The 2010 playlist:
1.) 2010 intro
Just a minute! Taking inspiration from Elliot Lawrence's amazing album (of which "Jingle Bells" is used), my family and I greet you at the door.
2.) The Aussie Singers - Merry Christmas Land
This was one of the first songs I listened to searching my Christmas music collection back in August. The tune has been stuck inside my head ever since. When my children overheard it, they began singing it around the house for months. So why should I suffer alone? Here it is - MERRY CHRISTMAS!
3.) The De John Singers - That's How Santa Claus Will Look This Year
Found this 45 single on eBay earlier this year. Another song the kids overheard and fell in love with so it was paired with their other favorite.
4.) Excerpt from "The Lemon Drop Kid" / Stuck In The Chimney Again
A quick snippet with Bob Hope & William "Fred Mertz" Frawley leads into Darius Holbert's short Christmas song.
5.) Linnzi Zaorski - Shimmy On Down My Chimney
My friend Stubby included this one on one of his amazing comps last year which prompted me to visit CDBaby to purchase the entire album. Isn't that what Christmas is all about?
6.) Johnny Long & His Orchestra - Jingle Bells (Vocal by Francey Lane and the Ensemble)
Purchased at a flea market many moons ago but unable to transfer since my old turntable didn't do 78s, this hip 1947 version of this song transferred easy on the new turntable.
7.) Jimmy Fallon & The Roots - Xmas Medley (Live at Macy's Thanksgiving Parade 2009)
You never know what you'll see at a Macy's Thanksgiving Parade (with the exception of Santa Claus at the end). So when a giant Gibson guitar drove down the street with Jimmy and the Roots, I knew we were in store for something cool.
8.) Aimee Mann - I'll Be Home For Christmas
This has quickly become my favorite version of this song. Partly because of Aimee, partly because of the song's intro that Aimee chose to sing that other artists delete.
9.) Pink Martini - Do You Hear What I Hear?
When I saw their amazing PBS special, I was hooked. Since then, I've been patiently waiting for a December when they would release a Christmas album. It happened this year - it's a fantastic album that you should go get for yourself.
10.) Thomas M. Lauderdale - Holiday Table Decoration Demonstration
Taken from a YouTube video. This guy definitely knows his stuff decking out a table! And I hear he plays a pretty good piano.
11.) Max Raabe & Palast Orchester - O Tannenbaum
My friend Mark Handy asked if I had heard about this band's Christmas album. I checked my master spreadsheet, found a single MP3, I listened, I was hooked, and the album was purchased the next day. Great suggestion Mark!
12.) Herman Apple Ses Carillons Et Ses Percussions - Le Bonhomme De Neige (Frosty The Snowman)
The perfect follow up to Max & Palast Orchester. And if you haven't listened to this Herman Apple album, click on the link and check it out!
13.) Excerpt from the "Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations" Holiday Special
In a single paragraph of text, Anthony encapsulates the essence of his Christmas episode. Simply brilliant.
14.) Vic Barrel - White Christmas
Found an old scratchy copy near the public turntable at Beverly Records in Chicago. The 45 held up long enough for me to listen (which convinced me to buy it). Thankfully, I found a DJ copy on eBay in exceptional condition for the transfer. One of my best finds of the year.
15.) The J's with Jamie - The Christmas Song
When this appeared on eBay earlier this year, I figured I had no chance. WFMU alerted everyone to the existence of The J's in 2008 and it immediately went to the top of many collector's lists. Somehow, I won this rather cheaply and their version of Nat's perennial favorite landed here.
16.) Excerpt from '' Miracle On 34th Street'' (1947)
The answer to a question that has puzzled the world for centuries. With John Payne and Edmund O'Brien.
17.) Little Cori - An Oscar To Santa
Found this at a record show here in Fort Wayne. Puzzling song since they already gave an Academy Award to Santa (see #16 above). Click on the link to see the baffling picture sleeve.
18.) Lynn Carroll & Jeff Palmer Orchestra - Piney, The Tiny Little Christmas Tree
While we're on the subject of baffling, this 45 discovery tells us the strange story of yet another fictional Christmas character featuring a great Chubby Checker twist beat!
19.) STS-116 Discovery wake-up call (12-22-06)
This might have been the final Christmas wake-up call from space (only three Space Shuttle missions left). However, the November 2010 mission was pushed back to a luanch date of December 17, 2010 - the final NASA Christmas for a long time.
20.) The Gus De Wert Trio (with Gay LaComb) - Space Age Santa Claus
A record I was excited to find at a record show in Ohio. This one has floated around cyberspace for a long time with Jeannie Jay listed as the singer. Jay was the credited singer on side two ("When Christmas Bells Are Ringing"). Hope this clears up any confusion.
21.) Lawrence Welk's Little Band - Outer Space Santa
Another great space-related song that has floated around the web. The perfect follow-up to Gus and Gay.
22.) Excerpt from '' Hot Rods To Hell''
This 1967 MGM film (a roadtripping family is hounded by hot-rodders) is one of the most unintentionally funny movies of all time thanks in large part to dependable Dana Andrews. So bad, it's a scream. For my friend Scott Marks out in SD.
23.) Prairie Oyster - Christmas In Jail
Originally recorded by The Youngsters in 1956. That version was scheduled to be here until I found this countrified Canadian version that adds its own charm to the song.
24.) Kelly Willis & Bruce Robison - Please Daddy Don't Get Drunk This Christmas
I was never a fan of this song when sung by John Denver. That changed when I heard this version. My kids captured this one for their own as well - I gotta keep them out of the room when I'm listening.
25.) The Wise Men - Grandma Wants Peace / Excerpt from ''The FPT Christmas Revue''
Another great quick Christmas tune from Suburban Sprawl tacked on the front of a moment from the revue I helped to stage last Christmas. You had to be there to understand.
26.) Joel Grey - I'm Gonna Put Some Glue Round The Christmas Tree
Willkommen, bienvenue, welcome - yeah, that Joel Grey! This song was included in the "FPT Revue" and I was planning on using the Peggy King / Mitch Miller version here until I found this 45 on eBay. Must be heard to be believed.
27.) Carole Harmon - Merry Christmas, My Love, To You
I found several copies of this 45 at a thrift store years ago. This simple, obscure song was cut from the "Revue" due to time (Korean War). Its message is meaningful this year because two special people moved to...
28.) Steve Goodman - Colorado Christmas
Goodman wrote "City of New Orleans" for Arlo Guthrie and this Christmas song for the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. This song was released posthumously (Steve died of leukemia in 1984) and it's a fitting song for Sam and Maya. Soon Joel :(
29.) Excerpt from "Moonlighting"
David and Maddie in yet another debate - this one surrounding Christmas. I wish TVLand would rerun this show again.
30.) Rhoda Scott - Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow
The Barefoot Contessa spins out her great rendition of this Christmas classic. I reviewed her full Christmas album an eternity ago - take a read to learn more about Rhoda.
31.) Vic20 - A Marshmallow World
I love this song but I didn't want a typical version, hence Vic20. I figured if by chance someone had drifted off to sleep while listening to this, this song would be an appropriate wake-up call.
32.) Darius Holbert - Gonna Kick Santa's A@@ (Radio edit)
The third and last quick Christmas tune from Suburban Sprawl. Why use a sound clip when a song will do?
33.) Sunshine Ruby - I Wanna Do Something For Santa Claus
This lovely little song was slated to be on the Christmas CD in 2005, 2007, and 2008 but missed the final cut. It finally won a spot on the disc.
34.) Eddy Arnold - I'm Your Private Santa Claus
This rare single as well as Sunshine Ruby were rescued from obscurity by that online Christmas raconteur Ernie (not Bert). This guy never sleeps - thanks for the last two tracks Ern!
35.) Excerpt from ''The BRAT's Holiday Skank (BRAT Holiday Mix)''
I was determined not to use Christmas mash-ups this year. Nothing was said about using remixes. BRAT Productions has been doing great holiday mastermixes since 1994 - this is an excerpt from the 1998 mix.
36.) Alexkid & DJ Seep - Santa Baby (Remix)
A great remix from the "A Very Bootie Christmas 2" mash-up CD - remember, it's NOT a mash-up, merely a remix. Well within my parameters.
37.) BRAT Productions - The BRAT Sings Christmas Shadow (BRAT Holiday Mix)
I rediscovered BRAT's website where a long time ago, I was able to capture the audio from my sound card - not the greatest sound but it was better than installing QuickTunes on the computer. MP3s await...
38.) David Hill (with Ray Martin & His Orchestra) - Christmas In Your Heart
A record show find, this forgotten 45 perfectly encapsulates how I feel about the Christmas spirit. What a world this would be if we heed this song's advice.
39.) 1923 WurliTzer 146A Band Organ - Silent Night
Maybe not the most elegant, regal, or reverent version of "Silent Night". But the melody takes over and somewhere along the way, you're not minding listening to calliope music.
40.) 2010 outro
That's all folks...
Please leave your comments at the study guide page - please remember, none of these comps will be posted here in their entirety or made available online or off.
The 2009 playlist:
1.) 2009 Intro
I took clips from Christmas tapes past to form a special anniversary introduction (with a little help from Barney Rubble on the piano and a trio of singing cops).
2.) Mr. Fab - Little Saint Nick (intro) / DJ BC - You Shook Me All Noel
Splicing two different mash-ups into one, it leads off this year's CD with a 1-2 punch.
3.) No Lights On The Xmas Tree Mother / Mojochronic - Whoville (Won't Get Yuled Again)
Two clips compose "No Lights": the first is from the movie "The Girl Can't Help It" and The Sensational Alex Harvey Band (who used the clip as inspiration for their song).
4.) MARS Production Library - H-906 - Special announcement
From a set of five Christmas production albums I purchased on eBay several years ago.
5.) Substance W - Good King Wenceslas
Starts off techno... then goes baroque... slides into country banjo... repeat and mix up those styles until the end. I'm getting a contact high just listening to what they were smoking!
6.) Billy Rancher & The Unreal Gods - Happy Santa Claus
Portland band that was on the cusp of going big until lead singer Rancher loses a longtime battle with lymphoma. My favorite 1980s Christmas song of all time. This was last heard on the 2004 Christmas CD.
7.) MJ & BJ Morning Show - Holiday Copyright Warning
A quick funny track that I found floating around cyberspace from a one-time duo of morning DJs.
8.) Anonymous - It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year
Sent to me at my P.O. Box earlier this year. Click on the link to read the whole story and to download this track as well as another by the same mystery "singer".
9.) P.S. Tail, Esq. - Jingle Rock Bell
One man's attempt to sing "Jingle Bell Rock" - a funny, FUNNY version of this song. Click on the link to download the track!
10.) Stephen Fry & Jo Brand - Excerpt from "QI"
While surfing the YouTube waves one day, I came across hundreds of clips from the BBC comedy quiz show called "QI". It's an extremely witty and intelligent show - which is why it's not on American television. Click on the link to find some clips of your own!
11.) The Singing Saw - Frosty The Snowman
From the great album of Christmas favorites played by the Singing Saw and his friends with Julian Koster supervising.
12.) The Continentals - The Inexcelsis Polka
Probably the best track from this compilation, this melds "Angels We Have Heard On High" into a swinging polka! And uh-one, and uh-two... Last heard on the 2002 Christmas CD.
13.) The Three Stooges - Excerpt from "Blunder Boys"
From the last original short Moe & Larry did with Shemp - a clever spoof of Jack Webb's "Dragnet". One quick edit and presto!
14.) Tommy Edwards - It's Christmas Once Again
A wonderful smooth song from 1953 - I wanted to use this song in the Christmas Revue but couldn't find the sheet music in time.
15.) Jo Stafford - Christmas Is The Season
This song got bumped from the 2006 Christmas CD. I rediscovered it this year - it's a fantastic song! Click here to read my review of this album!
16.) Lorne Greene - Christmas Mail Early PSA
From a 1969 album of PSAs sent to radio stations courtesy of the United States Postal Service.
17.) Son of Svengoolie - Return To Santa
To those unfamiliar with Chicago TV, Svengoolie has been hosting horror movies off and on for the better part of 30 years. I grew up watching this guy - which explains a lot. Click on the link to see some of his handiwork. BERWYN???
18.) Steve Ivings - The Twelve Days Of Christmas
First heard in 1981 on the Dr. Demento Show, I was thrilled to find a MP3! Even wondered what this song would have sounded if Foster Brooks, John Wayne, Humphrey Bogart, Walter Cronkite, Richard Burton, Liberace, Brando as Vito Corleone, Peter Falk as Lt. Columbo, Horshack from "Welcome Back, Kotter", James Cagney, Alfred Hitchcock, and Paul Lynde recorded it? Now you know!
19.) The Beatles - Christmas Fan Club Message Montage (Mixed by Rob Martinez)
From 1994 to 2003, I had featured the seven Beatles Fan Club Christmas messages on my tapes. For this version originally created for the 2003 Christmas CD, I decided to edit each message down to around one minute in length and string them all together in one montage.
20.) The Fab Four - Jingle Bells
A cut-above-the-rest tribute band performs "Jingle Bells" in the style of the Beatles' "Tomorrow Never Knows".
21.) Sammy Davis Jr. & Jerry Lewis - Christmas song intro???
From a 1988 HBO special, Sammy & Jerry try to get a song off the ground...
22.) Steve Taylor - Winter Wonderland
Taylor fuses "Winter Wonderland" and mariachi music to dynamic results! Believe or not, it was recorded for a Christian Christmas comp! My second all time favorite version of this song!
23.) Raul Malo - Silver Bells
A tango tempo to start (TANGO?) and alternate some swingin' Louis Prima breaks in the middle, and you get one incredible Christmas song from the mind of Malo.
