Christmas Countdown: 1967

The Beatles Fifth Christmas Record (1967)” does nae sa much celebrate the year that was, but contextualizes the mess of the latter ‘Sixties. (Laughter.)

Did someone ask about maryjane? “Green Butter Christmas” is no ‘Alice’s Restaurant,’ but Hilary Marckx employs the same storyteller schtick to explain why you didn’t get your presents in ’67 (the fat man was TOO high!).

The poignancy of the holidays punches up every memory. Hayes Carll tells the tale of Lola’s kid who went off to the War around Christmas, and all she has left of her boy from her bar she built in ’67 is the black velvet painting of “Jesus and Elvis.” Dixie home grown country pop, with a sudden outro.

Domain and Rangifer: from before

Now reindeer in general are fine symbols of Christmastime, hailing from the Arctic so it’s always like winter when they’re near. Majestic but adorable. Neutral enough to be portrayed in any mood, in fact. Let’s have fun–in song–with this Xmas staple.

Was there a time “Back Before Santa Had Reindeer“? Wull, Chuck Picklesimer has a story to tell you in fine down home country style. Lissen up, young’n. (Fish?!)

The Rude Off: hubris

The ‘Rudolph’ song got as famous as the reindeer. In the annals of Xmas music it is Number Two of all songs. So, some took a shot at it (him).

I killed Rudolph–and I liked it! begins “Rudolph Burger… Hold the Nose.” The voice cracking metal from The Pork Guys is more defiant than murderous. So this gets only one shotgun shell.

Mighty Magic Pants rocks out “Rudolph on the Barbecue.” The childish innocence makes the mythivovre more horrible. Two shells.

Jesus Penis growls out the experimental garage rant “Rudolph the Red-Gutted Reindeer.” Ugh. Whatever shells.

Bullshark Comedy turns the worm with “Rudolph Shooting” in which the maligned venison buys a gun at Walmart. BLUE ALERT for this mass shooting ‘humor.’

Fortress of Attitude’s cowboy yarn “I Shot Rudolph and I’m Sorry” is an amazing genre send-up and gets all the shells.

I Shot Rudolph” is the country stomper about the fraud perpetrated by Todd O’Neill. It warren’t him. Shells waived.

X-claim: goodbye

Time to close out our interjection tour of holiday tunes. So long!

Lay was kind enough to submit an English version of his hit “Goodbye Christmas.” Heartbroken soulful pop.

Very high notes from Manuel Seal Jr. (feat. Morgan Reilly) also feels alone in the pop world. “Goodbye Christmas” is too cold for the R+B infusion.

More sadness from 5 Alarm with “Goodbye on Christmas Eve.” R+B says why you gotta do me that way?!

Whispery begging begins Gaurav Behl’s “Christmas Goodbye.” Then continues its experimental pop. Probably ends that way. I didn’t wait.

Merry Christmas and Goodbye” is blues rock of some serious talent from Los Goutos. Way to stand up to the breakup.

Put out, Derek Ariel Austin spins a yarn in “Goodbye Christmas” a folk ballad of leaving. A well done bummer.

Getting specific, “Goodbye Christmas Cookie” shakes, rattles, and rolls with love and loss. Holy moley, hats off to Armanwing.

Getting religious, Cowboy Jukebox wishes “Christmas Goodbye” but holds on to God. Tinkly country.

Getting personal, the bluesy rock of “Goodbye Psychotic Christmas” from My Son the Bum tells a story.

Procrastinating, Ohio City Singers roll polka into pop with “Haven’t Said Goodbye to Christmas.” Call it post present blues.

Jimmy Rankin flips the script with passable Elvis-style soul in “Don’t Wanna Say Goodbye to Christmas Yet.” Country maudlin.