Category: paro”deus” (pop tunes into Xmas)

Parodies’ Paradise: 1967 “Purple Haze”

Jimi Hendrix’s second record single by the Jimi Hendrix Experience hit in several countries… UK Official Singles Chart at #3, Us Billboard Hot 100 at #65… #7 in Austria and Norway charts…  (it was many people’s first exposure to Hendrix’s psychedelic rock sound)… inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame… included on lists of the greatest guitar songs, including at number two by Rolling Stone and number one by Q magazine.

ApologetiX has got this with “Excuse Me, Pal, It’s Christmastime.” Boys can PLAY.

Give Bob Rivers some space for his “Holiday (‘Scuse Me I’ve Got Gifts to Buy).” It’s quite hectic.

Parodies’ Paradise: 1967 “Incense and Peppermints”

Strawberry Alarm Clock reached the #1 position on the Billboard Hot 100 with this single… sixteen weeks on the charts… gold plated by RIAA…. failed to break into the UK Singles Chart.

The ’60s Invasion keeps double entendre drug rock alive with “Incense and Chia Pets” dedicated to stocking stuffer nonsense gifts. Love ’em.

Parodies’ Paradise: 1967 “Sunshine of Your Love”

Cream’s first and highest charting American single… one of the most popular singles of the year… a modest chart hit in the UK… several rock journals have placed the song on their greatest song lists, such as Rolling Stone, Q magazine, and VH1… The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame included it on its list of the ‘500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll.’

It’s prophetic that ApologetiX would spin this mind melter into “Some Sign from Above.” Whoa.

Parodies’ Paradise: 1967/9 “Get Together”

The Kingston Trio championed this song, but The Youngbloods made it a minor Hot 100, peaking at #62 and reaching #37 on the US adult contemporary chart… sales increased again when it was used in a radio public service announcement for the National Conference of Christians and Jews… the most-remembered version was a re-release in 1969, peaking at #5 on the Billboard Hot 100.

The ’60s Invasion inventory Xmas traditions to this tune resulting in “Come on People (Have a Merry Christmas).” It does the job.

Parodies’ Paradise: 1967 “Soul Man”

Sam and Dave dropped the most successful Stax Records single to date upon its release… the single peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot Black Singles chart… number two on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States…  number two in Canada… awarded the 1968 Grammy Award for Best Rhythm & Blues Group Performance, Vocal or Instrumental.

What’s the funny hook for Christmas on soul? Follow the Mistletones to their buddy, “Snowman.” Yeah, you saw that coming.

Parodies’ Paradise: 1966 “Mother’s Little Helpers”

The Rolling Sones’ wry indictment of valium overuse by oppressed housewives first appeared as the opening track to the United Kingdom version of their 1966 album Aftermath. It was released as a single in the United States and peaked at #8 on the Billboard Singles Charts in 1966. 

Send up the drug references! Balderdash & Humbug give voice to the overworked elves with “Santa’s Little Helpers.” Won’t you care?

Parodies’ Paradise: 1966 “I am a Rock”

This Paul Simon song is a bugbear for vinyl collectors. Originally released in the Paul Simon Songbook only in the UK, it was later tacked onto The Leaves That are Green with Garfunkle. Station samples were pressed in red with mono on on side and stereo on the other. The single charted to #3 in the Billboard Hot 100. It was my high school girlfriend’s signature song.

The following parody is not exactly holiday themed, but it is seasonal. And Simon and Garfunkle bits are hard to come by. So there. “Polar Bear Anthem” chronicles the wacky antics of those who jump into sub-zero December waters. Thanks, Balderdash & Humbug!

Parodies’ Paradise: 1966 “Stuck Inside of Mobile with the Memphis Blues Again”

This quintessential Bob Dylan number first appeared on his 1966 album Blonde on Blonde… the 1976 single is the live version where he’d worked out the timing better concurrent with Hard Rain… never charted, although some of the later covers did well.

Anti-Cool goes the distance for “Stuck Inside the North Pole Blues.”