If you’re reading this, you’re alive. That’s a good thing considering that this year claimed just about every celebrity in existence.
We wanted to give a little shout-out to John Hughes. His films have left an indelible impression on our generation. Movies like The Breakfast Club, Pretty In Pink, and Sixteen Candles basically created a whole new genre. It’s spawned many imitations, but none have captured the magic of Hughes. He also contributed some of the best holiday movies in recent history. Planes, Trains, and Automobiles is one of the best films of the past fifty years—a truly touching comedy that features the best work by both Steve Martin and John Candy as two wayward travelers making it home for Thanksgiving. Hughes also wrote Home Alone (see the note below on the Mel Torme song), Home Alone 2 (which was still pretty good in my book, if not predictable), and National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. These days, it’s nearly impossible to contribute a holiday film that is placed in the canon. Hughes wrote three—PTA, Home Alone, Christmas Vacation—and all are watched in my house in November and December. If you’ve never seen these, please check them out. And speaking of films, what are your favorite holiday movies? Let me know.
For the songs today, let’s highlight some tracks from those great holiday Hughes films.
Christmas All Over Again – Tom Petty
Home Alone 2: Lost In New York.
“I'm not sorry. I did what I did because Buzz humiliated me and since he gets away with everything, I let him have it. And since you're all so STUPID to believe his lies I don't care if your idiotic Florida trip gets wrecked or not! Who wants to spend Christmas in a tropical climate anyway?”
All Along On Christmas – Darlene Love
Home Alone 2: Lost In New York.
“I know I don't deserve a Christmas, even if I did do a good deed. I don't want any presents. Instead, I want to take back every mean thing I ever said to my family. Even if they don't take back the things they said to me. I don't care. I love all of them... Including Buzz. I know it isn't possible to see them all. Could I just see my mother? I'll never want another thing as long as I live if I can just see my mother. I know I won't see her tonight, but promise me I can see her again. Sometime. Any time. Even if it's just once and only for a couple minutes. I just need to tell her I'm sorry.”
White Christmas – The Drifters
Home Alone.
“Allow me to introduce myself, Gus Polinski How are you? Polka King of the Midwest? The Kenosha Kickers? No? That's okay I thought you might have recognized—...Anyways I had a few hits a few years ago. That's why I... Polka, Polka, Polka?(singing) Polka, polka, polka... No? Twin Lakes Polka... Domavougi Polka A.K.A. Kiss me polka...polka twist?”
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas – Mel Torme
Home Alone.
Judy Garland has the best version of the song, but Mel Torme’s is my favorite, originally featured in Home Alone, which Hughes wrote. Torme was called The Velvet Fog, and for good reason—that voice is smooth. Fans of the television show Night Court might remember that Harry Anderson’s character loved Mel Torme. For some reason, my father loved Nigh Court and Mel Torme. My mother and I saw Home Alone twice in December of 1990. My father had been dead for a few months by that point. It had been a hard year and we hadn’t laughed that much in a long time. Even though I had heard the song plenty of times, when Torme’s song played at the end, I actually listened to the lyrics for the first time. The promise that next year would be better, that someday everyone would be together, and that troubles would be out of sight—it stuck with me. Composer John Williams produced this version and adds his unmistakable instrumentation behind Torme’s warm and endearing vocals. Every time I watch Home Alone, I am reminded of sitting in a dark theater with my mother and laughing until it hurt.
Here Comes Santa Claus – Gene Autry
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.
“Where do you think you're going? Nobody's leaving. Nobody's walking out on this fun, old-fashioned family Christmas. No, no. We're all in this together. This is a full-blown, four-alarm holiday emergency here. We're gonna press on, and we're gonna have the hap, hap, happiest Christmas since Bing Crosby tap-danced with Danny f*cking Kaye. And when Santa squeezes his fat white ass down that chimney tonight, he's gonna find the jolliest bunch of assholes this side of the nuthouse.”
Christmas Vacation – Mavis Staples
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.
“Hey! If any of you are looking for any last-minute gift ideas for me, I have one. I'd like Frank Shirley, my boss, right here tonight. I want him brought from his happy holiday slumber over there on Melody Lane with all the other rich people and I want him brought right here, with a big ribbon on his head, and I want to look him straight in the eye and I want to tell him what a cheap, lying, no-good, rotten, four-flushing, low-life, snake-licking, dirt-eating, inbred, overstuffed, ignorant, blood-sucking, dog-kissing, brainless, dickless, hopeless, heartless, fat-ass, bug-eyed, stiff-legged, spotty-lipped, worm-headed sack of monkey shit he is! Hallelujah! Holy shit! Where's the Tylenol?”
