The classic (’59) novelty “The Happy Reindeer” by Dancer, Prancer, and Nervous actually determines the third reindeer is NOT Nervous. But it’s such a happy kidsong, we’ll allow it (yet again).
Category: Childrens
Ringers: Dippy
Cryptozoology may become a later topic for this blog. But, for now, let’s meet “Dippy the Reindeer” from Anton Mullan and Steve Elliott. Their concept children’s albums begin ‘Let’s Go to…’ and this one ends with ‘Dinosaurland.’ Dippy sings to us with dixieland pop, in an attempt to convince us it’s a REINDEER not a DINOSAUR. Well, you just listen:
Ringers: Bernie
Bernie, as a name, gets a bad rap. It’s no Herbert, but it’s an oddity. “Bernie the Reindeer,” a kids’ favorite from Maple Leaf Learning finds the big-antlered overeating agoraphobic a job as a telemarketer. You kidding me?
Alternative holiday reindeer don’t much more other than “Bernie, the Jewish Reindeer.” Stage Stars go so schticky that i’d call it anti-Semitic, if they weren’t just fun-loving Chosen boys. Kidsong parody comedy.
Ringers: Babes
Redrick, and the Rick-Rack Reindeer; The North Pole Report is some concept holiday journey (we’ll visit Redrick later). Not sure who, when, or why, but it’s much better than most kidsong twaddle. For now we’ll visit the folky pop “Babes the Baby Reindeer.” Paul Bunyan’s Babe may be a close relative, ‘cuz this li’l ol’ thing does turn blue on occasion. But he’s so cute and tiny!
Name Eight, too
Right on the money is Dougie Bear’s “Blitzen.” This country kidsong comes head on at the zero-sum attitudes of those reindeer gamers. Why so last?!
Name Seven, etc.
Donner may have began as Donder or Dunder. It’s a Germanic thing. But who cares–no mentionable songs about this reindeer exist. At this point we lump the last two together.
F’rinstance, “Donner & Blitzen” from The Peter Pan stable of singers flutes its way jazzily through a harrowing adventure through the awful storm.
Name Three, again
“Prancer, the Blue-Nosed Reindeer” is suspiciously Brit from Starfish. This is NOT to the tune of ‘Rudolph.’ But the subject is viral suffering, so i wonder if the symptoms are misrepresented. Red swelling of the nasopharyngeal area comes from the cold. I think blue is the first of frostbite.
Name Two
Dancer is co-lead reindeer. Not so much pressure, but same big deal responsibility. Ancillary antler safari.
Dancer is given co-credit (with Prancer and ‘Nervous’) in the 1959 almost-a-hit “The Happy Reindeer.” This cool cat kid pop novelty is loaded with laughs (their own) as they fly by the moon. Yippie kai yo.
X-claim: hurray (pt. 3)
Vocal chords weakening… can barely shout HOORAY for Xmas… one more time….
Kidsong twaddle from Twin Sisters (Kim Mitzo Thompson) allows wee ones to clap hands to bring Santa faster with “Hooray, It’s Christmas Day.” It’s English learning time!
Everybody raise your hands–if you’re afraid. Sweet Samaritans praise the Lord in “It’s Christmas — Hip Hip Hooray!” They do specifically ask you not to be afraid, but their affectless harmony sounds brainwashed.
Now Milton De Lugg and The Little Eskimos’ “Hooray for Santa Claus” gets a lot of mileage for being from ‘Santa Claus vs. the Martians.’ And The Fleshtones do it up right (and Carla Jimenez murders it). But have you met my friend “Hooray for Santa Claus” by Richard Stepp? This washboard jug band fun-a-doodle is right up my alley. He’s a friend to everyone down the line.
What to make of The Hit Crew’s “Hooray for Chanukah“? Meandering kidsong with some rattling ragtime piano… Sounds like a kick line.
Giving kidsong a good name, Agwabom modulates slightly with some golden retro pop in “Hip Hip Hooray It’s Christmas Day.” I like how matter of fact he cheers.
Life After X-muckin’ out the manger
Believe it or don’t some folks care to clean up their after-Xmas mess.
Agenda alert! Annemarie E. Witkamp has raved together an electronic “Christmas Clean Up Dance” song inviting all of us not to be alone but to pick up the ocean (it’s full of plastic). Yowza.
Civilian Jam Patrol raps out dance moves for “The Christmas Clean Up.” Break it down, hey! For Jesus.
Rodeo Gypsy does a quick tidy-up, but with slurring honkytonk gusto soon realizes “You Can’t Hide Christmas.” Hah to your turning the page!
But, Canned Hamm and Friends trot out the real message: no toys until “You Clean Up This Mess!” Possibly kidsong, but mostly odd. I dig it.