Do they know the fairytale of last Christmas everyday?
It's nae Noddy, Kirsty get's KO'd and Bing barely makes into into the top ten. The royalty collecting society PRS has published a list of the most played Christmas songs of the past five years and it's surprising reading. I would have put money on Slade being at number one - either that or Wizzard which seems to be blasted out every time I set foot into a shopping mall.
1. Wham! - Last Christmas
2. Band Aid - Do They Know It's Christmas? (Original Version)
3. The Pogues and Kirsty MacColl - Fairytale of New York
4. Mariah Carey - All I Want For Christmas Is You
5. Bruce Springsteen - Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
6. Jona Lewie - Stop The Cavalry
7. Wizzard - I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday
8. Slade - Merry Xmas Everybody
9. Mud - Lonely This Christmas
10. Bing Crosby - White Christmas
I'd like to compile a Get It On greatest ever Christmas songs so maybe this is a good place to start. Let me know who you think should be on the list...
© MMIX~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~30~RS~)
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To get the ball rolling.....
The river - Robert Downey Jnr
Christmas Dream - Perry Como
Joe
Linlithgow
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Merry Christmas Baby - Elvis or The Boss
Alone At Christams - Darlene Love
Norrie
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XMAS
'Fire at Midnight' - Jethro Tull
'A Christmas Song' - Jethro Tull
'Another Christmas Song' - Jethro Tull
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Dear Santa,
Here is our Punk Christmas List:
Silent Night (B side Sound of Silence) - The Dickies
There is No Sanity Clause (B side There's a Turkey in the House) - The Damned
Merry Crassmas - Crass
Okay, this is probably not radio friendly but worth a mention!
Haven't heard any of these for years.
PS - could we also have a new turntable please! ;o)
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"Who Took The Merry Out Of Christmas?" - Staple Singers
"All I Want For Christmas is You" - Mariah Carey (don't care what anyone says, it's a great song)
"All I want for Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth" - Spike Jones and his City Slickers.
"Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" - Darlene Love
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Two very different songs/artists that I like:
Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree - Brenda Lee
Christmas In Hollis - Run-D.M.C.
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Joe KB -
River is a fantastic song but it's got to be the Joni Mitchell version.
My list would include -
Song for a Winter's Night, Sarah MacLaughlin
I Saw Three Ships , Barenaked Ladies
Stay Another Day, E17 (what!?!)
Christmas Day, Dido
Xmas Wrapping, The Waitresses.
One More Sleep 'til Christmas, Kermit
From the film 'Muppet Christmas Carol' - OK so not strictly a recognised track, but it always makes me feel happy and Chrismassy!
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(Checks Christmas playlist: 223 items, totalling 18.6 hours)
Sensational Alex Harvey Band: There's No Lights On The Christmas Tree Mama, They're Burning Big Louie Tonight
Billy Mack: Christmas Is All Around
Spinal Tap: Christmas with the Devil
Beach Boys: The Man with All the Toys
Cocteau Twins: Frosty the Snowman
James Brown: Santa Claus Go Straight to the Ghetto
And "What's This?" from Nightmare before Christmas.
Scotch: if you're gonna go Tull, how can you miss Ring Out Solstice Bells?
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CaptRamius,
Most radio stations that play any Tull at all do 'Ring Out Solstice Bells' at Xmas and 'Living in the Past' at all other times.
It gets a bit tedious.
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"Fairytale of New York" by the Pogues and Kirsty is, of course, the best Xmas song ever. Besides that one, I'm fond of "2000 Miles" by the Pretenders. I also like "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" by Barenaked Ladies & Sarah McLachlan.
Also, in general I hate Christmas albums, but I love "Happy Holidays" by Kelly Willis and Bruce Robison, a slice of alt-country holiday heaven.
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Scotch: fair point :-)
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Let it Snow - Dean Martin
Driving Home For Christmas - Chris Rea
Julie f E - Sounds like you've had a few lonely Xmases in your time :(
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Adam:
Blimey! It does look that way doesn't it...luckily, nothing could be further from the truth...I just particularly like the tracks and the Spike Jones song reminds me of childhood family Christmases and that 78 on my Mum's old gramophone. Just bought myself a few Christmas CDs which include a Mowtown one and the Phil Spector album which have more upbeat tracks on them.
