Baby, it's cold outside
This weekend we finally carved out several hours to set up Christmas decorations, and I am not at all exaggerating when I refer to that time in hours. I don't know why I thought it would be a good idea to buy 25 boxes of round ornaments, or why I thought the tree would have enough branches to hold that many, but we hadn't been hanging ornaments for thirty minutes before Leta announced she was bored. There were still 17 or 18 boxes of ornaments waiting patiently for a place on the tree, 17 or 18 boxes that I did not have the heart to send back up into that freezing attic space, and I suddenly remembered having this exact conversation with my own mother. I always got tired of helping her hang ornaments and would wander off to play with a box of Barbies, leaving her to do the bulk of the work. And since my mother was too generous to say what she was thinking, I went ahead told Leta what my mother should have said to me all those years: SUCK IT, KID.
You're welcome, Mom.
We'd been watching episode after episode of Spongebob all morning, and as Jon twisted a section of the artificial tree into place (he's allergic to real ones) he suggested I turn on some festive holiday music. And as I walked back to my computer to sift through our music collection I realized we don't have much to choose from. In fact, in the years that Jon and I have been together we've purchased only one album of Christmas music, A Charlie Brown Christmas, which has to be the most depressing Christmas music of all time. If you weren't on Prozac before you listened to that album, you'll be begging your therapist for a prescription by song two. That little bald kid cannot catch a break, and the whole album sounds like someone just beat him up and stole his lunch money. If the album were a Christmas card it would say, "I wanted to wish you a Merry Christmas despite my raging insecurities and social awkwardness." Basically, a sentence out of my diary in college.
After doing a quick search on iTunes, I realized I had no idea what I was looking for. Because whatever we play during this season is going to form lasting memories for Leta. I can appreciate the classics by Nat King Cole and Dean Martin, but my most fond memories of Christmas are always to the soundtrack of a kooky Osmond Family holiday album, or Alvin and the Chipmunks. I want to find something as equally nutty because, come on. THIS HOLIDAY IS NUTTY. Think about it. We're telling our four and five-year-olds that a fat man breaks into the house by sliding down the chimney. AND WE DON'T SHOOT HIM. We're asking them to believe that deer can fly. Seriously. This is not much different than telling them that once a year millions of people across the world strip naked and hop into a bathtub full of mustard. Why? Because Christ was born!
Noel!
The one album I did find that looked interesting is called Merry Mixmas
So I'm looking for suggestions, even though the answer may be to stick with The Chipmunks. Do you know of a Christmas album we should not live without?
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601. Karan said:
We lived for the Andy Williams Christmas Album but the best kitchy Christmas song is a rarity called Christmas - The Cory Band With The Gwalia Singers - Stop The Cavalry
Nothing says Christmas like a march by Welsh men. You can hear it on my site here: http://www.flummel.com/sounds/cavalry.mp3
602. Teej said:
Heather. I beg you: Order this from Amazon (not available on iTunes): http://www.amazon.com/Dr-Demento-Presents-Greatest-Christmas/dp/B0000034...
It is completely awesome and totally nutty. It features "Santa Claus and His Old Lady Commune" by Cheech and Chong, and that's a performance that every four-year-old should know. (My parents actually let me take the cassette tape to music class when I was in the fourth grade and I somehow convinced the teacher to let her fourth graders listen to Cheech and Chong. A Christmas miracle! Also, the beginning of my popularity.) Leta will love it, maybe a little too much.
603. Colleen said:
I don't know if anyone has suggested it already but the Squirrel Nut Zippers- Christmas Caravan is one of my absolute faves.
604. Leann said:
Manheim Steamroller - great Christmas music.
605. Andi C. said:
You're from Memphis. You need "If Every Day was like Christmas" by Elvis.
http://www.amazon.com/Every-Day-Was-Like-Christmas/dp/B000002WR7/ref=sr_...
Besides, its actually a good Christmas album.
606. Have the T-shirt said:
Well a bit wacky, but I love it is The Partridge Family.
Go figure.
