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14 Dec 03 - 06:15 PM (#1072341) Subject: Bad Christmas music From: RangerSteve This has been brought up before, but it's time to do it again. So far this year, I haven't heard "Blue Christmas". I had a close call yesterday. There's a listener-supported radio station here that has mostly good country music on Saturdays, and when I turned it on, the announcer mentioned that he just played the Ernest Tubb version. I thought I had escaped. But, later on, someone called in to request it again (maybe they didn't hear the first one), so they played Stonewall Jackson's version, (I'm disappointed in Mr. Jackson, I always liked his music) but fortunately, it was announed in advance, so I turned off the radio for a few minutes. A couple of hours later, they played an old recording of a Christmas radio show by Wilf Carter. Just as I was getting relaxed by Carter's perfect voice, those dreaded words"I'll have a blue..." before I realized what was coming and turned it off again. Why, Wilf, why? Last night, while getting ready to go on with my band at a regular monthly gig, the band on stage before us sang "Daddy, Don't Get Drunk This Christmas". The other Bad Christmas song. I assume that in the next couple of weeks I'll be hearing Blue Christmas, probably the worst version, that of Elvis. It always happens. There is no escaping Blue Christmas. Now, it's your turn. What song Xmas song deserves to die? |
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14 Dec 03 - 06:38 PM (#1072368) Subject: RE: Bad Christmas music From: Mary in Kentucky I don't really hear bad Christmas songs, but anything done by a country singer, MTV, karaoke, or sung at a large sporting event sends me running. On the other hand, anything sung by children is OK. I used to hate anything done by a saxophone, but heard a few jazz pieces that were OK. I pretty much tune out all the mall/WalMart noise. |
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14 Dec 03 - 07:09 PM (#1072405) Subject: RE: Bad Christmas music From: Ebbie Keep in mind that Wilf Carter singing anything dates back to when the song was new! (Gotta defend Montana Slim, my second hero) |
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14 Dec 03 - 07:58 PM (#1072453) Subject: RE: Bad Christmas music From: Barry T I'm... like... totally... entertained when pop singers on the current top 40 attempt to sing a Christmas song. 'Gives new meaning to the term "Quit while you're ahead!" |
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14 Dec 03 - 08:15 PM (#1072467) Subject: RE: Bad Christmas music From: RangerSteve Ebbie, He's one of my favorites, that's why I was so upset on hearing him do such a bad song. I'm sure he did a good job, I just couldn't bare to listen to it. |
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14 Dec 03 - 08:20 PM (#1072471) Subject: RE: Bad Christmas music From: Clinton Hammond There's a song I found called "Christmas Shoes" which is a fine example of horrid songwriting... it could go... I wouldn't mind... And Lou Montes, "Dominic The Italian Christmas Donkey" could go as well... Other than that, I'm fine with whatever X-mas music is on... "Maybe it's always time, for another Christmas Song" -Jethro Tull- |
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15 Dec 03 - 08:17 AM (#1072780) Subject: RE: Bad Christmas music From: GUEST Meli Kelikilacka |
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15 Dec 03 - 09:04 AM (#1072821) Subject: RE: Bad Christmas music From: Dani There's a version of "O Holy Night" making the rounds on the internet. I don't know who sings it, and for his sake I have to hope it's a joke. But when my husband played it for me I put a pillow over my head and howled 'til I couldn't hear it any more. Dani |
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15 Dec 03 - 09:05 AM (#1072822) Subject: RE: Bad Christmas music From: Wesley S Anything where animals bark, meow, grunt or snort out my favorite Christmas songs. |
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15 Dec 03 - 09:08 AM (#1072826) Subject: RE: Bad Christmas music From: Peter T. "The Little Drummer Boy" is the worst. "Prumpapumpum" -- where is an AK-47 when you need it? yours, Peter T. |
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15 Dec 03 - 09:11 AM (#1072827) Subject: RE: Bad Christmas music From: Micca would this qualify??? Christmas song |
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15 Dec 03 - 09:15 AM (#1072832) Subject: RE: Bad Christmas Music From: GUEST, GEST I have an aversion to Randy Brook's 1977 hit, Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer. After all, Grandpa sure doesn't care, sitting there watching football, drinking beer and playing cards. Why should anyone else? She was only laying dead outside all night. Arrgh.... ;-p |
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15 Dec 03 - 09:29 AM (#1072842) Subject: RE: Bad Christmas music From: GUEST The Little Drummer Boy is the woest. I run for cover every time it comes on. It is just sooooooo boring and usuually it is very badly sung. |
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15 Dec 03 - 09:30 AM (#1072843) Subject: RE: Bad Christmas music From: GUEST,Lanfranc at the orifice I've always had an aversion to "Away in a Manger", even when sung by my own kids! Add to that anything "festive" by Cliff Richard, the appalling "Last Christmas I Gev you my Heart" by whoever. For good measure, any "christmas song" sung or played other than during the seven days preceding December 25th. As an antidote, I offer Paddy Roberts' "Merry Christmas, you suckers", Tom Lehrer's Christmas song or, if you really like PROPER Christmas Carols, any arrangement by John Rutter. Alan |
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15 Dec 03 - 09:50 AM (#1072859) Subject: RE: Bad Christmas music From: black walnut Maybe I shouldn't admit this...but I like Drummer Boy. I start making up cool rhythms in my feet when it's playing in Zellers. What I really don't like is Frosty the Snowman, and unfortunately it's one of those songs that churns around in my brain on an hourly basis at this time of the year. Sometimes I let out a howling scream in the Barbie aisle, and Frosty disappears for a few minutes. Not for very long, but long enough for me to hum a few bars of Jingle Bell Rock, at least. ~b.w. |
