Jay Varner's Merrymaking Mix: 2012

In the mood for holiday mixes? Check us out over at Talus,Or Scree. We love 77 Santas but we can only do it one month out of the year. At Talus, Or Scree, we’re around all year.

The 2012 Merrymaking Mixes are up! Click here to check them out. We were featured in this Financial Times article about alternative Christmas music.

You can also subscribe to our podcast on iTunes. Our latest episode is all about holiday music.

Jay Varner's Holiday Mix 2011

Did we need another holiday mix? No. However, that never deters us from going totally overboard! Our final holiday mix of 2011 is now available at Talus, Or Scree (that's our new home; if you haven't visited yet, we're there all year round!). A little background here: this is the holiday mix Jay will give a select group of family and friends. Now, given that it’s December 18, he will most likely never actually get this in the mail. I mean, let’s be honest about it. Still, his heart is in the right place and he certainly has the best of intentions. If you downloaded the earlier mixes, there might be a few repeats here but most of the songs are making their debut on 77 Santas. If you download all five mixes, you’ve got over six and a half hours of music. That should get you to your destinations this week and then some. We hope you’ve enjoyed these mixes and already look forward to 77 Santas’ 2012 season!


Head on over to the new 77 Santas to check it out.

The Hits

You want the hits?  You got em.  Two hours of them.  Over at www.jayvarner.com, I’ve been running a podcast for a few months now called VarnerCast!.  This is the second podcast we’ve run this holiday season at 77 Santas.  Download it, crank it up, and enjoy while eating some cookies and sipping eggnog.  Throughout, you’ll hear some clips from our favorite Christmas movies.

And don’t forget the drawing contest!  The deadline is technically today, but we’re feeling generous.  Get them in my Monday, December 13 and you’ll still be set.

 

VarnerCast!: The Christmas Hits

Santa Claus Is Back In Town – Elvis Presley

Little Saint Nick – The Beach Boys

Jingle Bell Rock – Bobby Helms

Christmas Time Is Here – Vince Gauraldi Trio

Christmas Is the Time To Say I Love You – Billy Squier

X-Mas Curtain – My Morning Jacket

Christmas All Over Again – Tom Petty

Santa Looked A Lot Like Daddy – Buck Owens

Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree – Brenda Lee

I Want A Hippopotamus for Christmas – Gayla Peevey

Dominick the Christmas Donkey – Lou Monte

Holly Jolly Christmas – Burl Ives

Little Drummer Boy – David Bowie and Bing Crosby

I’ll Be Home for Christmas – Frank Sinatra

This Time of the Year – Brook Benton

Calling On Mary – Aimee Mann

Purple Snowflakes – Marvin Gaye

Sleigh Ride – The Boston Pops

Up On the House Top – Gene Autry

White Christmas – The Drifters

Let Is Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! – Vaughn Monroe

Baby, It’s Cold Outside – Dean Martin

It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year – Andy Williams

Please Come Home for Christmas – Charles Brown

Christmas Must Be Tonight – The Band

Christmas Wrapping – The Waitresses

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas – Judy Garland

Merry Christmas Baby – Otis Redding

Just Like Christmas – Low

Feliz Navidad – Jose Feliciano

Merry Christmas from the Family – Robert Earl Keen

Christmas Card from a Hooker in Minneapolis – Tom Waits

Mele Kalikimaka – Bing Crosby

Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) – Darlene Love

The Christmas Waltz – Peggy Lee

Hey. Ho. Where’d You Go?

As someone in the comments, we’re kicking things off a little earlier this year.  But, once Turkey Day comes around, you can expect to see daily posts like always.  In the meantime, I’m having fun giving you a little taste of what’s to come.  And, we also announced the Santa drawing contest.  Wow, I wish you could see some of what we’re received so far!  Because there are no entries.  Seriously.  This is embarrassing.  Now we just feel like clodhoppers.  Prove us wrong, folks.  Prove us wrong.

It’s a special week for PC and I.  Hate week.  It’s the one week out of the year when our beloved college football teams play each other.  PSU v. OSU.  And, coincidentally, this year PC and I also play each other in our fantasy league.  I know what you’re thinking—it’s going to be a rough weekend for PC.  Hate to see his Buckeyes and fantasy team both fall, but that’s just how things go.  If you’d like to send his condolences, feel free to write something in the comments.

