12 HOLIDAY SONGS
RUN DMC’s classic “Christmas in Hollis” and the Waitresses’ “Christmas Wrapping” are on everyone’s yuletide playlist, but there are plenty of other songs that put more happy in the holiday. Here are some of our picks (click to listen):
1. “Little Drummer Boy/Peace on Earth,” Bing Crosby and David Bowie
A classic, surreal pairing.
2. “Christmas in the Congo,” the Marquees
Drink eggnog with some Pygmies, whose wish list includes TV dinners and didgeridoos, by singing along to a catchy chorus of hugga-hugga-boo-boo.
3. “A Christmas Duel,” Cyndi Lauper and the Hives
A rockin’ “he said, she said” about a dysfunctional family Christmas.
4. “Christmas Tree,” Lady GaGa (featuring Space Cowboy)
A mix of holiday melodies and little drummer boy beats refit with Lady G’s lusty lyrics.
5. “I Want a Rock ‘n’ Roll Guitar,” Johnny Preston
Heavy bass-lines, gospel chorus and a cool-talking cat decorate this stripped-down holiday treat.
6. “Merry Christmas From the Family,” Robert Earl Keen
The first line, “Mom got drunk and Dad got drunk at our Christmas party,” says a lot about this typical family holiday. The singalong chorus about buying a “box of tampons and Salem Lights” at Quik Pak says the rest – and seriously, it’s not a holiday buzz kill.
7. “You Ain’t Getting S – – t for Christmas,” Red Peters
Mommy and Daddy give the kids a box of payback.
8. “Santa Claus Go Straight to the Ghetto,” James Brown
Soulman begs Santa to fill city kids’ stockings using his grunts and horn section.
9. “Boogie Woogie Santa Claus,” Ernestine Fuller
Santa will boogie your blues away with some funky organs.
10. “Christmas in Jail,” The Youngsters
Kiefer Sutherland spent last Christmas in the clinker for a DUI conviction, just like the fellow in this cheery tune (hiccups included).
11. “Mamacita Donde Esta Santa Claus?” El Vez
The reindeer include Poncho and Pedro in this cha-cha-cha from the Mexican Elvis. Ole!
12. “Santa Drives a Hot Rod,” Brian Setzer Orchestra,
Rockin’ Santa does the stray-cat strut.
For more fun, check out musicalfruitcake.com, which has compiled some of the worst – i.e., strangely awesome – Christmas songs ever created.
