Year-round Yuletide oddities
We the Kingdom get jazz lounge intimate with “Still Can’t Sleep on Christmas Eve.” Even the gr’ups, little ones, even they. Sweet tune.
Australians might have more trouble, it being around the longest day of the year Down Under, so Filipino Press Group Sydney R+Bs the soft pop of “Can’t Sleep (It’s Christmas).”
Chris Lam Sam recounts a li’l monster who metals out “I Can’t Sleep” on Christmas Eve. Sweets are blamed (not rampaging through the town square).
“All Through The Christmas Night” is the soulful wish of Brian Culbertson who wishes to be held–by you–for that duration. He’s not sleeping, but he’s not exactly waiting for Santa.
The InfiniTeens also express an evergreen wish to be with you “All Through the Night.” Indie new age wistfulness. Kinda cute.
Not to be obvi, but another adult “Santa is Up All Night (To Get Toys).” This VaporWave parody is brought to you by Random Drivel Records.
Welcome back Cellus Hamilton (featuring Isaiah Jenkins), who synths the rap for “Up All Night,” a more grown up version of the stubbornness.
Allie of The Wiggles explains expansively how “I Just Can’t Sleep on Christmas Eve.” He wants to but, well– kidsong!
Laurie Berkner strums the kidsong guitar and ballads about how “Santa’s Coming To My House Tonight.” She doesn’t seem to understand as encourage ADHD behavior. Don’t applaud too long, she’ll encore for you just the same. She’s giving like that.
Canadian sillies The Yule be Sorrys make merry with bell brigade Santa-ing back in the day in “Ye Olde Looney Bin / Shoppers Shake Off Your Drowsy Sleep,” a medley of begging for 1$ coins (Loonies minted as 1987) mixed with the endless chore of consumerism around the holidays. Don’t drop, shop! or something like that.
War Pony Dos wield the tragic fiddle to express how they cannot sleep (or eat) as they ate “Waiting on Santa.” It’s like an illness.
The Punters rock the sea shanty with “Tell Me a Story” (Then I’ll Go to Bed). This procrastination technique has worked for so-called sleepless children for generations. Plus which, Christmas is a tradition with a built-in story.
Title tiredly raps “Fall Asleep!” as they cannot do so, not on X-mas Eve. You okay?
In “My Younger Days” Trey Lorenz can rap-recall not being able to fall asleep anticipating Santa. Some soul may occur.
Krazy Kuzins take the rap to the children with their “Hip Hop Holiday Cheer.” Many filial duties are expressed, but that staying up late thing wasn’t in the Commandments….
Adults stay up, too! Welcome again, Kat Perkins who needs some baby time and so intends to be “Up All Night.” Symphonated pop. (Is it just me or is there some ‘Boulevard of Broken Dreams’ in there?)
Fralphie Jenkins gets a bit long-winded, so i’m sure there’s something about sleeplessness in “Another Christmas Alone.” Indie new age.
The X-Misses have a reason to be up all night, they don’t wanna be “All Alone on Christmas.” Exigent circumstances may take him from your side, though, dearie. Zippity-doo pop.
The Pizza Carolers occupy their time with tons of chores (catching up on the nice behavior) “When Christmas Happens.” Indie rock that is NOT off putting.
By 4 A.M. it becomes apparent to Willie Sterba that sleep isn’t coming. Sadly, for this caffeinated kidsong, it’s “The Nights Before Christmas“–starting around the 20th or so. By the end a toll is taken.
The Yule Logs return! Or are around still, since Christmas keeps them “Up All Night.” Totally danceable rocking pop. Our anthem.
Pat Boone keeps me up at nights with his velvety crag-voice trudging through carols like “Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep.” Santa Claus versus Sandman, quoth he with easy-listening woodwindery.
10,000 mile away from home/I cannot sleep, I cannot sleep retro rocks The Yule Logs with a jet lag concern during “Christmas in Berlin.” Life on the road!
Vista Blue rocks the garage with the eyelid struggle in the superior “Why Does It Take Forever?” I can’t ever fall asleep/When it’s Christmas Eve!
Welcome back to Big Little Lions and their charming indie “Waiting for Christmas Day.” Can’t sleep a wink….
Paisley Manger takes a page out of the frivolity of Flight of the Conchords with “Christmith 222” wherein a bouncy child won’t sleep. Turn down that sound machine and see what happens.
Raleigh Long pounds the piano to get across how he can’t get to sleep anymore, what with it being “Christmas Eve” and all. Dreamlike and soothing, so–ironic?
Waxing nostalgic Jaqueez (feat. Lil Reign) R+B raps I remember the days (Days)/I used to stay up late/Waitin’ on Santa to bless the hood (Yeah) in the poetical “It’s Christmas.” To be a child again is to make poor choices that seem great later.
“Ting a Ling a Jingle” is a jolly 1950s lullaby about a child who won’t sleep. Frank Luther introduced it as a big band frolic. Concurrently The Marlin Sisters lead us into a corrido effect. While at the same time The Ames Brothers (with Marty Manning & his Orchestra) butch it up to much the same effect. Imma stay with Junior Walsh, who countrified this number so hard it’s dad gum Celtic Old Country is what it is.
Cruel Buddhist, M.Du, Cocoonics DJ the lofi of “Didn’t Sleep Last Night” into a hypnotic cacophony of dreamtime. I’M UP!