Year-round Yuletide oddities
‘They’ll be singing… Gonna be singing…” begins the song. We feel like we’re IN THE MUSIC. Whoa, Nelly.
“Christmas Carols by the Old Corral” was minor hit for Tex Ritter in 1945. Former Ritter back up Wesley Tuttle adds some aw-shucks yodeling to his concurrent version. Gene Autry flattened it for his Melodie Ranch broadcast of the same year. Nine years later Luke Simmons and His Blue Mountain Boys add some rock guitar but subtract with gramma’s electric organ.
What do you do when the deserving go cold, the lambs are lost, the Christmas spirit doesn’t perform miracles? Well, you could sing. It might make you feel better.
The Dean Martin Show’s Las Vegas showgirls back-up formed a group called The Goldiggers (it was a sad time) and hit the racks with a ’69 Xmas album offering a version of giving: “I Sing Noel.” Man, those high notes.
Sandler and Young combine for their “I Sing Noel.” Hokey country gospel that invites you to come in out of the cold.
Gospel might heal, so carols certainly uplift. The Statler Brothers spread the word with their Bible belt corn mush, preaching to the choir. “The Carols Those Kids Used to Sing” is a carol they sing. If you’re not a member you may not have heard of ’em.
Singing is part of the Christmas holiday. Hark, what did those herald angels do? Some songs even mention the act, in a fun ironic meta kinda way. No, they are not easy to come across, and some lines will be blurred in order to celebrate thusly.
Go with it.
Riders in the Sky have some virtuosic levity with the connectiveness of all carols with “The Last Christmas Medley You’ll Ever Need to Hear.” It’s largely instrumental, but they’re the cowboys who can swing it. JJ Dion has a “2.0 version” (now with a second verse) that really sings. Schticks to your funny bones.
Wendell Ferguson goes more melodic with “Why Does Every Christmas Song Have So Many Chords?” Slow country swing, deceptively so.
Belgian freedom fighters in 1950s comic book form are just as good of inspiration as any old Grimm’s tale. The Smurfs as a Saturday morning cartoon, however, are johnny-come-latelies to the smurf-capades.
Their execrable 1983 album Merry Christmas with the Smurfs offends with such morsels as the alphabet song inspired “Santa Claus is Coming Tonight,” the oddly downbeat “Smurfing Bells,” and the aptly old world oompah of “Christmas Presents.” But later (1996’s Christmas with the Smurfs) the dance party “Christmas Party” opens their isolationist utopia to more friendly possibilities.
Time Machine alert! If we were to go back to a time before the TV series, we might find the suddenly more valuable Father Abraham ’78 single featuring “Christmas in Smurfland.” Country twaddle with some Continental panache.
Love songs for millennials might be lazy, but they set their own standards. Netflix and chilly weather, anyone?
Kieron Liley realizes family fulfillment when they’re all gathered around the “Christmas TV.” Unplugged low-key alt-folk with an attitude.
Prettier pop strumming accompanies the fun flowers of “Xmas TV with You.” It’s a place and a time, but mostly, girl, it’s you.
Hot UK duo Slow Club seem to hope “Christmas TV” will bring them together. The many wistful ways of pop folk love slightly include the holidays and the boob tube.
Chris Isaak nails the loneliness and hopelessness of TV Christmas specials broadcasting in the background of that empty home. “Christmas on TV” is a country weeper with just the right twang.
Writing a song about a Christmas gift and stuck for a concept…? How about the song as the gift, you tautologist!
Bill Craft admits ‘this gift has no value’ in “A Gift of Song.” But it’s passable bluegrass.
Nugu Buyeng screwed up and got her “No Christmas Present.” Gets BLUE, backpedals, then tries to cover his ass claiming this song is the present. Lame-o. But fair folk rock rap.
Tommy Wiseau (awful movie “The Room”) has the gift of a “Christmas Song for You.” It’s almost worse than you suspect.
Kem has a ‘hey girl’ “Christmas Song for You.” I bet he got you something else, he’s that good. Slow soul.
Howard Livingston & Mile Marker 24 didn’t know what to get you. He went with his strengths. So “A Christmas Present” here is his mellow country. It’s for his mom and dad. Sentimental, and a spelling lesson.
Just say it. “This Song is Your Christmas Gift.” I hope you like it. It’s better than nothing. Pop from Fairmont. (Perhaps a veiled threat in there.)
Destitution doesn’t mean you have to cancel Christmas. Celebrate the indigent spirit of the Nativity!
Jimmy Charles loves this time of the year so much that he has no regrets in his profligacy. “Broke for Christmas” (country pop, natch) celebrates the poor house as home sweet home. Awww.
Some couldn’t spend to begin with. Pierce Avenue harmonizes even less country-style country in “Broke Christmas.” Pretty. Vapid.
Hip hop rasta from Joel Evans exchanges no presents for your presence on a “Broke Ass Christmas.” Romantic, mon.
Country rock drives the rhythm of life, not the emptiness of despair. Brenda Dirk’s “Too Broke for Christmas” may complain, but line dances while doing so. Mama!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvDVIlTbgfg
What time is it? Is it too late yet?!
Angsty ukulele (yeah!) via Steven “Christmas Steve” Hardy returns to embark on the folk saga about “Christmas Eve Shoppers.” ‘Ware and heed, children, to ye elders.
Kyle Boreing slings country hash with a catchy beat. His “Gotta Find that Gift” puts the pressure on, though you may feel nothing from his mushiness.
Driving hard (but still pop) country from Bill Engvall illustrates how to sell a song. “Gift Emergency” nails the tone and samples some wit. But, it’s the Here’sYourSign guy. Warm up those eye rolls.
How hectic is Christmas shopping?
Humble Tip hip hops with a certain weariness ‘cuz “Christmas Shopping” get ’em down. Heartfelt wallet busting.
Rubettes (feat. Alan Williams) keeps it cool with the ‘Kung Fu Fighting’ parody (you heard me) “Christmas Shopping.” Why fight when you can spend?
Dunno is a bit mopey with their indie whining “Christmas Shopping.” The world might end, i guess.
Country swing along with ’68 Buck Owens (and his Buckaroos) as he frets over what to get for whom with his twist and shout “Christmas Shopping.” Boy howdy.