Parodies’ Paradise: 1969 “Sweet Caroline”

Neil Diamond’s super smash was completely titled ‘Sweet Caroline (Good Times Never Seemed so Good).’ It hit #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart… eventually went platinum… hit #3 on the US, Easy Listening chart… might’ve been about JFK’s kid… still gets play in Fenway Park, many Irish football games, and cricket.

Joel Kopischke sings a Christmas song about singing Christmas song singing (i’ve got to devote a month to that) in “Sweet Caroling.”

Parodies’ Paradise: 1969 “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head”

The number written by Hal David and Burt Bacharach for Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid won an Academy Award for Best Original Song… was recorded by B. J. Thomas in seven takes… the single reached number 1 on charts in the United States, Canada, Norway and reached number 38 in the UK Singles Chart… topped the Billboard Hot 100 for four weeks… spent seven weeks atop the Billboard adult contemporary chart… Billboard ranked it as the No. 4 song of the year… according to Billboard magazine, itsold over 2 million copies by March 14, 1970, with eight-track and cassette versions also climbing the charts.

The Happiest Guys in the World tackle this frivolously with “Snowflakes!” Not too faithful to the source.

Moke Hilding gives “Snowflakes Keep Falling on My Head” a turn. It never gets too deep.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvfU59Kj8RQ

Parodies’ Paradise: 1968 “Sympathy for the Devil”

The opening track on the Rolling Stones’ 1968 album Beggars Banquet charted only up to #10 on the US Billboard rock listing… #2 in Finland… Rolling Stone magazine placed it at number 32 in its list of the “500 Greatest Songs of All Time”.

Rolling Stones gather little mock, but juggernauts must be teased at times.

Balderdash and Humbug sub Santa for Satan with “Sympathy for Santa.” Writes itself, dunnit?

Parodies’ Paradise: 1968 “Helter Skelter”

This avatar of punk-metal originally appeared on the Beatles’ so-called White Album… a product of McCartney’s attempt to create a sound as loud and dirty as possible… Rolling Stone magazine ranked it 52nd on its list of the 100 Greatest Beatles songs. (So much for inspiration.)

Kris Sciba delivers a plugged-in slow-moving “Helter Santa.” I dig this.

But i dig THIS more: cutbacknj has the same “Helter Skelter (Christmas Parody)” with bells and whistles. Psychedelic.

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.