Winter Symphony—The Beach Boys

I think this is an underlooked Beach Boys holiday song—and, I suspect there are a lot of songs from the 70s that the band produced that deserve more attention.  But, it’s especially noteworthy since the band made its name on sunny beach songs—here’s something a little darker, lushly produced, about wintertime.  The burnt, rusty leaves still hang in the trees, but soon winter will come in full blast.

Santa Claus, Santa Claus—James Brown

JB bringing down the house with that voice.  When he pleads that he’s been good, something tells me that he wasn’t.  But no matter, Santa Claus visits everyone, even the hardest working man in show business.

All I Ever Get for Christmas Is Blue—Over the Rhine

Blue.  As in blue and white.  As in Penn State.  And this is sung by a band from Ohio.

White Christmas—The Tractors

A piano-based instrumental of the old standard.  White.  As in a white out.  As in the pure helmets PSU wears onto the football field, only to be dirtied with the mud and the blood of Ohioans.

Lion’s Jaws—Neko Case

Nope, it’s not a Christmas tune, but I needed to throw something in here about a lion.  And I’m sure the Buckeyes will be firmly chewed up and spit out by the lions’ jaws Saturday afternoon.

My City Was Gone—The Pretenders

I guess I should give PC his due.  Here’s a song about Ohio.  Unfortunately, it’s the most uplifting one I could find.  Hey.  Ho.  Where’d you go Ohio?  Down in the BCS rankings?

2010 77 Santas Contest: Absurd Santa Drawing

Okay folks, this is a big one.  Our first contest.  And we’re excited to get it underway.  We heard that Santa recently started an Elf of the Month program, and it really inspired some work ethic (not to mention, a gift certificate to the North Pole Denny’s for one-luck Elf).  So, here’s the deal.

We want your hand-drawn renderings of Santa.  And, keeping with the theme of our drawings, we’re looking for an absurd take on Santa.  Want to show a beautiful scene with Santa helping out the orphans?  Hey, that’ll touch our heart, but you won’t win.  Do a great version of Santa as a cast member of Freaks and Geeks, now you’re talking (note: do not steal my idea!).  Weird, wacky, funny, satirical, and absurd.

Entry deadline is December 13.

The winners will be announced on December 20.

We’ll pick a first-place winner who will receive a special mix CD created by JV and PC, a personalized autographed copy of JV’s book Nothing Left to Burn, and a special treat you don’t want us to spoil.  No promises it will arrive by December 25, but we’ll try our best.

We’ll also pick some of our favorites in the following categories (who will sadly only win our respect and their picture posted online):

Funniest drawing

Weirdest drawing

You obviously didn’t follow the rules drawing

Best kid’s drawing

Worst drawing

Got it?  Good!  Grab your easel, charcoal, and your computer scanner.  Send attachments to:

77Santas@gmail.com.

Jpeg or tiff files work the best.  If you get fancy, well yes, we do run a website, but we’re not super techno savvy.  We’re English majors!  Have pity. 

Be sure to include your name and, if under 18, your age.  If you’re the grand prize winner, we’ll follow up and ask for your contact information.  If you’re one of the runner-ups, we’ll ask how you’d like to be credited on a website read by thousands of people.

We’re very excited to hear from our loyal readers around the world who share a love of not only this time of year but the music as well.  Best of luck.

FAQ

I’m not good at drawing.  Will that hurt my chances?

Have you seen JV’s drawings?  No.

Can I create mine on an iPad, iPhone, or digital source?

If you’re a nerd, sure.

I specialize in pornographic anime.  Is it accepted?

Absolutely not.  We’re a family-friendly site and do not promote anything involving nudity—unless of course it is our own.  Just kidding!  Nothing unsuitable, please.

But anime is okay?

As an icebreaker on a date?  No.  For this contest, I guess.

Give us a clue on the special prize.  Is it canned peaches?

No, it is not canned peaches.

Are you afraid that no one will enter and all your hopes and dreams about this website and your view on humanity will be cruelly crushed like a Nutter Butter cookie under Santa’s boot?

Of course.  We’re fragile, sensitive people who often bite our knuckles to hide our tears.  So please keep that in mind.

Sleigh Bells Ring.

