Derek A. Dempsey’s wacky metaphors may have graced the blog before, but his country cum hipster coffee house poetry matters, dammit! “Six Billion Lights (On the World’s Biggest Christmas Tree)” may have undercounted the world’s population for better syncopation, or, as i believe, has left out the pagans.
Category: country sort of
Felice Avian: hesitation
Some ask questions about the flying sleigh ‘cuz they’re big fat doubters. They’re not going to believe any of your mumbo jolliness.
Even though Arne Hansen & The Guitarspellers saw how “Reindeer Can Fly” themselves, they still question. the physics and natural science of it all. It can’t be… seeing is not believing… they even swear slightly. Driving pop.
Jan Farley hits novelty country kid music in the face with “How Do Reindeer Fly?” Keep scratching that itch, it’ll never heal.
Ringers: Walker
Santa’s rigorous system of Big Brother may have been helped by a reindeer. No, not just any of the reindeer. “Walker, Texas Reindeer” has his eye of justice on you. Don’t. Be. Naughty. Axis of Awesome’s cowboy country music intro is, in a word, awesome.
Ringers: Stephon
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.
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?!