I started a similar thread at Movies, so feel free to respond to that one. I'm one of those people who usually cringe having to listen to Christmas music "to get in the mood" (whatever that means.) But I do know lots of people enjoy Holiday songs, and several modern music artists have put out their own Christmas songs, so I was wondering if anybody had some favorites or could even come up with a mix which even an old Scrooge like me "might" enjoy. Bah!!

If I ever do remember one that I like, I'll bring it up here.

I've always loved and thought that "Do They Know it's Christmas?", by Band Aid was the best... I'd still like to hear the one by the Flaming Lips

I personally love holiday music, both the "classics" and the upstarts. I really enjoy non-traditional stuff...

Some of my faves:

"Fairytale of New York" by The Pogues
"River" by Joni Mitchell (although the version by Travis is excellent, too)
"Christmas and Glasgow" by Deacon Blue
"Last Christmas" (yeah...the Wham! song) by Erlend Oye (of Kings of Convenience)

my friends and I trade Xmas music comps each year. My friend Cliff is on his tenth volume this year...

I immediately thought of "Father Christmas" by The Kinks, so that is probably my favorite Christmas/Holiday song.

Other memorable ones:

"Christmas Wrapping" - The Waitresses
"All I Want for Christmas Is You" - Mariah Carey
"Do They Know It's Christmas" - Band Aid

For you Beatles fans....

"St. Nick's Christmas by the Lonely Hearts Band" -

Classic Christmas carols re-done as the songs from the Sgt Peppers album.

Some of the tunes work better than others, but as a whole, the concept is absolutely hilarious.

A few others (kudos to ASC85 for remember "Father Christmas" which is a great one):

Happy Xmas (War is Over): John Lennon
How to Make Gravy: Paul Kelly
Everyday is Christmas: Chamber Strings
Snow Daze: Trip Shakespeare
Give Me a Second Chance for Christmas: Candy Butchers
Walk this Sleigh: Robbie Williams
Christmas Bells: John Gorka
The Saddest Time of the Year: Spooner
CHristmas: The Posies
The Man Who Would Be Santa: Vertical Horizon
Xmas Time (Sure Doesn't Feel Like): Mighty Mighty Bosstones
Christmas Will Find You: Michael Oliver and Go Dog Go

"How to Make Gravy" is not only a great holiday song (in that it's about spending the holidays away from one's family) but it is, in my estimation, one of the best songs written in the last 30 years. Maybe ever.

"The Man Who Would Be Santa" is a real sleeper. I don't like Vertical Horizon much, but this is a really sweet, sad song based on Christmas themes. Told from the point of view of a parent, there are some really touching moments, including sending a child off to college...

"And he says
All I want is for you to have
A life to love and live
Talk from me all I can give
Because you are in my heart"

"And the man who would be Santa
Tells his son to write
And to call him if he needs him
In the middle of the night.
And don't you worry, don't you cry now
You'll do just fine
Your mother and I love you
We think about you all the time..."

Maybe it's a little syrupy sweet, but it encapsulates a mood as well as any holiday song I can think of...love, unconditional and untouched.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: philosopherEric,

Those ones you listed are all great, except the Mariah Carey one - we'll let that slide this time though

I'll also throw in Adam Sandler's Hannukah song to represent everyone out there. I know its not exactly the catchiest tune but every year when I hear it on the radio, it cracks me up

Just to get everyone out there in the mood for the holidays, here are the words...

Make sure to study them so you can impress your friends and sing along with the radio

quote:

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Put on your yarmulke
Here comes Chanukah
So much funukah
To celebrate Chanukah
Chanukah is the festival of lights
Instead of one day of presents, we have eight crazy nights

When you feel like the only kid in town without a Christmas tree
Here's a list of people who are Jewish just like you and me
David Lee Roth lights the menorah
So do James Caan, Kirk Douglas, and the late Dinah Shore-ah

Guess who eats together at the Carnegie Deli
Bowser from Sha Na Na and Arthur Fonzerelli
Paul Newman's half Jewish, Goldie Hawn's half too
Put them together, what a fine lookin' Jew

You don't need "Deck The Halls" or "Jingle Bell Rock"
'Cause you can spin a dreidel with Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock- both Jewish