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15 Dec 03 - 09:58 AM (#1072872) Subject: RE: Bad Christmas music From: Mooh I went through a period of tolerance when the kids were little but now I roundly dislike virtually all popish Christmas music. It's usually so soulless, so trite, and so distracting. Current favourite is Simon Mayor's Winter With Mandolins. Buy it. Peace on Earth, Mooh. |
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15 Dec 03 - 09:58 AM (#1072873) Subject: RE: Bad Christmas music From: Dave the Gnome Now, it doesn't take much, I know. But is this bad music at Christmas? Music for a bad Christmas? Bad, as in good? Or bad, as in bad? And Micca, you are one sick bunny...;-) Cheers DtG And away you Santa, my dear Anna... |
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15 Dec 03 - 10:00 AM (#1072877) Subject: RE: Bad Christmas music From: Dave the Gnome Doesn't take much to confuse me (or put me off what I am rabbiting about apparantly) btw. :D |
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15 Dec 03 - 12:49 PM (#1073003) Subject: RE: Bad Christmas music From: Steve-o White Christmas is far ickier than Blue Christmas. The only version worth listening to is the Three Tenors, where Pavarotti sings sort of "phonetically"....."Om drrreemeeng ov ayyy wott Creessmoss..." |
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15 Dec 03 - 01:01 PM (#1073008) Subject: RE: Bad Christmas music From: Clinton Hammond "It's usually so soulless, so trite, and so distracting" Oh... so you mean... it's JUST like Christmas then eh? LOL |
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15 Dec 03 - 01:08 PM (#1073012) Subject: RE: Bad Christmas music From: GUEST,ClaireBear The Little Drummer Boy Is my husband's favorite, too. I loathe it. My most memorable bad Christmas song experience: I used to have my clock radio set to a country music station because, while I rarely liked anything the station played, I could always stand it until I could get it together to turn the blasted thing off. (The radio lived across the room from my bed) That was until one morning when I heard Johnny Cash singing "The Little Srummer Boy" with a full boys' choir doing the "Pah-rum-pum-pum-pums." Never had I levitated ere that morning, but I set an air speed record flying to the radio to make it stop! I could just imagine the conversation Johnny must've had with his producer: Alright, I'll do the danged thing, but I ain't singin' no &*%$@! "pah-rum-pum-pum-pum!" |
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15 Dec 03 - 01:26 PM (#1073029) Subject: RE: Bad Christmas music From: Amergin roflmao, Micca....a man after my own heart....lol... songs that don't poke fun at christmas are all bad... |
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15 Dec 03 - 01:40 PM (#1073044) Subject: RE: Bad Christmas music From: PoppaGator Speaking of bad versions of "O Holy Night," Paul Shafer's annual over-the-top imitation of Cher's rendition, which he has performed for at least twenty consecutive Decembers of the Dave Letterman late-night show, is my favorite so-bad-it's-good Xmas number. It's even worse than listening to Cher herself, if you can believe that. Also on the same show once very year, you can see and hear Ronnie Spector wail her own masterful and little-known Christmas rock-n-roll single, whose title escapes me at the moment (This is something I classify as *good,* now, not one of the bad ones.) Other favorite offbeat seasonal numbers: "Santa Baby" (especially Earth Kitt's rendition) "Please Come Home for Christmas," Charles Brown and this 12-bar blues -- I should know the artist, but don't: Merry Christmas baby / Yes you sure did treat me nice (2X) Gave me a diamond ring for Christmas / Now I'm livin in Paradise. I'm feeling fine and mellow / Got good music on my radio (2X) I wanna kiss you baby / Underneath the mistletoe Merry Christmas baby / Yes you sure been good to me (2X) You know I haven't had a drink this morning/ But I'm all lit up like a Christmas tree. **** And, oh yeah, one more vote against "Little Drummer Boy." And I'm not too crazy about "The 12 Days.." either. |
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15 Dec 03 - 02:26 PM (#1073083) Subject: RE: Bad Christmas music From: M.Ted Do you mean "Christmas(Baby, Please Come Home)" by Darlene Love. PoppaGator? |
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15 Dec 03 - 02:30 PM (#1073090) Subject: RE: Bad Christmas music From: Mooh ClintonHammond...Yeah, just like Christmas isn't supposed to be (and isn't for me), but is. Too bad. Peace, Mooh. |
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15 Dec 03 - 03:44 PM (#1073138) Subject: RE: Bad Christmas music From: Catherine Jayne LOL Micca!!! |
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15 Dec 03 - 11:29 PM (#1073225) Subject: RE: Bad Christmas music From: PapaWhiskey It would be hard to chose between Mistletoe and Holly (Oh, by gosh, by golly. It's time for mistletoe and holly) and Holly, Jolly Christmas. I heard Johnny Cash singing Little Drummer Boy once a long time ago, but I assumed I was halluncinating and never told anyone about it. What a shock to find out years later that he really recorded it! |
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16 Dec 03 - 12:13 AM (#1073259) Subject: RE: Bad Christmas music From: alison you're a sick man Micca, *grin* slainte alison |
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16 Dec 03 - 01:35 AM (#1073291) Subject: RE: Bad Christmas music From: Ebbie I'm probably alone with one shuddering one: I don't like the Hallelujah chorus. Obviously I'm missing in the sentiment department- but I don't feel any emotion coming from any rendition of it I have ever heard, and feel none in response. And the choppy blurtings are an irritant to me. |