24.) Bob Hope & John Wayne - Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas / "Mr. Sun Time" radio jingle
The duet between the Duke and Ol' Ski Nose was from a 1970s Christmas special - one of thousands. The radio jingle was a tack on.
25.) The Three Suns - Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow
The Suns' rip it up in their own inimitable style. Chosen from their 1959 Christmas album - still one of the five best Christmas albums of all time.
26.) Los Straitjackets - God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
Surf guitar instrumental from these guys who originally formed in Nashville, TN and wear Mexican wrestling gear at their live shows. Yep! Roc!
27.) Mel Blanc - 1972 Christmas Seals PSA
A selection from a 1972 Christmas Seals album that I acquired earlier this year, bringing my total to eleven Christmas Seals albums in my collection.
28.) Seymour Swine - Blue Christmas
This Porky Pig soundalike (voiced by Denny Brownlee on the John Boy & Billy radio show in 1980) remains one of the funniest Christmas novelty tunes ever. My daughters heard this on the radio last year and died laughing - why it's here.
29.) Substance W - A Visit From St. Nicholas
A retelling of "The Night Before Christmas" with great background music and Hanna-Barbera sound FX. My son just rolls on the ground with laughter with this one - why it's here!
30.) Generic 1956 Merry Christmas Theater Spot (featuring Thurl Ravenscroft)
From a collection of intermission spots and trailers from the good folks at Something Weird Video.
31.) Ambrose Haley & His Ozark Ramblers - Old Timey Christmas
This is a great old-school Christmas country song whose melody will get trapped in your skull after hearing it. Given to me by my best friend Joel - what a find! Available on the 2008 Christmas Yuleblog Sampler (click link).
32.) Wilf Carter - Christmas Time In Canada
I've tried three times in the last seven years to find a spot on my annual CD for this little ditty. And after my Canadian friend Jeff Fox created this year's artwork, there was no question that this would make the cut. Hope you liked it Jeff!
33.) Christmas messages from Mayor Tommy Shanks and Frank Sinatra
Solemnity in its purest forms... The Sinatra intro came from a 1976 U.S. Army Reserve album.
34.) DJ Schmolli - Back Door Santa Getting It On
One of the first Christmas mash-ups I ever heard. Take "Bang A Gong (Get It On)" by T Rex, "Back Door Santa" by Clarence Carter, and "KLF" snatches of "I Wanna Dance With Somebody" by Whitney Houston and mix vigorously!
35.) Voicedude - It's The Little Things
The only recorded output by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra that I can tolerate is their rework of Pachabel - "Christmas Canon". Voicedude takes the vocal from Blink 182's "All The Small Things", adds it to the mix, and it works brilliantly.
36.) Cary can paint, Deborah can walk, and Rob can talk...
While the final music from the final scene of "An Affair To Remember" plays, I say a few words to end and commemorate my 25th annual Christmas CD.
37.) Excerpts from "Dear America: Letters Home From Vietnam"
In the second act of the Christmas revue I compiled, we chose four Christmas letters home written by soldiers from the Civil War, WW I, WWII, and Vietnam to be read by actors. This is the source of the Vietnam letter we used.
38.) Outro - short version
I edited down the long version of the outro (see 2000-2002) to 47 seconds.
Please leave your comments at the study guide page - please remember, none of these comps will be posted here in their entirety or made available online or off.
1.) 2009 Intro
I took clips from Christmas tapes past to form a special anniversary introduction (with a little help from Barney Rubble on the piano and a trio of singing cops).
2.) Mr. Fab - Little Saint Nick (intro) / DJ BC - You Shook Me All Noel
Splicing two different mash-ups into one, it leads off this year's CD with a 1-2 punch.
3.) No Lights On The Xmas Tree Mother / Mojochronic - Whoville (Won't Get Yuled Again)
Two clips compose "No Lights": the first is from the movie "The Girl Can't Help It" and The Sensational Alex Harvey Band (who used the clip as inspiration for their song).
4.) MARS Production Library - H-906 - Special announcement
From a set of five Christmas production albums I purchased on eBay several years ago.
5.) Substance W - Good King Wenceslas
Starts off techno... then goes baroque... slides into country banjo... repeat and mix up those styles until the end. I'm getting a contact high just listening to what they were smoking!
6.) Billy Rancher & The Unreal Gods - Happy Santa Claus
Portland band that was on the cusp of going big until lead singer Rancher loses a longtime battle with lymphoma. My favorite 1980s Christmas song of all time. This was last heard on the 2004 Christmas CD.
7.) MJ & BJ Morning Show - Holiday Copyright Warning
A quick funny track that I found floating around cyberspace from a one-time duo of morning DJs.
8.) Anonymous - It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year
Sent to me at my P.O. Box earlier this year. Click on the link to read the whole story and to download this track as well as another by the same mystery "singer".
9.) P.S. Tail, Esq. - Jingle Rock Bell
One man's attempt to sing "Jingle Bell Rock" - a funny, FUNNY version of this song. Click on the link to download the track!
10.) Stephen Fry & Jo Brand - Excerpt from "QI"
While surfing the YouTube waves one day, I came across hundreds of clips from the BBC comedy quiz show called "QI". It's an extremely witty and intelligent show - which is why it's not on American television. Click on the link to find some clips of your own!
11.) The Singing Saw - Frosty The Snowman
From the great album of Christmas favorites played by the Singing Saw and his friends with Julian Koster supervising.
12.) The Continentals - The Inexcelsis Polka
Probably the best track from this compilation, this melds "Angels We Have Heard On High" into a swinging polka! And uh-one, and uh-two... Last heard on the 2002 Christmas CD.
13.) The Three Stooges - Excerpt from "Blunder Boys"
From the last original short Moe & Larry did with Shemp - a clever spoof of Jack Webb's "Dragnet". One quick edit and presto!
14.) Tommy Edwards - It's Christmas Once Again
A wonderful smooth song from 1953 - I wanted to use this song in the Christmas Revue but couldn't find the sheet music in time.
15.) Jo Stafford - Christmas Is The Season
This song got bumped from the 2006 Christmas CD. I rediscovered it this year - it's a fantastic song! Click here to read my review of this album!
16.) Lorne Greene - Christmas Mail Early PSA
From a 1969 album of PSAs sent to radio stations courtesy of the United States Postal Service.
17.) Son of Svengoolie - Return To Santa
To those unfamiliar with Chicago TV, Svengoolie has been hosting horror movies off and on for the better part of 30 years. I grew up watching this guy - which explains a lot. Click on the link to see some of his handiwork. BERWYN???
18.) Steve Ivings - The Twelve Days Of Christmas
First heard in 1981 on the Dr. Demento Show, I was thrilled to find a MP3! Even wondered what this song would have sounded if Foster Brooks, John Wayne, Humphrey Bogart, Walter Cronkite, Richard Burton, Liberace, Brando as Vito Corleone, Peter Falk as Lt. Columbo, Horshack from "Welcome Back, Kotter", James Cagney, Alfred Hitchcock, and Paul Lynde recorded it? Now you know!
19.) The Beatles - Christmas Fan Club Message Montage (Mixed by Rob Martinez)
From 1994 to 2003, I had featured the seven Beatles Fan Club Christmas messages on my tapes. For this version originally created for the 2003 Christmas CD, I decided to edit each message down to around one minute in length and string them all together in one montage.
20.) The Fab Four - Jingle Bells
A cut-above-the-rest tribute band performs "Jingle Bells" in the style of the Beatles' "Tomorrow Never Knows".
21.) Sammy Davis Jr. & Jerry Lewis - Christmas song intro???
From a 1988 HBO special, Sammy & Jerry try to get a song off the ground...
22.) Steve Taylor - Winter Wonderland
Taylor fuses "Winter Wonderland" and mariachi music to dynamic results! Believe or not, it was recorded for a Christian Christmas comp! My second all time favorite version of this song!
23.) Raul Malo - Silver Bells
A tango tempo to start (TANGO?) and alternate some swingin' Louis Prima breaks in the middle, and you get one incredible Christmas song from the mind of Malo.
24.) Bob Hope & John Wayne - Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas / "Mr. Sun Time" radio jingle
The duet between the Duke and Ol' Ski Nose was from a 1970s Christmas special - one of thousands. The radio jingle was a tack on.
25.) The Three Suns - Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow
The Suns' rip it up in their own inimitable style. Chosen from their 1959 Christmas album - still one of the five best Christmas albums of all time.
26.) Los Straitjackets - God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
Surf guitar instrumental from these guys who originally formed in Nashville, TN and wear Mexican wrestling gear at their live shows. Yep! Roc!
27.) Mel Blanc - 1972 Christmas Seals PSA
A selection from a 1972 Christmas Seals album that I acquired earlier this year, bringing my total to eleven Christmas Seals albums in my collection.
28.) Seymour Swine - Blue Christmas
This Porky Pig soundalike (voiced by Denny Brownlee on the John Boy & Billy radio show in 1980) remains one of the funniest Christmas novelty tunes ever. My daughters heard this on the radio last year and died laughing - why it's here.
29.) Substance W - A Visit From St. Nicholas
A retelling of "The Night Before Christmas" with great background music and Hanna-Barbera sound FX. My son just rolls on the ground with laughter with this one - why it's here!
30.) Generic 1956 Merry Christmas Theater Spot (featuring Thurl Ravenscroft)
From a collection of intermission spots and trailers from the good folks at Something Weird Video.
31.) Ambrose Haley & His Ozark Ramblers - Old Timey Christmas
This is a great old-school Christmas country song whose melody will get trapped in your skull after hearing it. Given to me by my best friend Joel - what a find! Available on the 2008 Christmas Yuleblog Sampler (click link).
32.) Wilf Carter - Christmas Time In Canada
I've tried three times in the last seven years to find a spot on my annual CD for this little ditty. And after my Canadian friend Jeff Fox created this year's artwork, there was no question that this would make the cut. Hope you liked it Jeff!
33.) Christmas messages from Mayor Tommy Shanks and Frank Sinatra
Solemnity in its purest forms... The Sinatra intro came from a 1976 U.S. Army Reserve album.
34.) DJ Schmolli - Back Door Santa Getting It On
One of the first Christmas mash-ups I ever heard. Take "Bang A Gong (Get It On)" by T Rex, "Back Door Santa" by Clarence Carter, and "KLF" snatches of "I Wanna Dance With Somebody" by Whitney Houston and mix vigorously!
35.) Voicedude - It's The Little Things
The only recorded output by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra that I can tolerate is their rework of Pachabel - "Christmas Canon". Voicedude takes the vocal from Blink 182's "All The Small Things", adds it to the mix, and it works brilliantly.
36.) Cary can paint, Deborah can walk, and Rob can talk...
While the final music from the final scene of "An Affair To Remember" plays, I say a few words to end and commemorate my 25th annual Christmas CD.
37.) Excerpts from "Dear America: Letters Home From Vietnam"
In the second act of the Christmas revue I compiled, we chose four Christmas letters home written by soldiers from the Civil War, WW I, WWII, and Vietnam to be read by actors. This is the source of the Vietnam letter we used.
38.) Outro - short version
I edited down the long version of the outro (see 2000-2002) to 47 seconds.
Please leave your comments at the study guide page - please remember, none of these comps will be posted here in their entirety or made available online or off.
The 2008 playlist:
1.) 2008 intro
Yes Rico, ka-boom! With so much to tell, I had to edit my usual opening pastiche. Featuring Brave Combo on "Jingle Bells". To read the article I mentioned in the intro, click here.
2.) The Phil Harris / Alice Faye Show - Jack Benny as Santa Claus
Phil's radio daughters ask Santa his age... can you guess what Jack responded?
3.) Port Authority of the U.S. Navy Band - Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
You can get much more 1970s than this amazing rendition from a Navy band no less!
4.) Irwin The Disco Duck & The Wibble Wabble Singers & Orchestra - Donde Esta Santa Claus
The worst Christmas disco song off the worst Christmas disco album of all time. Click on the link and read the disclaimer at the bottom.
5.) The Big Sound / Christmas Greetings - Jerry Lewis
The Big Sound marketed themselves to radio stations in the early 1960s with big name celebrities announcing the time, informing you how many shopping days left on the calendar, and Christmas Greetings.
6.) Molly Bee - Willy Claus (Little Son Of Santa Claus)
Our friend Ernie shared this one about one year ago - this song got stuck in my head for nearly a week. Molly was 13 years old when she recorded this in 1952 - she's 69 now and has her own MySpace page.
7.) Fred Travalena - Son Of Santa
A master impressionist who wrote and sang an original Christmas album (read my review here). This song features some impressions of DeNiro, Pesci, and The Rat Pack.
8.) Sammy Davis Jr - Alka Seltzer Christmas commercial
Back in 1979, Sammy was the spokesman for Alka-Seltzer - whatever happened to Speedy? The audio is from a TV commercial - stay tuned...
9.) Jimmy McGriff - The Christmas Song (TONAL Remix)
We lost McGriff earlier this year and this track is dedicated to his memory. His Christmas album got a rave review from me - surprised?
10.) Marah - Holly Jolly Christmas
In the 24 years I've been creating these Christmas tapes / CDs, I have never used this song - not a big Burl Ives fan. When I reviewed this album earlier this year, their version leapt from the speakers and never let go.
11.) Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In - Salute to the Christmas spirit (12-16-68)
Dick Martin died earlier this year and since he didn't record any Christmas songs that I know of, I featured him with some repartee with his longtime partner Dan Rowan.
12.) Basil Rathbone - The Christmas Spirit
The Alcoa Hour first broadcast this television special in 1956 - Columbia released a soundtrack, it was finally released on CD in 2006, and I reviewed in early 2007. You normally don't associate the man who played Sherlock Holmes with Christmas but Basil does a remarkable job as a singing Scrooge.