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Blimey Julie, and there was me thinking you and I were friends and you go and drop that Mariah Carey bombshell on me...yikes!!!
Anyway....for me gotta be;
Low - Just Like Christmas (please please get the Christmas EP if you don't have it)
and
Joy Zipper - Christmas Song - just brilliant.
Thats about as far as my christmas song spirit stretches I'm afraid, after a fair few music retail years the thought of "The Best Christmas Album Ever" makes me shiver to the bone ;-)
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Maria...I'm sorry...I just can't help myself.
I can't be bothered with anything else by her but that Christmas song just really really makes me happy.
Please still be my friend...It's not as if I like The Birdy Song so much that i want it played at my funeral or something...actually, that might be a good laugh...especially if I stipulate that all mourners must do the dance.
Please still be my friend :0)
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#15. Whoops - didn't edit post before pressing the button (too much begging for friendship) - that makes me seem a bit desperate.
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Who's the girl in the middle of the pic?
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Maria#14
I have to agree with your last comment. In fact, reading this blog makes me realise how few Christmas tunes I actually like!
And no, it's not a case of "Bah humbug", it's that you tend to get overload listening to the same stuff year in year out.
My vote goes for "Here Comes Summer" by the Dave Clark Five............
DC in Cellardyke
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#17 It's Anthea Turner isn't it?
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Ah Julie, I forgive you :-) Unlike the boy snobs on the blog I won't hold things against you...!!
Yes it is Anthea Turner of course; if we were playing Radio 1 Happy Families I would have Bruno Brookes and Janice Long - have met them both!
:-)
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Maria - Of course, Low! How could I have forgotten to add them to my list? Thanks for the reminder. I guess it's officially time to start listening to Christmas songs!
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Christmas songs ! Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo leave it! It's not worth it.
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Maria#20 - Do you mean they're related...is it not Janice Long and Keith Chegwin who are siblings? Anthea Turner was Bruno Brookes's girlfriend until she left him for Peter Powell. Dunno if Gary Davies was involved :0)
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The Greedies A Happy Jingle
A combo of sex pistols and thin lizzy cannot be bad!
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Julie - #23 - Judging by the look of the set they are standing in, I'd say they were co-presenting a Christmas edition of TOTP.
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I'm walking backwards for Christmas- The Goons must be the ultimate Christmas record
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I'll second the Goons (No 26) - should be heard more often - as should "Fairytale of New York" (No 10).
A few more suggestions are:
MERLE HAGGARD - If We Make It Through December. Recorded 34 years ago and just as valid today as we head into another recession!
JONA LEWIE - Stop The Cavalry
CHRIS DE BURGH (that much-maligned man) - A Spaceman Came Travelling
THE DAMNED - There Ain't No Sanity Clause
DR ELMO - Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer
STEELEYE SPAN - Gower Wassail or/and Gaudete
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Jim...#25. You've lost me with that comment. What're you getting at?
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I actually do like Happy Xmas (War Is Over) and remeber having the single as a wee boy (honest).
Several good versions as well as John and Yoko
The Alarm
Badly Drawn Boy
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Urgh Julie, I had some horrible images in my mind when you mentioned all that 80's big hair and incestuous relations, :-(
I didn't mean literally happy families, just a reference to the old parlour game of collecting some people from a similar group...apologies if that wasn't clear :-)
Also, Kirsty - great shout for the Xmas Wrapping track too!!
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A couple of rarely heard songs
Amy Grant Christmas to remember
The Roches Christmas passing through
and for real cheeseiness
Jimmy Dean-Little Sandy Sleighfoot
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We need some new Christmas songs instead of rolling out the same tunes year after year. To set the ball rolling, I've composed a little ditty to the tune of 'Do they know it's Christmas'. Anyone think of another?