A-hoy-hoy!  It’s November 1.  Halloween is gone.  The leaves are coming down.  The air chills.  And Christmas is coming soon.  77 Santas is back for another season.  So sit back and relax.  As is tradition, we’ll start our first day (and always our last) of the season with two of our favorites.

We’ve got some new tricks in store this year, and a lot of fun planned.  Not to mention some new changes—hint, hint, check the sidebar.  So, hang on for a wild holiday season.  (And the drawings start tomorrow!)

77 Santas – Gayla Peevey

Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) – Darlene Love 

Christmas in July: 2010

Christmas In July—Volume One

Christmas Message from Dennis Wilson of The Beach Boys

Pat A Pan—John Halloran & Choir

Rudolf The Red-Nosed Reindeer Mambo—Alvin Stoller

What Child Is This—David Grisman

“Happy Christmas In July”—JV

It’s A Big Country—Davitt Sigerson

Christmas In The Trenches—John McCutcheon

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen—Kate and Anna McGarrigle

Hark the Herald Angels Sing—A.V. Bornand Collection

“Country Christmas Intro”—JV

The Holly & The Ivy/The Cherry Tree Carol—John Fahey with Terry Robb

A Shut-In At Christmas/Shut-in's Prayer—The Louvin Brothers

The Friendly Beasts—Johnson Mountain Boys

Long, Long Ago—Barry & Holly Tashian

Silent Night All Day Long—John Prine

No Christmas In Kentucky—Phil Ochs

Christmas In My Smokey Mountain Home—Bobby Bare

Goin' Home For Christmas—Merle Haggard

Call Collect On Christmas—Del McCoury

“Shameless Self-Promotion”—JV

Frosty the Snowman—The Ventures

Christmas Island—Bob Atcher & The Dinning Sisters

Jingle Bells—Johnny Mercer

Sorry to See You Go—June Christy

Christmas In July—Volume Two

Intro—“Six Months Before Christmas”—JV

Exotic Night—Martin Denny

77 Santas—Gayla Peevey

Christmas On the Beach—Irene

Christmas Must Be Tonight—The Band

My Favorite Things—Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass

Silent Night—Huey “Piano” Smith and the Clowns

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen—The Ventures

X-Mas Time (Sure Doesn’t Feel Like It)—The Dogmatics

It’s Christmas Time Again—Harley Poe

Merry Christmas Baby—Ike and Tina Turner

The Christmas Song—The Raveonettes

Xmas Curtain—My Morning Jacket

Christmas All Over Again—Tom Petty

“Christmas In July”—JV

Carol of the Bells—Vienna Boys Choir

Oh Holy Night—Irma Thomas

Little Saint Night—The Beach Boys

Snoopy’s Christmas—The Royal Guardsmen

“Goodbye”—JV

Please Come Home for Christmas—Charles Brown

Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)—Darlene Love

Some Depression

Some of my favorite Christmas tunes are ripe melancholy. Sure, I love the upbeat around that time of year, but there’s something great about the following songs. They don’t hide their sadness or misery, no matter how catchy.

7 O’Clock News/Silent Night – Simon and Garfunkle

Oh, how that newscast could be updated to fit with today.

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen – Pedro the Lion

Stripped down and beautiful, this has become one of my favorite versions. The vocals sound pained and there are points where you wonder if he can finish.

Christmas Will Be Just Another Lonely Day – Brenda Lee

My Queen of Christmas.

If We Make It through December – Merle Haggard

Thanks to PC for reminding me of this one. Written in the grasp of the 1970s recession, it’s looking like this song might continue to resonate this year.

Call Collect on Christmas – Del McCoury

An all-out bluegrass tear-jerker—when your mother asks you to call on Christmas, do as she says.

Please Come Home for Christmas – Charles Brown

There are other versions—this is the best.

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas – Judy Garland

And the same with this—nothing beats Judy’s original, the hands-down winner for the most depressing Christmas song ever written.

Christmas In Paradise – Mary Gauthier

If you don’t know Mary Gauthier, seek her out. She’s similar to Lucinda Williams and Kathleen Edwards—female singer/songwriters who write some of the most painfully honest songs.

Merry Christmas from the Family – Robert Earl Keen

Lastly, here’s a mix of happy/sad. Sure, the family has some problems—what family doesn’t? But there’s something nice about this song. At least, no matter how much eggnog is consumed or Marlboro Lights are smoked, the folks are together.