13.) Phil Moore & The Phil Moore Four - Chincy Old Scrooge
My friend Martin Johns sent me an all-vinyl comp that yielded many gems - one of which was this 1953 R&B word jazz story of Scrooge. Tiny Tim said it best: God bless Stubby, one and all.
14.) The Ed Sullivan Show - George Carlin Christmas appearance, 1966
Love him or hate him, Carlin always spoke the truth and his death earlier this year leaves us with no one worthy enough to fill his shoes.
15.) Casey MacGill - Egg Nog
Wonderful little ditty honoring the festive holiday drink. Appropriate followup to Carlin's rant on eggnog.
16.) The Fabulous Fay McKay - ''12 Daze'' Of Christmas
It was an immense privilege to speak with Fay about her Christmas album. When she died earlier this year, a friend of Fay's family chose my blog to announce her death. We'll miss you Fay.
17.) The World According To Garp - Debate over holiday glass eyes
The woman in this audio clip from the movie is Glenn Close in one of her earliest film roles. She played Robin Williams' mother!
18.) The Klaudt Indian Family - White Christmas
I was surprised to hear this great organ solo on this album - it fits in with the audio clip that precedes it.
19.) Marlin L. Ryan - It Came Upon A Midnight Clear
I thought I had heard Christmas music on every conceivable instrument - kazoos, ukeleles, carillon bells, rubber bands, power tools, etc. Then this record came along with a factory steam whistle...
20.) The Bob Hope Pepsodent Show - Jerry Colonna describes Santa coming down his chimney
Colonna was Hope's sidekick for the better part of 30+ years. This clip from one of Hope's radio show just worked perfectly with...
21.) Jerry Colonna - Too Fat For The Chimney
"AHhhhh yes!" Colonna's singing hasn't been rated a weapon of mass destruction yet. If that happens, I'm doomed.
22.) Vincent Lopez & His Orchestra - Here Comes The Fattest Man In Town
No, not me. This album is extraordinary and I'm happy to have it in my collection. Yours too, I bet.
23.) Stan Freberg - Excerpt from "The Night Before Christmas"
Uncle Stan prepares the kiddies for bed (with some help from yours truly).
24.) Stan Freberg - Green Chri$tma$
You passed it on the way in... in case you missed it, here's a link to my appreciation of this masterpiece celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.
25.) Brad Paisley - Kung Pao Buckaroo Holiday
How does one follow "Green Chri$tma$"? With a satire on political correctness from the Christmas album of Paisley's that does a bang-up job even Uncle Stan would be proud of.
26.) John Lennon (w Yoko Ono) - Happy New Year from John
A quick clip from a Japanese radio show that Yoko appeared on in which John called into to say "Happy New Year".
27.) Noelani & Leo Nahenahe Singers - Auld Lang Syne
I couldn't find a Japanese version of this song so I used Hawaiian instead. It almost worked...
28.) The Big Sound / Christmas Greetings - New Year's Eve production with Mitzi Gaynor & Steve Allen
Producers of this album edited together dozens of celebs for this track; "Hi, this is Bobby Darin", "Hi, this is Gogi Grant", etc. to wish all the listeners a Happy New Year.
29.) Contra Costa Health Services - The Flu Song (PSA)
"Wash your hands, wash your hands, flu season is here..." I'll never think of "Jingle Bells" the same way in a public restroom.
30.) Martinn - Brave Bells Of Scotland
Take the versions of "Jingle Bells" by Crosby & The Andrew Sisters and Frank Sinatra, speed them up, speed them down, add some bagpipes, and even a little Janis Joplin, and you'll get this. Bravo Martinn, bravo!
31.) Mojochronic - Yuletide Zeppelin
Who would have thunk that Led Zeppelin and Christmas music would sound damn good? Mojo did and the end result is nothing short of spectacular. Pure genius Mojo!
32.) 2008 playlist rundown
I give the playlist very much like what I just typed out...
33.) Crew of Apollo 8 (w Ormandy / Philadelphia Orch / Mormon Tabernacle Choir) - Silent Night
I originally mixed these two for my 1993 Christmas tape - the 25th anniversary of Apollo 8's Christmas Eve broadcast from moon orbit. I unearthed this (ooooo I kill me) for the 40th anniversary this year.
34.) Outro - short version
I edited down the long version of the outro (see 2000-2002) to 47 seconds.
Please leave your comments at the study guide page - please remember, none of these comps will be posted here in their entirety or made available online or off.
1.) 2008 intro
Yes Rico, ka-boom! With so much to tell, I had to edit my usual opening pastiche. Featuring Brave Combo on "Jingle Bells". To read the article I mentioned in the intro, click here.
2.) The Phil Harris / Alice Faye Show - Jack Benny as Santa Claus
Phil's radio daughters ask Santa his age... can you guess what Jack responded?
3.) Port Authority of the U.S. Navy Band - Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
You can get much more 1970s than this amazing rendition from a Navy band no less!
4.) Irwin The Disco Duck & The Wibble Wabble Singers & Orchestra - Donde Esta Santa Claus
The worst Christmas disco song off the worst Christmas disco album of all time. Click on the link and read the disclaimer at the bottom.
5.) The Big Sound / Christmas Greetings - Jerry Lewis
The Big Sound marketed themselves to radio stations in the early 1960s with big name celebrities announcing the time, informing you how many shopping days left on the calendar, and Christmas Greetings.
6.) Molly Bee - Willy Claus (Little Son Of Santa Claus)
Our friend Ernie shared this one about one year ago - this song got stuck in my head for nearly a week. Molly was 13 years old when she recorded this in 1952 - she's 69 now and has her own MySpace page.
7.) Fred Travalena - Son Of Santa
A master impressionist who wrote and sang an original Christmas album (read my review here). This song features some impressions of DeNiro, Pesci, and The Rat Pack.
8.) Sammy Davis Jr - Alka Seltzer Christmas commercial
Back in 1979, Sammy was the spokesman for Alka-Seltzer - whatever happened to Speedy? The audio is from a TV commercial - stay tuned...
9.) Jimmy McGriff - The Christmas Song (TONAL Remix)
We lost McGriff earlier this year and this track is dedicated to his memory. His Christmas album got a rave review from me - surprised?
10.) Marah - Holly Jolly Christmas
In the 24 years I've been creating these Christmas tapes / CDs, I have never used this song - not a big Burl Ives fan. When I reviewed this album earlier this year, their version leapt from the speakers and never let go.
11.) Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In - Salute to the Christmas spirit (12-16-68)
Dick Martin died earlier this year and since he didn't record any Christmas songs that I know of, I featured him with some repartee with his longtime partner Dan Rowan.
12.) Basil Rathbone - The Christmas Spirit
The Alcoa Hour first broadcast this television special in 1956 - Columbia released a soundtrack, it was finally released on CD in 2006, and I reviewed in early 2007. You normally don't associate the man who played Sherlock Holmes with Christmas but Basil does a remarkable job as a singing Scrooge.
13.) Phil Moore & The Phil Moore Four - Chincy Old Scrooge
My friend Martin Johns sent me an all-vinyl comp that yielded many gems - one of which was this 1953 R&B word jazz story of Scrooge. Tiny Tim said it best: God bless Stubby, one and all.
14.) The Ed Sullivan Show - George Carlin Christmas appearance, 1966
Love him or hate him, Carlin always spoke the truth and his death earlier this year leaves us with no one worthy enough to fill his shoes.
15.) Casey MacGill - Egg Nog
Wonderful little ditty honoring the festive holiday drink. Appropriate followup to Carlin's rant on eggnog.
16.) The Fabulous Fay McKay - ''12 Daze'' Of Christmas
It was an immense privilege to speak with Fay about her Christmas album. When she died earlier this year, a friend of Fay's family chose my blog to announce her death. We'll miss you Fay.
17.) The World According To Garp - Debate over holiday glass eyes
The woman in this audio clip from the movie is Glenn Close in one of her earliest film roles. She played Robin Williams' mother!
18.) The Klaudt Indian Family - White Christmas
I was surprised to hear this great organ solo on this album - it fits in with the audio clip that precedes it.
19.) Marlin L. Ryan - It Came Upon A Midnight Clear
I thought I had heard Christmas music on every conceivable instrument - kazoos, ukeleles, carillon bells, rubber bands, power tools, etc. Then this record came along with a factory steam whistle...
20.) The Bob Hope Pepsodent Show - Jerry Colonna describes Santa coming down his chimney
Colonna was Hope's sidekick for the better part of 30+ years. This clip from one of Hope's radio show just worked perfectly with...
21.) Jerry Colonna - Too Fat For The Chimney
"AHhhhh yes!" Colonna's singing hasn't been rated a weapon of mass destruction yet. If that happens, I'm doomed.
22.) Vincent Lopez & His Orchestra - Here Comes The Fattest Man In Town
No, not me. This album is extraordinary and I'm happy to have it in my collection. Yours too, I bet.
23.) Stan Freberg - Excerpt from "The Night Before Christmas"
Uncle Stan prepares the kiddies for bed (with some help from yours truly).
24.) Stan Freberg - Green Chri$tma$
You passed it on the way in... in case you missed it, here's a link to my appreciation of this masterpiece celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.
25.) Brad Paisley - Kung Pao Buckaroo Holiday
How does one follow "Green Chri$tma$"? With a satire on political correctness from the Christmas album of Paisley's that does a bang-up job even Uncle Stan would be proud of.
26.) John Lennon (w Yoko Ono) - Happy New Year from John
A quick clip from a Japanese radio show that Yoko appeared on in which John called into to say "Happy New Year".
27.) Noelani & Leo Nahenahe Singers - Auld Lang Syne
I couldn't find a Japanese version of this song so I used Hawaiian instead. It almost worked...
28.) The Big Sound / Christmas Greetings - New Year's Eve production with Mitzi Gaynor & Steve Allen
Producers of this album edited together dozens of celebs for this track; "Hi, this is Bobby Darin", "Hi, this is Gogi Grant", etc. to wish all the listeners a Happy New Year.
29.) Contra Costa Health Services - The Flu Song (PSA)
"Wash your hands, wash your hands, flu season is here..." I'll never think of "Jingle Bells" the same way in a public restroom.
30.) Martinn - Brave Bells Of Scotland
Take the versions of "Jingle Bells" by Crosby & The Andrew Sisters and Frank Sinatra, speed them up, speed them down, add some bagpipes, and even a little Janis Joplin, and you'll get this. Bravo Martinn, bravo!
31.) Mojochronic - Yuletide Zeppelin
Who would have thunk that Led Zeppelin and Christmas music would sound damn good? Mojo did and the end result is nothing short of spectacular. Pure genius Mojo!
32.) 2008 playlist rundown
I give the playlist very much like what I just typed out...
33.) Crew of Apollo 8 (w Ormandy / Philadelphia Orch / Mormon Tabernacle Choir) - Silent Night
I originally mixed these two for my 1993 Christmas tape - the 25th anniversary of Apollo 8's Christmas Eve broadcast from moon orbit. I unearthed this (ooooo I kill me) for the 40th anniversary this year.
34.) Outro - short version
I edited down the long version of the outro (see 2000-2002) to 47 seconds.
Please leave your comments at the study guide page - please remember, none of these comps will be posted here in their entirety or made available online or off.
The 2007 playlist:
1.) 2007 intro
I decided to start rotating versions of "Jingle Bells" during my intro - Les Paul's version of "Jingle Bells" is in the background.
2.) Scottland - Credit Card Christmas
This one came to me from NYC collector extraordinaire Al Aitchison from his annual Christmas comp - thanks Al!
3.) SeaWest Artists - We Wish You A Merry Christmas Pt. 1
The first attempt by these guys to play this song on the ukelele - it isn't as easy as it sounds! From my friend Martin Johns aka Stubbyfears - thank you sir!
4.) Ira Ironstrings - Sleigh Ride
A wild, raucous, and downright fun sleigh ride! From one the greatest Christmas albums of all-time (click to read my review).
5.) U.S. Postal Service - Easy Holiday Season PSA
Stubby and I swapped copies of Postal Service Christmas albums - thanks again Martin!
6.) Granddaddy - Alan Parsons In A Winter Wonderland
My brother Chris has always been an Alan Parsons fanatic (he outspends me on eBay for Parsons stuff - OMG) and this one was for him.
7.) Wild Man Fischer - I'm A Christmas Tree
Rock music's only certifiable manic depressive paranoid schizophrenic with a 19 second Christmas song. He later did a duet with Dr. Demento on the same song and there is no truth to the rumors Fischer has an unreleased FULL Christmas album.
8.) Ginny Gibson - Lonely Little Christmas Tree
I had taped this off an NPR show way back in the day and lost it in the apartment fire. Al Aitchison to the rescue!
9.) Fernand Gignac - Noël Blanc / Petit Papa Noël
My good friend Jeff of Jeffco Productions sent me this in our annual swap of Christmas packages - a promo CD from Sears available in Canada only. Very nice French version of "White Christmas"!
10.) Gary Owens - Preparation H Christmas commercial (complete)
RadioJonD aka Jonathan Melton passed this one my way and where he got the unedited complete version of this, I'll never know. This was the most talked about track of this comp amongst my family and friends - thanks Jon!
11.) Carey Bell - Christmas Train
You may have never heard about Bell but in Chicago, he can walk on the Chicago River (yeah, it's that dirty). Amazing harmonica Christmas blues!
12.) A Charlie Brown Christmas - Excerpt from 1965 "Charlie Brown Christmas" commercial
This DVD compilation had this brief 13 second clip - not much of the "Charlie Brown Christmas" promo materials or original animation cels exists anymore - tragic.
13.) DJ John - The Christmas Massacre Of Charlie Brown
I would have voted for this remix of all things Charlie Brown Christmas as possibly the best Christmas mash-up to be produced. That is until...
