Pissy parody from David Goody jangles ‘Jingle Bells’ into “Train Delays at Christmas.” He’s pretty mad, wanting to nationalize the whole mess.
Goombay Dance Band brings the dance despite a late train “Wishing a Merry Christmas” to you and to me. Syncopated mush.
Musical comedy from Michael Mott (feat. Jessica Vosk) wants those relative hangers-on to catch a plane OR a train to JUST LEAVE the house. It was Hanukkah/Xmas, so prolly lots of people. “To All a Good Night” checks all the boxes and hits all the notes.
Then there’s just NO LATE TRAINS. Without you, Lizzy Hilliard warbles with alt-pop lightness, Christmas “Doesn’t Mean a Thing.” Pretty.
Dead Orchids layers the rock with militarism, grunge, and pop declaring that one or the other, they’ll be “Home for Christmas.” They caught the last train. That always helps.
Themes for this year are about Winter/Christmas people moving. Less seasonal would be the locomotive train. Horse drawn since 2000 BCE, steam driven since 1809, connecting all continental interiors since 1890… but then surpassed by automobiles and airplanes soon after that (and we’ve already covered those concepts/machines in this music blog). (Okay super speed trains revived us in the 1960s and their environmental edge becomes apparent by 2000). But here in the USA (esp. West), most people just don’t. Heard of ’em. Seen ’em in the motion pictures. But not all aboard.
Yet, Christmas and trains DO go together in so many ways: traveling home, choo choo toys, Santa’s magical ride, hey–even that little electric thing around the tree for decoration! Trains can even be a great metaphor for the holiday troubadour.
Merle Haggard tells of the family that wants Grandpa to visit. They won’t go see him, and he won’t get on a plane (what in the name of Hallmark is the story here?)–so it’s time for “Goin’ Home for Christmas” on a train. Maybe he useta be a hobo. It is country music, see?
Chet Nichols overlays the country with New Age in his “Christmas Train.” Another homeward run for one and all. Nice scenery!
Whispery country from Elle Carpenter whitewashes a “Colorado Christmas” in Norman Rockwell tones (kids in pajamas on the train drinking hot chocolate for cryin’ out loud). It’s a ride.
Trans-Siberian Orchestra growls out prog rock (knock me over with a shovelful of coal!) about a lonely man taking a railway trip. Something about no one meeting him at the station, and a single set of footprints… i’m not sure about the story here either. But “The Snow Came Down.” That’s for sure.
Been having some fun bending the rules to find skiing songs. Let’s push the envelope a bit more (it’ll still be stationery).
Buddy Wassisname and the Other Fellers lead us into this fresh hello with “The 12 Elan.” Celtic folk salutes the Ski-Doo, a skiing machine! Clunk! Diddly-dump! Delightful!
David Anthony Berg tends more country with “Snowmobile Cowboy.” It’s all about that loud noise. It’s branded.
Imaginary Friends (w/Bert Collins) help a crashed Santa with a “Little Ski-Doo Christmas Song.” Jug band polka! For the kids!
Jud Strunk’s 1969 “Santa Song” celebrates the new mode of transpo, the Moto-Ski, with folky rock. Those reindeer were so unreliable.
Taking a drive to the wintry slopes, Joey Clarkson elevates pop with killer pipes in “Cold Christmas.” I see a sled… and mulled wine. Might i suggest skis instead?
Fat Little Bastard’s “Impending Doom at the Ski Lodge” is a suspenseful drama of electronic twittering. Is that a helicopter closing in–?
Marcus Latief Scott sees people out ice skating, but My little brother said let’s hit the slopes! “It’s Christmas” shouts the R+B. Get wit’ it.
Danny and The Juniors twist and shout with their 1964 bandstand grandstand “Let’s Go Ski-ing.” Do you get the boogie woogie in there? I do! Get some!
Dolly and Kenny two-step a pop country “Christmas to Remember.” Ski lodges, cuddling, and hitting the slopes frame some great romance of soulless syncopation.
Joe Paradiso’s “Back to the Ski Lodge” bends to SciFi more than ski-fi with its wobbly electronica. Druggy.
Pagan Holiday’s “Skiing” is a garage rock list of good/bads out of life. Just headband along.
Wondermints has got a “Ski Party” for you. Surf rock (natch) makes your sock hop into merino leggings hop. Fun!
Cross country gets a turn in the urgent folk of DJ Boring’s “Lean House Skiing.” Rhythmic. As it should be.
Geoff Lea’s “Geoff Skiing” is a thrasher of a rock instrumental. Fast, out of control, fiery.
“Skiing is My Religion” does invoke mythical figures and power, but Geoff Samuels uses snazzy prog rock more to mock than to poeticize downhill thunder.
Barbary Coast Pirates set the beach party on the slopes with “Apres Ski A-Go-Go.” This jitterbug of a rock dance number will not stop.
“Ski with Slope” is Wyegee messing with us emotionally. You know that thing where music reaches in and pulls out your still beating heart, dances with it, then puts it back in, and brushes you off. A bit like that. Electronica.
Beatgum brings us more traditional rock (finally) with the trembly “Hot Skiing.” Desire and appreciation without much mountaineering. But… rock.
Romance and skating on ice are nearly one and the same in the R+B (hoo, hoo hoo hoo, hoo) singalong “Christmas Wishin’” from David Davis. Holla.
Different Boats is in the friend zone, however, after mixed signals from skating. “Season of Sadness” is a maudlin rap without lashing out in anger. Sorry for your heart. (Crash cart! Stat!)
Connie Landers dredges up the ol’ ’60s rock’n’roll with “I’m Gonna be Warm This Winter.” That sleigh ride helped, but the ice skating cinched it.
“It’s Christmas” for Marcus Latief Scott when his brother wants to hit the slopes and others are skating. Am i missing a social hierarchy in the cold weather substitutions for walking? Party rap wit’ lotsa Yeas!
Colbie Caillat has more of a “Happy Christmas” as she remembers holding Grampa’s hand while skating back in the day. Country (for the messaging) but unabashedly pop (for the happy part).
“Rockefeller Center” is a bitter regret for November Cold. After she passed, you realized you never went skating like she wanted. Rocking BLUE ALERT remorse.
