Not Adelle, not Ella, DELLA still means noble. Just not Adelle noble.
The big deal here is the 1905 O Henry short story ‘The Gift of the Magi‘, here retold by Kristen Chenowith with The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square backing her. (The original is better, sorry.) Della and Jim poor, wretched loved ones give up everything so that nothing matters on Xmas. The irony of it all!
Several songs celebrate the mini-tragedy of it all, no names named. One even gets her name wrong. Crossfox’s “Bella and Jim” alt-rocks grunge while seeming to prefer Twilight.
(Let’s acknowledge the Conte/Giardini operetta and move on. No one wants to hear that. Nor the other ‘musicals’ for regional consumption.)
Cris Williamson uses alt-folk to talk-sing the story. Her “Gift of the Magi” swings as spiritual, but drops nuance.
Lumibeatz · Umesh Shukla use rap (and AI) to retell their own “The Gift of the Magi“. It had to happen.
Darryl Purpose sneaks funk into the folk with his “The Gift of the Magi“. Ready for the quiz yet?
“The Gift Of The Magi Holiday Fair” From the Antlers Basement includes the plot highlights without as much editorializing. Then it veers sentimentally into a flea market for extra impact. Folk plus a dash of klezmer.
Joe Newberry (feat. April Vetch)’s “Della and Jim” borrow lines from the story to construct their own blue grass quiet weeper.
DEE is a nickname for anyone whose name begins with the letter D. Or it’s Welsh for dark. Or divine. I guess it’s whatever you want it to be.
Tim and Eric from Adult Swim have a Chrimbo tribute, “A Song for Dee Vee“. It could be a name short for DVD. Truly terrible.
Doug and the Angry Elves use Ai and country swing to infuse “Grandma’s Christmas Brownies” with special magic. Uncle Kent and Aunt Dee have their minds melted.
Boo Ray wants you to send his “Christmas Card” directly to Dee’s Country Cocktail. That’s where his country singing finds the true meaning of cocktails.
DEBORAH is a busy bee, the only female judge of ancient Israel (as it says in the Bible).
Harry Houlton is pretty fed up with the whole Xmas thing. He’s “Getting Lost For Christmas“, unless you can cure him of being a Debbie Downer. BLUE ALERT (and plenty of self harm to go around). But amusing folk pop for all that.
Need further explanation? Suggi sings “Debbie Downer on Christmas” with frolicsome R+B. Not so depressing here.
Slightly more positively, The Jeffrey Lee Pierce Sessions Project feat. The Amber Lights loves “Debbie by the Christmas Tree“. As it’s a punk admission, it’s not easy to feel the passion.
Deborah writes to Dat Boi and wishes him a “Memey Christmas” in Elliot Gough’s electro-pop dance number. Despite the up-to-the-minute title ref, this is a flash from the ’90s.
Worse off, “Debbie’s Last Christmas” by Nancy LaPlante portrays a ’60s light pop farewell to holly jolly. Holy hell, what is this?
Boy, is DAVID an old name. Hebrew for close one, like uncle. But, i guess, a really old uncle.
The death of a son is courted in the country weeper “Little David’s Harp” here done by its orginators Dolly Parton and Porter Wagoner. Born blind on Christmas, he became a lover of music. So he never had a chance.
“Once in Royal David’s City” is a lovely standard about the ancestry of both JC and his birth spot. Gets loads of coverage. Sufjan Stevens is my goto with the unassuming folk singalong gusto. Lower Lights perks it up with bluegrass. Lizzy Hilliard causes dizziness with her a cappella rounds. Severe incorporates metal seamlessly. Jethro Tull remakes it into their own image. That’s my pick.
What happens when Biblical legend gets meme coverage? “6 7 Christmas” by Village Robot namechecks the son of God as the root of David. Had to squeeze in this electro pop for its own sake.
One more for the King of slings. “Homeless Sons of David” agendizes social problems with gentle folk. Joel Dobbins identifies with Jesus as trying the best with what he’s given.
Okay, a last King David reference. Jeff Lowe Psalms Project evokes Xmas chaos with the gentle folk of “I’m So Excited“. Reminder: J-man’s descent is through Joseph (waitaminute, there’s no direct lineage there! Call the press!).
More practical in today’s world, “Dave’s Snow Plow” is up before you are. Bangin’ country pop from Brent Reinders. Don’t get in Dave’s way.