14.) DJ BC - Imagine Santa
Mixing the Jackson Five's "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town" and John Lennon's "Imagine", this one easily gets my vote as the best Christmas mash-up to be produced (subject to change).
15.) Mel Brooks - 1978 Christmas Seals PSA
From one of the six vintage Christmas Seals albums in my collection - we listen in as Mel tries to record a Christmas Seal promo without much "schtick".
16.) Robert C. Pritikin - I Sawed Mommy Kissing Santa Claus
Leave it to Otis Fodder to send me this version played on the musical saw! Thank you Mr. Fodder!
17.) SeaWest Artists - We Wish You A Merry Christmas Pt. 2
The second attempt by these guys to play this song on the ukelele - they're getting better.
18.) Richard Cheese - Last Christmas
I reviewed this CD earlier this year - this track is 20 seconds long because Cheese stops the song because in his words "this song sucks. Next!"
19.) Swingerhead - I'll Be Home For Christmas
Loungey, surf-guitary, exotica version of this Christmas classic - this whole album is a trip, baby.
20.) Mr. Sun Time - Holiday radio jingle
From one of the many vintage Christmas radio jingles in my collection.
21.) Eilart Pilarm - Blue Christmas
This is the only Christmas track on the Christmas album from Sweden's foremost Elvis impersonator... actually Sweden's ONLY Elvis impersonator.
22.) The Tacoma Four - Christmas Is A Drag
The folks at Double Crown Records sent me this CD which I reviewed promptly. Sorry again on "Seasonal Favorites V2" fellas.
23.) American Comedy Network - Another Christmas Tradition That Never Caught On
I can't understand why Christmas yodeling didn't catch on... ask the next group...
24.) Trio Schmeed - Winter Time
Katya Oddio sent me her Christmas comp and this Christmas yodeling jewel was enclosed - thanks Katya!
25.) Sneakers - Whistler's wish for peace on earth, good will to men
Audio clip from the 1992 tech comedy-thriller. Very timely clip - especially in 2006.
26.) Titus Turner - Christmas Morning
I had never heard this soulful 1952 R&B before this year - packs a mighty wallop!
27.) Scott Marks - Discussion on the 9-hour DVD set of "The Bob Hope Christmas Specials"
My former film school professor in Chicago ended up in San Diego as a film critic. This is how he ended a podcast from KPBS that looked at Christmas movies.
28.) Steve Ivings - The Twelve Days Of Christmas
First heard in 1981 on the Dr. Demento Show, I was thrilled to find a MP3! Even wondered what this song would have sounded if Foster Brooks, John Wayne, Humphrey Bogart, Walter Cronkite, Richard Burton, Liberace, Brando as Vito Corleone, Peter Falk as Lt. Columbo, Horshack from "Welcome Back, Kotter", James Cagney, Alfred Hitchcock, and Paul Lynde recorded it? Now you know!
29.) SeaWest Artists - We Wish You A Merry Christmas Pt. 3
The third attempt by these guys to play this song on the ukelele - he almost has it down!
30.) Frankie Laine & Jo Stafford - Christmas Roses
Catchy Christmas pop duet from Frankie & Jo - we lost Frankie in 2007 and Jo left us in 2008.
31.) Jana - Joy To The World
Sung in Chiricahua Apache, I reviewed her excellent Christmas CD after my friend Joel surprised me with a copy. Still partially deaf in one ear.
32.) Jim Backus - The Office Party
I lost it when Jim Backus said "Boob McNutt"! Imagine Thurston Howell III trying to organize an office Christmas party...
33.) Mark Jonathan Davis - Santa Bog
SANTA! SANTA! SANTA! A wicked parody of those dragstrip commercials! Thanks to Mike Quinn for sending this one my way!
34.) The Ramsey Lewis Trio - Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
Great tune from a CD that I found in the same city where it was recorded - Chicago (click for review). The last Christmas CD purchased from the once-mighty Virgin Superstore on Michigan Ave..
35.) The 5.6.7.8's - Rock-N-Roll Santa
Christmas rock single from the all-girl group who gave us the cover of "Woo-Hoo" heard in "Kill Bill" and all them Vonage commercials.
36.) Miracle On 34th Street (1973) - Santa & Mrs. Walker discuss the Christmas spirit
This is the made-for-TV remake with Sebastian Cabot and Jane Alexander. A clip surfaced on this DVD comp - I'm looking for the whole movie.
37.) Fred Wilson, FBI - What's This?
I hate "The Nightmare Before Christmas" but this cover actually worked for me - shows you how disoriented I was when I made this comp. Sent to us from Mark Grant - Mark, please contact me at the P.O. Box!
38.) Relient K - Twelve Days of Christmas bonus track
Heavy metal chipmunks? Still trying to figure this one out...
39.) Korla Pandit - O Holy Night
Pandit had a way of making even the pipe organ sound haunting - you'll hear this one in your sleep.
40.) SeaWest Artists - We Wish You A Merry Christmas Pt. 4
The fourth and final attempt by these guys to play this song on the ukelele - and he nails it! Mele Kalikimaka!
41.) 2007 playlist rundown
I give the playlist very much like what I just typed out...
42.) Miss Gloria Parker - Silent Night
A virtuoso performance played on the musical glasses - do not play this if you have dogs in your house.
43.) Outro - short version
I edited down the long version of the outro (see 2000-2002) to 47 seconds.
Please leave your comments at the study guide page - please remember, none of these comps will be posted here in their entirety or made available online or off.
1.) 2007 intro
I decided to start rotating versions of "Jingle Bells" during my intro - Les Paul's version of "Jingle Bells" is in the background.
2.) Scottland - Credit Card Christmas
This one came to me from NYC collector extraordinaire Al Aitchison from his annual Christmas comp - thanks Al!
3.) SeaWest Artists - We Wish You A Merry Christmas Pt. 1
The first attempt by these guys to play this song on the ukelele - it isn't as easy as it sounds! From my friend Martin Johns aka Stubbyfears - thank you sir!
4.) Ira Ironstrings - Sleigh Ride
A wild, raucous, and downright fun sleigh ride! From one the greatest Christmas albums of all-time (click to read my review).
5.) U.S. Postal Service - Easy Holiday Season PSA
Stubby and I swapped copies of Postal Service Christmas albums - thanks again Martin!
6.) Granddaddy - Alan Parsons In A Winter Wonderland
My brother Chris has always been an Alan Parsons fanatic (he outspends me on eBay for Parsons stuff - OMG) and this one was for him.
7.) Wild Man Fischer - I'm A Christmas Tree
Rock music's only certifiable manic depressive paranoid schizophrenic with a 19 second Christmas song. He later did a duet with Dr. Demento on the same song and there is no truth to the rumors Fischer has an unreleased FULL Christmas album.
8.) Ginny Gibson - Lonely Little Christmas Tree
I had taped this off an NPR show way back in the day and lost it in the apartment fire. Al Aitchison to the rescue!
9.) Fernand Gignac - Noël Blanc / Petit Papa Noël
My good friend Jeff of Jeffco Productions sent me this in our annual swap of Christmas packages - a promo CD from Sears available in Canada only. Very nice French version of "White Christmas"!
10.) Gary Owens - Preparation H Christmas commercial (complete)
RadioJonD aka Jonathan Melton passed this one my way and where he got the unedited complete version of this, I'll never know. This was the most talked about track of this comp amongst my family and friends - thanks Jon!
11.) Carey Bell - Christmas Train
You may have never heard about Bell but in Chicago, he can walk on the Chicago River (yeah, it's that dirty). Amazing harmonica Christmas blues!
12.) A Charlie Brown Christmas - Excerpt from 1965 "Charlie Brown Christmas" commercial
This DVD compilation had this brief 13 second clip - not much of the "Charlie Brown Christmas" promo materials or original animation cels exists anymore - tragic.
13.) DJ John - The Christmas Massacre Of Charlie Brown
I would have voted for this remix of all things Charlie Brown Christmas as possibly the best Christmas mash-up to be produced. That is until...
14.) DJ BC - Imagine Santa
Mixing the Jackson Five's "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town" and John Lennon's "Imagine", this one easily gets my vote as the best Christmas mash-up to be produced (subject to change).
15.) Mel Brooks - 1978 Christmas Seals PSA
From one of the six vintage Christmas Seals albums in my collection - we listen in as Mel tries to record a Christmas Seal promo without much "schtick".
16.) Robert C. Pritikin - I Sawed Mommy Kissing Santa Claus
Leave it to Otis Fodder to send me this version played on the musical saw! Thank you Mr. Fodder!
17.) SeaWest Artists - We Wish You A Merry Christmas Pt. 2
The second attempt by these guys to play this song on the ukelele - they're getting better.
18.) Richard Cheese - Last Christmas
I reviewed this CD earlier this year - this track is 20 seconds long because Cheese stops the song because in his words "this song sucks. Next!"
19.) Swingerhead - I'll Be Home For Christmas
Loungey, surf-guitary, exotica version of this Christmas classic - this whole album is a trip, baby.
20.) Mr. Sun Time - Holiday radio jingle
From one of the many vintage Christmas radio jingles in my collection.
21.) Eilart Pilarm - Blue Christmas
This is the only Christmas track on the Christmas album from Sweden's foremost Elvis impersonator... actually Sweden's ONLY Elvis impersonator.
22.) The Tacoma Four - Christmas Is A Drag
The folks at Double Crown Records sent me this CD which I reviewed promptly. Sorry again on "Seasonal Favorites V2" fellas.
23.) American Comedy Network - Another Christmas Tradition That Never Caught On
I can't understand why Christmas yodeling didn't catch on... ask the next group...
24.) Trio Schmeed - Winter Time
Katya Oddio sent me her Christmas comp and this Christmas yodeling jewel was enclosed - thanks Katya!
25.) Sneakers - Whistler's wish for peace on earth, good will to men
Audio clip from the 1992 tech comedy-thriller. Very timely clip - especially in 2006.
26.) Titus Turner - Christmas Morning
I had never heard this soulful 1952 R&B before this year - packs a mighty wallop!
27.) Scott Marks - Discussion on the 9-hour DVD set of "The Bob Hope Christmas Specials"
My former film school professor in Chicago ended up in San Diego as a film critic. This is how he ended a podcast from KPBS that looked at Christmas movies.
28.) Steve Ivings - The Twelve Days Of Christmas
First heard in 1981 on the Dr. Demento Show, I was thrilled to find a MP3! Even wondered what this song would have sounded if Foster Brooks, John Wayne, Humphrey Bogart, Walter Cronkite, Richard Burton, Liberace, Brando as Vito Corleone, Peter Falk as Lt. Columbo, Horshack from "Welcome Back, Kotter", James Cagney, Alfred Hitchcock, and Paul Lynde recorded it? Now you know!
29.) SeaWest Artists - We Wish You A Merry Christmas Pt. 3
The third attempt by these guys to play this song on the ukelele - he almost has it down!
30.) Frankie Laine & Jo Stafford - Christmas Roses
Catchy Christmas pop duet from Frankie & Jo - we lost Frankie in 2007 and Jo left us in 2008.
31.) Jana - Joy To The World
Sung in Chiricahua Apache, I reviewed her excellent Christmas CD after my friend Joel surprised me with a copy. Still partially deaf in one ear.
32.) Jim Backus - The Office Party
I lost it when Jim Backus said "Boob McNutt"! Imagine Thurston Howell III trying to organize an office Christmas party...
33.) Mark Jonathan Davis - Santa Bog
SANTA! SANTA! SANTA! A wicked parody of those dragstrip commercials! Thanks to Mike Quinn for sending this one my way!
34.) The Ramsey Lewis Trio - Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
Great tune from a CD that I found in the same city where it was recorded - Chicago (click for review). The last Christmas CD purchased from the once-mighty Virgin Superstore on Michigan Ave..
35.) The 5.6.7.8's - Rock-N-Roll Santa
Christmas rock single from the all-girl group who gave us the cover of "Woo-Hoo" heard in "Kill Bill" and all them Vonage commercials.
36.) Miracle On 34th Street (1973) - Santa & Mrs. Walker discuss the Christmas spirit
This is the made-for-TV remake with Sebastian Cabot and Jane Alexander. A clip surfaced on this DVD comp - I'm looking for the whole movie.
37.) Fred Wilson, FBI - What's This?
I hate "The Nightmare Before Christmas" but this cover actually worked for me - shows you how disoriented I was when I made this comp. Sent to us from Mark Grant - Mark, please contact me at the P.O. Box!
38.) Relient K - Twelve Days of Christmas bonus track
Heavy metal chipmunks? Still trying to figure this one out...
39.) Korla Pandit - O Holy Night
Pandit had a way of making even the pipe organ sound haunting - you'll hear this one in your sleep.
40.) SeaWest Artists - We Wish You A Merry Christmas Pt. 4
The fourth and final attempt by these guys to play this song on the ukelele - and he nails it! Mele Kalikimaka!
41.) 2007 playlist rundown
I give the playlist very much like what I just typed out...
42.) Miss Gloria Parker - Silent Night
A virtuoso performance played on the musical glasses - do not play this if you have dogs in your house.
43.) Outro - short version
I edited down the long version of the outro (see 2000-2002) to 47 seconds.
Please leave your comments at the study guide page - please remember, none of these comps will be posted here in their entirety or made available online or off.
The 2006 playlist:
1.) 2006 intro
In the cassette days, I used Santo & Johnny's "Twistin' Bells" for the intro - I chose that version to lead off 2006.
2.) President and Mrs. George W. Bush - Dubya's telling of "The Night Before Christmas"
Someone online grabbed the audio feed from a White House event that had Bush stumbling over the book... very little editing... :)
3.) El Vez - Santa Claus Is Sometimes Brown
Wicked re-working of "Santa Claus Is Back In Town" from the Mexican Elvis. El Vez has several other Christmas releases out there that I need to pick up.