If You Want It

Monday will mark the fortieth anniversary of Otis Redding’s untimely passing. Only twenty-six at the time, Redding had already established himself as one of the very best soul singers to ever record, mixing gospel and R&B into a style all his own. On the night of December 10, 1967, Redding and most of his back-up band The Bar-Kays were aboard a plane that crashed into a lake near Madison, Wisconsin. Three days prior to his death, Redding had recorded what would become his biggest hit—and though not a Christmas song, I’m posting it as an extra.

(Sittin’ on) the Dock of the Bay – Otis Redding

Merry Christmas Baby – Otis Redding

Listening to Otis Redding at Home on Christmas – Okkervil River

Tuesday marks the anniversary of Sam Cooke’s murder. The events around this are still debated, but it’s safe to say that the world was robbed of a major talent. Cooke had one of the greatest voices of the last century. (CHRISTMAS SONG AIN'T SAM COOKE--SEE COMMENTS FOR MORE!)

What A Wonderful World This Would Be – Sam Cooke

Christmas Means Love – Sam Cooke

Today marks the anniversary of John Lennon’s murder in New York City. Every year, I’ve posted “Happy Xmas (War Is Over)” by Lennon in remembrance of the day. Sadly, I wasn’t alive for a single day of Lennon’s life—my mother was pregnant twenty-seven years ago today. And it wasn’t until high school that I really discovered The Beatles. It’s easy to speculate about what Lennon would have done in the later years of his life, but let’s not forget all that the man accomplished. Lennon left an indelible testament that spoke to the very greatest aspects in humanity, and “Happy Xmas (Was Is Over)” certainly demonstrates that. The song’s message has only become more relevant with each passing year. So yet again, have a very merry Christmas, and a happy new year. Let’s hope it’s a good one, without any fear.

Here are four different versions.

The Polyphonic Spree

Sarah McLachlan

Sense Field

John Lennon

Saint Nicholas Day

Here’s an excerpt from the Wikipedia page on Saint Nicholas…

In late medieval England, on Saint Nicholas' Day parishes held Yuletide "boy bishop" celebrations. As part of this celebration, youths performed the functions of priests and bishops, and exercised rule over their elders. Today, Saint Nicholas is still celebrated as a great gift-giver in several Western European countries. According to one source, medieval nuns used the night of December 6th to anonymously deposit baskets of food and clothes at the doorsteps of the needy. According to another source, on December 6th every sailor or ex-sailor of the Low Countries (which at that time was virtually all of the male population) would descend to the harbour towns to participate in a church celebration for their patron saint. On the way back they would stop at one of the various Nicholas fairs to buy some hard-to-come-by goods, gifts for their loved ones and invariably some little presents for their children. While the real gifts would only be presented at Christmas, the little presents for the children were given right away, courtesy of Saint Nicholas. This and his miracle of him resurrecting the three butchered children, made Saint Nicholas a patron saint of children and later students as well.

Jolly Old Saint Nicholas – Chet Atkins
A master guitarist at his cool, relaxing best. Listen to that fingerpicking.

Jolly Old Saint Nicholas – Roy Drusky
Christmas Eve is coming soon, now you dear old man...

Santa’s Beard – The Beach Boys
He’s just helping Santa Claus.

Little Saint Nick – The Beach Boys
This one’s for Brendan—yeah, he has it already, and we’ve posted it already too, but really, do you ever tire of this song?

In Which We Highlight Novelty Songs (Good and Bad)

Look—you knew this was coming. Novelty songs. We’ve already posted a few and we’ll probably post a few more. But here’s a whole post dedicated to nothing but.

The Twelve Pains of Christmas – Bob Rivers
Hangovers.

Rusty Chevrolet – Da Yoopers
By far my favorite from this post. Somehow, I never tire for this song—probably because it reminds me of numerous people and their cars in my hometown.

Grandma Got Runover By a Reindeer – Elmo and Patsy
Send them back!

Redneck Twelve Days of Christmas – Jeff Foxworthy
Here’s a bad one—unless you like Jeff Foxworthy. Is he smarter than a fifth grader?

The Christmas Shoes – Alabama
The ultimate manipulative song. This one is for PC who passionately hates this song. And so do I. Why Alabama? Why?

