This 1946 post-war black and white melodrama about the tenuous American dream became a Christmas classic when its copyright expired and television channels could play it for free in the 1970s. There’s your American dream right there.
Glenn Crytzer uses his big band sound to deliver the message that “It’s a Wonderful Life” during Christmas despite all your misgivings. Tepidly terrific, dropping movie clues throughout..
Robbie Williams (feat. Poppa Pete) is more obscure when assuring us “It’s a Wonderful Life.” Just jazz band hyperbole, but can’t help making the association.
A heartfelt tribute to the pain of life, “Clarence” by The Felice Brothers layers fiddling folk all over the succotash of bankers banking, bathroom stall graffiti, and angels’ relief at not being alive. Spiraling.
“George Bailey” by Carolyn Sills is awesome cowboy pop that takes Mary’s side and slams out a love ballad. That’s what that movie’s about, kids.
Robert Lund uses a medley of carol tunes to criticize how December is full of Oscar hopeful releases. “Pinecones and Halle Berry” poops all over those gutwrencing dramas.
Randy Rainbow actually sings the love themes in “The Christmas Movie Medley“, but as ‘Home Alone’s (not a) hit song is included–and Randy’s cool–we’ll allow it.
Boogie woogie implies wildly “It’s No Christmas” without all the denouements of Christmas movies fulfilling their endings. Woo hoo, Larson Lee.
On the Citizen Band, erm “The Christmas Band,” Dan and Jay’s Comedy Hour recounts how Santa barely made his epic promise true through shortwave radio. Country rock.
Hilary Duff verifies that “I Heard Santa on the Radio.” Synth pop with extra cheese. She can sing, right? I can’t tell here.
Or is it–Santa’s radio? Zydeco time from Dustin Ray Lantier complains about his used purchase, the “Louisiana Show Truck.” Santa used it, busted the antenna. Tha’s a party.
BLUE ALERT rap advises Don’t ever turn Santas radio while he’s gone mother fucker. Redrum Red ping pongs through “That Holiday Spirit” for all the good and plenty of the bad.
Bill Crosby country rocks “Santa On The Radio (I Wish)” with a request line. Get it? No lap sitting! Phone it in! The honky tonk edge here has got me on my feet.
Lots of radio music is dull as dishwater, what we used to call ‘rutabaga radio.’
Radio songs is only one item on the unrolling list of “My Favorite Time of the Year” when Cree Turner litters this rap R+B with cliches. Not a fun snapshot so much as a catalogue cut out.
“Christmas Carol Dream“–this very song–is on the radio for ArachnoVobicA. But its growly, disjointed ethnic folk might make you miss it over the sound of the wipers.
Marion Meadows plays “Christmas on the Radio” as if it were the all Kenny Loggins station. Soul cum-pop.
Jingle Bots return us to the thrilling days of AI with their “Christmas Blue,” a bluesy rap that seems to sing a different song than the radio plays. Or is that translation error?
Kenny’s romantic breakthrough line is Can we stay in cause it’s cold/Hear Christmas songs on the radio. But the smeary R+B modulation of “A Christmas Story” is impenetrable.
Runaway June honors standards when she listens to “Christmas On The Radio.” A song I know?? Not here, lady. Easy listening country.
Dad band with boy band sound, The Modern Gentlemen “Make It Feel Like Christmas” with snow angels, Christmas carols on the radio, yada yada yada.
When you listen to the radio/You know every song seems to be a good thing in Justin Mather’s “Wonderful Xmas Time.” Alt folk, but it’s bit of a muddle.
Hearing songs on the radio is just one more chore for Barbra Lica’s “On Christmas Eve.” Expected country.
Boy band pap from Born Sanders (and co.) exclaims “Oh What a Joy on Christmas Day” with trilling harmonies. The problem here seems to be The radio is playing songs that we all know. Can’t abide that.
Ding dang dong sounds out for “A Simple Christmas” from John Galea. Probably shouldn’t deconstruct bubblegum pop, but i don’t know what Playing all I want forChristmas on the radio means.
“Christmas Time for Everyone” by More Than Words is country-like again with silly sentimental observations: a Christmas carol on the radio. Yawn.
More AI and driving in “With My Family” credited to Weylan. He’s singing along to the radio, as one does. But the pop country deadens the sing-along quality.
Tautologically speaking, When the Christmas songs are played on the radio, “It’s That Time (Of The Year Again).” Robbie B attempts a serious pop note, but plunks around the subject.
“Christmas Eve” for The Ennrons (feat. Bernie Stone) allows for Christmas songs on the radio while warming back up after the snowball fight. Angry songs, at least? Not like this pablum of easy listening pop?
Jazzing up the lounge, Sara Niemietz & Robby Robinson claim they love “The Sound of Christmas” on the radio. Inoffensive for the old ones.
Wh1t is into Singing songs on the radio/To our King “This Christmas.” The voice goes gospel, but the music stays tepid R+B. Keep up.
More “Christmas Sweaters” get rapped over by Maya Miko (feat. John Galea & Morna). The tree, the radio, the shows–all fill the breathless gaps in this storm of rhyming.
Melissa Ann’s “Christmas on the Radio” also favors the same old same old. But the hints of boogie woogie elevate her sound, for me.
Dad comes clean that “There is No Santa Claus” in Wizards of Boat’s garage pop. Well, hmm. You lied before, why believe you now?
Adam Beattie’s conclusion that “There’s No Santa Claus” seems a symptom of his existential meltdown. It’s just one more noel in the coffin. It’s carnival indie.
FuMP comes through again with the ‘Here Comes’ parody “There’s No Santa Claus.” Logical review devolves into name-calling and perversity, however, so take this with a grain of nutmeg.