607. Helen said:
It is not Christmas in my house until we play the Home Alone Soundtrack. Its been required since I was about 12. The husband puts up with it now, and I think after 4 married Christmases he might actually be starting to enjoy it! ;)
608. DrKoob said:
Don't laugh but you can still find this. My kids loved it as children and I still play it every year even though they are almost 30. John Denver and the Muppets, A Christmas Together. Best Christmas music ever for adults or kids.
609. Chelsie said:
Oh dear, how could I forget Stan Boreson. He's a Seattle native and if I told my Ballard-based family I left it out I'd never be forgiven. The guy's a crack-up. He sings in his kooky Norwegian accent and replaces a lot of names in Christmas songs with Norwegian names. For example, "Ragnar the Flatnosed Reindeer" and "I saw Hulda Kissing Uncle Sven."
"Stan Boreson Fractures Christmas" and "I Yust Go Nuts At Christmas" are the two we have. Amazon doesn't seem to have them, but you can order from his website: http://www.stanboreson.com
610. Alyssa said:
Johnny Mathis. It was a tradition in my house. Just make sure you get the one with Marshmallow World. It's hokey and corny and still catchy.
611. Tiffany said:
The Roches- We Three Kings album is fantastic! Not alot of "nutty" but amazing female harmony- one stand out that is hysterical though is their version of "Winter Wonderland" done by the literal pronunciation on the sheet music, which sounds very "New York"
612. Samantha said:
I suggest Barenaked for the Holidays, by, of course, The Barenaked Ladies. One song, Elf's Lament, features Micheal Buble (that man is AMAZING). It is quite nutty. The rest of the album slightly borders nutty. It's my favorite Christmas CD of all time.
613. meridith said:
Two words: Mitch Miller.
614. AGrout said:
"Once upon a Christmas" by Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton. Classic cheese. I have it on vinyl and keep resisting the pleas of my husband to upgrade to CD because it just wouldn't sound the same without the scratchy=ness in the background. It's the perfect Christmas album because it drives me crazy 340 days of the year, but come December I can't get enough.
615. stella said:
Boney M Christmas all the way. Nutty yet strangely addictive versions of the classics.
616. Emily Desjardins said:
In the event you make it all the way to comment #500+, you MUST get Esquivel! : Merry Xmas from the Space Age Bachelor Pad. We found it years ago at Other Music in NYC, but it's available on Amazon.
617. Sarah said:
The soundtrack to "Elf" is kickass, and it has an amazing version of my favorite Christmas song (and the title of your post), "Baby, It's Cold Outside" (aka The Christmas Date Rape Song) by Leon Redbone and Zooey Deschanel.
Also, I'm not religious at ALL, but Michael W. Smith's "Christmas" album is absolutely gorgeous.
618. Dawn said:
The Muppet Christmas Carol. Both the video and the soundtrack.
The Roger Whittaker Christmas Album, mentioned above, is quite good. Also Anne Murray's christmas album. Neither of these is nutty, but nice versions of the 'basics.'
619. Dr. Torrie said:
I have to second the Star Wars Christmas, and Fairytale of New York is fantastic- the first line is "'Twas Christmas Eve babe, in the drunk tank." Also, there's an album called Wacky Christmas that features the Jingle Cats, Singing Dogs, Bob and Doug MacKenzie, and a little number called "Reggae Christmas Eve in Transylvania." How can you go wrong?
620. Vivien Jones said:
Not nutty but lovely (sorry not to follow instructions....) Sufjan Stevens. And then we have the kids ones, but I don't let them play those much. Bah Humbug!
621. Liz said:
JOSH GROBAN. Oh man.
622. Tine said:
Surely one of the 613 commenters before me has suggested this, but just in case....
The Muppets Christmas with John Denver.
Best. CD. Ever.
623. M.J. said:
I concur with the two SOMAFM suggestions above. They've got the best holiday music around.
624. Anna said:
Kenny and Dolly!
625. Rhonda said:
I bought Merry Mixmas last year and it's awesome! Glad to hear you found it too! Another one I like is one of the Putumayo CD's - A New Orleans Christmas albumish title - really good and jazzy.
626. teri said:
low's christmas album! not only is it awesome, but they're mormon, so i can imagine it will be fun for your entire family.