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16 Dec 03 - 01:41 AM (#1073293) Subject: RE: Bad Christmas music From: Joe Offer Well, once you get bad with all the bad Christmas songs, here's a good one - Merry Christmas from the Family, by Robert Earl Keen, Jr. Merry Christmas!! -Joe Offer- |
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16 Dec 03 - 03:27 AM (#1073316) Subject: RE: Bad Christmas music From: open mike funny, i would think musicians would appreciate the sentiment in "Drummer", that the gift of music is the best gift of all... and i would have to vote for John McCutcheon's song Christmas in the Trenches as the best all- around song for the season. It tells the story (true) of how music helped to bring an end to war, if just briefly, and was a unifying factor between soldiers on "both sides of the rifle" the song that bothers me the most when sung in public is "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" because they usually enunciate the "sh" part and slur it til it gets all mushy like figgy pudding... |
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16 Dec 03 - 03:58 AM (#1073324) Subject: RE: Bad Christmas music From: GUEST,Clint Keller I appreciate the sentiment in "Drummer" I just can't take the parumpapumpums. And when I heard J. Cadh's version I had exactly the same feeling as ClaireBear; I bet ol' John put his foot down when it came to parumping. clint |
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16 Dec 03 - 06:22 AM (#1073377) Subject: RE: Bad Christmas music From: RangerSteve Ok, Micca, I'm not starting any more threads if that's what you're going to contribute. Just kidding. It was great, except for the fact that it's the first song I heard this morning and I'll probably have it in my head all day. It is truly the worst. I'm ready to hear Elvis sing "Blue Christmas" now. By the way, why or how did you come across that song? |
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16 Dec 03 - 06:26 AM (#1073379) Subject: RE: Bad Christmas music From: Dave Bryant I've always liked Tom Lehrer's Christmas Time I usually perform "The Carol Singers" (We sang forte, sounded like a hundred) - must post the words sometime. BTW Kat - I don't know what you're laughing about - after all in the song which Micca posted - he claims that all these ills came from his true-love ! |
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16 Dec 03 - 07:03 AM (#1073410) Subject: RE: Bad Christmas music From: black walnut I found this yesterday: The Reindeer Pokey (to the tune of The Hokey Pokey) You put your antlers in. You put your antlers out. You put you antlers in, And you shake them all about. You do the Reindeer Pokey, And you turn yourself around. That's what it's all about! You put your hooves in.... You put your red nose in.... You put your fluffy tail in... You put your reindeer body in. Egad! ~b.w. |
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16 Dec 03 - 09:33 AM (#1073522) Subject: RE: Bad Christmas music From: Leadfingers The question that springs to mind is "Are there ANY good Christmas Songs?" Other than the PROPER Carols that is. But that one Micca found is absolutely brilliant. I wish I had the nerve to sing it! |
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16 Dec 03 - 11:33 AM (#1073749) Subject: RE: Bad Christmas music From: Dani Wonderful! Joe, what's the main tune to the Lehrer song? I see the bits with their own tunes at the bottom. Dani (who's learning to pick tunes out on the piano and EVERYTHING sounds bad!) |
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16 Dec 03 - 11:50 AM (#1073763) Subject: RE: Bad Christmas music From: Clinton Hammond I kinda like Robert Earl Keen Jrs song... Maybe ya hadda grow up there to get it... |
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17 Dec 03 - 12:17 AM (#1074269) Subject: RE: Bad Christmas music From: GUEST My sister gave me "Meowy Christmas By The Jingle Cats" when it came out. If you haven't had the bad luck to hear it, some genius spent nine months recording his several cats meowing, then spliced the meows into Christmas songs and carols. We played it for our cousin John Caldwell. I will never forget, John, who loves Bach heard cats meowing "Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring". "He spent nine months making that," John said. "He needs something else to do." |
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17 Dec 03 - 02:41 AM (#1074302) Subject: RE: Bad Christmas music From: Joe Offer Dani, are you saying you want me to transcribe the tune for Lehrer's "Christmas Time"? Heck, that tune is four pages long, a veritable concerto! I'll tell you what: I e-mailed a scan of the song to you, so YOU can transcribe it and send me a MIDI. Good luck. -Joe Offer- joe@mudcat.org |
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17 Dec 03 - 06:45 AM (#1074376) Subject: RE: Bad Christmas music From: Leadfingers Leadfingers dons his Pedant hat to inform you that Tom Lehrers song is actually entitled 'A Christmas Carol'.And if any one wants the dots I can do a copy from the Hardback book published in 1958- and No I Dont have a First edition. We had our Christmas do at Uxbridge last night - Carols in the bar - A Good Time Was Had By All, Despite some one singing 'I Saw Momma Kissing Sant Claus' which I think qualifies for a nomination for worst Christmas song. |
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17 Dec 03 - 06:57 AM (#1074383) Subject: RE: Bad Christmas music From: Dave Bryant What about "When Santa got stuck up the chimney". |
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17 Dec 03 - 07:40 AM (#1074411) Subject: RE: Bad Christmas music From: The Fooles Troupe I remember cats, and the barking dogs songs.... only just ... think they did a "Christmas" one too - and then "Simon and the Chipmunks".... but those things always remind me of Stan Freburg and the shepherd with his singing sheep... he hit them over the head with his crook and they each went baaaa in tune.... Robin |
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17 Dec 03 - 07:45 AM (#1074413) Subject: RE: Bad Christmas music From: Micca and just when you thought I had had a "Good taste transplant" Try here |
