Posted in: Musicouching by postpunkpixie on December 10th, 2007 | 1 Comment
Looking for some more unusual Christmas songs? Well here’s a list of tunes to get your toes tapping from 40 years of great and not so great musicians.
If, like me, you like Slade but you prefer Mama Weer All Crazeee Now to Merry Christmas Everybody, you think the Band Aid single is nice in principle but trite, or you’re just bored with Santa Claus is Coming to Town here’s a list of tunes to get you in the mood of the season, without damaging your street cred or your ears!
Mr and Mrs Fiend and friends, the iconic if slightly silly 80s Batcave band, offer this boozy single from 1987 originally available on blood red or bright green clear vinyl. The opening lines “have you ever wondered why Santa’s cheeks are ruby red?/ He’s not jolly he’s off his head” give you some idea as to what this song is like. Atonal, fast paced and delightfully hedonistic it’s perfect for parties, and can be found on their “the singles” compilation. The suggestion to “stay drunk from January to December” shouldn’t be as tempting as it is…
Typically well observed satire from HMHB, complete with cute singing children, twinkly noises and bells, and thus the perfect antidote to all those other pop records with cute singing children, twinkly noises and bells. Released on their “Trouble over Bridgewater” album, the song serves as both a parody of typical Christmas records and comment on the modern trend of disliking such festivities. And of course, it’s very funny. A fan video cut to the song can be seen here:
Who doesn’t love the Ramones? This is one of their slower, ballad-style songs, a poignant snapshot of a difficult relationship, full of cute references to glitter and Rudolph and suchlike. And, like most of the Ramones songs, it’s infuriatingly catchy. Also offers endless opportunities to do Joey Ramone impersonations at parties. Originally released as a single on the Sire label, it can now be found on the “Hey Ho! Let’s Go! Anthology”.
Watch the promo music vid for this song.
Shonen Knife, those cute, mad Japanese girls who sing songs about sushi and bananas and how nice it would be to be a cat, offer a typically kooky vision of Christmas from their rocket ship. Apparently. With a catchy refrain of “merry merry Christmas, happy happy christmas” it’s absolutely, inexplicably, wonderful. Available on their “the Birds and the B-Sides” compilation. Or download from here.
Lucy Lockett December 10th, 2007 at 3:23 pm
Awesome selection! Seasons greetings to you too!