This secular nation is a strange, strange place. Do you know that despite the clear hegemony of Christianity in this country, despite the fact that no one could be elected to lead this nation who wasn't a professed Christian, despite all of evidence before any rational person's eyes just walking anywhere this time of year, I still regularly get spammed by relatives complaining about how Christians are a poor, beleaguered, constantly-under-threat minority in this country? I'm astounded every time.
I should point out that for a committed secular agnostic, I do really love Christmas music and Christmastime, and I do think it should be a secular holiday. All of that "true meaning of Christmas" stuff seems silly to me, but then again, maybe I'm just a liberal humanist trying to oppress the poor, beleaguered Christian minority in this country (who just happen to dominate all of our institutions).
I was raised secularly but we were big on Christmas and I love older Christmas songs (Frank Sinatra! Bing Crosby!) but I can tire quickly of cheesy pop stuff.
Now I have
if you really love Christmas... come on and let it snow
going through my head.
OMG Want.
I can hook you up.
I've got so much Christmas music that I long ago got tired of hearing different takes on standards and have focused on finding new Christmas songs that are good. I mean, there aren't that many rocking versions of "Little Drummer Boy" that I need. Five or six is plenty. Once Joan Jett did it, everybody else should just step off.
It was cool when Combustible Edison had the good sense to cover "Christmas Time is Here" from Charlie Brown Christmas, but now everybody's covered it umpteen times and I'm good on that one.
I think I've got at least two favorite versions of every classic song.
"Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" - Bing or Chrissie Hynde.
"White Christmas" - Otis Redding or The Drifters.
"Frosty the Snowman" - Leon Redbone, or... I guess I just need Leon's version there.
"Santa Claus is Coming to Town" - Jackson 5 or Bruce Springsteen. Ideally with the Bruce version you get the long intro story about how he got stuck carrying the amps. But nothing really tops an 8 y.o. singing about Santa Claus coming.
Once Joan Jett did it, everybody else should just step off.
You have to give props to Low, though. I don't think their version even has drums.
"Santa Claus is Coming to Town" - Jackson 5 or Bruce Springsteen.
For me, what totally makes the song as a classic is when Bruce starts laughing (while trying to sing) at the end. Not sure why that is....
I think I've got at least two favorite versions of every classic song.
Anything from the Jingle Cats oeuvre?
Just in case Shir has not experience the Jingle Cats: [link]
I almost posted about the Jingle Cats. They were always the first CD out of the box on tree decorating night but that CD went with my sister when she moved out.
I beg to differ!
I haven't heard the Deerhoof version.
I do really like Evan Johns and the H-Bombs "Little Cajun Drummer Boy" though. That's one of my favorites. I usually pair it with Brenda Lee's "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree." I also like the Hoodoo's version.
I'm not a fan of either the Jingle Cats or the Barking Dogs xmas excursions.
Also, I need to remind everybody that Laura is the absolute Queen of Carol of the Bells, and posted multiple versions last year.
Ah! I just remembered there is another version of Frosty that I love. Kevin & Bean did a parody of the Gorillaz "Clint Eastwood" using Frosty lyrics. "Clint Frostwood" by the Chillaz - it's great. "I'm Frosty / I'm made of snow / corn cob pipe / and button nose" all set to that slow, lurching beat.
"Santa Claus is Coming to Town" - Jackson 5 or Bruce Springsteen. Ideally with the Bruce version you get the long intro story about how he got stuck carrying the amps. But nothing really tops an 8 y.o. singing about Santa Claus coming.
My favorite version of this is performed by Chris Isaac with Stevie Nicks.
Kevin & Bean did a parody of the Gorillaz "Clint Eastwood" using Frosty lyrics. "Clint Frostwood" by the Chillaz - it's great. "I'm Frosty / I'm made of snow / corn cob pipe / and button nose" all set to that slow, lurching beat.
Man, I *love* that one. I have it in my iTunes, so I'm assuming I got it from you.