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17 Dec 03 - 07:46 AM (#1074415) Subject: RE: Bad Christmas music From: Dani Hey, now, Joe. You know I wasn't paying attention in class when you taught us Midis. I will, however, learn the tune from the sheet music, and sing it to anyone willing to call me!! That's my MO, and I'm sticking to it. 'Least 'til I have some spare time to learn this stuff. Dani |
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17 Dec 03 - 06:39 PM (#1074868) Subject: RE: Bad Christmas music From: RangerSteve Micca, that was almost as bad as the 12 Days of Xmas that you posted, but not quite. Keep them coming. |
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17 Dec 03 - 07:07 PM (#1074896) Subject: RE: Bad Christmas music From: Tattie Bogle Lots of "bad" ones on the Cd "Bah Humbug" but more in the category of bad, mad and very funny if you've got a black sense of humour, e.g. "I'm the man that slits the turkeys' throats at Christmas" adn "Santa Bloody Claus". |
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17 Dec 03 - 09:59 PM (#1074994) Subject: RE: Bad Christmas music From: GUEST How could any of you forget to condemn "Feliz Navidad" It's got everything bad about it. Bubbly and happy. Repetitious as hell. And its half in a foreign language making you wonder if your not singing the wrong thing (and perhaps saying something positively dirty). Add to it that there's a new version by Celine Dion. There's something amusing about a French Canadian singing a song in Spanish. Somehow they made it even happier. Yechhh! By the way, there's an even worse version of Blue Christmas by Jon Bon Jovi. I can't remember which carol it is but the Pretenders do a version of it with Chrissie Hind singing flat through a good deal of the song. I don't much care for Christmas Shoes myself |
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17 Dec 03 - 10:23 PM (#1075013) Subject: RE: Bad Christmas music From: Mary in Kentucky Lanfranc, I saw John Nutter on TV this evening. (I had never heard of him before.) I would love to sit in on one of his singing "classes." His energy and enthusiasm reminds me a bit of Leonard Bernstein. The interviewer said that some people think his work is too sugary, fairy dust trails after it. I haven't heard enough to have an opinion. |
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18 Dec 03 - 08:42 AM (#1075309) Subject: RE: Bad Christmas music From: Margret RoadKnight Tiny Tim singing "All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth" ..... truly excruciating! |
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18 Dec 03 - 09:33 AM (#1075348) Subject: RE: Bad Christmas music From: Mary in Kentucky Make that John Rutter. |
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18 Dec 03 - 09:45 AM (#1075362) Subject: RE: Bad Christmas music From: RichM some excellent examples of bad xmas music here. I think 90 percent of what passes for xmas music is bad! Our bluegrass group ( http://www.back40.ca/band.html )did a christmas party last week for a special needs organization, and we did (I confess!)include some xmas tunes...only once a year, Thank He whose birthday we celebrated... But Clinton, you surprise me-- I think I have out-grinched you on this topic! Rich McCarthy |
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18 Dec 03 - 09:47 AM (#1075364) Subject: RE: Bad Christmas music From: Dave Bryant Mary, do you actually mean John Nutter or do you really mean John Rutter who is a UK composer of mainly church music and who was one of the compilers of the "Carols for Choirs" series of books ? I've sung under his baton a few times and quite enjoyed it, but there are many other MDs who I prefer. I love his Requiem and many of his hymn and carol arrangements though, and would hardly link him with Bad Christmas Music. |
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18 Dec 03 - 10:55 AM (#1075431) Subject: RE: Bad Christmas music From: Mary in Kentucky I mean John Rutter. My first post was late at night and a bit muddled. I don't link him with Bad Christmas Music; I was just responding to Lanfranc who had mentioned him. Tell us about singing under his baton...but maybe another thread so he won't be linked to Bad Christmas Music! |
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18 Dec 03 - 11:12 AM (#1075450) Subject: RE: Bad Christmas music From: PoppaGator I can't believe it's been 3 days since I checked this thread. In response to M. Ted's query of 2:30 pm 12/15, yes, he's right, the song I was thinking of (as a *good,* not bad, nouveau-Xmas tune, performed annually on the Lettterman TV show) was indeed "Christmas, Baby, Please Come Home," and the artist is Darlene Love, not Ronnie Spector. Someone mentioned really hating "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus," for which I have a special affinity. I've been working as Santa Claus at the local mall for the last couple of years (see member-photo section), and I pick out tunes on a one-octave C-major toy xylophone between visitors. The situation is somewhat reminiscent of my streetsinger years, even though I'm not singing, only playing, and the indoor mall "crossroads" is only a pale imitation of a real streetcorner As you might imagine, establishing an instant rapport with young mothers of small children is part of the job, and my instrumental rendition of "I Saw Mommy..." never fails to bring a few new customers quickly out of the woodwork. I call it my "subliminal advertising," and my coworkers (photographer and cashier) get a good laugh out of how well it works. The dinky little plastic box with metal keys has a nice "chimey" sound, and is surprisingly loud and resonant. The acoustics are probably enahanced by my position directly below a large pyramidical skylight. For the record, other numbers in my xylophone repertoire: Joy to the World (*very* well suited to the instrument) Deck the Halls Rudolph (including the "verse," or intro, since last year when one six-year-old berated me for not including it!) Jingle Bells The absence of sharps, flats, and notes above and below the single octave make it impossible to play all the Christmas tunes I'd like. When crowds are thin, I don't hestitate to noodle around and experiment, trying new tunes and even playing a few that I *know* I can't play perfectly because one or two notes are just not there -- like: God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen (in D-minor -- can get all but one note) Mel Torme's Christmas Song ("Chestnuts...") -- I can play several whole sections, but not the whole thing. ****************** Must add to the "nice" list of enjoyable non-traditional seasonal songs: something playing on my radio at this very minute: Louis Armsrong's "'S That you, Santa Claus?" followed by his "Christmas Time in New Orleans." |