The Real Slim Santa – JapeTV.com
Not kid friendly. Snagged this from The Late Greats. Check out some stellar Christmas mixes over there.

Horny Christmas – Loo and Placido
Also, not one for the kids. But that Dandy Warhols sample sure is great--actually, it's the entire Dandy Warhols song.

I Yust Go Nuts for Christmas – Yogi Yorgesson
A classic.

Another Cowboy Christmas

Apologies for the posts expiring so quickly—we also apologize for being cheap, since we could pay some dough for longer downloads. But, as always, if anyone ever has a request for a repost, just leave a comment and we’ll get it back up lickity-split. Even more apologies—my country post is a day late, but PC had my back yesterday. No, the picture doesn't have much to do with Christmas, but there appears to be cowboys. And it looks cool.

Blue Christmas – Webb Pierce
Ah, the old classic never gets any less blue.

Senor Santa Claus – Jim Reeves
Lou Dobbs requested this one—he said we just weren’t addressing the illegal immigrant problem in the country this holiday season.

One of You (In Every Size) – Marty Robbins
No socks, shirts, and ties, just your loving lies. Snagged this one from Flowering Toilet. Check the great Christmas mix up on that site.

Merry Christmas from the Family – Robert Earl Keen
Of course Keene’s Christmas tune would chronicle motor homes, chain-smoking, champagne punch, bloody Marys, and a can of fake snow. Hallelujah, everybody say cheese, merry Christmas from the family! This is fast becoming one of my favorites.

A Cowboy’s Christmas – Wayne Newton
Did cowboys have hairspray like Wayne Newton? They’d be a handsome bunch if that were true. This song’s hilarious because it tries so hard to be "cowboy."

The Santa Claus Boogie – The Tractors
Finally, a newer country tune. Take some time to believe in Santa Claus.

Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle all the Day

This only my first post today—I’ll be back in a bit with some country-flavored tunes. But to hold you over until then, here’s fifteen songs, making up for my silence the past few days. Enjoy—and Go Elf Yourself, San Diego.

It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year – Andy Williams
Agreed with Andy Williams on this one.

Mistress for Christmas – AC/DC
In hindsight, I suppose this song was kind of unavoidable for AC/DC. Easy come, easy go.

Christmas Island – The Andrews Sisters and Guy Lombardo
It’d be nice right now—I’m tired of being cold.

Nuttin’ for Christmas – Barry Gordon
At least the protagonist of this song is full aware that he’s been nothing but bad. In fact, any child with that kind of self-realization surely deserves something.

Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree – Brenda Lee
Yesterday I drove past a group of Boy Scouts selling trees in a parking lot. It was a great sight.

This Time of the Year – Brook Benton
Perhaps the standout from this post—download or die. It’s beautiful.

I Want to Come Home for Christmas – Marvin Gaye
Stop the fighting. PC mentioned this one the other day but couldn’t find it—here you go.

Happy Christmas (Was Is Over) – Damien Rice
If only this were true.

A Christmas Song – Denison Witmer
Pretty self-explanatory

Last Christmas – Findlay Brown
Yes, it’s that Last Christmas.

And, signing on to PC’s post yesterday, here are a few winter related tunes.

Snowfall – Skitch Henderson and the Tonight Show Band
Turn off the lights and look out the window—watch that snow fall.

Wintersong – Sarah McLachlan
Nico depresses me too, PC. And so does Sarah McLachlan.

Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! – Dean Martin
How I hate going out in the storm.

Winter Wonderland – The Sandpipers with Mitch Miller and Orchestra
A beautiful sight.

Hazy Shade of Winter – The Bangles
Sorry Simon and Garfunkle, but I prefer The Bangles version.

The Winter Is Coming – Elf Power
It's kind of already here.

Christmas All Over Again

In a few days, December will be here. But isn’t 77 Santas going to run out of songs? Nope. I still have 494 songs left—don’t get too excited because there’s no way I can post all of those. Still, we’ve got plenty left.

Silent Night – A.V. Bornand Collection
This is an old-time music box.

Christmas All Over Again – Tom Petty
This is a rocking song by one of rock’s most handsome men.

Christmas Is the Time to Say I Love You – Billy Squier
This is a delicious piece of 80s cheese.

