Christmas Music for The Rest of Us
We all have that friend that can’t wait to throw on their Christmas playlist- and it seems like they do it earlier and earlier each year. They are the human equivalent of Costco. There’s still leftover candy from Halloween and they’re already busting out the White Christmas and Little Saint Nicks. If you share a listening space (car, workspace, kitchen) with one of these people- you might be looking for a little something to freshen up the mix! Well lucky for you, I’ve compiled a list of often overlooked, highly underrated Christmas tunes…for the rest of us.
FITZ & THE TANTRUMS
Santa Stole My Lady
With lines like “You better hide your mistletoe” and “Fellas hold your ladies close”- this puts a 21st century spin on songs like “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” and sets it to a fun beat that’ll have even the Grinchiest person tapping their toes.
THE RAMONES
Merry Christmas (I Don’t Want To Fight Tonight)
As much as we love songs about building snowmen and hanging angels- let’s be honest a good chunk of your Christmas holidays will be spent listening to Aunt Marjorie making fun of Uncle Lou’s toupee. Hopefully you and your loved ones will have a Merry Christmas- or at the very least tolerate each other for a few hours. And speaking of crazy families...
DROPKICK MURPHYS
The Season’s Upon Us
This song starts out innocently enough with lyrics about “eggnog and cheer” but it gets good when singer Ken Casey says of his family “If you think yours is crazy, well you should see mine”. If you’ve ever watched Christmas Vacation and realized “oh my god….we ARE the Griswolds!!” then this song’s for you!
THE EELS
Everything’s Gonna Be Cool This Christmas
Woah now! Before you have a full blown four alarm holiday emergency- throw this on and take a deep breath and let the soothing reggae sounds make you grateful that you’re snuggled up indoors and not outside where “cool” is an understatement in Fort McMurray.
THE POGUES FEATURING KRISTY MACCOLL
Fairytale of New York
What’s this? A Christmas song that doesn’t mention Christmas OR Santa in the title? That doesn’t make it any less Christmas-y though, in fact BBC readers voted it the Best Christmas Song of all time in 2007. This may not be the happiest Christmas song, but it’s not the saddest either- and you won’t find Christmas Shoes on this list. Let’s cheer things up a bit….
BRAD PAISLEY
Penguin. James Penguin
Realizing Rudolph & Co. were getting a lot of the credit for saving Christmas- the very talented (and very funny) Brad Paisley crafted this tale about a secret agent Penguin. Guaranteed to put a smile on your face.
THE WAITRESSES
Christmas Wrapping
This song often gets overlooked and it delivers with great female vocals and an amazing horn arrangement! It also lead to this play on words….
KURTIS BLOW
Christmas Rappin’
Best known for his hit “The Breaks” Kurtis and this song have the distinction of being the first ever rap song released on a major label back in 1979! Try not to get your Holly Jolly groove on- I dare you!
WEIRD AL YANKOVIC
The Night Santa Went Crazy
With the struggle of the holidays getting to all of us- sometimes it’s easy to forget that even the Jolly Old Elf himself isn’t immune to a bout of Christmas Rage. It also makes for a great trivia question as to which two reindeer survived Santa’s rampage (Vixen and Donner).
PAUL BRANDT
Christmas Convoy
I had to throw in a Country song (naturally). But this one combines some goofy fun with the theme of doing toy drive for charity. And that, my friends, is the true spirit of Christmas. Be nice to your family, be thankful for what you have and help out whenever and wherever you can this Christmas season!
Follow me on Twitter @NuttySkaDork and I’ll be happy to let you know who’s looking for help!