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19 Dec 03 - 05:47 AM (#1075991) Subject: RE: Bad Christmas music From: MBSLynne |
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19 Dec 03 - 05:54 AM (#1075994) Subject: RE: Bad Christmas music From: MBSLynne Ooops! Sorry about that last one, my fingers were cold and hit the wrong thing. I loathe Winter Wonderland and Frosty the Snowman, and, as someone else said, any Christmas song played too early...certainly before the beginning of December. I used to like all the carolly sort of things that got played but I hate the junk they play in shops these days. Part of the total devaluation of Christmas. Jonah Lewie's (sp?)Call the Cavalry really irritates me, because I hear it every Christmas, and the only thing that makes it a Christmas song is that it says "I wish I could be home for Christmas" once, and it was a Christmas hit. I suppose I should be glad they don't play "Long Haired Lover from Liverpool" which was also a Christmas hit! on the other hand Classic FM has been playing some really lovely Christmas music just about every other track, and I did hear "Ring out Solstice Bells" in Tesco. |
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19 Dec 03 - 08:51 AM (#1076128) Subject: RE: Bad Christmas music From: Snuffy The best UK Christmas number One was Lily the Pink, but not Christmassy at all. |
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19 Dec 03 - 01:33 PM (#1076305) Subject: RE: Bad Christmas music From: PoppaGator I used to really hate "Winter Wonderland," but ever since I first heard the Bobs' parody "Walkin' Round in Women's Underwear, " I can't help but smile whenever I hear that old melody. (Lyrics have been posted within the last week or so -- probably in the current thread "Christmas Parodies.") Another tune from the same era that I continue to dislike: "Silver Bells." I need someone to write a really nasty parody before I can start enjoying that one. |
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19 Dec 03 - 01:49 PM (#1076319) Subject: RE: Bad Christmas music From: Clinton Hammond " But Clinton, you surprise me-- I think I have out-grinched you on this topic!" And yer PROUD fo that? See... I like X-mas... and for the most part, I like X-mas music... Sure some of it (o.k.. a lot of it) is trite and cheesey... But so frigg'n what? Ya wanna be all serious and stuffed shirt all frigg'n year? Let yer hair down a bit... have some nog... and take off that stupid tie! Put yer feet up... pull my cracker and crack my nuts! We'll sing a few songs, badly... have way too many cookies... hit on each others significant others under the mistletoe... Ya know... have a good time?? Heard of it? |
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19 Dec 03 - 09:35 PM (#1076586) Subject: RE: Bad Christmas music From: jaze "Christmas Shoes" falls into that category of... I heard it once, I'm glad I heard it once. Now I NEVER want to hear it again! |
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20 Dec 03 - 12:43 AM (#1076668) Subject: RE: Bad Christmas music From: GUEST This has been the year for truly horrid Christmas songs. I've heard, "I want a hippotamus for Christmas", which is horrid, "Chipmunks Roasting on an Open Fire" Whic is sick, and "Dominic the Italian Christmas Donkey," which gives bad Italian songs a bad name. Incidentally, I'm on this thread as Guest, and I don't know why. I don't understand this internet thing. |
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20 Dec 03 - 06:30 PM (#1077015) Subject: RE: Bad Christmas music From: GUEST,Chief Chaos If you think you've heard the worst you really need to hear Leroy The Redneck Reindeer. It covers the territory of bad Christmas music as well as a Christmas parody. Although I am proud of being a southerner this one hits below the belt. |
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20 Dec 03 - 11:52 PM (#1077175) Subject: RE: Bad Christmas music From: Haruo All you Little Drummer haters, do you feel the same way about "Patapan"? (BTW the new Esperanto Christmas album CD "Kristnaska Kordo" from "Akordo" has this among many others. I recently heard "Six White Boomers" for the first time, and was enthralled. It's in the DT I think. Haruo Haruo |
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21 Dec 03 - 12:09 AM (#1077180) Subject: RE: Bad Christmas music From: Donuel A little rum 'n boy ---------------------------------------------------------------------- {The Little Drummer Boy} Man I need me Some Extra strength Tums I ate some turkey and some extra strength tums Then I had dessert and extra strength tums and ninty proof egg nog Pa rum pum rum pum, Rum pum rum pum, rummy pum rum So not to offend Pa rum rum rum rum I had more rum Some rum and tums yum Now I'm queasy Some rum and tums yum I had some fruit cake too Some rum and tums yum Oh no they want to sing Some rum and tums yum I got heart burn thats fit for a King Some rum and tums yum, rum 'n tums yum, rum 'n tums yums. Here's a drink for you Some rum 'n tums yum Got some gum? Mary nodded Some rum 'n tum gum The ox and lamb kept time Some rum 'n tum gum I sang my guts out then Pa rum pum pum pum I sang my best for them Some rum 'n tum gum, rum 'n more pum, rum 'n more pum Then they smiled at me Pa rum pum pum pum Me and my run |