4.) Noelani & The Leo Nahenahe Singers - Deck The Halls
Nothing like Hawaiian Christmas to get me in the holiday spirit! Great song sung in Hawaiian and English.
5.) Stan Freberg - Excerpt from "Christmas Dragnet (Yulenet)"
Grudge doesn't believe in Santa Claus, The Easter Bunny, Columbus, Cleveland, or Cincinnati. He hasn't made his mind up on Toledo...
6.) Billy May (w Thurl Ravenscroft) - Do You Believe In Santa Claus?
Perhaps the best song to come off the third installment of "Christmas Cocktails". My kids and I crack up at the ending every single time.
7.) Tiny Tim - Zoot, Zoot, Zoot Here Comes Santa In His New Space Suit
The saying states "Be careful what you wish for, you just might get it." After searching forever, I finally found this obscure Christmas song from Mr. "Tiptoe Thru The Tulips". I didn't know it was disco...
8.) SCTV - Excerpt from "Liberace's Christmas Special"
With Liberace (Dave Thomas) playing the piano, Orson Welles (John Candy) tries to recite "Good King Wenceslas" - he ends up quoting the famous "Frozen Peas" outtakes and storms off the set. Hilarious!
9.) Twelve Girls Band - Happy Xmas (War Is Over)
From the very first CD I ever reviewed here at the yuleblog. Yes, there's 13 girls on the cover but no one got the inside joke of this one from the all Chinese girl band.
10.) Petty Booka - Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer (Japanese version)
This CD features two version of "Rudolph" - one in English, and this one in their native tongue. Another album I reviewed here two years ago.
11.) Family Guy - "A Peter Griffin Christmas"
I didn't get this audio clip from any of the DVDs - found it floating around online. My friend Joel later gave me the first two seasons on DVD but it wasn't on that collection. Season four...
12.) Chris Isaak - Christmas On TV
A great Christmas original - slow, country feel with lots of longing. I'm surprised this didn't get better radio airplay the first year (or the second, or the third). Why didn't I review this one?
13.) The Christmas Jug Band - Christmas Time Is Here
The week after my apartment fire in Toledo back in 1996, I went to Blockbuster Music and listened to "Somebody Stole My Santa Claus Suit" and laughed for the first time before the fire. This one's almost as good.
14.) The Marx Brothers & Frank Ferrante - "there ain't no Sanity Clause..." / "Have you heard that one?"
Two clips in one - the first comes from the Brothers Marx, the second from the foremost Groucho impersonator of this generation who I met (and became friends with) through my best friend Joel.
15.) Freddy Martin & His Orchestra - The Merry Christmas Polka
Extremely fun 1949 big band/polka track featuring lead vocalist Merv Griffin ("Ooooooooh").
16.) Margret Jonsson - Snöbubben Froste
"Frosty The Snowman" in Swedish - thanks to Anna-Lena Lodenius for sending her 2004 comp my way!
17.) "We should be asleep and Santa is coming tonight..."
A quick cut from one of Andy Cirzan's amazing comps of Christmas rarities.
18.) Leadbelly - Christmas Is Coming
Legendary blues artist who warns us of the impending arrival of December 25 - manages to get it done in 1:08!
19.) The Rev. Edward W. Claybourne - The Wrong Way To Celebrate Christmas
From Dust-To-Digital's breathtaking collection of R&B and blues 78s from 1917 to 1959 - if you're a serious Christmas music collector, you need this CD.
20.) Sugar Boy Crawford - White Christmas
From the first bouncy notes, you're hooked until the final flourish of sax, drums, and guitar. A song guaranteed to get repeated listens.
21.) Thomas A. Edison - Christmas Greeting
A clip from a 1920 promo recording entitled "Holiday Greetings from the Bunch at Orange", the inventor of the light bulb and the phonograph wishes you Merry Christmas.
22.) Belton Richard - Please Come Home For Christmas
This Charles Brown song takes on an extra warmth when sung and played in Cajun.
23.) C.J. Chenier & The Red Hot Louisiana Band - A Zydeco Christmas
A flat out Zydeco rocker courtesy of Chicago's own Alligator Records.
24.) American Comedy Network - Holiday Disclaimer
"The presents you are about to receive were purchased by a bunch of maxed out, overstressed individuals who were so busy that they had no idea what you want and really don't care. Any present that you receive is actually your size or in the color you like is a mistake. What we're trying to say is 'have another eggnog, listen to "White Christmas" one more time, and don't let your hopes get too high.' " - Now trying saying that in 10 seconds flat!
25.) American Comedy Network - This Present Is Just Crap
Sinatra impersonator sings this parody to the tune of "The Lady Is A Tramp" - my mom LOVED this track. That explains a lot about me.
26.) Asche & Spencer - Merry Christmas Fruitcake
A song devoted to everyone's favorite holiday doorstop. Composed for the Oregon State Lottery (click the link to read my review).
27.) Lucille Ball & Desi Arnaz - U.S. Savings Bonds Christmas promo
I thought they only shilled for Phillip Morris cigarettes - here they're working for Uncle Sam!
28.) Agnetha & Linda Fältskog - Bjällerklang
One of the former members of ABBA and her daughter sing "Jingle Bells" in Swedish. Downloaded this one off Napster (pre-legal days).
29.) The Three Suns - The Christmas Song
Typical brilliance from The Three Suns - off their 1959 "A Ding Dong Dandy Christmas" that has never been issued on CD.
30.) Lucky Strike Cigarettes Christmas commercial
Clipped from an old Jack Benny radio program - nothing like saying Christmas than a carton of cancer sticks.
31.) Larry Nestor - Santa Doesn't Smoke Anymore
No one remembers the 19th century Thomas Nast Santa who smoked a pipe, looking like he just came off an opium jag. After hearing this song, I went off cigarettes as well - and I don't smoke!
32.) Rev. Horton Heat - Santa On The Roof
I reviewed this CD in the first month of this blog's existence - the time flies just a little slower than this power packed song!
33.) Stan Freberg - Excerpt from "Christmas Dragnet (Yulenet)"
Grudge finally believes in Santa Claus, The Easter Bunny, Columbus, Cleveland, or Cincinnati. He hasn't made his mind up on Toledo... read all about my apartment fire and you'll know I've made MY mind up on Toledo.
34.) The Rhodes Kids - Santa Loves Rock-N-Roll Music
Featured at FLLLL, I reviewed this great 1970s album (you can hear the shag carpeting). Surprising stuff in more ways than one.
35.) AKIM & The Teddy Van Production Company - Little Miss Super Fly
An album cut from a rare 1973 album in my collection. John Waters featured the title cut on his Christmas CD a year previously.
36.) Johnny Mercer - Winter Wonderland (Rise Ashen's Brazilian Beach Mix)
Take an old radio broadcast of this song, add Brazilian percussion and a strong beat, and presto! You get a cool, regrooved Christmas song.
37.) POJ Masta - Santar Klaws
Funky shagalicious remix of Eartha Kitt's "Santa Baby" - still available to download from the first excellent mashup album "Santastic: Holiday Boots 4 Your Stockings".
38.) 2006 playlist rundown
I give the playlist very much like what I just typed out...
39.) Sister Rosetta Tharpe - Silent Night
Elvis had a great run but I decided to begin rotating versions of "Silent Night" starting with this version from Tharpe.
40.) Outro - short version
I edited down the long version of the outro (see 2000-2002) to 47 seconds.
Please leave your comments at the study guide page - please remember, none of these comps will be posted here in their entirety or made available online or off.
1.) 2006 intro
In the cassette days, I used Santo & Johnny's "Twistin' Bells" for the intro - I chose that version to lead off 2006.
2.) President and Mrs. George W. Bush - Dubya's telling of "The Night Before Christmas"
Someone online grabbed the audio feed from a White House event that had Bush stumbling over the book... very little editing... :)
3.) El Vez - Santa Claus Is Sometimes Brown
Wicked re-working of "Santa Claus Is Back In Town" from the Mexican Elvis. El Vez has several other Christmas releases out there that I need to pick up.
4.) Noelani & The Leo Nahenahe Singers - Deck The Halls
Nothing like Hawaiian Christmas to get me in the holiday spirit! Great song sung in Hawaiian and English.
5.) Stan Freberg - Excerpt from "Christmas Dragnet (Yulenet)"
Grudge doesn't believe in Santa Claus, The Easter Bunny, Columbus, Cleveland, or Cincinnati. He hasn't made his mind up on Toledo...
6.) Billy May (w Thurl Ravenscroft) - Do You Believe In Santa Claus?
Perhaps the best song to come off the third installment of "Christmas Cocktails". My kids and I crack up at the ending every single time.
7.) Tiny Tim - Zoot, Zoot, Zoot Here Comes Santa In His New Space Suit
The saying states "Be careful what you wish for, you just might get it." After searching forever, I finally found this obscure Christmas song from Mr. "Tiptoe Thru The Tulips". I didn't know it was disco...
8.) SCTV - Excerpt from "Liberace's Christmas Special"
With Liberace (Dave Thomas) playing the piano, Orson Welles (John Candy) tries to recite "Good King Wenceslas" - he ends up quoting the famous "Frozen Peas" outtakes and storms off the set. Hilarious!
9.) Twelve Girls Band - Happy Xmas (War Is Over)
From the very first CD I ever reviewed here at the yuleblog. Yes, there's 13 girls on the cover but no one got the inside joke of this one from the all Chinese girl band.
10.) Petty Booka - Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer (Japanese version)
This CD features two version of "Rudolph" - one in English, and this one in their native tongue. Another album I reviewed here two years ago.
11.) Family Guy - "A Peter Griffin Christmas"
I didn't get this audio clip from any of the DVDs - found it floating around online. My friend Joel later gave me the first two seasons on DVD but it wasn't on that collection. Season four...
12.) Chris Isaak - Christmas On TV
A great Christmas original - slow, country feel with lots of longing. I'm surprised this didn't get better radio airplay the first year (or the second, or the third). Why didn't I review this one?
13.) The Christmas Jug Band - Christmas Time Is Here
The week after my apartment fire in Toledo back in 1996, I went to Blockbuster Music and listened to "Somebody Stole My Santa Claus Suit" and laughed for the first time before the fire. This one's almost as good.
14.) The Marx Brothers & Frank Ferrante - "there ain't no Sanity Clause..." / "Have you heard that one?"
Two clips in one - the first comes from the Brothers Marx, the second from the foremost Groucho impersonator of this generation who I met (and became friends with) through my best friend Joel.
15.) Freddy Martin & His Orchestra - The Merry Christmas Polka
Extremely fun 1949 big band/polka track featuring lead vocalist Merv Griffin ("Ooooooooh").
16.) Margret Jonsson - Snöbubben Froste
"Frosty The Snowman" in Swedish - thanks to Anna-Lena Lodenius for sending her 2004 comp my way!
17.) "We should be asleep and Santa is coming tonight..."
A quick cut from one of Andy Cirzan's amazing comps of Christmas rarities.
18.) Leadbelly - Christmas Is Coming
Legendary blues artist who warns us of the impending arrival of December 25 - manages to get it done in 1:08!
19.) The Rev. Edward W. Claybourne - The Wrong Way To Celebrate Christmas
From Dust-To-Digital's breathtaking collection of R&B and blues 78s from 1917 to 1959 - if you're a serious Christmas music collector, you need this CD.
20.) Sugar Boy Crawford - White Christmas
From the first bouncy notes, you're hooked until the final flourish of sax, drums, and guitar. A song guaranteed to get repeated listens.
21.) Thomas A. Edison - Christmas Greeting
A clip from a 1920 promo recording entitled "Holiday Greetings from the Bunch at Orange", the inventor of the light bulb and the phonograph wishes you Merry Christmas.
22.) Belton Richard - Please Come Home For Christmas
This Charles Brown song takes on an extra warmth when sung and played in Cajun.
23.) C.J. Chenier & The Red Hot Louisiana Band - A Zydeco Christmas
A flat out Zydeco rocker courtesy of Chicago's own Alligator Records.
24.) American Comedy Network - Holiday Disclaimer
"The presents you are about to receive were purchased by a bunch of maxed out, overstressed individuals who were so busy that they had no idea what you want and really don't care. Any present that you receive is actually your size or in the color you like is a mistake. What we're trying to say is 'have another eggnog, listen to "White Christmas" one more time, and don't let your hopes get too high.' " - Now trying saying that in 10 seconds flat!
25.) American Comedy Network - This Present Is Just Crap
Sinatra impersonator sings this parody to the tune of "The Lady Is A Tramp" - my mom LOVED this track. That explains a lot about me.
26.) Asche & Spencer - Merry Christmas Fruitcake
A song devoted to everyone's favorite holiday doorstop. Composed for the Oregon State Lottery (click the link to read my review).
27.) Lucille Ball & Desi Arnaz - U.S. Savings Bonds Christmas promo
I thought they only shilled for Phillip Morris cigarettes - here they're working for Uncle Sam!
28.) Agnetha & Linda Fältskog - Bjällerklang
One of the former members of ABBA and her daughter sing "Jingle Bells" in Swedish. Downloaded this one off Napster (pre-legal days).
29.) The Three Suns - The Christmas Song
Typical brilliance from The Three Suns - off their 1959 "A Ding Dong Dandy Christmas" that has never been issued on CD.
30.) Lucky Strike Cigarettes Christmas commercial
Clipped from an old Jack Benny radio program - nothing like saying Christmas than a carton of cancer sticks.
31.) Larry Nestor - Santa Doesn't Smoke Anymore
No one remembers the 19th century Thomas Nast Santa who smoked a pipe, looking like he just came off an opium jag. After hearing this song, I went off cigarettes as well - and I don't smoke!