Pineapple Dave really wants to rap out to Dave’s birthday in “A Dave n Frazier Christmas“. But, is he really dissing Xmas?
Slackers Anonymous are represented by Shama Mrema, PD Bachmann (ft. Abby Gilbert) declaring a “Broke for Christmas“. Rap battles R+B, but recommends listening to Dave Ramsey.
Rocking Robin pops us home to meet the fam in “The Truth About Christmas“. Worst secret: Uncle Dave’s already drunk.
He’s still drunk on “Whiskey Christmas” when The Troumatics punk up the party. Hic.
This Christmas was so good Uncle Dave forgot to argue with the boss. In fact, so R+Bs Daniel millennial, it is the “Best One Yet“. Bouncy.
For AI it’s cousin Dave–he’s on a rickety chair!–who represents despair as “It Always Rains At Christmas (A Very British Holiday Disaster)”. James Ashby grabs credit for this slightly above average showtune.
Cousin Dave brought his crypto girlfriend in Rogue Tone’s “Tinsel Fight Club“, an AI rock rager. Cartoon violence ensues.
Although… Abelardo’s Uncle Dave is asleep in his chair, portending another “Christmas Disaster“. Jazzy pop with scat refrain.
RoBuz’s “Proper British Christmas” is fun melodic rap, wherein Uncle Dave’s singin’ loud on the microphone. More lively than the usual family get-together.
When Daniel Lee Becker starts opening boxes Xmas Day he exclaims “That Ain’t My Gift“. Why he keeps opening is a mystery. Even Uncle Dave’s shaving kit does not appease him. Indie pop.
Katie Dwyer & Sunflower Summit & Jessie Max wants to be the “Elf“, but worries that Dave’ll notice her making the nativity naughty. Flighty pop.
David tries to get Tracy to stay for Christmas, but Tracy replies “Tojo” never made it to Darwin. Hoodoo Gurus cracks the club rock whip, but all i hear is holidays.
Dave gets reminders, but he continually forgets to move that “Stupid Freakin’ Elf on the Shelf“. Glacial Erratic ups the tempo with rocking pop. Pretty novel.
Family Friendly Funtimes only wants “Dave Strider’s Butt” for Christmas. You had to be there. Experimental giggle-rap.
Then Dave got “Drunk on Christmas Cheer“, so he became fodder for a funky country diatribe from Chance Hunter. Not a complimentary portrait.
Davey stole a Christmas tree from the K-Mart last night, begins “Christmas in Paradise” by Mary Gauthier. He’s quite a character set in this alt country folk confession.
AI glee club brings us an “Indy Davy Christmas“, an odd mishmash of oddity and urbanity, attributed to Thomas MacArthur. I’ve room for it on the mantle.
Brief celeb sighting. Daily Reckless takes the piss with “David Attenborough, Where’s Your Camera?” Something to do with climate change and endless winter, but it sounds so Christmassy.
Black to the elderly! “Old Man Davie’s Christmas Kingdom” is Duotang’s great indie rock story about a bored store employee who hobbies fantastic decorating for the holidays in the storeroom. But, then the suits find out…
Daryl introduces DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince for their “Family Christmas“. Cute kid. Light hearted rap.
Daryl Hall, on the other unlikely hand, seems to be the author from The Moist Boys’ rap “Not So Silent Night (The Party Song)”.
“Beep Beep“–the ‘sound’ of Rudolph’s nose–, is more AI from KimmerCPSS Lived Experience, countrifies Xmas chaos. Something about Kentucky here, so there’s a reindeer named Darryl. I am NOT following….
Chuck Worm And The Nite Crawlers follow Larry, Darryl, and Dad (the other brother Darryl?) for discount shopping in “Topless Christmas Tree“. ‘Sgot nothin’ on Charlie Brown’s. Comedy country with so much lounge you might shy away. BLUE ALERT
DARREN hails from many a Northern European folk. In Gaelic it means Oak Tree. In Old English, darling one. In French, from Arielle. Terribly unpopular at the beginning of the Baby Boom, the Swingin’ ’60s brought it back.
Perhaps a nod to a British showman, “DARREN CHRISTMAS DAY” by Canadians In Space intones the name as a celebratory chant. Huh.
Nightheart entitles their what-to-do Xmas list “Darren“, possibly because he’s the naughtiest druggie biker ever was. He’s the opposite of nice. Don’t. Just don’t. Bluegrass pop.