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22 Dec 03 - 12:21 PM (#1077803) Subject: RE: Bad Christmas music From: PoppaGator Mea culpa -- I *really* should have posted some critical info to this thread last week. A couple of the volunteer on-air characters at WWOZ, New Orlean's community jazz/blues/roots rastion station, put on an annual bad-Christmas music extravaganza every year on the Friday evening before the Big Day. So of course, this year's edition, which ran for over three hours, has already taken place and my telling you about it now is really too late. Since the station is available world-wide on the internet (www.wwoz.org), perhaps someone out there would have taken the opportunity to listen in, if only I had posted the info in time. In any event, one selection that I had never heard before, and that I really enjoyed, was "Chipmunks Roasting on an Open Fire." It featured dead-on impressions of the Chipmunks AND David Saville AND Nat King Cole while narrating a fairly complicated plotline incorporating a fair amount of sly irreverent humor. I'm sorry to read that GUEST, above, put this on his/her list of least favorites. They also played a recording of recently-deceased comic actor Art Carney's recitation of "A Visit From St. Nicholas," accompanied only by a jazz-style drummer. The effect was *very* much like current-day rap, but it was recorded in 1956, before many rappers were born; I suppose it was inspired by beat-poetry spoken-word performances. A day or two later (sometime during the weekened), NPR broadcast a feature on the same record. This not only means that some of you may have heard it on your local public radio station (if in the US), but also that anyone who cares to can look it up at www.npr.org and give it a listen. I'm finding it difficult to remember what else among the many other parodies, novelties, and unintentionally humorous "bad" selections made me laugh, but one in particular stands out: the "What's It To Ya Chorus" (parody of Hallelujah Chorus, of course). |
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22 Dec 03 - 10:43 PM (#1078151) Subject: RE: Bad Christmas music From: Robin2 The song that has annoyed me the most this year is "Santa Claus is Coming To Town", by the Jacksone Five. Seems I've heard it EVERYWHERE! Don't trash "Jingle Cats" too soon. It's a hoot if you have cats around the house. I put the CD in, and watch all of my cats come into the room, with their stiff legged "intruder cat" posture, wandering around trying to find the cats that are invading their domain. What a snort!! Robin2 |
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23 Dec 03 - 12:37 AM (#1078204) Subject: RE: Bad Christmas music From: GUEST The Cat Carol....ugh. If you haven't heard it yet, count youself lucky, all others pale by comparison. |
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23 Dec 03 - 01:27 AM (#1078235) Subject: RE: Bad Christmas music From: Metchosin Guest 12:37 was me. Someone described this song as a badly sung, manipulative, lump of treacle. I think I'd agree with that. |
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23 Dec 03 - 01:46 PM (#1078613) Subject: RE: Bad Christmas music From: PoppaGator This just in -- on the radio as I type (not "bad" so much as "unconventional"): "Santa Claus is smokin' reefers / Santa Claus is smokin' tea.." Sounds like 1930's, boogie-woogie piano and vocals. Hopefully, they'll announce the artist before long. ....[20 minute delay]...[no announcement]...[calling the station]... The title is "Santa's Secret," sometime listed under the name of Slam Stewart (bassist), other times under the name of the vocalist Johnny Guarnieri, can be found on a Savoy (label) Christmas CD. |
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23 Dec 03 - 02:20 PM (#1078638) Subject: RE: Bad Christmas music From: RangerSteve Wow, this is the first thread I ever started where the number of entries reached merited being shown in blue. Thanks. Here's my Blue Christmas update: I turned on the radio on Saturday to hear the last two lines sung by a bluegrass group. I don't know who they were, but it may have been as bad as Elvis' version. That evening on a live weekly country music concert where I perform, one of the groups did the dreaded song, but I was backstage and only heard the end. But, then, on Sunday, at a monthly gospel show where I also perform, it showed up again. The pastor, concerned that there might be some duplication of carols, decided to permit non-religious Christmas music, probably assuming that no one would want to sing depressing songs. He was wrong. Getting back to Saturday afternoon, the same radio show where I almost heard the bluegrass version of BC, featured Daddy Don't get Drunk, but I managed to turn it off after the first three words. Unfortunately, there seems to be a wealth of sad country songs, mostley concerning dead or dying orphans, or as the DJ called them, Miserable Children songs. But, still, no Elvis singing BC. Only two and a half days left. Maybe I'll be lucky. Oh, yeah, I heard Dominic the Donkey, but remain ignorant of "Christmas SHoes". One more song to dread. May your days be merry and bright, and free from BC by Elvis. Steve |
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24 Dec 03 - 04:02 AM (#1079035) Subject: RE: Bad Christmas music From: Dave Masterson Eileen and I were in Maidstone a few weeks ago – it was the usual pre-Christmas rugby scrum, assailed on all sides by seasonal 'music' (debatable). We entered one shop to be met by a TV suspended from the ceiling, playing a video (presumably for sale) of a spotty child singing carols, out-of-tune, with subtitles. At that point I breached my 'insincerity threshold'….. |
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24 Dec 03 - 04:52 AM (#1079044) Subject: RE: Bad Christmas music From: GUEST,shelley c at work I used to work in a shopping mall, and I can tell you that any Christmas song becomes hateful once you've heard it every 30 mins on a loop day after day. But the worst ones were the ones specifically written for shopping malls, with lyrics designed to make the unwary just spend more money. There was a particularly ghastly one with the lyric 'Lots and lots of lovely presents for all my favourite friends'. I can still remember it, even though its been nearly 20 years since I worked in the mall. |
