Robert Zimmerman is a Grammy, Pulitzer, Nobel prize winner with more awards than hit songs. He has a pass for everything he’s tried and failed at since 1972 (DO NOT attempt to listen to his Christmas album) because he was cool once upon a time and captured the spirit of disenfranchisement of the Boomers.
Shaun McCrindle sings the true story of a holiday sighting with “Bob Dylan’s in a Joke Shop” with laconic folk rocking. Appropriate.
Adam J Taylor honors Bob Dylan with “Sexy Bob Dylan Christmas,” conjuring a feeling for this time of year that is important, activist, and sexy. Well, that’s what he says. I find the song earnest and odd in equal measures.
Ellas Otha Bates created a signature ‘hambone’ rhythm that was more than blues and generations wailed on it until rock and roll was born. Bob Diddley today might refer to that five-accent infectious dance syncopation.
As it does when The Tractors go to town with “Bo Diddley Santa Claus.” I see you toe tapping under your desk.
We’ve passed through the gateway of weed. I reckon it’s time for some hard stuff. Generically at first.
I’ve previously offered “Santa Doesn’t Cop out on Dope” but only in the Martin Mull original. Sonic Youth has a wacky turn at it. Greg Hawkes‘s live version allows the irony to shine through more blindingly.
Defiant Bear rollick “Santa’s Dope” with a chimney cleaning back beat. That helps the horrible violence go down.
Skye Taylor dresses up like Dr. John and growls out ’70s honky tonk rock with “Roll Me a Big Ass Joint for Christmas.” It’s a serious effort for such an itty bit joke. So i definitely like it. (Except for overlong intro and postscript comedy.)
As you might anticipate, Santa passes the fatty on the left hand side.
Grass Stains shares an adorable amateur performance of “I Got High w/Santa.” Gird your loins for a fun folk sing-along. But i didn’t know that Santa won’t drink your beer.
Mista Blaze celebrates with the hippy hop in “Smoking with Santa.” It’s boyish fun (as in boy band rap).
Bob Narley is under the impression that “Santa Claus is SELLING the Brown” rather than gifting it in your stockings. Rumpa a dump dum.
When Kevin Bloody Wilson sings like he’s stoned he’s twice the Australian. “Santa was Stoned” has become a bit of an anthem for them as can remember the old days when stoner was dangerously cool. It’s okay if you don’t remember it; Dr. Demento didn’t play this one.
The etc. cast of characters for the Christmas traditions have been known to tie one on as well.
“Rudolph Drank the Moonshine” might seem a funny little idea for a song, but The Christmas Hillbillies apply themselves in country-bluegrass high form to create a catchy little number.
DØMT squeeze funny out of punk with “Rudolph is a Drunk.” Fighting and vomiting follow.
John Stapleton plies us with a homegrown hymnal about when “The Elf Got Drunk.” Pretty folk rock with more talent than it needs.
The morning after looms: regret, regurge stains, remembering–not so much.
Merely passing out is one affliction suffered after “Another Drunk Christmas Carol,” a lovely homemade metal bit of play from Death Before Sophistication. I don’t feel so good.
Aftermaths of Christmas drinking include Clashing Plaid with “All I Got for Christmas was Drunk,” a rocking rant that shines with head splitting pride.
Jim Bachmann snarls with country peevishness (and country punnery) for “All I Got for Christmas was Drunk.” He’s picking but not grinning while the world celebrates without him. Poor boy.
Better Off Dead slow down the rhythm with”All I Got for Christmas was Drunk.” But they stay together for some banging light rock melody. All together now.
Toasting is peer pressure for alcoholism. Can you say no, sneak a ginger ale, toss it in the potted plant?
Michelle Unkle just wants to talk about it. After a couple minutes she pokes fun at ‘Jingle Bells’ with “Let’s Get Drunk on Christmas!” It’s a sad processional that leads one more towards temperance. Wah.
Marco & Jannik invoke ’70s party rock with their “Let’s Get Drunk on Christmas.” The driving percussion, the rasping vocals, the incoherent beat–it’s like getting drunk. Whee.
Backyard cowboy Arnold Connelly tries to marry honky tonk with dixieland in his “Gonna Get Drunk This Christmas.” With some tweaking, he may have a hit, but this is cry for help. Wha–?
Chris Ilett finds more and more reason to indulge as he sings a British raging music hall style ballad to booze “Let’s Get Drunk This Christmas.” It’s an epic journey through the liquor cabinet of misery. If you don’t believe me, read the reviews included in the opening of the video. Whoa.
Some whiskey Christmas songs are a mixed bag. Fun to hear, sad to listen to. Great melodious fun. Woebegone lyrics.
Tipsy virtuosi Son of Fathers have a seesaw bit of silliness with “Whiskey Christmas.” You never get anyway with the song, but oh well.
John Gregorio as ‘Ray Church’ (from a show entitled ‘Chaos & Candy: Chicken in the Snow’) has a truck driving country rock blasphemy also called “Whiskey Christmas.” The devil proposes a drinking contest in a local dive on Christmas while Jesus was in the mens’ room… hijinks ensue.
Happy drinking sounding like a Steven Martin improv rollicks in from lounge lizard Jesse Thomas Brown with “Merry Christmas, Jameson’s Irish Whiskey.” It’s a family brawl, but all in fun–except for all of them.
Our Country tinkles the ivories with some old fashioned song writing in yet another “Whiskey Christmas.” Half gospel, half musical, half ragtime, these boys recommend whiskey in your Swiss Miss, but sheepishly. (2 1/2 minutes in is their Kickstarter commercial.)
The most upbeat, most degrading melange of holiday whiskey-ing come from Darby O’Gill and the Little People. Their “Whiskey Christmas” is a jig and a half about the puking, hating, stinking effects of partaking. Wee ones scream curses.
Temperance challenges Barleyjuice in a cool retro rock “Whiskey for Christmas,” which while Celtic hearkens to ’60s folk rock. Clever fellows.