Put on your yarmulke
It's time for Chanukah
The owner of the Seattle Supersonicahs
Celebrates Chanukah

O.J. Simpson, not a Jew
But guess who is? Hall of famer Rod Carew- he converted
We got Ann Landers and her sister Dear Abby
Harrison Ford's a quarter Jewish- not too shabby

Some people think that Ebenezer Scrooge is
Well he's not, but guess who is
All three Stooges
So many Jews are in showbiz
Tom Cruise isn't, but I heard his agent is

Tell your friend Veronica
It's time to celebrate Chanukah
I hope I get a harmonicah
Oh this lovely, lovely Chanukah
So drink your gin and tonicah
And smoke your marijuanikah
If you really, really wannakah
Have a happy, happy, happy, happy Chanukah
Happy Chanukah

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Hey, pE, what about Macca's "Wonderful Christmast Time?"

Like mark, I'm not a big fan of Christmas and Holiday songs. I expect it has as much to do with overkill over the years as anything else. I remembered one song this past weekend, though, that both touches and warms me during the season, Dar Williams' "The Christians and the Pagans."

Amber called her uncle, said "We're up here for the holiday
Jane and I were having Solstice, now we need a place to stay"
And her Christ-loving uncle watched his wife hang Mary on a tree
He watched his son hang candy canes all made with red dye number three
He told his niece, "It's Christmas eve, I know our life is not your style"
She said, "Christmas is like Solstice, and we miss you and it's been awhile"

So the Christians and the Pagans sat together at the table
Finding faith and common ground the best that they were able
And just before the meal was served, hands were held and prayers were said
Sending hope for peace on earth to all their gods and goddesses

The food was great, the tree plugged in, the meal had gone without a hitch
Till Timmy turned to Amber and said, "Is it true that you're a witch?"
His mom jumped up and said, "The pies are burning," and she hit the kitchen
And it was Jane who spoke, she said, "It's true, your cousin's not a Christian"
"But we love trees, we love the snow, the friends we have, the world we share
And you find magic from your God, and we find magic everywhere"

So the Christians and the Pagans sat together at the table
Finding faith and common ground the best that they were able
And where does magic come from, I think magic's in the learning
Cause now when Christians sit with Pagans only pumpkin pies are burning

When Amber tried to do the dishes, her aunt said, "Really, no, don't bother"
Amber's uncle saw how Amber looked like Tim and like her father
He thought about his brother, how they hadn't spoken in a year
He thought he'd call him up and say, "It's Christmas and your daughter's here"
He thought of fathers, sons and brothers, saw his own son tug his sleeve saying
"Can I be a Pagan?" Dad said, "We'll discuss it when they leave"

So the Christians and the Pagans sat together at the table
Finding faith and common ground the best that they were able
Lighting trees in darkness, learning new ways from the old, and
Making sense of history and drawing warmth out of the cold

Yeah. I like that one a lot.

Now Playing: NPR's All Things Considered

Christmas in Hollis by Run DMC
Hang Myself From the Tree(and others from Oi to the World)by The Vandals
Christmas Island(the whole album)by Leon Redbone

An obviuos one for me is "Happy Xmas(War is over)", but the song that best describes how I feel about christmas is "I believe in Father Christmas" by Greg Lake. This song always sends a shiver through me.

Glad to see the Leon Redbone album get mentioned-- it's great. Leon and Dr. John do the definitive "Frosty the Snowman."

I'd also give props to Steeleye Span's "Gaudete," The Pogues' "Fairytale of New York," and Chris Squire/Alan White's "Run With the Fox."

Surprised no-one's mentioned that grotesque Springsteen tune yet....

"do they know its x mas" band aid, merry x mas (war is over) john lennon -- best one ever hands down, someone mentioned fairy tale in new york and thats one of mine too it kills me every time its probably the most honest representation of the holidays , christmas baby please come home by u2 (excellent !)

quote:

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Originally posted by curefreak:
"do they know its x mas" band aid, merry x mas (war is over) john lennon -- best one ever hands down, someone mentioned fairy tale in new york and thats one of mine too it kills me every time its probably the most honest representation of the holidays , christmas baby please come home by u2 (excellent !)