It's Get It On
There's no need to be afraid
On Get It On, select a song and get it played
And in that world of music, each day?s a different theme
Requests from round the world on Get It On
So send e-mail
Ask for your favourite tunes
They play it all, from the Clash to the Goons
There's a world inside your radio
And it's a world of BBC
Where the DJ?s Bryan Burnett, with producer Mandy
And the Christmas songs that you hear
Are the same ones every year
Well tonight thank God I?ve written something new
Now there won't be a better show this Christmastime
The greatest songs you?ll hear in your life
(Oooh) Where nothing?s turned away
We try to get a play
Do you listen to Get It On at all?
Get on the Blog read about everyone
(Here's to them) it?s all taken in good fun
Do you know a Christmas song at all?
Get It On
Get It On
Get It On..
Listen to your favourite tunes again
Get It On..
Listen to your favourite tunes again
(repeat to fade)
(I challenge Bryan to sing this live on air)
DC in Cellardyke
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Yeah, nothing's turned away except Patti Smith, Sinead O'Connor and Ian Dury.
I feel a Victor Meldrew moment coming on...........
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Here! Was that Dwarf that was on the blog Grumpy?
Good effort DC!
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Apologies.
I hate Xmas. December is a stress- filled hassle. Any cards I receive go into the bin. (after a quick check for cash or cheques).
HUMBUG
E. Scrooge
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Scotch - your life mirrors mine in this regard. I detest Christmas. Utterly. Can never wait until it is over.
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Merry Christmas (I Don't Want To Fight Tonight) - Ramones
Great work DC!
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Danielle:#37 Excellent choice, can't believe I forgot that one!
DC: Liked you song, reminded me of an english assignment I did at school when we had to write a christmas song to the tune of a popular hit of the time. Mine was to the Tide is High by Blondie. Sadly, I can't remember my lyrics or I could have given everyone a good laugh :oD
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DC,
Will I get away with 'The Chanukah Song' by Adam Sandler?
I'm trying to exploit a loophole here, so work with me.
1) If the events celebrated at Chanukah had not occured, there would be no Xmas.
See Maccabees 1, 2. You'll need a copy of the Apocrypha or a Roman Catholic Bible.
2) Chanukah begins on the 25th of Kislev,
which, this year falls on December 22nd
3) Jesus was a Jew. He probably grew up singing songs about Chanuka.
I rest my case.
E. Scrooge
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Without question, it's Half Man Half Biscuit: "It's Clichéd To Be Cynical At Christmas" for me... a few posters here could do with a listen it seems!
lots of love from grim from edinburgh
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S-G #39,
Chaka, Chaka, Chaka, Chaka Khan
Chaka Khan, Chaka Khan, Chaka Khan
Chaka Khan, let me rock you
Let me rock you, Chaka Khan
Let me rock you, that's all I wanna do
Chaka Khan, let me rock you
Let me rock you, Chaka Khan
Ooops! Chanuka you say...
DC
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Silly boy !!
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DC #41 - I'm still laughing. That was brilliant! I'll be singing that song all day now.
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Personally I prefer the Chatanooga Choo Choo myself.
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Eat your heart out Aled Jones
We're grumpy on the air
We're vilified on Get It On
By Norrie and JimErs, Maria, Julie, Jan
We've offended every one
And we'd do it all again
Make Statler and Waldorf
Really seem quite tame.
Far across the world
Adam writes from Rio's shores
While EC on his rig
Another oilwell bores
Bloggers read open mouth
Taken by surprise
Nobody on Get It On believes their eyes
We're writing to the blog
We're looking out for Glenn, who's missed
Apologies that we
Had criticised his list
Suddenly swooping low in defensive mood
Producer Mandy to the rescue makes it good
We hope this Christmas tune
Is one that you'll all like
It's a shame it's not so good as DC's in Cellardyke
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Ode to EC (to the tune of Away in A Manger):
Away in the North Sea
Radio by his bed
EC sits and posts
What comes into his head
He avidly reads through
Get It On Blog each day
Getting more and more incensed
By what we have to say
"They're sending in lists...
One track each would be fine...
If they get all that played,
There'll be no time for mine?