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19 Nov 08 - 12:53 PM (#2497729) Subject: RE: Bad Christmas music From: GUEST,jasper Alright this band has just put the cherry on top of Terrible Christmas music cake!!!!!!!!! They have single handedly destroyed what little hope for Christmas music was left. Christmas will never be the same if this gets popular. Get your Barf bags out if you choose to listen www.kasiokristmas.com or www.myspace.com/kasiokristmassong |
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19 Nov 08 - 01:51 PM (#2497783) Subject: RE: Bad Christmas music From: Jack Blandiver Bad as in good; let nothing ye dismay! http://www.myspace.com/jinglebrass |
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19 Nov 08 - 02:23 PM (#2497811) Subject: RE: Bad Christmas music From: GUEST,guest A few Christmases back I was on a bus on the way to a Christmas party. The bus was fairly empty -- it was round about shop-closing time -- and things were very quiet. Up at the front of the bus sat a little group -- it looked like grandmother, mother and small son. The kid was about 4. He had obviously enjoyed his trip and the rhythm of the bus was mellowing him out. He was happily singing away (fairly loudly) to himself. His choice of song? "Please, Daddy, Don't Get Drunk This Christmas". All the other passangers had their hands over their mouths -- what a hoot! But still, it's a very bad song! |
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19 Nov 08 - 02:46 PM (#2497838) Subject: RE: Bad Christmas music From: GUEST,Faye If that Slade song comes on when I'm in a shop I drop whatever I'm holding and run for the door. I HATE it!!! And damn you for making me think of the ******* thing- it's going round in my head now!! |
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20 Nov 08 - 12:55 PM (#2498578) Subject: RE: Bad Christmas music From: GUEST,Charley O'Neill Come on man ,there are some good 'uns ! For what it's worth, my top 5-no particuar order- 1. Lennon - Happy Xmas, War is over (Beats his old pal McCartney's dreadfull,'wonderfull christmas time' into a cocked hat!) 2. Bing & Bowie - Little drummer boy -something bizarre and strangely touching about this one, Bowie thought Crosby looked like, 'a little old orange sat on a stool' and Crosby clearly didn't have a clue who Bowie was ! 3.Jona Lewis -Stop the Cavalry 4. Pogues & Kirsty MacColl -Come on !!! 5. Slade - Merry Christmas everybody - Yep overplayed, but Noddy sounds like a man having the time of his life and not a sleighbell in sight !! I'm not a christmas man, but am actually moved by this list. Yer can keep yer Wizzard's and ex Elvis impersonators trading on their christianity for a number one !! Peace on earth, Charley. |
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20 Nov 08 - 03:16 PM (#2498696) Subject: RE: Bad Christmas music From: Acorn4 Come Back, Ebenezer 1.The first Nowell that the angels did say Was a Noel Edmonds Special upon Christmas Day All hail to the brain dead forget silent night Fill up every channel with wall to wall sh**e Chorus:- Come back, Ebenezer, when all's said and done, Put it down to your dry sense of humour Wheel your trolley to the checkout, Stick on a false grin And become a festive consumer. 2.Away in a manger, no crib for a bed, They've barcoded Jesus stuck a paper hat on his head Like cattle we're seething let's make the tills ring, With big mouths and big bums and obnoxious offspring Chorus 3.Oh come all ye faithful, oh come ye three kings Bear the gift of Bing Crosby to make us all cringe Let's all stuff our faces, and loudly get pissed Unto us is born Johnny Mathis to drive us all round the twist. Chorus 4.Lets deck all the halls with boughs of holly Fill up the bars with every rentagob wally It certainly would have advanced peace on earth If someone had strangled Cliff Richard at birth. Chorus 5.Hark the Herald Angels jingle and wassails Here's a health to the credit card, to Cliff's wallet all hail And just for a parting gift to all mankind That f***ing record by Slade for the 3 millionth time |
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20 Nov 08 - 06:32 PM (#2498867) Subject: RE: Bad Christmas music From: GUEST,TJ in San Diego Take a listen to Stan Freberg's parody of "White Christmas," "Green Christmas." It is an early harpooning of the "selling of Christmas" by merchants one and all. It dates from the early 1960's, I believe. It brings to mind a description of the various holidays by American author, Daniel Boorstin. He called them "festivals of consumption." |
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20 Nov 08 - 10:38 PM (#2499038) Subject: RE: Bad Christmas music From: Genie You haven't heard "bad" Christmas music until you've heard Jewel 'singing' Hark! The Herald Angels Sing -- unless, of course, you've heard Cher's version of O Holy Night. LOL (Paul Shafer [sp?], on Letterman's show, does a wonderful impersonation of that particular butchering of O Holy Night!) Genie |
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20 Nov 08 - 10:46 PM (#2499041) Subject: RE: Bad Christmas music From: Genie As for bad VERSIONS of songs, I almost forgot: I love Stevie Nicks - usually - but her recording of "Sah-lunt Night" is one of the most groan-worthy things I've ever heard come over my radio! Gawdawful! Now when it comes to really bad Christmas SONGS, I second the nomination of "The Christmas Shoes." But The Beatles' "So This Is Christmas" is not only one of the worst, most Hallmark-card-ish piece of "lyric" doggerel but pretty danged trite musically as well. What makes it so bad is that it gets played over and over ad nauseum every year! |