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas – Aimee Mann
This is just sad.

Red in the Face

Okay, how many of you are experiencing problems with this blog? PC pointed out that he was seeing red, red, red everywhere. While it looks okay on my computer, I’m not quite sure what the dillio is, though using out-of-date terms like dillio certainly don’t help anything. This is a first for us, so any of you techno-savvy folks who have a clue, we’d certainly appreciate a tip or two. But suffice it to say, the elves in Santa’s workshop aren’t happy. It's especially sad because I just got a fine Christmas collection in the mail today. Thanks mom!

Until I figure out what’s going on—and perhaps it’s fine now, I have no idea—I’m only doing one song today.

They Say It’s Christmas Day – Anne McCue

Who’s the Man with All the Toys?

What did PC say yesterday? Nothing would keep me away from this blog? Well, of course he’s right. And there are some wonderful treats today. But how about our visits—we never would have dreamed that 77 Santas would be such a hit! We’re almost up to 13,000 hits. Last year, I think we had around 2,000 for the entire season. Thank you, everyone who’s visited, who have left comments, and have just enjoyed the music. After all, that’s what we’re about—finding some of our favorite Christmas tunes, some obscure and some not, and sharing them.

The Man with All the Toys – The Beach Boys
It’s barely over a minute and a half but it’s absolutely sublime. The harmonies and that “oh” after each verse—I dare you not to sing along. Let's just hope the man doesn't have too many more toys to recall this year.

I’ll Be Home for Christmas – Fats Domino
The man is a force to be reckoned with, inspiring a myriad of Beatles tunes. Classic Fats on this track—that bluesy/boogie-woogie piano, a nice sax solo, and of course the man’s incredible vocals. He’s an American original that is still going strong, despite a close call in Hurricane Katrina. Keeping that in mind, here’s a little bonus: Walking to New Orleans. It’s got nothing to do with Christmas but it’s beautiful.

In the Bleak Midwinter – The Pipettes
There’s just something cool about a girl group who wear matching polka-dot dresses in 2007. If only Phil Spector weren’t a complete nut, he could make a great Christmas album with this British group.

O Holy Night – The Vienna Boys Choir
Fall on your knees! I love the unabashed theatrics in this song—and this version, complete with a pipe organ, really starts to purr at the 1:36 mark. That would make even an atheist fall in love with a religious song.

I Wish I Had A River

How about seven Christmas songs on your Sunday? Many of these songs reflect the weather here today: cloudy, dreary, frigid, and damp.

In the coming weeks, I can’t promise the regular posts I’ve had the past several weeks. I start a new 9-5 job tomorrow and it will definitely affect my blogging schedule. Usually, I strove to update the blog by noon on weekdays, but now it will likely be in the evenings (at least EST time—there are no many international readers, I don’t know this affects you). More than likely, my weekday posts will grow smaller. Less writing, maybe a fewer number of songs, but I will try my damnedest to get something up every single day. However, if I’m missing a few days, you’ll know why. I know PC has done his best to get songs up on a regular basis, but that guy’s busy too—and also a writer.

Oh Come, Oh Come Emanuel – John Fahey
Once again, let’s start things off with a master guitarist.

O Come O Come Emanuel – Sufjan Stevens
Rejoice, rejoice, rejoice. Great rendition by Sufjan off his Christmas box-set.

Little Drummer Boy – Mark Kozelek
For a man who can make even AC/DC songs sound spare and melancholy, did you expect his version of “Little Drummer Boy” to actually feature some cheer? Nope. Acoustic and chilling.

River – Sarah McLachlan
I’m gonna make a lot of money and then I’m gonna quit this crazy scene.

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas – Andre Gagnon
Truly one of the most downbeat holiday songs ever recorded. This is a beautiful instrumental version.

Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) – Death Cab for Cutie
This is a band that’s hit or miss for me. Luckily, this one hits. Sure, it’s not Darlene (no one is) but it’s more laidback and pared-down.

Silent Night, Christmas Blue – The Tractors
A bluesy little number that features a soothing organ throughout.

Salvation Army Bells Are Ringing

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. The all-Christmas radio stations are on across the land. The season is on in full force—even your local Grinches can’t deny that. Trim the tree, wrap the presents, and turn the Christmas music on. I’ll be home with bells on.

Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) – Darlene Love
If you check this blog regularly, you’re already used to two things: Gayla Peevey and Darlene Love. I adore this song—one of my top five of all time—and since it’s the “official” start to the holiday season, you’re getting it again. And in the coming weeks, you’ll get a few more versions. And probably Darlene at least once more.

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen – The London Philharmonic Orchestra
Something about Christmas orchestra music makes me think of walking a street decorated with lights and filled with shoppers. That’s probably something that’s never really happened, but I like fake nostalgia.

Little Saint Nick – The Beach Boys
It’s true—Christmas comes this time each year.

All Alone on Christmas – Darlene Love
If I could only listen to this on my Talkboy just like in Home Alone 2. Darlene Love plus Christmas equal sheer bliss.

Here Comes Christmas – Bill Kelly
Since it’s the kick-off to holiday shopping, how about a little song that critiques commercialism? As Kelly says, it gets more commercial every year but it’s still my favorite holiday.

Darlin’ (Christmas Is Coming) – Over the Rhine
A beautiful little song.

Merry Christmas Darling – The Carpenters
What a tragedy. Karen Carpenter had an amazing voice and this is one of my favorite Christmas songs.

I’ll Be Home with Bells On – Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers
My dad loved this song and today would have been his 51st birthday. I’ll end today's post with one for him.

Ring, Ring, Ring, Ring

Apologies for the late update. Busy today. If you get a chance, go see No Country for Old Men. It’s phenomenal, though lacks some Christmas joy—in fact, the message is pretty much the world is a terrible place, it’s going to get worse, and there’s nothing anyone can do about it. Oh yeah, it’s also hyper-violent. But my stars is this a masterpiece—every performance will just knock your stockings off your chimney.

Onward to the music. Time to ring those bells.

Carol of the Bells – John Williams
A beautiful version from Home Alone.

Carol of the Bells – Metallica featuring The Tran-Siberian Orchestra
How about a head-banger’s version?

Carol of the Bells – The Vienna Boys Choir
Nothing really tops this.

Your fries are done:

Watch Your Ps and Qs

I loved Ray Stevens when I was a kid. One year for my birthday—right after second grade—I was given a tape of Ray Stevens’ Greatest Hits which featured such classics such as The Streak, Ahab the Arab, Along Came Jones, Gitarzan, and Shriner’s Convention. Though the songs had all been recorded in the studio, a laugh track was added in post production—it was similar to watching a sitcom. And now that I think about it, many of the jokes were on the same level. Commercials promoting his albums and especially his music video collection seemed inescapable. In the videos, he dressed as the famous characters listed in the songs above. His comedy style certainly isn’t subtle—he goes all-out, so over-the-top that it quickly becomes cheesy. But, as kid, I ate all of this up, listening to that tape again and again and turning up the volume on the television when one of his commercials came on. One of my favorite tracks by Ray Stevens is “Santa Claus Is Watching You.” When that chorus comes—my cousin Travis and I used to sing this. Actually, we still sing that deep baritone and it’s guaranteed to happen this holiday season at least once.

Now, there are at least three versions of this song that I know about. A short single version, a longer version, and also a version that includes references to the CIA, wiretapping, and surveillance (it was 1962 when this came out—glad we don’t have to worry about that kind of thing anymore, right? Right?). As for the long versus short versions, I have to recommend the long. It’s obvious in the short versions where the tape splices occurred and I can’t imagine why it was trimmed to begin with—I mean this is an epic song on par with “Stairway to Heaven.” Okay, so maybe it’s not that big, but I still love it.

Santa Claus Is Watching You – Ray Stevens

Courtesy of YouTube, here’s the video for “Santa Claus is Watching You” by Ray Stevens. The lyrics have been changed for this “updated’ version, but Ray Stevens is still going all out in his utter zaniness. And it’s actually quite annoying and also scary. That elf is downright creepy.



So, hopefully you watched that clip to remind you (or introduce you) to Ray Stevens. The next clip is imperative that you understand the man at least a little bit. This was made by Travis and Jonathan of Red State Update fame. The first day I saw this, I watched it about ten times and laughed. Perhaps that says something about how my humor has evolved since listening to Ray Stevens many years ago. The premise for this clip: super-producer Rick Rubin works with Ray Stevens. Hilarity ensues.