627. DorieG said:
I don't know if it gets any nuttier than "Christmas in the Stars" the Star Wars Christmas album I grew up. It's now on CD.
Here is a single off the album that reached #69 on the Billboard 100.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_rr8ylV8tY
628. Merry Christmas Baby said:
Ramsey Lewis Trio's Sound of Christmas.
Imagine Christmas in a jazz club circa 1960. It's the High Holiday, man. Pour yourself a stiff drink, put on a black turtleneck and cozy up to your man.
629. LMD said:
"You Sleigh Me" is a classic compilation.
630. Norah said:
You MUST get A Very Special Christmas, Volume 2. It's awesome! Tom Petty and Bon Jovi are worth every penny! :)
631. Bellevelma said:
Looks like I'm late to the party as you already have over 600 comments. I don't have the will to read them all to see if this one was suggested, but I think it should be at the top of your list: Barenaked Ladies, Barenaked for the Holidays
632. danielle said:
Someone may have suggested it already--600+ comments is a lot to wade through to see if someone has already suggested what I want to suggest--but _A John Waters' Christmas_ is a great collection of John Waters' favorite Christmas music.
I personally love "Here comes fatty with his sack of shit." And Little Susie's "Happy Birthday Baby Jesus."
Okay, I need to go dig out that CD.
Also, _A Date with John Waters'_ is another fun CD.
633. stef said:
a john waters christmas. $9.99 on amazon.
hilarious and awesome.
1. Fat Daddy - Fat Daddy
2. Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer - Tiny Tim
3. Christmas Time Is Coming (A Street Carol) - Stormy Weather
4. Happy Birthday Jesus - Little Cindy
5. Here Comes Fatty Claus - Rudolph & Gang
6. Little Mary Christmas - Roger Christian
7. I Wish You A Merry Christmas - Big Dee Irwin & Little Eva
8. Santa Don't Pass Me By - Jimmy Donley
9. Sleigh Ride - Alvin & The Chipmunks
10. Sleigh Bells, Reindeer And Snow
11. First Snowfall - The Coctails
12. Santa Claus Is A Black man - AKIM & The Teddy Vann Production Company
634. Kat said:
Barenakes Ladies: Barenaked for the Holidays. My husband even likes it, and he doesn't particularly care for Christmas!
635. Lauren said:
THE JACKSON 5 CHRISTMAS ALBUM!!!!
http://www.amazon.com/Best-Jackson-Christmas-Collection-Century/dp/B0000...
THE PHIL SPECTOR CHRISTMAS ALBUM!!!!!
http://www.amazon.com/Phil-Spectors-Christmas-Album-Various/dp/B0011147S...
OI TO THE WORLD: CHRISTMAS WITH THE VANDALS (don't listen to this with leta around actually. but it's good stuff)
AND
KENNY AND DOLLY'S CHRISTMAS ALBUM (DON'T LAUGH, I LOVE DOLLY)
http://www.amazon.com/Once-upon-Christmas-Kenny-Rogers/dp/B00008G7Q0/ref...
I can burn you cds and mail them!
I just have to find the hello kitty cd case they're all in. boo...
congratulations and happy holidays!!
636. Alicia said:
Check out the song "Hard Candy Christmas" by Dolly Parton. I don't think it's from a Christmas album but it's a great song!
637. Anonymous said:
Two words: Pandora. Christmas.
You can listen to anything you want, get a feel for what you like, and THEN buy the album.
So great.
638. ɹǝƃƃolquǝʞoʇ said:
You needs you some GRINCH tunes.
639. Lauren said:
hard candy christmas is TOTALLY on the kenny and dolly christmas album and it is the best.
640. Amberly Terry said:
A Target CD called Deck The Halls. It's got two discs and it's $9.99. I like it because it's perfect party music, and it makes you wanna dance. It's jazzy. One CD has more horns and the other CD is jazzy piano. It's the best Christmas CD I've ever bought and I bought it this year. (I buy one every year). But you probably won't see this because you have 600+ comments. At least you'll get SOMETHING good.
