little ditty you made uppa onna your way a to work inna there, no?

Thanks for the love Dino. Mucha appreciated.

Mahalo