Top ten Christmas songs
I’m not much of a holiday person, but one thing I like to do is make a Christmas mix CD. I try to update it every year but here are ten perennial favorites.
The Kinks – “Father Christmas”
It’s almost a shame that Ray Davies “wasted” such a kick-ass riff and melody on a Christmas song. I listen to it all year round. Luckily it was around the holidays when I saw him live a couple years ago and he brought the house down with this one.
James Brown – “Let’s Make Christmas Mean Something This Year Pts 1 & 2”
Not your typical James Brown song, mostly the backup singers doing their thing under a rambling JB monologue with a few screams and growls for good measure. But it’s solid gold, nonetheless.
John Lennon and Yoko Ono – “Happy Xmas (War is Over)”
It’s hard to believe it was thirty years ago this week that John Lennon was tragically murdered, and also that war is still not over.
The Ramones – “Merry Christmas (I Don’t Want to Fight Tonight)”
I know this is a love song but I can’t help thinking that Joey wrote it with Johnny in mind.
Chuck Berry – “Run Rudolph Run”
“All I want for Christmas is a rock and roll electric guitar”
The Waitresses – “Christmas Wrapping”
Can’t get enough of this song around the holidays, I love Patty Donahue‘s sugary punk sneer. The relentless, rollicking bass is the ribbon that holds it together, and the guitar counterpoint is the perfect bow on top.
The Ventures – “Jingle Bell Rock”
How do you spruce up a holiday classic? You speed it up, drop the vocals and play the melody on a signature Mosrite guitar.
Bob Dylan – “Must Be Santa”
Polka sing-along, complete with oompah beat and lead accordion. Like everything else he does, Dylan puts his own spin on Christmas.
Run DMC – “Christmas Time in Hollis Queens”
“It’s Christmas time in Hollis Queens / Mom’s cooking chicken and collard greens / Rice and stuffing, macaroni and cheese / And Santa put gifts under Christmas trees”
Cheech and Chong – “Santa Claus and His Old Lady”
This “song” still appeals to the 14-year-old in me, I have fond memories of hearing it every year on my local classic rock radio station (PYX 106, Albany NY). “Santa Claus? Oh yeah man, I played with those dudes…”