A simple mispronunciation, DARLENE means darling. Duh.
Cody Johnson returns for his “Hat Made Of Mistletoe“, made to seduce Miss Darla, his eighty-year-old contemporary. Sprightly blue grass suitable for square dancing.
It’s a “Sad Teenage Christmas for Kebin and Oscar!” according to Kebin and Oscar. Apparently some Hawaiian vacay separates them from their girlfriends, Sweet Baby Raye and Darlene. R+B hair metal. Totally heinous.
Similar troubles for Matthew McLaughlin as sung in “Chestnuts“. Missing family they hope Darlene will sing help (ie, Darlene Love will sing his signature ‘Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)’ number).
In “12 Days of Amnesia” The Great American Trailer Park Christmas Musical reveals the hook of the plot: mean old fussbudget Darlene won’t join in on the trailer park decorations until she’s been hit on the haid. Country rock showtune.
Slidawg & the Redneck Ramblers bluegrass up “Did You Heared What I Heared?“, a tribute to Hey Watch This as a means to impress Darlene ‘cross the trailer lot. No Grandmas were killed in the promulgation of this prank.
From the Dark One–or just from Arcy—DARCY is a bit of an affectation. Originally male, it is now five times more likely that you are female with this appellation.
Kat Dennings did a goof on ‘Wenceslaus’ for an over credits song after a Marvel cartoon recently. “Darcy’s Christmas Song” is short, so sweet.
In “The Moment You End” Archers of Loaf retell falling for Darcy in an airport around the holidays. Garage punk for sudden romance.
A folk song hero (from John Denver), Darcy Farrow, appears in Floyd Samson’s fanciful “Candy Cane Village“. Not deaths this time; skating and hot drinks in this folk pop.
Of course, Roger Whittaker’s “Darcy the Dragon” is the wildest Xmas folk tale. Folk kidsong.
As God is my Judge, DANIEL is a book in the Bible.
One of my fave-o saxophone-driven pop noodles is The Rosebuds’ “Christmas Dan“. I picture a Giuseppe Arcimboldo portrayal kind of guy. He’s the coolest.
Also can’t pass up the opportunity to repeat the spoken word horror of John Tabacco’s “Daniel’s Sled“. There is a Daniel. There is a sled. There is a hell.
Might as well include Tom Waits’s cover of The Ramones’ “Danny Says” too. The pathos of an up and coming band on the road during the holidays is never better served than with laryngeal dystonia.
Little Danny Harper receives representation from Bailey and Zane · Randy Matheson. See, “He Sang His Heart Out (Every Christmas)” even though he warn’t very good. Country lesson in acceptance (didn’t know they had those).
Joe calls Dan to kiss his Kids on Xmas day, since he won’t see release until July. Paul Kelly wends through many country roads with a thoughtful concern about “How to Make Gravy“. Seven more friends and family get named, but i think i’ll keep this personal snapshot.
Danielle Apicella assures you know she’s unattached and looking for “Somebody Else For Christmas“. Someone calls out her name incredulous by way of prologue. R+B rapping.
Also lonely, because that bitch Danielle called out, Azmerous belts out the kvetching show tune “Holiday Weekend (Musical Version)”. It’s a work thing.
“Dani’s Christmas List” is a comedy bit from Microwave Miracles. Dad and Dani review 32 items–you’ll never guess what they are. Or be able to scrub them from your traumatized memory.
“Dani the Christmas Mouse” by Doc Mooney is a sped up voice about a holiday friend. Not sure if it’s kidsong, or drug-fueled prank.
Andy, Ben, and Carl want dumb stuff when Daddy asks. Danny, however, sings the country duet”All I Want for Christmas is a Dad who Doesn’t Drink“. Harshing the buzz, boy. Wickham Palmer Selection does not hold back with the passable AI.
Alder H. Linden involves neighbor Dan to find out who’s coming “Down My Chimney“. Dan solves the home invasion with whiskey and dynamite (or possibly a football team).
Daniel Gorgonzola wants you to have “A Very Daniel Christmas“. Not because he’s singing poorly. Because he’s Daniel.
“Christmas Is Cancelled, Daniel” sings Cordelia with a minor key desultory pleading that doesn’t seem to single him out so much as guide him. Can it indie.
“Christmas Daniel” is a bit of a boor, according to the jazzy indie by Another Banger. Doesn’t like Xmas. Is not a good lay. Brother.
