What we treasure about Santa’s reindeer is their Superman power–levitation. They don’t ‘fly’ like birds or planes, but merely lift off and hover and maneuver like a video game toy balloon. So, let’s spend a month lighter than air with reindeer, Santa, angels… all the Xmas aerial phenomenon.
The Chimney Tops are a welcome find with their symphonic pop expose “Reindeer Flight Instructor.” The excitement builds and builds in this epic number–or was it a myth (now with outro mall music) the whole time?
Sometimes a reindeer isn’t here for Santa Claus’s sleigh. The nontraditional carols that corral the Christmas critters lead us a merry chase, i must say.
The precious grunge sendup “I See Reindeer in the Clouds” seems to be about the prep work for Christmas crudités. But the singers do indeed imagine reindeer, for some reason. Maybe it’s just a good story to tell.
Also an outstanding parody, The Withers’ “Reindeer on the Moon” takes on R.E.M.’s ‘Man on the Moon,’ but seems to visit a dire world of No Xmas due to the unverified passing of Rudolph. (Do you hear ‘Reindeer on the Roof‘? I do. ‘Sbetter.)
Gregg Donley makes the case that you need to search Ireland in order to find these beasties. “The Reindeer Song” is more music hall kidsong than Celtic hop, so take it with a grain of salt.
Ken Herzog’s Christmas tragedy “The Dead Reindeer Song” reads like a sitcom theme song, but the lesson is give peace a chance… or stop reading the papers… or whatever you will. Okay.
The harnessed might chafe and rumble about working conditions. Will Claus’s reindeer unionize?
In The Substitutes’ alt rock odyssey “The Reindeer will Fight for X-Mas” Santa seems to uses violence or at least technology to keep the big guys in place. It’s charmingly brutal.
Starting out as a clever mashup of ‘Ghost Riders in the Sky’ and ‘A Visit from St. Nicholas,’ The Carolyn Sills Combo’s “Ghost Reindeer in the Sky” takes a grisly closeup of the wretched conditions these creatures fly under. Brrr.
Bah & The Humbugs cry out for action with “Free the Reindeer,” a rocking pop protest ballad. This might take a while, better call Aaron Sorkin to option the rights.
Deer Valley Trio seem to care little for lyrics or production values, but Mr. Christmas pushes too far “When Santa Claus Got His Ass Kicked by the Reindeer.” Chatty desk knocking pop, almost kidsong, with a resounding yeehaw!
Sleeping Trees itemize the PTSD of the eight in graphic detail. Synth pop sensation “The Ballad of the Reindeer” wishes you well, but the reindeer–they resign. Brit silliness.
An eight-pack plus of massive herd animals on the housetop? How loud does that get!
Tom Paxton goes nonchalant kidsong to name the possible sources of the clatter in “Reindeer on My Roof.” Some lovely pickin’.
Also bein’ cool, Coach Kody raps out the racket with quiet glee in “Reindeer on the Roof.” Names ’em, too, case you lost track.
Terry Turtle sets the complete soundscape with carols, bells, AND “Reindeer on the Roof.” Freaky kid folk and a froggy vocal that might scare more than endear.
Making ‘Up on the Housetop’ refreshed, The Rosebuds jam out “I Hear (Click, Click, Click)” to my top forty Xmas tunes of all time. Pop done right.
How cool are Santa’s big antlered sled doggies? Don’t ya just love ’em?
“I Wanna be a Reindeer” has become a phenomenon for the adoring. Brian the Bold hits a country groove for the kids with it. Fair party anthem. The Jack Lomas Experience gets alt rock creepy about it. Plastic surgery is involved. Not for kids. Do You Hear What I Hear (feat. Spike Raven)? grates your dreams with a punk pronouncement. And it becomes suggestive with your girlfriend riding you around the world… Universal Groove‘s gasolined punk ramps up the tempo ’til we get grrly. Angry/hopeful. Max DeGroot goes full epic storytelling concerning Timmy’s childhood idealism. Drawn out kidsong. And i’m not sure it’s entirely a happy ending.
‘Radar Love’ gets the comical adaptation by Santa’s Elves on Autoplay. “Reindeer Love” may not be available commercially but i dig the rock expression here. And, i do believe it’s consensual. Among compatible species.
“I Love Reindeers” Deranged Mime Clan sings over and over again, whether or not you believe them.
Winter Wilburys go boy band overboard in their adoration of “Those Other 8 Reindeer.” Electric worm solo!
Love BLUE ALERT from Dyslexic Fudgicle: “Balls Deep in Santa’s Reindeer” is a brief foray into bestiality and should be filed under psychological aberration, or at least metal muttering.
Drtyboy calms the naughtiness with “Whip Me Like a Reindeer.” This dance mix simply encourages without painting a BLUE picture.
How weird are Santa’s pack of reindeer? I mean they fly… what else?
Perhaps only reacting to their aerobatics, Rick Riso wonders “Where Did the Reindeer Go?” with frolicsome jazz band coyness.
The Knife get post-psychedelic with “Reindeer” in which they move like shadows and be like X-men. Whoa.
Bah & The Humbugs unfold another talent from the reindeer book in “My Psychic Reindeer.” This phone-a-friend helps make all the important decisions in life with enigmatic koans pulled out of thin air. Electro-pop that wishes it were rock.
Not quite at the bottom of taste, The Ninja Fam put to music the story of the flatulent force behind Santa’s need for speed. “Tootles the Tooting Reindeer” might be an animated Xmas special somewhere. Those who need to can find it, I’m sure. Otherwise, enjoy this tame pop music kidsong.
Adrian Hill has a channel of Eric the Turkey silliness. His Christmas entry “Eric the Turkey and the Nervous Reindeer” involves the shy fella, Toby, who can’t fly until he loves himself. Also, he appears to be an Irish Setter. The song, moreover, is synth silliness. Be a shooting star, Toby!
Starting up like a coked-up ‘Grandma got Run Over’ spoof, “Thomas Got Mistaken for a Reindeer” takes the Christmas Cards down a long and winding oompah road of nonsense. Might i suggest Witsec?
“Can You Name the Stoner Reindeer?” is Jet Baker’s entry to the list making. Stasher, Downer, Blitzen, Vomit, Moocher, Dramatic, Bitchin, Pincher–i think i got those right. What are names but an appropriation of your identity by The Man, anyways, if you follow?
