Category: pop music

Redhouse Gasoline whitewashes a bit with “I Love Lucy,” a satiric pop piece that thinks the whole of the US of A behaved like they did on this sitcom. No talk of nuclear weapons and struggling through… indeed! Did the USA of the 1950s Act like Jimmy Stewart in the Christmas holidays? becomes the question (though ‘Wonderful Life’ came out in the ’40s and was set in the ’30s…)–apart from do you love Lucy, too? Danceable.

The old standby “Santa Baby” asks for a light blue convertible, which should be a ’54. Not into tired old traditionals here, so let’s try punk: welcome The Dollyrots!

“A Little with Sugar” is a hard life for a young man and the problems(?) he’s got with his mama. But it starts Xmas of ’54. Walter Becker and Donald Fagen swing it. Before Steely Dan.

Jay Stansfield (feat. SAY) get poetical and altpop with their “Christmas 1954.” Not sure how this picturesque scene is the ’50s (‘ceptin’ for saying gay for gleeful). Maraca out!

“Flappie” by Youp van ‘t Hek is a funny little lesson for a child back in Xmas of ’61, well funny for the Dutch. If you want in on the dark bunny joke, check out Todd Rundgren’s translation: “Floppie.” Holy moley.

Bob Tupper’s recollection of 1962 begins folk gently on the way to “Grandma’s House for Dinner.” Then–surprise–it mystically rocks pop music to a transcendent experience. As an adult he realizes/relishes its perfection. You WISH your Christmas was this fulfilling.

Christmas in the ’60s was fine maintains Fay Lovsky in “Christmas was a Friend of Mine.” Odd brassy slow-mo pop. Nick & Simon mainstream it. Not as good.

“My Christmas is Better Than Yours” is the war of the ’80s ‘gainst the ’60s. Don’t Call Me Ishmael seems to prefer the later (Instagram?!) but a ding dong daddy case is made for the old timey. Big band pop.

The Rebel Yell admits that for “December 8,1980” christmas not too far away— but John Lennon was gunned down in front of his home due to the socio-political climate. Punk infused metal and, boy, is it pissed.

Missed chances are recalled with “Kodachrome Ghosts” by James DeanBradfield. Just happens to be a holiday candid in there to stir up hard rock emotions.

Let’s round down. Marshal Keep’s “Winter Blues” measures heartbreak with–well, not exactly yodeling–uncertain percussive pop. Looking back a ways, he’s mumble mumble sorry. He eventually admits This song is more about the breakup, it wasn’t really about Christmas.

The Merry Kinsers tout “Christmas in the ’80s” as a materialistic wonderland before Facebook went and ruined our family. Pop shebop.

On the other side of the pond, “Xmas in the 80’s” pops wise about media overload and–duh–toys. Scouting for Girls adds to our downslide.

“Christmas was Better in the ’80s” rants The Futureheads. Not a polemic, but a strongly held UK pop belief for the childish innocence lost.

Dazed and confused electronic reverb from Ryan McReynolds masks a tale of blood and rage. “Christmas Day 1989,” what is left to say?

Hard garage regret from Please Exist drops memories from “Christmas 1989” like hot turds. Where has the childish excitement gone? The pain of growing up.

“Paradise (Christmas, 1989)” from Andrew Samples has some electronic percussion reminiscent of the year, but the whole child’s-toys-making-me-who-I am-while-I’m-dying routine is so overdone.

“Christmas 1989” from Andrew Wosylyk sounds like the time it embodies. Pop piffle about wanting and getting and nothing in particular. Like 1989.

On the verge of turning over a bunch of Ohs! Is 1999 a new beginning, or just a random configuration?

Raymond Taylor singsongs “Christmas 1999” about a pivotal time in his life. This pop existential crisis faces the new millennial pressure and caves! The honesty!

Much younger at the time, Evan Church’s rockingly pop memory adds Rock’m Sock’m “Robots” to the list of great toys he was buried in back then. Greedy brat, i love ‘im.

Perhaps a childhood memory that needs blocking, “Christmas 1999” recounts a BLUE ALERT confessional from the parents about who’s real and who isn’t. Driving rock played with tough love from Gregg Albertson.

I am the biggest fan of Spray’s “The Ballad of Xmas ’99,” a sprightly pop corrido about losing a song competition to Cliff (prolly Cliff Richard, whose ‘Mistletoe and Wine’ has been on the blog). Poor losers, great song. Wotta comeback!

David & The Citizens apropos of nothing look at 2000 light bulbs on the Christmas trees while in long distance love. “Belly Full of Butterflies” is punchy pop with a killer horn section and harmonica counterpoint.

Anacapa piano proclaims “Thousands of Lights” with soulful punctuation.

Justin North’s “Wednesday, Christmas 2000” is a non festive off key about a near miss relationship apparently at that time of the year. Lonely making music.