Homophobic country comedy’s a cottage industry. So there’s even a cover of Cledus T. Judd’s “Stephon the Alternative Lifestyle Reindeer” by Mac McAnally. The ironic indignation of allowing for the gay is matched only by the extent to which this musical production makes an actual song.
Category: country sort of
Ringers: Shadrack
Anybody remember Loretta Lynn’s alternative to Rudolph “Shadrack the Black Reindeer“? This prankster just wants a chance, he’s the fastest ever was! This Black doesn’t want to put anyone outta work, though. Turns out the team works best integrated. Holy Toledo.
Take a time travel from 1974 to 2012 before you’re done and check David Verity‘s ticktockin’ soft rock version.
Ringers: Neon
Alan Jackson’s near hit ‘Chasin’ That Neon Rainbow’ gets the parody treatment with the oft recorded and never credited “Chasin’ That Neon Reindeer.” This unnamed substitute flier has gusto and gets a fairly decent musical appreciation.
Ringers: Leroy
Anti-racist parody “Leroy and Roosevelt Reindeer” features the only black members of Santa’s crew pushing the Caddy from the back. The raucous background laughter cues us in to the jokes. The R+B rhythms help, though.
Joe Diffie wrote novelty country reindeer songs when novelty country reindeer songs weren’t cool. 1995’s “Leroy the Redneck Reindeer” placed well on Billboard’s Country Singles chart. It’s got gusto, but the humor is past its sell by date. Or maybe too many of these reindeer songs are yokel hokum.
Ringers: Bucky
Were there any famous reindeer before the Big Eight? Try “Bucky the One-Eyed Reindeer,” a lovely cowboy ditty about the great reindeer crash that resulted in the great stock market crash. Santa’s Elves deserve a posting on the great parody parade. Their album is good stuff.
Ringers: Bubba
A favorite epithet among the rednecks, Bubba sounds like a punchline. Just add sass. Naming a mighty magical mythical beast that creates comedy, no choice. Or does it?
Donald Pinkleton tries the Ray Stevens routine with “Bubba the Redneck Reindeer.” Better country song than hee-haw comedy.
Robert (‘Dr. Bob’) Blake slows country down to morose monotone with “Bubba the Buck-Toothed Reindeer.” This fill-in for Rudolph bites more than he can chew (get it?), but this Army vet surprises all of them by whipping them into shape. Huh?
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?!
X-claim: hello (pt. 3)
What’s up with greeting the holidays? Songwriters think this is some amusing apostrophe to the personification of an institution, or sumfen.
Gabriela Radu sings like an impatient child calling out “Hello Christmas.” But the sultry rhythms and slurring diva tones creep out the kidsong genre. Run, Christmas!
(Maybe) not as skin-crawly, Peter Joannou (Brighton’s Singing Barber) galumphs through “Hello Christmas” as a maudlin, inescapable hearkening to olden times in that old smokey lounge lost from a distant decade or two. Shiver me Decembers!
Thwp adds “Hello Christmas” to their chorus to let the calendar know they’re on to the imminence of that festivity. Kid rock that stinks of pop.
Aging dad band Robocalls (fronted by Roger Bogren) rocks the Kohl’s with “Hello Christmas.” Creaky and not fully fluent with English, they get it their best.
Les Fradkin may have been something a while ago, but his grandpop pop “Hello Christmas, Goodbye Year” is too measured and mannered to be the rock he’s looking for. Trying to be hip without breaking one.
Newlife Music reminds us in “Hello Christmas” that the King is born. A little gloria is interjected thusly and this indie pop falalas hither and yon. It’s engaging stuff, but light on lyrics for all its message.
Josh Ingyu uses “Hello Christmas!” as a rollicking pop intro to the whole year of holidays. My calendar says otherwise, but i threw it on the floor when i heard this stomper.
Myla Smith demurs in her coy country-band yummy “Hello, Christmas!” (Finally: full punctuation!) Her reticence is from being on the receiving end of cheating, so it’s a wonder she’s as perky as this. Got a real Dolly-warble going for her (that’s a good thing).
ad silentnitum, concatenated
Another Christmas without love is not simply another Christmas. It’s salt in the wound, a twist of the knife, a dump in the middle of the art museum.
Prince encores his “Another Lonely Christmas” with echoic haunting charm. When he says you’re the only one, it’s not like anyone else can say.
Tom Chaplin stiff upper lips “Another Lonely Christmas” with Britpop overtures and alto-hope. Did he say in Hell? Aww, wotta sweetie.
Ladies’ turn! Mean over-pops “Another Lonely Christmas (A Lady Christmas)” as if it’s all about the vocal range and not the emotions.
More affecting, Patty Blee (w/Ernie Trionfo)’s whiskey throated country strummer “Another Lonely Christmas Eve” barely makes its trembling way through the tough times.
Soul sets the sad scene in Aaron Skyy’s “Another Lonely Christmas.” Every instrument is set on weepy.
Country bummer is its own sub-genre, represented here by John Eddie’s “Another Lonely Christmas.” Heartfelt hokum.
Jackson Taylor’s “Another Lonely Christmas” is appropriately twangy country, yet the hint of zydeco makes me feel upbeat. The magic of music heals.
Carol Told by an Idiot, 15
Sometimes i’m stumped by the sentiments of the Xmas song i’m compelled to share. But these earfuls must needs be heard.
Randy Rainbow’s “Hey Gurl, It’s Christmas!” traipses all over the agenda with show tune anger. But he does sashay with cachet that it’s not so bad because it’s Christmas again.
LaGlavas (feat. Viktor) veers wildly from middle of the road easy listening to (attempted) angry rap in his “Christmas Again.” But he won’t stay in his lane–didgeridoo fade out….
The Chandler Travis Philharmonic screeches and sleazes through “It’s Almost Christmas Again” like a drunk overloaded train. Yes it is that much fun. Blues pop, i think.
Marty Robbins seems to be country scolding with his cowboy pop warbling in “Christmas Time is Here Again.” Lot of shoulds and mights leave this all up in the air.