Bonus!
Home for the Holidays – Perry Como
I am that man from Pennsylvania who just wants some homemade pumpkin pie.
I’ll be Home With Bells On – Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton
This always brings a smile to my face.
I’ll Be Home for Christmas – Tift Merritt
One of the saddest songs of the season.
I’ve been shoveling the past two days. I’m sore, and not the way a man in a 1940s movie is sore. I’m actually wincing each time I type a letter. So long PC—we’ll see him again next year, I’m sure. We do hope to have another project, but the response to 77 Santas is so strong each year, how can we stop? I just ordered two new Christmas compilations last night so I’m not going anywhere.
Here are some new drawings. We are getting close to 77! It promised to be a doozey. I’ll be here until Wednesday to send all of you into Christmas Eve in style. So get ready—as usual, I’m closing things out with an explosion of goodness.
Shimmy Down the Chimney – Alison Krauss
Her voice… It’s… Ah, it’s good, it’s good.
It Doesn’t Have to Be That Way – Jim Croce
Jim, it sure doesn’t.
Carol of the Bells – The Vienna Boys’ Choir
Ring, ring, ring.
Nut Rocker – B Bumble and the Stingers
Totally off-the-wall piano.
All I Want For Christmas Is You – Vince Vance and The Valiants
An 80s classic.
Christmas Spirit – The Wailers
It’s in the air, can’t you hear it?
No Christmas In Kentucky – Phil Ochs
Sadly, this song rings all true.
Same Old Lang Syne – Dan Fogelberg
I don’t care what you call it, this is a keeper.
Rockin’ This Christmas – The Tractors
Lead singer Steve Ripley used to play guitar for Bob Dylan. He also used to smoke a lot of cigarettes, or at least it sounds that way.
I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday – Roy Wood and Wizzard
I love the cash register at the start of this song.
Jingle Bells – Reverend Horton Heat
Nothing like some psychotic rockabilly.
Little Toy Trains – Roger Miller
One of my favorite country Christmas tunes.
God Rest Ye Gentlemen – Pedro the Lion
Hushed and soft, another great version.
Hey Santa Claus – The Moonglows
Hey!
Mama’s Twisting with Santa Claus – Mark Anthony
1. Is mom cheating on dad? 2. Does mom not know some more updated dances?
Ok, people, this is it from me! Thanks for another wonderful year! I hope we've kept you rocking and singing this season. We'd still like to hear your favorite songs. It will give us something to do in the off-season... (hint, hint).
Here goes!
A little country to start:
Away in a Manger: The Statler Brothers
This is the only Otis I have:
Otis Redding: Merry Christmas Baby
Almost forgot about this one:
2000 miles (It must be Christmas time): The Pretenders
Let's take it way back:
The Christmas Tree Angel: The Andrews Sisters
Of course, there's this song from the Grinch: Welcome Christmas
And I'll end with three of my all time favorites:
Blue Christmas: Elvis Presley
Christmas Must Be Tonight: The Band
The Christmas Song: Nat King Cole
I hope it's a safe, happy, and memorable holiday.
Yrs,
PC
Wow! Overwhelming responses to our call for songs! We'll do our best. You all suggested quite a few we don't know or have yet, but that's what makes this little workshop of ours so great. Here's my post for tonight. I'll answer some requests here the best I can, and throw in a bundle of others in hopes that that's fair trade. Keep the requests coming, though. At least until Tuesday, when we (I think) shut down for the year. I'm done tomorrow.
Christmas Wrapping: The Waitresses
An Old Christmas Card: Jim Reeves
The Little Drummer Boy: Harry Simone Chorale
Christmas in Prison: John Prine
Father Christmas: The Kinks. Oh, the Kinks.
I'm not the biggest fan of novelty songs. JV can attest to this. Many a night he's had to withstand my crazed rants against novelty songs. This one's ok with me, as is the one we're named after:
Dominic the Christmas Donkey: Lou Monte
JV has yet to post the video link to this, but I love this song:
Suzy Snowflake: Rosemary Clooney. Is this a novelty song? "Do I contradict Myself? Very well, I contradict myself. I am large. I contain multitudes" Walt Whitman, retired Mall Santa and patron saint of the walkers.
I'll end with a few "non-traditional" numbers, but great this time of year nonetheless.
Wish I had A River: Joni Mitchell
Winter's Come and Gone: Gilian Welch
Last Snowstorm of the Year: Low
Winterlong (Live): Neil Young and Crazyhorse
PC
It's time for YOU to help US close out this 77 Santas season. We might have other surprises for you, too.