32.) Rev. Horton Heat - Santa On The Roof
I reviewed this CD in the first month of this blog's existence - the time flies just a little slower than this power packed song!
33.) Stan Freberg - Excerpt from "Christmas Dragnet (Yulenet)"
Grudge finally believes in Santa Claus, The Easter Bunny, Columbus, Cleveland, or Cincinnati. He hasn't made his mind up on Toledo... read all about my apartment fire and you'll know I've made MY mind up on Toledo.
34.) The Rhodes Kids - Santa Loves Rock-N-Roll Music
Featured at FLLLL, I reviewed this great 1970s album (you can hear the shag carpeting). Surprising stuff in more ways than one.
35.) AKIM & The Teddy Van Production Company - Little Miss Super Fly
An album cut from a rare 1973 album in my collection. John Waters featured the title cut on his Christmas CD a year previously.
36.) Johnny Mercer - Winter Wonderland (Rise Ashen's Brazilian Beach Mix)
Take an old radio broadcast of this song, add Brazilian percussion and a strong beat, and presto! You get a cool, regrooved Christmas song.
37.) POJ Masta - Santar Klaws
Funky shagalicious remix of Eartha Kitt's "Santa Baby" - still available to download from the first excellent mashup album "Santastic: Holiday Boots 4 Your Stockings".
38.) 2006 playlist rundown
I give the playlist very much like what I just typed out...
39.) Sister Rosetta Tharpe - Silent Night
Elvis had a great run but I decided to begin rotating versions of "Silent Night" starting with this version from Tharpe.
40.) Outro - short version
I edited down the long version of the outro (see 2000-2002) to 47 seconds.
Please leave your comments at the study guide page - please remember, none of these comps will be posted here in their entirety or made available online or off.
The 2005 playlist:
1.) 2005 intro
My usual intro with the Flat Duo Jets on "Jingle Bells".
2.) Harry Goodman Jingles - 27 days 'til Christmas
From side one of a 16" radio transcription record (red vinyl no less) that I found on eBay. Since this wouldn't fit on my turntable, I had this professionally transferred to CD.
3.) The Chipmunks - The Chipmunk Song
Using my Sound Forge software, I slowed all the Chipmunk parts down to half-speed so you can hear how Ross Bagdasarian originally sung it - then sped it up!
4.) The Magic of Bing Crosby - Bing denies his family permission to sing "White Christmas"
The end to one of Bingle's early 1970s Christmas specials, he later denies Robert Goulet the priviledge. Eventually all get to sing the song and fade to black.
5.) Corporal Blossom - White Christmas
One of the very first Christmas mash-up CDs ever, Corporal Blossom takes Louis Armstrong, Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, and The Supremes' versions of "White Christmas" and rolls them into one.
6.) BRAT Productions - 2001 Holiday Mix
A James Brown Christmas mash-up that's simply too good for words - so go download this one and more of BRAT's holiday mixes at his site (but come back!).
7.) American Comedy Network - Disaster Card
Clever parody of MasterCard's "priceless" commercials - thank to Jeff Fox of Jeffco Productions for sending me this!
8.) Loudon Wainwright III - Suddenly It's Christmas
To quote the first lines of the song: Suddenly it's Christmas, Right after Halloween. Forget about Thanksgiving; It's just a buffet in between.
9.) Green Acres - The Ziffels discuss Christmas fruitcake
Doris gives Lisa Douglas (Eva Gabor) the recipe - Fred states "that could make you accessory to manslaughter!"
10.) The Gypsy Hombres - Blue Christmas / Let It Snow
A Christmas tune done in Django Reinhart style - after all, the title of their CD is "Django Bells"!
11.) Hugo Winterhalter - The Christmas Song Cha-Cha
Title says all - in Winterhalter's capable hands, this one will make you want to dance.
12.) Harry Goodman Jingles - 18 days 'til Christmas
See track two.
13.) Lou Monte - Italian Jingle Bells
Forget about "Dominic The Italian Donkey" - from note one, this Lou Monte Christmas song explodes and you're hanging on for dear life - outstanding tune!
14.) Mabel Scott - Boogie Woogie Jingle Bells
This song holds the distinction for being used more often on my Christmas CDs than any other song. I stated six times on the playlist rundown but it's actually five - 1989 / 1993 / 1996 / 2001 military mix / 2005.
15.) Pee-Wee Herman Christmas Special - Pee-Wee leads Christmas Carols
I tried showing this to my children last year - they were flummoxed at first, then bored. They preferred to watch "Ben 10 Alien Force" instead.
16.) John "Bowtie" Barstow - Joy To The World
The world's foremost tone-deaf singer released his Christmas album in 2004. I used an excerpt of his "Do You Hear What I Hear" (irony) back on the 2002 edition.
17.) Laffy - Dance Of The Sugar Plum Fairy
A woman literally laughs her way through this song. Now imagine an ENTIRE Christmas album exactly like this.
18.) WKRP In Cincinnati - Dr. Johnny Fever bemoans Christmas music
Taped off a TV broadcast, I couldn't wait for the day "WKRP" was released on DVD. When it came out, they cut all traces of all the classic rock they played on the original broadcasts because they didn't want to pay the licensing. Needless to say, there's no release date announced for season 2.
19.) Sy Mann - Angels We Have Heard On High
From the classic "Switched On Santa" Moog album, this is as fresh as the day it was recorded.
20.) The 8-Bit Peoples - Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow
Want to know what Christmas music sounds like off old video game consoles like the Atari 2600? Click on their link to get this and the rest of the album totally FREE.
21.) Harry Goodman Jingles - 14 days 'til Christmas
From side two of a 16" radio transcription record (red vinyl no less) that I found on eBay. Since this wouldn't fit on my turntable, I had this professionally transferred to CD.
22.) The Swingle Singers - The Twelve Days of Christmas
These amazing accapella singers get this traditionally long song done in less than three minutes. Yeah, wow!
23.) Barbara Feldon - 1975 Christmas Seals PSA
Agent 99 gives such a breathy reading that you begin to wonder if she suffers from a respiratory disease.
24.) Fred Lowery - O Little Town Of Bethlehem
The Blind Whistler strikes again - click on the link to read more about the greatest whistling artist of them all.
25.) The Kickin' Kazoos - O Come All Ye Faithful
Taken from an entire Christmas album of kazoo music. Amazing what a little wax paper and plastic can produce.
26.) Reno & Smiley - Frosty The Snowman
True old-school country full of twang, harmonies, and drawls. Great stuff.
27.) Are You Being Served? - Mr. Humphries suggests a Christmas glee club to boost sales
He even suggests "Good King Wenceslas" that Mr. Granger shoots down. Segue to...
28.) Korla Pandit - Good King Wenceslas
The wizard of the keyboard's penultimate Christmas album - amazing virtuoso stuff!
29.) 1919 Steinway Upright Player Piano - (There's No Place Like) Home For The Holidays
My wife's aunt Julie found this cassette for me from her library in Dayton - thankfully, I was still able to order this CD when it was in print!
30.) Harry Goodman Jingles - 8 days 'til Christmas
See track 21.
31.) American Comedy Network - Tired Of "The Hannukah Song"
For the first half of this decade, Adam Sandler's ode to Jewish stars was played ad nauseum on Christmas radio. It's eased up quite a bit, but ACN's answer was right on the mark.
32.) Louis Prima - Santa, How Come Your Eyes Are Green When Last Year They Were Blue?
The B-side to "Senor Santa Claus" - King Louie's 1966 Christmas single for Uncle Walt Disney.
33.) DJ BC - Reverend Linus Remix
The first mash I ever heard using the Peanuts gang. It wouldn't be the last (see 2007 playlist).
34.) Big Bag Voodoo Daddy - Mr. Snow Miser / Mr. Heat Miser
The original songs from "The Year Without A Santa Claus" can stand on their own two feet. Given the full Voodoo Daddy treatment, this version sw-aaaa-ngs!
35.) 1970 USPS Mail Early Program - Jack Webb PSA
Sgt. Friday asking you to mail early - reading the facts like a bailiff reading charges in court. For more on Jack Webb and Christmas, check out this yuleblog entry.
35-T.) Rob's message to the First Presbyterian Theater group
Dedicated to Maya Grace Scribner who was adopted from China by my friends Joel and Samantha and was celebrating her first Christmas in the USA.
36.) Bing Crosby - The First Noel (Attaboy House Party Mix)
Not a mash-up, but a re-mix. Not as clever as the mash-ups but almost as satisfying.
36-T.) The Oriental Echo Ensemble - Hark The Herald Angels Sing
Authentic Chinese instruments playing Christmas favorites. Highly recommended CD.
37.) Pilchard - Santa Baby
From the first Christmas mash-up album I ever downloaded - a mix of Madonna, Springsteen, and rap music!
37-T.) Shakespeare Man - Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer
A dramatic recitation in full Shakespearean mode of the famed Johnny Marks classic. HILARIOUS!
38.) Love Actually - Billy Mack hits #1 with "Christmas Is All Around"
Released at the end of 2003, I wanted to use this the following year but my salute to the 1980s prevented that. Segue to...
39.) Billy Mack - Christmas Is All Around
A reworking of The Troggs' "Love Is All Around" - character actor Bill Nighy is perfect as the aging rock legend Billy Mack trying for one last Christmas #1.
40.) Harry Goodman Jingles - 1 more day 'til Christmas
See track 21.
41.) 2005 playlist rundown
I give the playlist very much like what I just typed out...
42.) Elvis Presley - Christmas Message From Elvis / Silent Night
The last song always and forever is "Silent Night" - Elvis thanks you for listening and sings.
43.) What I Want For Christmas
44.) Outro - short version
I edited down the long version of the outro (see 2000-2002) to 47 seconds.
Please leave your comments at the study guide page - please remember, none of these comps will be posted here in their entirety or made available online or off.
1.) 2005 intro
My usual intro with the Flat Duo Jets on "Jingle Bells".
2.) Harry Goodman Jingles - 27 days 'til Christmas
From side one of a 16" radio transcription record (red vinyl no less) that I found on eBay. Since this wouldn't fit on my turntable, I had this professionally transferred to CD.
3.) The Chipmunks - The Chipmunk Song
Using my Sound Forge software, I slowed all the Chipmunk parts down to half-speed so you can hear how Ross Bagdasarian originally sung it - then sped it up!
4.) The Magic of Bing Crosby - Bing denies his family permission to sing "White Christmas"
The end to one of Bingle's early 1970s Christmas specials, he later denies Robert Goulet the priviledge. Eventually all get to sing the song and fade to black.
5.) Corporal Blossom - White Christmas
One of the very first Christmas mash-up CDs ever, Corporal Blossom takes Louis Armstrong, Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, and The Supremes' versions of "White Christmas" and rolls them into one.
6.) BRAT Productions - 2001 Holiday Mix
A James Brown Christmas mash-up that's simply too good for words - so go download this one and more of BRAT's holiday mixes at his site (but come back!).
7.) American Comedy Network - Disaster Card
Clever parody of MasterCard's "priceless" commercials - thank to Jeff Fox of Jeffco Productions for sending me this!
8.) Loudon Wainwright III - Suddenly It's Christmas
To quote the first lines of the song: Suddenly it's Christmas, Right after Halloween. Forget about Thanksgiving; It's just a buffet in between.
9.) Green Acres - The Ziffels discuss Christmas fruitcake
Doris gives Lisa Douglas (Eva Gabor) the recipe - Fred states "that could make you accessory to manslaughter!"
10.) The Gypsy Hombres - Blue Christmas / Let It Snow
A Christmas tune done in Django Reinhart style - after all, the title of their CD is "Django Bells"!
11.) Hugo Winterhalter - The Christmas Song Cha-Cha
Title says all - in Winterhalter's capable hands, this one will make you want to dance.
12.) Harry Goodman Jingles - 18 days 'til Christmas
See track two.
13.) Lou Monte - Italian Jingle Bells
Forget about "Dominic The Italian Donkey" - from note one, this Lou Monte Christmas song explodes and you're hanging on for dear life - outstanding tune!
14.) Mabel Scott - Boogie Woogie Jingle Bells
This song holds the distinction for being used more often on my Christmas CDs than any other song. I stated six times on the playlist rundown but it's actually five - 1989 / 1993 / 1996 / 2001 military mix / 2005.
15.) Pee-Wee Herman Christmas Special - Pee-Wee leads Christmas Carols
I tried showing this to my children last year - they were flummoxed at first, then bored. They preferred to watch "Ben 10 Alien Force" instead.
16.) John "Bowtie" Barstow - Joy To The World
The world's foremost tone-deaf singer released his Christmas album in 2004. I used an excerpt of his "Do You Hear What I Hear" (irony) back on the 2002 edition.
17.) Laffy - Dance Of The Sugar Plum Fairy
A woman literally laughs her way through this song. Now imagine an ENTIRE Christmas album exactly like this.
18.) WKRP In Cincinnati - Dr. Johnny Fever bemoans Christmas music
Taped off a TV broadcast, I couldn't wait for the day "WKRP" was released on DVD. When it came out, they cut all traces of all the classic rock they played on the original broadcasts because they didn't want to pay the licensing. Needless to say, there's no release date announced for season 2.
19.) Sy Mann - Angels We Have Heard On High
From the classic "Switched On Santa" Moog album, this is as fresh as the day it was recorded.
20.) The 8-Bit Peoples - Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow
Want to know what Christmas music sounds like off old video game consoles like the Atari 2600? Click on their link to get this and the rest of the album totally FREE.
21.) Harry Goodman Jingles - 14 days 'til Christmas
From side two of a 16" radio transcription record (red vinyl no less) that I found on eBay. Since this wouldn't fit on my turntable, I had this professionally transferred to CD.
22.) The Swingle Singers - The Twelve Days of Christmas
These amazing accapella singers get this traditionally long song done in less than three minutes. Yeah, wow!
