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Pop Rock Nation

Author: Jenny

  • Excellent Christmas songs…

    Excellent Christmas songs…

    So my last post was on awful Christmas songs. It only follows that today’s post will be on excellent Christmas songs, right?

    I know this time of year can be very annoying when it comes to holiday music, especially if you happen to work in retail, where the season may start as early as late October. There are also plenty of people who like to listen to Christmas music as soon as the holidays start. It’s easy to find awful Christmas songs, but what about the excellent ones?

    A few years ago, when I was writing a whole lot of music reviews on Epinions.com, I went through a phase during which I reviewed a bunch of Christmas albums. I started in early October, reasoning that my reviews would be available just in time for the holiday season, giving people time to buy them in time for Christmas. Of course, now I sit here thinking it was funny that my husband once gave me two Christmas themed albums for Christmas. You’d think by December 25th, I’d be tired of listening to any music having to do with the holidays… and the holidays would be over in a week, anyway.

    In any case, there are a few albums from that time period that I go back to again and again, year after year. And I have also made some new discoveries this year. So, without further ado, here’s a few excellent Christmas songs for your listening and viewing pleasure. And if you have any to add or beg to differ, please feel free to leave me a comment.

    Some Children See Him

    The first time I heard this very progressive Christmas song was in 2004, when I happened to buy James Taylor’s Hallmark album, A Christmas Album. I was very moved by the lyrics, which are about how different children around the world see baby Jesus. Of course, we all know that not all children believe in Jesus Christ. Indeed, I’m not even sure if James Taylor is a believer. I do love what he does with this song, though.

    Celebrate Me Home

    Kenny Loggins has done his share of holiday music. His 1999 album, December, is full of original and traditional music for the holiday season. One song that was not on that album is this classic, “Celebrate Me Home”. I never get tired of it any time of the year. It’s about coming home for the holidays, but it’s full of heart and hope.

    This Christmas

    Mary J. Blige’s new holiday album includes this classic hit, which was first made popular by Donny Hathaway in 1970. The first time I heard it, Jane Monheit was singing it; but I think I prefer Mary J. Blige’s more soulful rendition. I also like that it’s new for 2013!

    You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grinch

    Of course, this song is a classic at Christmas time, thanks to Christmas TV specials. Cee Lo Green takes on the Grinch with his fun rendition of “You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grinch”. I dare you to listen to this and not break into a big smile.

    Mary, Did You Know?

    “Mary, Did You Know” is another newer song which has been recorded by a lot of people, everyone from Wynonna Judd and Kenny Rogers to opera diva Kathleen Battle. The version I have included to this list is by Sonya Isaacs, a bluegrass artist whose voice, in my opinion, is just gorgeous. Yeah, this song is very emotional and some may find it a little over the top religious. It still touches me every year. I love the melody and Isaacs’ vocal reading.

    Gabriel’s Message

    Sting covered this song in 1987 for the very first A Very Special Christmas compilation. Since then, he has updated it with a more haunting, deeper version for his 2009 album If On A Winter’s Night. I like them both, but I think I prefer Sting’s edgier, earlier version from 1987.

    Highland Cathedral

    Technically, I wouldn’t call the beautiful German piece “Highland Cathedral” Christmas music, per se. Amy Grant included it on her 1999 album A Christmas to Remember and I later used it as my wedding march in November 2002. I could listen to this all year, but I’m a little biased. “Highland Cathedral” was composed by Ulrich Roever and Michael Korb in 1985 and is now quite popular in Scotland. I think it fits very well during the holiday festivities.

    Christmas Time Is Here

    I never get tired of “Christmas Time Is Here”, especially when it is performed by the Vince Guaraldi Trio. The above version includes vocals by the Peanuts gang, but I love the haunting melody on its own, too.

    Santa Claus Is Coming To Town

    I’m talking about the one done by Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, of course. I have heard this song done by plenty of folks and no one does it quite like The Boss does.

    Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

    I have included Judy Garland’s iconic version here, but this song has been successfully covered by a lot of fine singers. I am pretty partial to James Taylor’s version, myself. This song is meant to be consoling and sweet and Judy Garland certainly captures that in the film Meet Me In St. Louis.

    And with that, folks, I hope your holiday season is going well… See you next time!

  • Awful Christmas songs…

    Awful Christmas songs…

    I know it’s time for the holidays, but I can’t help but reflect on some of the awful Christmas songs out there…

    I used to hear a lot of these bad Christmas songs when I was growing up, getting ready for school and listening to morning radio shows. Morning radio, at least in the old days, was known for playing a lot of novelty songs. One song I could always count on hearing every holiday season was this gem…

    Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer


    Elmo and Patsy recorded “Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer” in 1978. It later became a Christmas classic…

    “Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer” is a pretty awful Christmas song. It’s all about an elderly woman who forgot her medication and staggered out in the snow and got hit by Santa’s sleigh. It’s a far cry from “The First Noel” or even “Jingle Bells”. I used to like hearing it every year, but now that I’m closer to Grandma’s age, it’s not as funny as it used to be.

    The Twelve Pains of Christmas


    “The Twelve Pains of Christmas” by Bob Rivers is so awful it’s good…

    I have to admit that I actually really love “The Twelve Pains of Christmas”. I especially love what the YouTuber whose video I shared here did with this song. But it’s certainly a cynical look at the holiday season, isn’t it?

    You Ain’t Getting Shit For Christmas


    Red Peters recorded this awful Christmas song and I admit I listen to it every year…

    This is a song by Red Peters about ungrateful adult kids who stand up their parents for the Christmas holidays. How dare those kids have their own plans for Christmas, anyway? You can shove that fruitcake up your asses, kids.

    Holy Shit, It’s Christmas!


    Here’s an equally profane offering by Red Peters in which he is joined by a chorus of chipmunks… It’s chock full of double entendres.

    As I listen to this, it occurs to me that this is one of my favorite kinds of awful Christmas songs.

    Mr. Santa


    A take off of “Mr. Sandman” performed here by Amy Grant.

    Every time I play this song, my husband reminds me that the guys singing sound like the chorus on Bugs Bunny cartoons that go “We’re the boys in the chorus”. This is definitely a song about Christmas greed, though I guess I understand why it would be a popular sentiment among kids.

    Chipmunks Roasting on an Open Fire


    Another offering by Bob Rivers.

    All I gotta say is “sick”.

    There’s Something Stuck Up In The Chimney


    This song by Bob Rivers was introduced to me this morning and I have to say it qualifies as an awful Christmas song.

    Although we’ve often heard about Santa Claus coming down the chimney, in practice it’s a pretty stupid thing to do. Would be thieves and stalkers have tried it and gotten stuck. A few years ago, a doctor tried to stalk her ex boyfriend, got stuck in his chimney, and died. So there’s something to this awful Christmas song. Stay out of chimneys!

    The Chipmunk Song (Please Christmas Don’t Be Late)


    There’s something about this song that makes me grit my teeth…

    Alvin and the Chipmunks contribute this entry to awful Christmas songs with their high pitched, perfectly harmonized, highly irritating voices. Make it stop!

    Christmas Shoes


    Here’s a Christmas song about a little boy who buys shoes for his dying mother at Christmas…

    I know this song by NewSong is a tear jerker, but I think it’s probably one of the most awful Christmas songs I’ve ever heard. A little boy buys a pair of shoes so she’ll look beautiful in case she meets Jesus that night. I’m not sure I’d buy shoes as a means of looking beautiful, but hell… it’s supposed to be about the spirit of giving.

    Who Put The Dick On The Snowman?


    Rodney Carrington asks this very important question.

    Okay… this does make me giggle, but it’s not one of those songs you’d sing while caroling, right?

    Last Christmas


    This song is an 80s classic by Wham!