PC & JV.
Almost time for me to pack up the workshop and hit the road. Not without a few last posts, though.I treated myself to Gord's Gold yesterday. Here's a gem from that treasure chest.
Song for a Winter's Night: Gordon Lightfoot
Now three upbeat tracks from a master:
Nat King Cole:
Caroling, Caroling
Deck the Hall
Joy to the World
Here are two takes on a fave song of mine by two of my faves:
It Came Upon a Midnight Clear: The Louvin Brothers
It Came Upon a Midnight Clear: John Fahey
This song is awesome, but the video is awesomer
Must Be Santa: Bob Dylan
It just ain't Christmas around here without the Phil Spector Christmas album
Marshmallow World: Darlene Love
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Crystals
I'll close it out with a few tracks by two very soulful ladies
It Won't Seem Like Christmas: Loretta Lynn
Oh, Holy Night: Mahalia Jackson
Silent Night, Holy Night: Mahalia Jackson
PC
You want a white Christmas? Well, Central Virginia may have a white winter, because I can’t imagine how this snowy wallop is going away anytime soon. 18 inches have piled up outside my house, and it’s still coming down. We might have two feet before all is said and done. But that’s okay. Make some hot chocolate and relax to some Christmas tunes.
We’ve got some great Santa drawings (65, 66 for those keeping score at home) today that put mine to shame. David Gessner was kind enough to pass along some of his drawings. And just for fun, I’m linking to his YouTube videos as well. You know, with this snowstorm blasting the northeast, a lot of people will have to buy some gifts online. If you’re looking for books, you could pick-up Soaring with Fidel, Return of the Osprey, and Sick of Nature. And you could also get The Gossip of Starlings, written by his wife Nina de Gramont, for readers on your gift list as well. Look at how I just solved shopping problems for you.
This is a great sweet little song, laid-back and melodic.
Purple Snowflakes – Marvin Gaye
They aren’t purple just yet. Put I still have
Fifteen Feet of Pure White Snow – Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds
Look, it’s not a Christmas song, but it’s by the brilliant Nick Cave (whom PC saw on a street in Chicago this year!). And there’s a good chance we’ll have fifteen feet of pure white snow by the end of the day.
Snowfall – LeRoy Holmes and His Orchestra
Need to get the intensity of Nick Cave out of you? This should do it.
Frosty the Snowman – Porter Wagoner
Nothing
like the Wagonmaster at Christmas time.
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! – Vaughn Monroe
Best version of this song in my book. If you disagree, we’ll have to resort to fisticuffs.
Santa Claus Is Coming to Town – Bruce Springsteen and the E Street
Get rocked by rocked by the heart-stopping, pants-dropping, hard-rocking, booty-shaking, earth-quaking, nerve-breaking, Viagra-taking history-making, legendary E Street Band.
Sorry for my absence. My workshop is very busy this year.
Here's a re-post of songs that didn't work the first time:
Xmas Curtain: My Morning Jacket
Parade of the Wooden Soldiers: The Crystals
I Saw Three Ships: Nat King Cole
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (Bob Dylan)
Ok, now on to some others:
Not the biggest fan of the novelty songs, but I like this one:
Mele Kalikimaka: Bing Crosby
A little country triple shot:
Christmastime's A-Comin': Bill Monroe & His Bluegrass Boys
Blue Snowflakes: Ernest Tubb
If We Make it Through December: Merle Haggard
As if Hag's song weren't uplifting enough, here's this:
7 O'clock News/Silent Night: Simon & Garfunkel
This last one represents the most of my Christmas wish: A Rose Bowl Victory
Sleigh Ride: The Best Damn Band in the Land (OSU Marching Band)
Ok, I'll be back with more.
PC
We’re ten days out from the big day. Wow. PC is currently covering his entire neighborhood with fake snow. That’s why you haven’t heard from him lately. But I think he’s got one or two posts left. Enjoy the songs today. And here’s a brand new drawing for you kids!
Merry Christmas Baby – Ike and Tina Turner
Something tells me these two didn’t have the hap, hap, happiest of holidays.
Is it a Christmas song? I don’t know. But it’s great.
I Hear Bells Jingle – Freddie King
Some dirty blues for your holiday.
Horny Christmas – Loo and Placido
Dig the Dandy Warhols sample. Lyrically, well, it’s basically being horny on Christmas. Probably not one for the office Christmas mix.
Here’s a little plug for a superb blog The Late Greats. This is from the 2007 mix—each year is stellar.
Labels: Christmas Songs
