The guys riff on another round of Rockin’ Christmas songs: God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen (Ronnie James Dio), God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen (The Barenaked Ladies with Sarah McLachlan), Happy Xmas (War Is Over) (John Lennon & Yoko Ono), Christmas (The Who), Do They Know It's Christmas? (Band Aid), Stone Soul Christmas (Binky Griptite), Christmas Presents Blues (Jimmy Reed), I'm Your Santa (Lil' Ed and the Imperials), Celebrate Me Home (Kenny Loggins), Baby It's Cold Outside (Frank Loesser), Oh Tannenbaum (Vince Guaraldi), Come Home for Christmas (Eagles), Same Auld Lang Syne (Dan Fogelberg), Walking Round in Women's Underwear (Bob Rivers), The Hanukkah Song (Adam Sandler)
When we did our Rock-and-Roll Christmas "rabbit hole" episode last year we realized that there are just too many Rocking Christmas songs to be held in a single podcast. So we're coming back to you this year with another selection of Christmas songs that rock!
“God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen” by- Ronnie James Dio
This selection from the former Rainbow and Black Sabbath front man puts a metal twist on a 16th century carol.
“God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen” by The Barenaked Ladies
A more mellow take on the same song features stripped down acoustics and harmonies. Sarah McLachlan is featured in this cover.
“Happy Xmas (War Is Over)” by John Lennon
Brian features the well-known original piece from John Lennon and Yoko Ono from 1971. They are joined by the Harlem Community Choir
“Christmas” by The Who, from “Tommy”
Rob brings us a deep cut from the rock opera Tommy. In this vignette, Tommy's father questions how Tommy can be saved given his inability to see, hear, or speak.
“Do They Know It's Christmas?” by Band Aid
This 1984 compilation was created as a means of providing support to famine victims in Ethiopia. Bob Geldof and an all-star cast of singers was assembled including Sting, Bono, Bananarama, Boy George, and Simon Le Bon.
“Stone Soul Christmas” by Binky Griptite
Wayne puts the soul in Christmas with this 2011 effort. Binky Griptite is a DJ in New York and was the guitarist for the Dap-Kings.
“Christmas Presents Blues” by Jimmy Reed
Wayne keeps the funk going with this rousing bass line and double entendre laden tune from 1971.
“I'm Your Santa” by Lil' Ed and the Imperials
We drift into the blues with this New Orleans-style cut from Alligator Records.
“Celebrate Me Home” by Kenny Loggins
Bruce features one from Loggins' debut solo album in 1977. While this has now become a Christmas standard, it was not released as a single at the time, and was not intended to become a standard.
“Baby It's Cold Outside” by Frank Loesser
Brian's pick is the Dean Martin 1959 cover of this classic. Loesser originally wrote this as a housewarming song. When MGM bought the song, Frank's wife was furious that he had sold it.
“All I Want for Christmas Is You” by Mariah Carey
Bruce took a little heat from the boys when he brings us this original piece from 1994 that has become a best-selling modern day Christmas song. Its Carey's biggest international hit, and the best selling Christmas single by a female artist overall.
“Oh Tannenbaum” by Vince Guaraldi
Christmas wouldn't be the same without “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” This piano jazz cover of the classic Christmas carol takes you to that show, and a rather dinky tree.
“Come Home for Christmas” by the Eagles
This 1978 cover is the first Eagles song to feature Timothy B. Schmit on bass after Randy Meisner left. The original version was released in 1960 by pianist Charles Brown.
“Same Auld Lang Syne” by Dan Fogelberg
Brian features an autobiographical story from Fogelberg. This happened when he was returning home to Peoria when Jill went out for Egg Nog and Dan went out for whipping cream. Fogelberg did not reveal the name of he old flame, but she came forward after his death.
LAUGH TRACK:
“Walking Round in Women's Underwear” by Bob Rivers
Wayne brings us into our "Laugh Track" part of the podcast with this comical take on Christmas and cross-dressing.
“Hanukkah Song” by Adam Sandler
We finish off with this comical take on the Jewish holiday from Adam Sandler, where we find out that David Lee Roth, Henry Winkler, William Shattner, and Leonard Nimoy are all jewish. But OJ Simpson is NOT!