641. Lorien said:
Whatever you may think of John Denver by himself, "John Denver and the Muppets:Christmas Together" is freaking BRILLIANT. It has lots of the favourites, plus a few more unusual and beautiful carols. And it has the muppets -- better yet, it has the original, snarky muppets from the 70's when the muppet show was at least 1/2 for adults. It is the most fun Christmas cd I've found.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Christmas_Together
642. kate said:
Our all-time favorite so, so fun Christmas album is from The Three Suns "A Ding, Dong, Dandy Christmas" which you can only find on LP (I looked on iTunes– no dice) I think someone ripped it to an MP3 and posted it some where on the net, Google will find it.
Then there's the John Darnall "Midnight Clear" CD we picked up in a bargain bin way back when. The Barenaked Ladies have a good one they came out with a couple years ago. Otherwise, Nat King Cole reigns as Christmas King.
643. Anna said:
Any Christmas music played on a steel drum is awesome. There are a few on itunes, but the one I like best is Carnival Steel Drum Christmas Classics. Volume 1. haha.
644. Laura said:
Get any compilation that includes Otis Redding's "White Christmas" on it. Or just download the single and put it on repeat.
645. Lindsay said:
I don't know if anyone else suggested this yet or not (because there are just too many comments on this post that i refuse to read)
But the Boney M christmas album is choice. It was all my parents had when we were kids so we heard it every christmas day in and day out for 15 years solid. And now that we have our own individual tastes and have evolved past Boney M (thankfully), we all joke about it now, and still play it for fun (all trying to master the singers' accents which after 20 years no we still can't emulate for the lives of us) and every year someone gets it in their stocking and this joke never gets old.
give it a listen and you'll completely understand.
Nutty, it is, but it doesn't even have to try. It's a beautiful thing.
646. Craig said:
I second Shelly's recommendation for Hawksley Workman's 'Almost a Full Moon'. A Canadian with a lot of showmanship and heart, written while living in France. The songs go from the heartfelt 'Merry Christmas (I Love You)' to the silly 'Claire Fontaine' (professing his love for paper). Tons of meaning and spirit for adults, with singable lines for the youngins.
647. Kat said:
Hey Heather, did you know that John Waters compiled a Christmas album? It's totally true! And you can purchase it here:
http://www.amazon.com/John-Waters-Christmas-Various-Artists/dp/B00065GHWE
It features songs with titles like, "Here Comes Fatty Claus" and "Santa Claus is a Black Man". If you want nutty, this is it.
I also am partial to Harry Connick Jr's "When My Heart Finds Christmas" album, as well as the muppets with John Denver.
Enjoy your holidays!
648. Liz said:
It's Christmas-y (sort of) and definitely nutty. Free download today!http://danceband.biz/happyholidaysfromhans.zi p
This is from Hans of Danceband (a Minneapolis band). His "3 Kings" song has kind of an 80's feel to it.
649. morgan said:
Rocky Mountain Christmas - John Denver (I grew up with this!)
Christmas Caravan - Squirrel Nut Zippers
650. Jen said:
I like Sarah McLachlan's Wintersong album. I think that's what it's called. I'm too freakin' tired to worry whether I spelled it right.
Oh, and another good recomendation entirely non Christmas related: Josh Garrels' album Jacaranda.
651. Kristine said:
There's a compliation on iTunes caled Pop Christmas that has all the cheesy bands/singers that are "hot" right now, if you want Leta to remember all these laughable singers of 2008.
652. Bev said:
Harry Conick Jr., his first Christmas Album. Love it every year.
653. Rebecca Thorman said:
We used to listen to the Mannheim Steamrollers. Come to find out when I was all grown up that my mom actually had a great dislike for the group. Kooky on both counts :)
654. Jori said:
We listen to the Boney M album over and over again all day Christmas day...it drives my husband and sister-in-law nuts, but we all love it!
655. Gillian said:
Of course I can't remember the album but it has 'Grandma got run over by a reindeer' and my personal favorite 'Percy the Puny Poinsettia'.
656. Anonymous said:
NSYNC, Home for Christmas. How is this not obvious?
657. Martha said:
Like Cassie, I simply must start every Christmas season with Neil Diamond's Christmas CD. It is an absolute in my house -- much to my husband's dismay.