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All good choices...I haven't heard the new version of "Do They Know It's Christmas" yet, but I want to. "Merry Xmas" is a classic, and is covered well by many artists over the years. And the U2 is a great version. Nice choices, all...

gracias (bows)

quote:

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Originally posted by philosopherEric:

quote:

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Originally posted by curefreak:
"do they know its x mas" band aid, merry x mas (war is over) john lennon -- best one ever hands down, someone mentioned fairy tale in new york and thats one of mine too it kills me every time its probably the most honest representation of the holidays , christmas baby please come home by u2 (excellent !)

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All good choices...I haven't heard the new version of "Do They Know It's Christmas" yet, but I want to. "Merry Xmas" is a classic, and is covered well by many artists over the years. And the U2 is a great version. Nice choices, all...

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Guys, the song is "HAPPY Xmas (War is over)".

At Eccentro's request, here's the tracklist (artists and titles only...I don't have album information) for my Christmas 2004 comp. My friend makes these for all of his friends every year and he tracks down some crazy rare stuff, so good luck tracking some of these down.

1. My Christmas List-Simple Plan
2. The Christmas Song-The Raveonettes
3. I Heard Santa on the Radio-Hilary Duff
4. Cool Yule-Matt Dusk
5. Santa Claus Likes Rich Kids Better-Young and Sexy
6. The Only Gift That I Need-Dashboard Confessional
7. Yule Shoot Your Eye Out-Fall Out Boy
8. X-Mas Time-Koncak
9. Runaway Christmas-Pencil Test
10. What Was Santa Thinkin'?- Craig Davis
11. Hang Up Your Stocking-The Caulfields
12. Hanukkah and Xmas Hand 'n' Hand-Huffamoose
13. I Found A World That's Just Like Christmas-Chuck Prophet and Stephanie Finch
14. At Christmas-Hanson
15. Hey Parker, It's Christmas-Ryan Adams
16. A Gift For You All-David Mead
17. I Hate Xmas Parties-Relient K
18. Blue December-Pearlfishers
19. Christmas Waltz-Bruce Robison
20. Sorry to See You Go-June Christy


I'll post the listings to some of the others when I dig them up...

Christmas Present 2003 (Vol. 9)

1. Intro
2. God Bless-Andy Votel
3. Christmas is my Favorite Holiday-King Virtue
4. Same Old Christmas-Hilary Duff
5. Soul Christmas-Graham Parker/Nona Hendryx
6. Donde Esta Santa Claus?-Guster
7. Spotlight on Christmas-Rufus Wainwright
8. Christmas Eve-Whereabouts
9. Xmas-Jesse Malin
10. Christmas Morning-Lyle Lovett
11. If We Make it Through December-Holly Cole
12. Christmastime is Done-Bite The Wax Godhead
13. Valley Winter Song-Fountains of Wayne
14. All The Right Reasons-Dressy Bessy
15. Don't Beleive in Christmas-D4
16. Forget December-Something Corporate
17. She Came Home for Christmas-Mew
18. A New York Christmas-Rob Thomas
19. What I Want for Christmas-Macy Gray
20. Family Christmas-Lizzie West
21. Happy Xmas (War is Over)-Tim Finn

quote:

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Originally posted by philosopherEric:
Christmas Present 2003 (Vol. 9)

1. Intro
2. God Bless-Andy Votel
3. Christmas is my Favorite Holiday-King Virtue
4. Same Old Christmas-Hilary Duff
5. Soul Christmas-Graham Parker/Nona Hendryx
6. Donde Esta Santa Claus?-Guster
7. Spotlight on Christmas-Rufus Wainwright
8. Christmas Eve-Whereabouts
9. Xmas-Jesse Malin
10. Christmas Morning-Lyle Lovett
11. If We Make it Through December-Holly Cole
12. Christmastime is Done-Bite The Wax Godhead
13. Valley Winter Song-Fountains of Wayne
14. All The Right Reasons-Dressy Bessy
15. Don't Beleive in Christmas-D4
16. Forget December-Something Corporate
17. She Came Home for Christmas-Mew
18. A New York Christmas-Rob Thomas
19. What I Want for Christmas-Macy Gray
20. Family Christmas-Lizzie West
21. Happy Xmas (War is Over)-Tim Finn

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Thank You!!

Three words:
1.River
2.Blue
3.Joni