23.) Barbara Feldon - 1975 Christmas Seals PSA
Agent 99 gives such a breathy reading that you begin to wonder if she suffers from a respiratory disease.
24.) Fred Lowery - O Little Town Of Bethlehem
The Blind Whistler strikes again - click on the link to read more about the greatest whistling artist of them all.
25.) The Kickin' Kazoos - O Come All Ye Faithful
Taken from an entire Christmas album of kazoo music. Amazing what a little wax paper and plastic can produce.
26.) Reno & Smiley - Frosty The Snowman
True old-school country full of twang, harmonies, and drawls. Great stuff.
27.) Are You Being Served? - Mr. Humphries suggests a Christmas glee club to boost sales
He even suggests "Good King Wenceslas" that Mr. Granger shoots down. Segue to...
28.) Korla Pandit - Good King Wenceslas
The wizard of the keyboard's penultimate Christmas album - amazing virtuoso stuff!
29.) 1919 Steinway Upright Player Piano - (There's No Place Like) Home For The Holidays
My wife's aunt Julie found this cassette for me from her library in Dayton - thankfully, I was still able to order this CD when it was in print!
30.) Harry Goodman Jingles - 8 days 'til Christmas
See track 21.
31.) American Comedy Network - Tired Of "The Hannukah Song"
For the first half of this decade, Adam Sandler's ode to Jewish stars was played ad nauseum on Christmas radio. It's eased up quite a bit, but ACN's answer was right on the mark.
32.) Louis Prima - Santa, How Come Your Eyes Are Green When Last Year They Were Blue?
The B-side to "Senor Santa Claus" - King Louie's 1966 Christmas single for Uncle Walt Disney.
33.) DJ BC - Reverend Linus Remix
The first mash I ever heard using the Peanuts gang. It wouldn't be the last (see 2007 playlist).
34.) Big Bag Voodoo Daddy - Mr. Snow Miser / Mr. Heat Miser
The original songs from "The Year Without A Santa Claus" can stand on their own two feet. Given the full Voodoo Daddy treatment, this version sw-aaaa-ngs!
35.) 1970 USPS Mail Early Program - Jack Webb PSA
Sgt. Friday asking you to mail early - reading the facts like a bailiff reading charges in court. For more on Jack Webb and Christmas, check out this yuleblog entry.
35-T.) Rob's message to the First Presbyterian Theater group
Dedicated to Maya Grace Scribner who was adopted from China by my friends Joel and Samantha and was celebrating her first Christmas in the USA.
36.) Bing Crosby - The First Noel (Attaboy House Party Mix)
Not a mash-up, but a re-mix. Not as clever as the mash-ups but almost as satisfying.
36-T.) The Oriental Echo Ensemble - Hark The Herald Angels Sing
Authentic Chinese instruments playing Christmas favorites. Highly recommended CD.
37.) Pilchard - Santa Baby
From the first Christmas mash-up album I ever downloaded - a mix of Madonna, Springsteen, and rap music!
37-T.) Shakespeare Man - Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer
A dramatic recitation in full Shakespearean mode of the famed Johnny Marks classic. HILARIOUS!
38.) Love Actually - Billy Mack hits #1 with "Christmas Is All Around"
Released at the end of 2003, I wanted to use this the following year but my salute to the 1980s prevented that. Segue to...
39.) Billy Mack - Christmas Is All Around
A reworking of The Troggs' "Love Is All Around" - character actor Bill Nighy is perfect as the aging rock legend Billy Mack trying for one last Christmas #1.
40.) Harry Goodman Jingles - 1 more day 'til Christmas
See track 21.
41.) 2005 playlist rundown
I give the playlist very much like what I just typed out...
42.) Elvis Presley - Christmas Message From Elvis / Silent Night
The last song always and forever is "Silent Night" - Elvis thanks you for listening and sings.
43.) What I Want For Christmas
44.) Outro - short version
I edited down the long version of the outro (see 2000-2002) to 47 seconds.
Please leave your comments at the study guide page - please remember, none of these comps will be posted here in their entirety or made available online or off.
All of the 80s intros of this CD are available to listen to. To hear my production skills on the bumpers & breaks, see tracks 37 and 38 of the first disc below.
The 2004 playlist:
DISC 1:
1.) 2004 intro - Pt. 1
2.) Band Aid II - Do They Know It's Christmas Time?
A DJ in Chicago played this on the air exactly one time. I taped it on cassette - the last Christmas song I recorded during the decade of the 1980s. This version was never released officially in America due to legalities.
3.) 2004 intro - Pt. 2
4.) 1980 intro
5.) Jona Lewie - Stop The Cavalry
One of the first Christmas songs to incorporate the New Wave sound. First heard this on the good Doctor Demento Show.
6.) "Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer" break
7.) 1980 bumper 1
8.) Mirror Image - Sleigh Ride
Disco officially died in 1980 - this might have been the cause. For more on Christmas disco, check out my review of The Mistletoe Disco Band.
9.) Richard Simmons - Christmas Greeting
I mixed this greeting with the music to "Fame" - appropriate.
10.) 1980 bumper 2
11.) Cheech & Chong - Excerpt from "Moe Money"
Cheech and Tommy poke fun at the emergence of punk music - a headache riddled music exec is subjected to a punk version of "Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer".
12.) "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)" break
13.) 1981 intro
14.) Billy Squier - Christmas Is The Time To Say I Love You
Squier reached his peak in 1981 with "The Stroke" - a song that was banned at my school for some strange reason. This 1981 Christmas single still gets radio airplay.
15.) "Jingle Bell Rock" break
16.) 1981 bumper 1
17.) Bob & Doug McKenzie - The Twelve Days Of Christmas
SCTV began its run on NBC in 1981 - this extremely funny track can also be found on the McKenzie's "Great White North" album.
18.) MTV - "I Want My MTV" commercial
The famous commercial that had The Police sing "Call your cable company and say 'I want my M T V!'" to the tune of Beethoven's 9th Symphony.
19.) 1981 bumper 2
20.) The Waitresses - Christmas Wrapping
From an album that was 10 years ahead of its time - the first Christmas anthem of the 1980s.
21.) President Ronald Reagan - Christmas Address to the Nation (12-23-81)
Nice to know the Reagan Library makes this type of material available to the public!
22.) 1982 intro
23.) The Smithereens - Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer
I stretched this one - the band first played together in 1982 but this was recorded in 1994. Oops.
24.) Saturday Night Live - Mr. Robinson gets an eviction notice for Christmas
Eddie Murphy's classic parody of Mr. Rogers. From a DVD that captures the best of pre-2003 SNL Christmas.
25.) 1982 bumper 1
26.) Billy Rancher & The Unreal Gods - Happy Santa Claus
Portland band that was on the cusp of going big until lead singer Rancher loses a longtime battle with lymphoma. My favorite 1980s Christmas song of all time.
27.) American Comedy Network - Job Search
I tried to give listeners a feel for what the original Christmas tapes were like - a mix of Christmas music, 1980s tunes, and comedy bits like this from all those morning zoos.
28.) 1982 bumper 2
29.) David Bowie & Bing Crosby - Peace On Earth / Little Drummer Boy
At the end of 1982, Bowie left RCA Records after a long successful run. With no new material for Christmas, RCA dug deep into the vaults and came up with this. It was a #2 hit in England and a staple of Christmas radio thereafter.
30.) "Little Saint Nick" break
31.) 1983 intro
32.) George Thorogood & The Destroyers - Rock-N-Roll Christmas
Wicked song from Thorogood - it's a shame this isn't played more often at Christmas.
33.) "It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year" break
34.) 1983 bumper 1
35.) The Payolas - Christmas Is Coming
Great New Romantic song from 1983 - sounds dated now but it's still better than 1/2 the songs they're cramming down our ears on the radio.
36.) "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" break
37.) 1983 bumper 2
38.) 1983 bumper / break 3
39.) A Christmas Story - Santa tells Ralphie "you'll shoot your eye out"
Based on the works of Jean Shepherd - who grew up in Hammond, Indiana - a stone's throw from my boyhood home in Lynwood, Illinois.
40.) 1984 intro
41.) Captain Sensible - One Christmas Catalogue
One of the first songs I captured off radio for my early tapes. The voice at the beginning of the song is young Charles Foster Kane saying "Merry Christmas" from Orson Welles' masterpiece "Citizen Kane" (1941).
42.) Bill Cosby - Christmas Greetings
Mixed this one with the original "Cosby Show" theme from its first season.
43.) 1984 bumper 1
44.) KITT The Amazing Car Of Tomorrow - A Knightrider Christmas
Hasselhoff attempts a Christmas rap... if you can get through to the end, you're much stronger than I am.
45.) Hill Street Blues - Christmas roll-call on the Hill
"Let's be careful out there... and HEY! Merry Christmas!" They released Seasons 1 & 2 of "HSB" on DVD, but haven't released any other seasons. You can watch this episode at Amazon Video on Demand.
46.) 1984 bumper 2
47.) Wham - Last Christmas
Listened to this again and nearly made it through to the 4 minute mark. Richard Cheese was right (see 2007 playlist).
48.) "The Christmas Song" break
49.) 1984 Xmas
This track pre-dates my Christmas tapes by a year. My brother Matt and I were goofing off and created a skit that involved all time stopping right as the ball in Times Square hits one on New Year's Eve.
+ MP3 version only bonus track
I found audio of the world broadcast of "We Are The World" on Good Friday, 1985. I scanned the FM dial to hear dozens of Chicago radio stations playing the song. I switched over to AM and picked dozens more from all over the country.
DISC 2:
1.) 1985 intro
2.) Bryan Adams - Reggae Christmas
If you ever wondered what ever happened to Adams, I think this song did him in... Click on the link if you dare.
3.) "Run Run Rudolph" break
4.) 1985 bumper 1
5.) Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band - Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
Recorded in 1975, radio DJs played bootleg copies of this single until 1981 when a radio-only single was released. The public finally got its hand on this as the B-side of "My Hometown" in 1985.
6.) McGruff The Crime Dog - Christmas PSA
Take a bite out of holiday crime... timely tips for the time.
7.) "Mele Kalikimaka" break
8.) 1985 bumper 2
9.) Billy Crystal - The Christmas Song (Radio edit)
Fired before the first SNL show in 1975, Crystal was hired back for the 1984-85 season only to be fired again after one year. Recorded in the voices of many of his famous SNL characters.
10.) Gloria Estefan & Miami Sound Machine - Christmas Greetings
Mixed with one of her songs in the background - thanks Daily WAV!
11.) 1986 intro
12.) NRBQ - Christmas Wish
I screwed up the dates again - this was released in 1980 but I put it here... Oops x 2.
13.) Robin Leach - Christmas Greetings
I tracked down the great theme to "Lifestyles Of The Rich & Famous" and mixed it together.
14.) 1986 bumper 1
15.) Max Headroom - Merry Christmas, Santa Claus (You're A Lovely Guy)
Looking back now, the 1980s were pretty bizarre. Proof? Click on the link - they actually took the image for the picture sleeve from the video.
16.) Family Ties - Jennifer and Alex Keaton debate Christmas
I hated this quintessential 1980s TV show - it was Reagan's favorite TV show (enough said). But I needed an 80s clip and that's why it's here.
17.) 1986 bumper 2
18.) Run D.M.C. - Christmas In Hollis
Featured in the movie "Die Hard" but not on the movie soundtrack. It was released at the end of 1986 on the CD in the link. Yo, yo, yo... ho, ho, ho...
19.) "Wonderful Christmastime" break
20.) 1987 intro
21.) U2 - Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)
Arguably the best cover of the Phil Spector / Darlene Love song. From the album that put Christmas music back on the charts to stay.
22.) "The Little Drummer Boy" break
23.) 1987 bumper 1
24.) Eurythmics - Winter Wonderland
I was at River Oaks Mall in Calumet City when I first heard this song. It hit me like a thunderbolt. I've yet to hear any version of this song that I love better.
25.) Vanna White - Christmas Greetings
She's in the Guinness Book of World Records - at an average of 720 claps per show and over 28,000 per season for 26 years and counting, she's the most frequent clapper in the world.
26.) 1987 bumper 2
27.) Julie Brown - My Night Before Christmas
Not to be confused with Downtown Julie Brown, Julie had great success in the late 1980s on MTV and with singles like "The Homecoming Queen Has Got A Gun".
28.) "Grandma Got Dismembered By A Chainsaw" break
29.) Madonna - Christmas Greetings
"Hi... this is Madonna... I wanna wish everyone out there a very Merry Christmas. Don't drive drunk, whatever you do. Have a good time... DON'T DRIVE DRUNK!" Sage advice from the Material Girl.
30.) Madonna - Santa Baby
When I first heard it, I thought it was cute. After the second time, I found it tolerable. By the third listen, it was unbearable. American radio then shoved it down my throat a billion more times - make it stop!
31.) 1988 intro
32.) R.E.M. - Deck The Halls
Great instrumental version that ends with "Best of the season from R.E.M."
33.) Pee-Wee Herman - Christmas Greetings
"And Happy Hannukah to all my Jewish friends..." I mixed this with the theme to "Pee-Wee's Playhouse".
34.) "All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth" break
35.) They Might Be Giants - Santa's Beard
Fun, fun track off their "Lincoln" album from 1989 - and I've got it in 1988. Oops x 3.
36.) 1988 bumper 1
37.) Los Lobos - Rudolph The Manic Reindeer
Hardly just another band from East L.A., these guys fuse so many styles of music ranging from Hendrix to mariachi music (as evidenced on this track).
38.) Depeche Mode - Christmas Greetings
Originally released in 1987, I got these in 1988. Oops x 4.
39.) 1988 bumper 2
40.) Dame Edna Everage - Spooky Christmas
Her syndicated TV show hit the US airwaves in 1988 - I'm going to break down and start buying her DVDs one day.