    As I started playing this song, my dog started whining as if to tell me to “make it stop”. This is a breakup song with a very 80s video to accompany it. I have to admit, this song belongs on my list of awful Christmas songs, but God help me, I still like it. It’s a little depressing, but hell, people can relate to it.

    Dear Mr. Jesus


    Technically, this is not really a Christmas song…

    “Dear Mr. Jesus” was recorded in 1985 by an evangelical Christian band called Power Source. Six year old Sharon Batts sang lead, but the song didn’t take off until Christmas 1987, when a radio station in Tampa, Florida played it. Back in November 1987, a little girl named Lisa Steinberg was beaten to death by her illegal adoptive father, Joel Steinberg. The song especially resonated with people who were saddened by Lisa Steinberg’s violent death and became a runaway hit. Since it became a hit in December 1987, it sort of sticks in my head as one of the most awful Christmas songs. I get the message, but jeez…

    Hope your holidays are coming along just fine! Have a great weekend, everybody!

  • Garfunkel and Oates…

    Garfunkel and Oates…

    I discovered Garfunkel and Oates the same way I discovered my husband… by hanging out in a place I’d least expect them to be.

    Just a warning, today’s post features songs with NSFW lyrics that may be very offensive to some folks… Proceed with caution.

    Some time ago, I was reading posts on the Recovery from Mormonism message board when someone posted a very funny video starring two lovely young singer-comediennes. Their act was called Garfunkel and Oates, after “two famous rock-and-roll second bananas”, Art Garfunkel and John Oates. Garfunkel and Oates are really Kate Micucci (Oates) and Riki Lindhome (Garfunkel), and they are quite an irreverent pair who will either offend or delight their audiences, depending on the mix.

    The very first song I ever heard these two woman sing was entitled “Pregnant Women are Smug”. The video for this song about annoying pregnant women was posted on the message board, a place where former Mormons gather to discuss their issues with the church and with organized religion in general. Though I am not myself a former Mormon, my husband is one. I have learned a lot about the LDS culture from interacting with some of the regular posters on that board and if there’s one thing Mormons are stereotypically known for, it’s having babies… and lots of them. So maybe it does make sense that someone in that group posted this video…


    This low tech rendition was the first one I saw…

    But then, I guess once their star started to rise, Garfunkel and Oates released this official video…


    If the lyrics weren’t potentially offensive enough, pairing them with this wacky video put the song over the top funny…

    I happened to post this on Facebook and one of my several friends who happens to be pregnant right now seemed to take offense. But I have to say, I think Garfunkel and Oates sort of have a point. On the other hand, I have never been pregnant myself, so what do I know? Besides, these women have such angelic voices and harmonize so beautifully.

    Some time later, another member of the message board posted yet another potentially offensive yet hilarious video by Garfunkel and Oates.


    “The Loophole” is an incredibly rude song about Christian girls who want to stay virginal, yet still want to have sex. They discover a “loophole” in the scriptures which allows them to have anal sex, which is not specifically prohibited in the Bible.

    Garfunkel and Oates take on lame parties with this next video for the song, “This Party Took Took a Turn for the Douche”. I’m not really a fan of the term “douche” to describe something that’s lame, mainly because a douche is really just a good cleaning. I can think of more accurate terms for stupid parties or people. I do admire the way these ladies rap, though.


    I can’t say I have experienced a party like this one… but then, I was never cool enough for parties, anyway.

    Perhaps a song that we can all get into is “Save the Rich”.


    Come on, you know the rich need saving, right?

    Actually, I am impressed by the commentary this song seems to have sparked on YouTube. While it’s meant to be a funny song, it makes a bold statement that gets people talking about the economy. While I can’t say the comments are always kept to a dignified standard, they do inspire thought which hopefully learns to education.

    Count me among those who enjoy Garfunkel and Oates’ brand of sharply profane wit. I don’t always agree with them, but I admire their ability to make statements with their shockingly funny songs. I see I’m not the only one who likes them, either. Their songs have been featured on Comedy Central, the television show, Scrubs, HBO’s Web site, and the IFC network.