His anger is rising
He posts lines to say
That we should all just shut up
And stop chatting-away
With Adam as sidekick
We are all put in place
I wonder if they would
Say the same to our face (I suspect they probably would :0) )
The blogs?s soon on fire
Hurt feeling are rife
To be perfectly honest
We should all get a life
EC?s asked for a record
Perfect choice for the theme
But Mandi won?t play it
How could she be so mean
Bryan is pleading
?EC will go spare
He?ll be renting his clothing
And tearing his hair?
?I know you?re the producer
But may I have a say?
If you?ll please play EC?s choice
I?ll forego Morrisey?
?He?ll only insult you
On the blog tomorrow
Then that Adam will join in
And they?ll both have a go?
?Maria and Julie
Will both intervene
Then Norrie and others
Will rush to the scene?
All this discontent
On the blog is a pain
And now witty Glenmiller?s
Gone missing again
C?mon Guys?get posting
Your tunes and your tales
EC?s not bad really
In spite of his wails
Let?s phone in on Monday
To make Bryan?s life hell
And the rest of the week
Should be good fun as well.
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Aaw...where did all the random question marks come from....boo!
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I salute your formidability!
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Just a bit of fun...He's had a few pops at me today :0)
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AkelafromEdinburgh,
Did you sing that to the cubs?
Brilliant
DC in Cellardyke
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Nice work Julie, just don't sing it on Christmas day or you might not get finished in time for the New Year.
I'll be thinking of a rendition of a few verses whilst churning out Texas Tea on the big day (some of us have to work).
Just like the media though, nothing close to factual.
Verse 5 - last line. (Better believe I would)
Discontent on the blog? From who?
Now you've shown the way I'm sure the rest of your posse will be in with their tuppence worth. Cannae wait.
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Glad you didn't take offence EC. Verse 5...hope I never meet you then - I'm not nearly quick-thinking enough for the banter...more of a l'esprit d'escalier sorta gal.
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The bark is quite often worse than the bite, but if something needs said, it will be.
How could I possibly take offence at my very own song. Just flattered that you took so much time out of your day to write it.
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Aaw...that can be your Christmas pressie then. Didn't take much time to compose - did it in me lunch-break.
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OK, I'll be the one to request the song that everyone here really wanted, but was perhaps too afraid of the Statler and Waldorf comments to ask for:
'Santas a Scotsman' by Scottish Quest All Stars
It's the only good Christmas tune since Wizzard.
Come on Bryan, you know you want to play it to finish the show. It'll have everyone (including the grumps) dancing in the aisles
DC in Cellardyke
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What a shame this blog has dried up. I was just beginning to look forward to Christmas!
D(o they know it's) C(hristmas) in Cellardyke
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I am not any good at being funnyso hope thi is taken in the spirit it is intended which is self deprecating....
(Happy Xmas EC
Happy Xmas AFR)
So this is Get It On
And what has Norrie done
Another list over
And yet another one just begun
And so this is Get It On
I hope he?s less grumpy
To Glen and the Rio one
The old and the young
A very Merry Get It On
And a happy New Blog
Let's hope it's 50% Norries
With help from his girls
And so this is Get It On
For Bruce and for Mozz
For Queen and the Proclaimers
Played So Often Its wrong
And so happy Get It On
For Gene and for Willie
For Yello and Tull Fans
Let's stop all the fight
A very Merry Get It On
And a happy New Blog
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear
Norries Grumpy, if you want it
Norries Grumpy Gru..umpy
Happy Xmas
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funny so hope this is ... that should have read.
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Norrie, don't give up the day job.....
Well that's put the challenge to our Brasilian correspondent!
We await..
DC in Cellardyke
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Hard to compete with you boys! (and Julie)
I'll give it some thought....
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Spotlight On Christmas - Rufus Wainwright
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Has this long awaited and much anticipated GIO Christmas list been compiled yet?
And is Adam still thinking?
I think we should be telt
D(o they know it's)C(hristmas?)