41.) American Comedy Network - Bartles & James Brown Wine Coolers
Typical, topical comedy from the 1980s. Not as funny now, but it still rates a chuckle.
42.) 1989 intro
43.) "Christmas Vacation" radio commercial
Before you shout "this was 1988!", listen to the 1989 intro. I purposely put these tracks in 1989 because I couldn't find original songs from 1989 other than the ones below.
44.) Mavis Staples - Christmas Vacation
The title song of the Chevy Chase movie which I hated with a passion until I got married and had kids. Now I can relate to it and it's growing on me.
45.) "The Chipmunk Song" break
46.) 1989 bumper 1
47.) New Kids On The Block - Funky Funky Christmas
This song runs around five minutes but it didn't last that long - around the 1:30 mark, I edited in sound f/x of gunshots, explosions, and mayhem to end the song. Appropriate.
48.) The Golden Girls - Blanche asks about the true spirit of Christmas
I needed a Christmas clip from the late 1980s and I couldn't find any "Magnum P.I." clips. Sue me.
49.) 1989 bumper 2
50.) Untamed Youth - Santa's Gonna Shut Them Down
One of the first groups to do "retro", these guys jam on this 1989 single!
51.) Weird Al Yankovic - Christmas Greetings
I've collected several late 1980s WEA Christmas greetings albums - these two I edited together came from those albums.
52.) Weird Al Yankovic - Christmas At Ground Zero
Originally released in 1986 on his "Polka Party" album, I placed this one here because the Dr. Demento comp I culled it from was released in 1989 - Oops x 5.
53.) "White Christmas" break
54.) 2004 outro - Pt. 1
55.) "Silent Night" break
56.) Band Aid - Do They Know It's Christmas Time (12" single version)
This was the only version of my Christmas CDs that didn't end with "Silent Night" as the final song. That honor went to the Trevor Horn remix (adding the "Feed The World" B-side onto the A-side).
57.) 2004 outro - Pt. 2
Please leave your comments at the study guide page - please remember, none of these comps will be posted here in their entirety or made available online or off.
The 2004 playlist:
DISC 1:
1.) 2004 intro - Pt. 1
2.) Band Aid II - Do They Know It's Christmas Time?
A DJ in Chicago played this on the air exactly one time. I taped it on cassette - the last Christmas song I recorded during the decade of the 1980s. This version was never released officially in America due to legalities.
3.) 2004 intro - Pt. 2
4.) 1980 intro
5.) Jona Lewie - Stop The Cavalry
One of the first Christmas songs to incorporate the New Wave sound. First heard this on the good Doctor Demento Show.
6.) "Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer" break
7.) 1980 bumper 1
8.) Mirror Image - Sleigh Ride
Disco officially died in 1980 - this might have been the cause. For more on Christmas disco, check out my review of The Mistletoe Disco Band.
9.) Richard Simmons - Christmas Greeting
I mixed this greeting with the music to "Fame" - appropriate.
10.) 1980 bumper 2
11.) Cheech & Chong - Excerpt from "Moe Money"
Cheech and Tommy poke fun at the emergence of punk music - a headache riddled music exec is subjected to a punk version of "Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer".
12.) "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)" break
13.) 1981 intro
14.) Billy Squier - Christmas Is The Time To Say I Love You
Squier reached his peak in 1981 with "The Stroke" - a song that was banned at my school for some strange reason. This 1981 Christmas single still gets radio airplay.
15.) "Jingle Bell Rock" break
16.) 1981 bumper 1
17.) Bob & Doug McKenzie - The Twelve Days Of Christmas
SCTV began its run on NBC in 1981 - this extremely funny track can also be found on the McKenzie's "Great White North" album.
18.) MTV - "I Want My MTV" commercial
The famous commercial that had The Police sing "Call your cable company and say 'I want my M T V!'" to the tune of Beethoven's 9th Symphony.
19.) 1981 bumper 2
20.) The Waitresses - Christmas Wrapping
From an album that was 10 years ahead of its time - the first Christmas anthem of the 1980s.
21.) President Ronald Reagan - Christmas Address to the Nation (12-23-81)
Nice to know the Reagan Library makes this type of material available to the public!
22.) 1982 intro
23.) The Smithereens - Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer
I stretched this one - the band first played together in 1982 but this was recorded in 1994. Oops.
24.) Saturday Night Live - Mr. Robinson gets an eviction notice for Christmas
Eddie Murphy's classic parody of Mr. Rogers. From a DVD that captures the best of pre-2003 SNL Christmas.
25.) 1982 bumper 1
26.) Billy Rancher & The Unreal Gods - Happy Santa Claus
Portland band that was on the cusp of going big until lead singer Rancher loses a longtime battle with lymphoma. My favorite 1980s Christmas song of all time.
27.) American Comedy Network - Job Search
I tried to give listeners a feel for what the original Christmas tapes were like - a mix of Christmas music, 1980s tunes, and comedy bits like this from all those morning zoos.
28.) 1982 bumper 2
29.) David Bowie & Bing Crosby - Peace On Earth / Little Drummer Boy
At the end of 1982, Bowie left RCA Records after a long successful run. With no new material for Christmas, RCA dug deep into the vaults and came up with this. It was a #2 hit in England and a staple of Christmas radio thereafter.
30.) "Little Saint Nick" break
31.) 1983 intro
32.) George Thorogood & The Destroyers - Rock-N-Roll Christmas
Wicked song from Thorogood - it's a shame this isn't played more often at Christmas.
33.) "It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year" break
34.) 1983 bumper 1
35.) The Payolas - Christmas Is Coming
Great New Romantic song from 1983 - sounds dated now but it's still better than 1/2 the songs they're cramming down our ears on the radio.
36.) "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" break
37.) 1983 bumper 2
38.) 1983 bumper / break 3
39.) A Christmas Story - Santa tells Ralphie "you'll shoot your eye out"
Based on the works of Jean Shepherd - who grew up in Hammond, Indiana - a stone's throw from my boyhood home in Lynwood, Illinois.
40.) 1984 intro
41.) Captain Sensible - One Christmas Catalogue
One of the first songs I captured off radio for my early tapes. The voice at the beginning of the song is young Charles Foster Kane saying "Merry Christmas" from Orson Welles' masterpiece "Citizen Kane" (1941).
42.) Bill Cosby - Christmas Greetings
Mixed this one with the original "Cosby Show" theme from its first season.
43.) 1984 bumper 1
44.) KITT The Amazing Car Of Tomorrow - A Knightrider Christmas
Hasselhoff attempts a Christmas rap... if you can get through to the end, you're much stronger than I am.
45.) Hill Street Blues - Christmas roll-call on the Hill
"Let's be careful out there... and HEY! Merry Christmas!" They released Seasons 1 & 2 of "HSB" on DVD, but haven't released any other seasons. You can watch this episode at Amazon Video on Demand.
46.) 1984 bumper 2
47.) Wham - Last Christmas
Listened to this again and nearly made it through to the 4 minute mark. Richard Cheese was right (see 2007 playlist).
48.) "The Christmas Song" break
49.) 1984 Xmas
This track pre-dates my Christmas tapes by a year. My brother Matt and I were goofing off and created a skit that involved all time stopping right as the ball in Times Square hits one on New Year's Eve.
+ MP3 version only bonus track
I found audio of the world broadcast of "We Are The World" on Good Friday, 1985. I scanned the FM dial to hear dozens of Chicago radio stations playing the song. I switched over to AM and picked dozens more from all over the country.
DISC 2:
1.) 1985 intro
2.) Bryan Adams - Reggae Christmas
If you ever wondered what ever happened to Adams, I think this song did him in... Click on the link if you dare.
3.) "Run Run Rudolph" break
4.) 1985 bumper 1
5.) Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band - Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
Recorded in 1975, radio DJs played bootleg copies of this single until 1981 when a radio-only single was released. The public finally got its hand on this as the B-side of "My Hometown" in 1985.
6.) McGruff The Crime Dog - Christmas PSA
Take a bite out of holiday crime... timely tips for the time.
7.) "Mele Kalikimaka" break
8.) 1985 bumper 2
9.) Billy Crystal - The Christmas Song (Radio edit)
Fired before the first SNL show in 1975, Crystal was hired back for the 1984-85 season only to be fired again after one year. Recorded in the voices of many of his famous SNL characters.
10.) Gloria Estefan & Miami Sound Machine - Christmas Greetings
Mixed with one of her songs in the background - thanks Daily WAV!
11.) 1986 intro
12.) NRBQ - Christmas Wish
I screwed up the dates again - this was released in 1980 but I put it here... Oops x 2.
13.) Robin Leach - Christmas Greetings
I tracked down the great theme to "Lifestyles Of The Rich & Famous" and mixed it together.
14.) 1986 bumper 1
15.) Max Headroom - Merry Christmas, Santa Claus (You're A Lovely Guy)
Looking back now, the 1980s were pretty bizarre. Proof? Click on the link - they actually took the image for the picture sleeve from the video.
16.) Family Ties - Jennifer and Alex Keaton debate Christmas
I hated this quintessential 1980s TV show - it was Reagan's favorite TV show (enough said). But I needed an 80s clip and that's why it's here.
17.) 1986 bumper 2
18.) Run D.M.C. - Christmas In Hollis
Featured in the movie "Die Hard" but not on the movie soundtrack. It was released at the end of 1986 on the CD in the link. Yo, yo, yo... ho, ho, ho...
19.) "Wonderful Christmastime" break
20.) 1987 intro
21.) U2 - Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)
Arguably the best cover of the Phil Spector / Darlene Love song. From the album that put Christmas music back on the charts to stay.
22.) "The Little Drummer Boy" break
23.) 1987 bumper 1
24.) Eurythmics - Winter Wonderland
I was at River Oaks Mall in Calumet City when I first heard this song. It hit me like a thunderbolt. I've yet to hear any version of this song that I love better.
25.) Vanna White - Christmas Greetings
She's in the Guinness Book of World Records - at an average of 720 claps per show and over 28,000 per season for 26 years and counting, she's the most frequent clapper in the world.
26.) 1987 bumper 2
27.) Julie Brown - My Night Before Christmas
Not to be confused with Downtown Julie Brown, Julie had great success in the late 1980s on MTV and with singles like "The Homecoming Queen Has Got A Gun".
28.) "Grandma Got Dismembered By A Chainsaw" break
29.) Madonna - Christmas Greetings
"Hi... this is Madonna... I wanna wish everyone out there a very Merry Christmas. Don't drive drunk, whatever you do. Have a good time... DON'T DRIVE DRUNK!" Sage advice from the Material Girl.
30.) Madonna - Santa Baby
When I first heard it, I thought it was cute. After the second time, I found it tolerable. By the third listen, it was unbearable. American radio then shoved it down my throat a billion more times - make it stop!
31.) 1988 intro
32.) R.E.M. - Deck The Halls
Great instrumental version that ends with "Best of the season from R.E.M."
33.) Pee-Wee Herman - Christmas Greetings
"And Happy Hannukah to all my Jewish friends..." I mixed this with the theme to "Pee-Wee's Playhouse".
34.) "All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth" break
35.) They Might Be Giants - Santa's Beard
Fun, fun track off their "Lincoln" album from 1989 - and I've got it in 1988. Oops x 3.
36.) 1988 bumper 1
37.) Los Lobos - Rudolph The Manic Reindeer
Hardly just another band from East L.A., these guys fuse so many styles of music ranging from Hendrix to mariachi music (as evidenced on this track).
38.) Depeche Mode - Christmas Greetings
Originally released in 1987, I got these in 1988. Oops x 4.
39.) 1988 bumper 2
40.) Dame Edna Everage - Spooky Christmas
Her syndicated TV show hit the US airwaves in 1988 - I'm going to break down and start buying her DVDs one day.
41.) American Comedy Network - Bartles & James Brown Wine Coolers
Typical, topical comedy from the 1980s. Not as funny now, but it still rates a chuckle.
42.) 1989 intro
43.) "Christmas Vacation" radio commercial
Before you shout "this was 1988!", listen to the 1989 intro. I purposely put these tracks in 1989 because I couldn't find original songs from 1989 other than the ones below.
44.) Mavis Staples - Christmas Vacation
The title song of the Chevy Chase movie which I hated with a passion until I got married and had kids. Now I can relate to it and it's growing on me.
45.) "The Chipmunk Song" break
46.) 1989 bumper 1
47.) New Kids On The Block - Funky Funky Christmas
This song runs around five minutes but it didn't last that long - around the 1:30 mark, I edited in sound f/x of gunshots, explosions, and mayhem to end the song. Appropriate.
48.) The Golden Girls - Blanche asks about the true spirit of Christmas
I needed a Christmas clip from the late 1980s and I couldn't find any "Magnum P.I." clips. Sue me.
49.) 1989 bumper 2
50.) Untamed Youth - Santa's Gonna Shut Them Down
One of the first groups to do "retro", these guys jam on this 1989 single!
51.) Weird Al Yankovic - Christmas Greetings
I've collected several late 1980s WEA Christmas greetings albums - these two I edited together came from those albums.
52.) Weird Al Yankovic - Christmas At Ground Zero
Originally released in 1986 on his "Polka Party" album, I placed this one here because the Dr. Demento comp I culled it from was released in 1989 - Oops x 5.
53.) "White Christmas" break
54.) 2004 outro - Pt. 1
55.) "Silent Night" break
56.) Band Aid - Do They Know It's Christmas Time (12" single version)
This was the only version of my Christmas CDs that didn't end with "Silent Night" as the final song. That honor went to the Trevor Horn remix (adding the "Feed The World" B-side onto the A-side).
57.) 2004 outro - Pt. 2
Please leave your comments at the study guide page - please remember, none of these comps will be posted here in their entirety or made available online or off.
