And What Christmas Carols Will You Be Singing This Year?
It wouldn’t be the holidays without egg nog, presents under the three, and Jonny McGovern’s “Dirty Gay Christmas.” But if that’s not your style, how about the London Gay Men’s Chorus little medley? Or … not. Well, I would like to take this opportunity to get your thoughts on whether you’re tired of every pop, country, and Christian singer releasing a holiday album that, more often than not, butchers the original tunes. Do we need Mariah Carey and Carey Underwood singing “Joy To The World”?
The vast majority of Christmas “music” is horribly outdated, outlandishly bad and so overdone its not even funny.
If artists want to do holiday music, why can’t they write and perform tunes that haven’t been done to death such as “Christmas Shoes” which is by far one of the best songs ever for celebrating Christmas (although it was done by a Christian group and mentions God and Jesus which means everyone here will automatically hate it).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNsvE33pRSw
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I can’t agree with Enemabag Jones, Mariah has an instrument. Talent is knowing what to do with it other than vocal gymnastics and blasting triple forte.
Let me have Aretha, Annie Lennox, and Faith Hill can take a song and make it their own without destroying it. You could also check out Nancy Lamott, she’s been gone 15 years but the Just In Time For Christmas is still amazing.
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The entire Supremes Christmas album from 1965
We Three Kings/ Oh Holy Night & Silent Night from The Edwin Hawkins Singers Christmas album, 1969
Merry Christmas All by Denise Montana & the Salsoul Orchestra, 1977
Christmas Baby Please Come Home & Marshmallow World by Darlene Love, 1963*
Let It Snow & Someday At Christmas by The Temptations, 1970
Christmas Everyday by The Miracles, 1963
Sleigh Ride by The Ronettes 1963*
Christmas Don’t Be Late – The Chipmunks 1958(?)
Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree – Brenda Lee 1960
Jingle Bell Rock – Bobby Helms
Little Drummer Boy – Harry Simeone Chorale
Merry Christmas Darling – Carpenters 1970
Give Me Your Love For Christmas & Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas – Johnny Mathis, 1969
Santa Bring My Baby Back To Me & Blue Christmas – Elvis Presley, 1957
Christmas At Ground Zero – Weird Al, 1986
Bring Me A Man For Christmas – Weather Girls
Jingle Bells – The Singing Dogs, 1956, & Booker T. & The MGs, 1966
Merry Christmas Baby – Otis Redding
Back Door Santa – Clarence Carter
Gee Whiz It’s Christmas – Carla Thomas
What Christmas Means To Me – Stevie Wonder
The Christmas Song – Nat King Cole
* In fact, make that the entire Phil Spector Christmas album…
All those and a few other, every year, or my Christmas ain’t right. New stuff is welcome too but it has ‘earn’ its place as a perennial.