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Christmas In Prison - John Prine
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A few suggestions
Winter Wonderland - Macy Gray
2000 miles - The Pretenders
Santa Baby - Kylie Minogue
Jim
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Christmas songs, mostly garbage, but I do still like the Spector stuff, and for that reason All Alon for Christmas by Darlene Love is also great and for a change try Bob Rivers alternative takes on Christmas songs Chipmunks Roastnng on an Open Fire and Walking Round in Women's Underwear I suppose they all depnd on the Christmas your having, some years I lap it all up, the next I could smash every Christmas record I hear.
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Last Christmas, Bryan played a Staples Singers track I'd suggested. Here's another one:
"Christmas Vacation" by Mavis Staples
some more:
I've not heard Bill Barclay's "Twelve days (or is it drinks) of Christmas"...(and a wee heavy and a half pint)...for years and years.
Death Cab for Cutie - "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)".
Not actually heard anything by Sufjan Stevens but I read his Christmas CDs are good.
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Julie, Bryan did say he would play some staples among the more unusual stuff.
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Oh very good Adam. Cut along now and finish writing your Christmas song :0)
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I would back many of the suggestions made already. Here are my suggestions:
A Great Big Sled - The Killers
Christmas Is - Lou Rawls (superb jazz number)
Santa Clause Is Coming To Town - The Boss
I Was Born On Christmas Day - St. Etienne
Merry Christmas (I Don't Want To Fight Tonight) - The Ramones
That Was The Worst Christmas Ever - Sufjan Stevens
Father Christmas - The Kinks
Fairytale Of New York - The Pogues
Christmas - The Who
Hallelujah, It's Christmas - Lynrd Skynrd
Christmas At The Zoo - The Flaming Lips
The Christmas Song - The Raveonettes
White Christmas - Otis Redding
Christmas Is Going To The Dogs - Eels
Tried to keep it 'alternative' yet still good! :-)
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Great list Jim - I'm glad you decided to like Christmas enough to submit a list!
Some songs I've been listening to over the past few days that I've enjoyed:
We Wish You A Merry Christmas - Ventures
Holiday Time In New Orleans - Dukes of Dixieland
Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town - Big Al Carlson
Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer - Ray Charles
Jingle Bells - Al Green
It Happened In Sun Valley - Mel Torme
Winter Wonderland - Rockapella
Happy Holidays!
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Man - the Ray Charles track is fantastic! How could I have forgotten that? :-)
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Anyone else think that Christmas film soundtracks often have the best, most unusual, Christmas songs on them?
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#69 and 70
I'm fed up with Christmas music but am intrigued by your selections. Are they all worth a download from iChoons?
fe(D) up with (C)hristmas music...
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DC - I'd say they are worth a look-up on last.fm. I'm sure you could find some/most of them there. I'd recommend my list for sure and Jim's looks really good too! I'm a bit biased however as Christmas is my favourite time of year - yes, I'm one of THOSE people.
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Julie - I agree! Do you have a favourite?
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(D)anielle from (C)anada,
You not a New Year person at all? I could recommend a few tracks for after the bells!
Thanks for the Rudolph Ray Charles suggestion by the way. Excellent
DC
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DC - You're welcome. Feel free to recommend those tracks!
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Sensational Alex Harvey Band: There's No Gigs in Victoria Street Mama, They're Burning the Liquid Rooms Tonight !
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Danielle - no, don't have a favourite. Like different sorts of Christmas songs but i especially like it when a song is sung by someone you wouldn't think would do it. Actually Bruces's version of Santa Claus is Comin' to Town is one of my favourites.
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Hey everybody. I just found this vid online with Dean Friedman and the Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppets - so funny!
Check it out!
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=16884460
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Jim,
Good one! I'll probably have nightmares, and you and Mr. Friedman are to blame.:-D
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My favourites are:
Darlene Love - Christmas (Baby, Please Come Home)
The Crystals - Santa Claus is Coming to Town
Ring Christmas Bells (The Ray Coniff version)
Could we maybe hear You're A Mean One Mr Grinch?
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Looking forward to the Bryan 'n' Babs duet singing tonight!
DC
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Bryan:
I have no idea; what you are talking about in this blog...sorry!
~Dennis Junior~
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Dennis #84, Congratulations, you're the first to comment on Bryan's suggestions for Christmas 2009!
DC
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