Two of my favorite things are Music Countdowns and Christmas! Starting today, for the next 40 days I will be counting down my 40 favorite Rock era (1955-today) Christmas tunes...Just like Casey Kasem would... but one a day:
40: Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer, Elmo and Patsy
- Primarily here because I loved it when I was 12-13 years old, I really think it is awful, but brings it back nostalgic memories...
- Primarily here because I loved it when I was 12-13 years old, I really think it is awful, but brings it back nostalgic memories...
39: Silver Bells, Vonda Shepard
Probably the most obscure song on the list.. A classic Christmas tune done by the singer of the Ally McBeal theme song Vonda Shepard. We may forget this now, but it was a big show back them. And it starred a Rutgers grad!
here's a link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXfVi-39zps...
38: Twelve Days of Christmas, Bob & Doug McKenzie
This song is very dated- Believe it or not these guys were HUGE in 1981. Anyway, they took a Christmas song I hated, and made me like it- Partly because they skipped a bunch of days in the middle! You don't hear it that often any more... and that's probably a good thing..
...and a link... http://www.dailymotion.com/.../x7ovmw_bob-doug-12-days-of...
37: Your A Mean One, Mr. Grinch, Thurl Ravenscroft
After sitting through a brutal Rutgers 52-17, the number 37 song is especially appropriate, as Bowl hopes appear to be in danger... This might be the first 'classic' to appear on the list.
36: Christmas in Hollis, Run-D.M.C.
After years of only hearing a few pop oriented Christmas tunes, 1987 brought us 15 Christmas songs sung by todays' artists (Today as in 1987)! The success of the album ensured that it was only a matter of time that any artist looking to boost their sales put not just a Christmas song out, but a whole album! Here is first of 4(!) songs from that album... A song that has only grown on me over the years...
Video (Featuring an adaption of the 'Simon' game!: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OR07r0ZMFb8
35: Santa's Beard, They Might Be Giants
Before they were Disney's darlings and the Advanced Placement Nursery School's version of The Wiggles, They Might Be Giants were one of the hottest alternative bands of the late 80s and early 90s. Here they are with the shortest song on the countdown...
not really a video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_YpYROJNlFo
34: Santa Baby: Madonna
Call it stuntcasting, or dreamcasting... Lining up the perfect actor for the prefect role, even if it could never happen... In 1987, No combination was more perfect than Madonna singing Santa Baby. The right person, the right song, the right mood. Nailed it.
Not exactly a video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ycWObpi73Y
33. 2000 Miles, Coldplay.
The Pretenders version is more familiar- but this one kind of nails the mood- piano and vocals... and Chris Martin's melancholy voice just sounds "right".... Either that, or this is just an attempt to put a more current band on the countdown to seem more "Hip" to my kids (Did that work Erika Rears)?
Another quasi video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7sjJo5--iiY
32. Merry Christmas Baby, Bruce Springsteen
The third of four tunes from "A Very Special Christmas"- and the first of two songs from this artist in the countdown. I was not a fan of this when it first came out, but it has grown on me. Besides, it's Springsteen, so maybe it will generate a few more "Likes" or a comment or two
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wi9kvO2zL2E
31. Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!, Chicago
It's late, so I will keep this short. My favorite band, doing their first Christmas song. And they let the trumpet player sing lead vocals. After this the countdown kicks into high gear... The Top 30 cometh!
Next Week- As the numbers get smaller, the songs get bigger! Also, look for more background info on the songs...
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