Yes, Virginia You Can Rock Around the Christmas Tree
CONFESSION # 1225: I must admit that I am not really into Christmas music and don't truly relish when some radio stations convert to bastions of that genre. Of course, this does not mean that I don't enjoy it all because I do. I guess I am selective on what I listen to because after 41 years on this planet, I have heard some holiday songs over and over and over and over again and frankly they begin to wear a bit thinly. During the Christmas season, I have been know to pop in a CD rife with holiday cheer from time to time. For example, holiday-themed tunes by Bing Crosby, Nutcracker Suite, Ella Fitzgerald, Mitch Miller, Harry Connick Jr, and Handel quench my thirst for seasonal music. What's truly missing from my Christmas CD collection though are some good ole bass licks, guitar riffs, and drum solos. After discovering this, I wanted to prove that rock music has a place among Rudolph, angels, bells, and tannenbaums. What I found out from all of my extensive research (okay, You Tube and my memory were my main sources) is that you CAN have your Christmas music and rock it, too...
The following are 12 examples (in honor of the 12 Days of Christmas) of some tunes that can satisfy any rock & roll soul during this holiday season:
1. Rock & Roll Christmas by George Thorogood and the Destroyers--a fun little ditty from Delaware that features the late, great John Lee Hooker as Santa Claus in the song's video.
2. Santa Claus is Coming to Town by Alice Cooper--yes, this is from the same guy (ok , this act is technically a group) that likes to charm his fans with a bit of the macabre during concerts. Yes, you should check it out (find it on You Tube). Yes, right now...
3. Carol of the Bells by Trans-Siberian Orchestra--put a classical composition in a blender with some former members of heavy metal band Savatage and you get something icy, frothy, and pretty incredible to wet your whistle.
4. Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) by U2--this one goes back to the days when Bono had a mullet-esque coif and the Suburban Rock Mom had a curly perm. Yes, boys and girls, I am talking about the 80s...
5. O Come, O Come Emmanuel by Halford--Judas Priest's Rob Halford, the "metal god" himself, belts out one of my favorite songs that I remember singing at several Christmas Eve midnight masses as a little girl. Even if you are not a fan of Priest, it's worth a listen to this and the other holiday-themed music on the "Winter Songs" CD. Caution, you may want to put on some leather and bang your head after listening!
6. Santa Claus is Coming to Town by Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band--this song, making its second appearance on the list, is a staple at Christmas time on rock radio stations for a reason. You can't go wrong with the Boss with his gravely vocals even on a holiday classic like this.
7. I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus by John Mellencamp--not sure if he was still using "Cougar" in his name when he recorded this, but I AM sure you'll enjoy the fiddles and soulful back-up singers that make this a memorable version of the original.
8. Happy Xmas (War is Over) by John Lennon, Yoko Ono, and the Plastic Ono Band--although this is a protest song about the Vietnam War, it has remained relevant to music fans all over the world for 41 years.
9. Santa is Going South for Winter by Sammy Hagar (w/Mickey Hart and Bob Weir)--with a Jimmy Buffet vibe, this song by the "Red Rocker" is the perfect accompaniment with your Margarita on the rocks on a frigid, wintry day while dreaming of warmer climes.
10. Run, Run Rudolph by Chuck Berry--there are many imitators, but nothing beats the original. Enough said...
11. I Am Santa Claus (from the Bob Rivers Show)--a parody of Black Sabbath's "Iron Man", this one musically sounds so much like the original, but has all the lyrics of a Christmas classic.
12. Father Christmas by the Kinks--the Davies brothers once again flaunt their rebellious attitude in a song that I can't wait to hear every year. It may be numerically at the end of my list, but in my rock & roll heart, it's numero uno!
Until next time, keep it on "11"...even if your neighbors ask nicely...
The following are 12 examples (in honor of the 12 Days of Christmas) of some tunes that can satisfy any rock & roll soul during this holiday season:
1. Rock & Roll Christmas by George Thorogood and the Destroyers--a fun little ditty from Delaware that features the late, great John Lee Hooker as Santa Claus in the song's video.
2. Santa Claus is Coming to Town by Alice Cooper--yes, this is from the same guy (ok , this act is technically a group) that likes to charm his fans with a bit of the macabre during concerts. Yes, you should check it out (find it on You Tube). Yes, right now...
3. Carol of the Bells by Trans-Siberian Orchestra--put a classical composition in a blender with some former members of heavy metal band Savatage and you get something icy, frothy, and pretty incredible to wet your whistle.
4. Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) by U2--this one goes back to the days when Bono had a mullet-esque coif and the Suburban Rock Mom had a curly perm. Yes, boys and girls, I am talking about the 80s...
5. O Come, O Come Emmanuel by Halford--Judas Priest's Rob Halford, the "metal god" himself, belts out one of my favorite songs that I remember singing at several Christmas Eve midnight masses as a little girl. Even if you are not a fan of Priest, it's worth a listen to this and the other holiday-themed music on the "Winter Songs" CD. Caution, you may want to put on some leather and bang your head after listening!
6. Santa Claus is Coming to Town by Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band--this song, making its second appearance on the list, is a staple at Christmas time on rock radio stations for a reason. You can't go wrong with the Boss with his gravely vocals even on a holiday classic like this.
7. I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus by John Mellencamp--not sure if he was still using "Cougar" in his name when he recorded this, but I AM sure you'll enjoy the fiddles and soulful back-up singers that make this a memorable version of the original.
8. Happy Xmas (War is Over) by John Lennon, Yoko Ono, and the Plastic Ono Band--although this is a protest song about the Vietnam War, it has remained relevant to music fans all over the world for 41 years.
9. Santa is Going South for Winter by Sammy Hagar (w/Mickey Hart and Bob Weir)--with a Jimmy Buffet vibe, this song by the "Red Rocker" is the perfect accompaniment with your Margarita on the rocks on a frigid, wintry day while dreaming of warmer climes.
10. Run, Run Rudolph by Chuck Berry--there are many imitators, but nothing beats the original. Enough said...
11. I Am Santa Claus (from the Bob Rivers Show)--a parody of Black Sabbath's "Iron Man", this one musically sounds so much like the original, but has all the lyrics of a Christmas classic.
12. Father Christmas by the Kinks--the Davies brothers once again flaunt their rebellious attitude in a song that I can't wait to hear every year. It may be numerically at the end of my list, but in my rock & roll heart, it's numero uno!
Until next time, keep it on "11"...even if your neighbors ask nicely...
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