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20 more Christmas songs from off the beaten path
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Tom Waits in Christmas lights
Because a top ten list was not enough, here are 20 more Christmas songs that might not be on your Christmas playlist but should be.
Shakin’ Stevens – “Merry Christmas Everyone” – One of the Welch rockers three number one hits in the UK, this song was originally meant to be released in 1984, but when Stevens’ people got wind of a certain project called Band-Aid was releasing “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” they wisely postponed the song until Christmas ’85 where it easily topped the Christmas charts.
Marvin Gaye – “I Want to Come Home for Christmas” – There should be at least one Marvin Gaye song on every playlist ever created. “I Want to Come Home for Christmas” seemed more appropriate than “Sexual Healing” for this list.
The Webb Brothers – "Everyday Is Christmas" –Sons of legendary songwriter Jimmy Webb whose tunes have been played by Bob Dylan, Elvis and Sinatra. The three brothers have a lot of work to do if they want to live up to their pops legacy but this is a fine start.
Gary Glitter – “Another Rock and Roll Christmas” – Perhaps one day someone will make a biopic about Mr. Glitter. The old English glam-rocker charted 26 hit singles between 1972-1995 before he was deported from Cambodia, arrested in Vietnam and denied entry in China and Thailand for some very heinous acts. Before Glitter's fall from grace “Another Rock and Roll Christmas” was among the most beloved Christmas songs in the UK.
The Three Wisemen – “Thanks for Christmas” – An offshoot of British new wavers XTC; this is a pretty simple, bell laden, conventional holiday jingle about love, happiness and snow with a hint of synth.
The Ramones – “Merry Christmas (I Don’t Want to Fight)” – In just two minutes and fifteen seconds Joey Ramone manages to tenderly snarl his way through 15 “Merry Christmas” wishes in this tune about making things work.
The Beatles – “Christmastime is Here Again” – If you’ve been looking to add some Beatles to your Christmas mix look no further. The Beatle’s made seven Christmas singles from 1963-1969 and though most of the records were gibberish and improvisations, this ditty even includes individual Christmas wishes from John, Paul, George and Ringo at the end.
Aimee Mann – “Calling on Mary” – She may be best known for contribution to the 1985 hit “Voices Carry” with ‘Til Tuesday but this track from One More Drifter in the Snow is a much needed change from all that high fructose Christmas music you that infiltrates your soul while shopping at the mall.
The Raveonettes – “The Christmas Song” – Who doesn’t love Danish fifties rock revivalists? Just over two minutes, this song is short enough to keep all those Christmas music purists at bay while buying you a little more time until that damn Waitresses song plays again.
Ron Sexsmith – “Maybe This Christmas” – In classic crooning fashion the Canadian singer/songwriter shares his hopes for Christmas present in this optimistic love fest.
The Drifters – “White Christmas” – The only cover song mentioned on this list. This doo-wop version of White Christmas, made famous by the opening credits of the movie Home Alone is so completely awesome it should be on every Christmas playlist.
The Higher Elevations – “All These Winter Nights” – Critical sweethearts in the UK, the Swedish quartet sends us a perfect Christmas pop song about missing someone special and waiting for them to call on Christmas.
Billie Holiday – “I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm” – My cousin Frankie the composer would appreciate this one, a jazzy rendition of Irving Berlin’s classic tune from the 1937 musical film On the Avenue. Holiday recorded the song and made it hip the same year.
Sufjan Stevens – “Put The Lights On The Tree” – It almost seems like for the last few years the indie wunderkind has replaced his 50 albums about 50 states project (he has published one about Michigan and Illinois so far) for attempting to cover every Christmas song ever written. Just recently Stevens released his eighth Christmas volume, but “Lights” from volume 2 is still the chamber popsters crowning Christmas achievement.
Willie Nelson – “Pretty Paper” – From his 1979 album of the same name, The Red Headed Stranger offers his trademark late lyrical delivery on this beautiful ballad about gift giving and Christmas craziness.
Zee Avi – “No Christmas for Me” – One of the years’ new great Christmas songs, Jack Johnsons’ Brushfire Records has found a winner in this Malaysian singer songwriter. Look for her debut album to hit in 2009.
Louis Armstrong – “Christmas in New Orleans” – If I was in The Crescent City I would eat po’ boys, muffuletta and my friend Elena’s jambalaya all Christmas day and everyday after. Elena, if you are reading please send jambalaya stat.
The Hives and Cyndi Lauper – “A Christmas Duel” – A strange combination with some strange lyrics, (“I bought no tree this year, and I slept with your brother, I wrecked your daddy’s car and went down on your mother,”) may seem off, ok it is, but the song’s Motown sound and tale of forgiveness make it essential Christmas listening.
The Pretenders – “2000 Miles” – Chrissie Hynde was born in Akron, Ohio, grew up as a music loving outcast, moved to London, then Paris and back to London, started a band, and wrote some of the best songs of the early 80’s including this unforgettable Christmas anthem.
Tom Waits – “Christmas Card from a Hooker in Minneapolis” – Not really a Christmas song albeit the obvious Christmas relevance, but Tom Waits tells a good story. For those of you who can’t digest Waits’ gravelly vocals, Neko Case recorded a silky smooth rendition on the 2000 Waits tribute album New Coat of Paint.
For more info: Top Ten Christmas Songs, Top Ten Thanksgiving Songs
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