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21 Nov 08 - 11:34 AM (#2499368) Subject: RE: Bad Christmas music From: GUEST,leeneia Thirty years ago, I moved 600 miles away from my family. The rest of the family stayed close together and could visit one another. After a few years I realized the gifts I sent, cards I mailed and long-distance calls I made were never being reciprocated. My family didn't give it much thought, but with 20 of them in Wisconsin and me in Missouri, it was 20 against 1, and it was very cold and unfair. So I decided simply to stop giving gifts and sending cards. (I still make calls once in a while, esp. to my sister.) The beautiful side-effect of all this is that I never shop at Christmastime. I make music with my friends, I entertain dinner guests, and I sing in church. Some years we set up our little ceramic Midwestern town and populate it with toy vehicles. (We actually have a tiny tornado-chase vehicle. Not thrill-seekers. It's from a radio station so it can warn people.) I think my Christmases are much nicer than most people's. I am particularly thankful that i don't have to listen to Holly, Jolly Christmas It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas We need a little Christmas all of which have that irritating, brainlessly-cheerful Broadway tonality. Finally, I have to say that I have never even heard many of the songs mentioned here. See how lucky I am? |
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22 Nov 08 - 03:39 AM (#2499866) Subject: RE: Bad Christmas music From: GUEST,Guest from Sanity You might like this one..i laughed my ass off! Twelve Days of Christmas Warning - Before you send all of the gifts described in the song - "The Twelve Days of Christmas" - read how it can go TERRIBLY wrong... as described by the series of letters written to the gift-giver by the recipient of such lovely Christmas gifts ... (OR go directly to the expenses for the 12 Days of Christmas) December 14th Dearest John: I went to the door today and the postman delivered a partridge in a pear tree. What a delightful gift. I couldn't have been more surprised. With dearest love and affection, Agnes December 15th Dearest John: Today the postman brought your very sweet gift. Just imagine, two turtledoves. I'm just delighted at your very thoughtful gift. They are just adorable. All my love, Agnes December 16th Dear John: Oh, aren't you the extravagant one! Now I must protest. I don't deserve such generosity. Three French hens. They are just darling but I must insist.... you're just too kind. Love, Agnes December 17th Dear John: Today the postman delivered four calling birds. Now really! They are beautiful, but don't you think enough is enough? You're being too romantic. Affectionately, Agnes December 18th Dearest John: What a surprise! Today the postman delivered five golden rings. One for each finger. You're just impossible, but I love it. Frankly, John, all those squawking birds were beginning to get on my nerves. All my love, Agnes December 19th Dear John: When I opened the door there were actually six geese a-laying on my front steps. So you're back to the birds again, huh? Those geese are huge. Where will I ever keep them? The neighbors are complaining and I can't sleep through the racket. PLEASE STOP! Cordially, Agnes December 20th John: What's with you and those birds? Seven swans a-swimming. What kind of joke is this? There's bird crap all over the house and they never stop the racket. I'm a nervous wreck and I can't sleep all night. IT'S NOT FUNNY. So stop with the birds. Sincerely, Agnes December 21st OK Buster: I think I prefer the birds. What the hell am I going to do with eight maids a-milking? It's not enough with all those birds and eight maids a-milking, but they had to bring their own cows. There is cow poop all over the lawn and I can't move in my own house. Just lay off me. SMART-ASS! Ag December 22nd Hey Butthead: What are you? Some kind of sadist? Now there's nine pipers piping. And man do they pipe. They haven't stopped chasing those maids since they got here yesterday morning. The cows are upset are stepping all over those screeching birds. No wonder they screech. What am I going to do? The neighbors have started a petition to evict me. You'll get yours, Ag December 23rd You Rotten Dick: Now there's ten ladies dancing - I don't know why I call those women ladies. They've been with those nine pipers all night long. Now the cows can't sleep and they've got diarrhea. My living room is a river of cow dung. The commissioner of buildings has subpoenaed me to give cause why the building shouldn't be condemned. I'm sic'ing the police on you. They know where you are. One who means it, Ag December 24th Listen, Doormat: What's with the eleven lords a-leaping on those maids and aforementioned "ladies"? Some of those broads will never walk again. Those pipers ran through the maids and are now after the cows. All 234 of the birds are dead. They have been trampled to death in the orgy. I hope you're satisfied, you rotten swine. Your sworn enemy, Miss Agnes McCallister December 25th From the law offices of Dewey, Cheatem and Howe This is to acknowledge your latest gift of twelve drummers drumming, which you have seen fit to inflict on our client, Miss Agnes McCallister. The destruction, of course, was total. All correspondence should come to our attention. If you should attempt to reach Miss McCallister at Happy-Dale Sanitarium, the attendants have instructions to shoot you on sight. With this letter, please find attached a warrant for your arrest. Dewey, Cheatem and Howe Attorneys at Law |
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13 Dec 08 - 12:13 PM (#2514338) Subject: RE: Bad Christmas music From: VirginiaTam SAY NO TO X-FACTOR FOR CHRISTMAS NO.1 - VOTE FOR AN ACTUAL CHRISTMAS SONG!! |
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13 Dec 08 - 12:29 PM (#2514351) Subject: RE: Bad Christmas music From: Bodbum It's not so much bad christmas songs, it's the problem that once heard you can't get the damn things from running round your head all day. |
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13 Dec 08 - 02:39 PM (#2514442) Subject: RE: Bad Christmas music From: GUEST,pattyClink Today I not only had to hear our quartet do the vile "Santa Baby" a couple more times (okay, they sing it beautifully, but the words are SO low-rent), I heard some school is letting 12-year-old girls sing the raunchy thing. Yeeuch. So I must nominate it for The Worst. My runner up is "Merry Christmas Darling" a la Karen Carpenter which despite a lovely tune is just too smarmy for words. In the category of fine and worthy-est, I must place in nomination Robert Earl Keen's masterwork "Merry Christmas From the Family" in all its flawed glory. |