Randy C Moore fights the power of dissuasion with the boogie woogie “There Ain’t No Santa Claus.” What about the toys? What about the lights? What about the Harlem Globetrotters? Awesome.
“Mermaid Surf Club” is a R+B rap love song, feeling the warmth but wanting Christmas. Lake Malawi (feat. Abi F Jones) elevate the mish mash to ethereal crests.
B.J. Anderson applies shiny boogie woogie to the topic with “Surfin’ Santa.” Is that a drum machine?
McCardy’s “One Christmas Eve” is also carefully orchestrate. Flirty, in a pop way.
Courtney Swain’s piano alt-pop “Snow Globe” has an agenda. Remember that one Christmas stocking that made Christmas suck? BLUE ALERT.
Folk bluegrass for Rick’s Original Music “It All Started One Christmas.” It’s a light fight with the neighbors! But the wives’ve got something to say about the livestock additions.
“That One Christmas Song” by Caroline Manning X Hannah Meloche is pop trouble. A hit song that makes regret happen. Fame haters!
The Black Arts boogie woogie “Christmas Number One.” But that top rated song becomes a monster and eats the army. Uh oh.
Melissa Sanley has found a “Christmas Recipe,” but–as you might expect from cheesy pop music–it’s a Kindergarten teacher’s list: 2 Cups of Joy; A pinch of Cinnamon; A lot of Smiles… and more. Hoo boy.
Ivor Biggun plays a disgruntled mall Santa who must withstand a gallon or two of bodily fluids evacuated onto their laps. No wonder “Christmas Makes Me Spew.” Music hall shenanigans.
White teen rapper Dripz gets his scoff on with “Christmas is Overrated.” Queueing up in 2°c is just the beginning of his complaint list.
Hey there, weather lady, begins ZuCo in the jazzy R+B plea “Save a Little Snow for Christmas.” An inch or two Thanksgiving Day isn’t enough. White Christmas, got it?
Transitioning off the interstate onto the two-lane road is how you know you’re into a “Hometown Christmas.” That and Allie Aro’s nasal country octave rolling.
Interesting rap from DJ Zenas celebrates all the quirks of Christmas: Cousin ain’t actin a foo’ yet On the floor doin my two step. “For the Holidayz” offers R+B glee, see?
More out of the house, travel guide Nick Lawrence takes us to a “Merry Christmas from San Antone.” Mashed country (blues, boogie woogie, mariachi) offers to go riverwalking… Or two step out to the hill country. Whatever gets you there, dawg.
R+B pop from Sydeajah offers “Dance with Me (This Christmas).” Not much of a dance rhythm, but she’ll work it out: We can two step from west to east, Just Dance with me.
One for the money, two for the show, run run Rudolph don’t be slow, goes the boogie woogie of Lenne Brothers Band in the oh baby “Teddy Boy Season’s Greetings.” Boot scootin’ fun.
Three wishes are big about this time of the year. Tony Yazbeck and Patti Lupone duet “Three Wishes for Christmas” from the B’way musical ‘Gypsy.’ It’s for love, but Broadway show love.
Unable to afford a menorah, Dolly Parton offers “Three Candles” to make three wishes for Christmas [‘Cuz wishes do come true]. It’s Dolly.
Anne Murray wishes for “Christmas Wishes.” Then she country/pop demurs: I’d only ask for three. But they are the universe changing kind.
Twin League may be a bit over enthusiastic wishing Ho! Ho! Ho! Three cheers for Santa! with shouting and pop singing in the slightly catchy “Santa’s Sleigh.”
Ups and downs in Matthew McLaughlin’s “Chestnuts.” Christmas is a rollercoaster; Three cheers for the up and over… but that depends if you’re with him, Darlene. Otherwise, it’s alt rock all the way.
Stellar Kart gets less punk and more traditional with “Punk the Halls.” Three cheers for Christmas: Hey, hey, hey and a ho, ho, ho they sing, rather than wail.
Cheers? Beers! King Kendall seeks the perfect “Christmas Jam,” but seems to rap about whatever’s in front of him: Lookin outside tryina′ see reign deer; While Ty knockin’ back 3 beers (he drunk) And Mari sheds a tear (yup). Day inna random life.
“I’ll Never Drink with Santa Again” is Fabby Claus doing his drunk Elvis AND his drunk rockabilly smush mouth. It starts with One and one and one is three. Then it keeps going. Good stuff.
Backroom Stereo preferred the isolation of the Pandemic. In “I Hate the Snow” he rocks any excuse he can not to go out. Like snow! But I’ll walk to the pub, sit by the fire and have a beer or two, or maybe even three. Then snow’s not so bad.
With a better excuse, Secret Army punks out the pain when “Fired in Christmas.” Running into his mates, however, I order a beer, then two, then three and I start to feel alright. He even has a good night. But, the next morning….
Beers? Gifts! Boy bands are adorable when their lyrics make them out spoiled babies. Varsity Fanclub’s “It’s Christmas Again” chortles: Presents underneath the tree. One for you and three for me. The poppest of pop.
And… when Santa arrives… Our man of mystery bears a gift or three, according to the American rock of Jody Whitesides in “We’d Like to Wish You.” Yeah!
Solomon Burke know you want “Presents for Christmas.” In the best of R+B, he allows that all of you want Maybe one, two, or three toys. He’s on to something.
Maurice Fresh (feat. Shane Cashmere) raps about keeping the Christmas spirit with I told Santa I want 3 cars. “Big Sale” is rattatat rapping about making big.
A little Jerry Lee Lewis styling (welcome!) from Larson Lee details all the Christmas movie cliches that WON’T keep him from getting to his loved one, including Not even three ghosts Who showed Scrooge his grave Could scare me off this Christmas Day. “It’s No Christmas“without you!