Not only is there the irony of a Jewish man doing all of the Xmas standards, but it is simply the Christmas album that TRIES the hardest. I mean, it's like if you were to imagine what over-the-top Christmas music should sound like, this is it. And I have to play it as loud as I can possibly get away with.
658. Anonymous said:
the MoTab has some great xmas albums on iTunes. and don't forget the oak ridge boys! I have them on 8 track
659. Amanda said:
John Denver and the Muppets A Christmas Together, there is not anything quite as kooky, and it will stay with you: http://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Together-John-Denver-Muppets/dp/B000001VD4
660. shivery said:
"too many santas" by the bobs is a delightful piece of weird, a capella goodness. "50-kilowatt tree" is a personal favorite.
661. Susanna said:
Sufjan Stevens Christmas album is great.
662. Katie said:
I don't comment much, but I had to on this one. Sufjan Stevens Christmas album is great, and Martina McBride's Christmas album is good for singing along (even if you don't like country music). I have to say though, of all the Christmas albums I own and enjoy, none of them are as beloved as my Emmylou Harris album "Light of the Stable." It immediately takes me back to Christmases at home with my family, decorating the tree, making cookies, etc. My number 1, no question.
663. Kel said:
Check out Richard Cheese's Christmas Album. In fact, check out all his music. It's awesome.
664. Gabrielle said:
The FAIRYTALE OF NEW YORK by the Pogues is the best Christmas song EVER! Perhaps not for Leta, just yet ;-)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrAwK9juhhY
http://www.pogues.com/Releases/Lyrics/LPs/IfIShould/Fairytale.html
665. Katharine said:
The Muppets Christmas with John Denver. A staple..... And I'm also enjoying A Swinging Christmas. Lots of big band action!
666. Tracey said:
Anything by the Blenders, not nutty, but good music and cheerful.
667. Assertagirl said:
Oh good, some folks have chimed in for Charlie Brown! I love that album, I think because it absolutely brings back happy Christmastime childhood memories for me. So I can understand why you guys want to create the same for Leta. I don't know if you guys are familiar with Aimee Mann or not, but her Christmas album, entitled "Another Drifter in the Snow" is terrific, and it has a fun rendition of "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch" on there that's a little on the nutty side.
668. Michael said:
My mother shaped Christmas for me with the NSync Christmas and Toni Braxton's "snowflakes of love".
Personally, I just suggest setting up a pandora.com station for christmas music. I just made a non-carol/churchy/classy station. It takes a little training, but its delightful. And free.
669. Tiffany said:
BareNaked for the Holidays - come on it has nuttiness right there in the title. Also you can get a free download of one of the nuttiest songs of all called an Elf's Lament. You can find it in song position 2 here: http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html/ref=amb_link_7745502_3?ie=UTF8&doc...
670. Erin said:
I'm pretty sure Rosie O'Donnell has a Christmas album, because I used to own it. She sings duets with, like, Celine, Cher, Elton, Nsync... It's gayer than Christmas.
671. Shane said:
Sufjan Stevens - Songs for Christmas
It's a compilation of years of songs he recorded as gifts for his family.
With tracks such as:
-What Child is This, Anyway?
-Holy Holy Etc.
-Did I Make You Cry on Christmas Day? (Well, You Deserved It!)
-Get Behind Me, Santa!
-Come on! Let's Boogey to the Elf Dance!
And some of the classics, as well.
http://www.google.com/musicl?lid=dwObdMXEETO&aid=VEwFzWFCBq&sa=X&oi=musi...
672. Anonymous said:
"Maybe this Christmas" is pretty cool.
673. Amanda said:
Heather...
you MUST purchase Sarah McLachlan's "Wintersong" album...
it is FABULOUS.
She also does a collaboration with the BareNaked Ladies that is SO worth the .99 from ituens...
it's a kick ass version of "God rest ye merry Gentlemen"
Happy Holiday Music Hunting
674. Christopher said:
No question: Elvis' "It's Christmas Time". Best. Christmas. Album. Ever.
675. Plano Mom said:
Elvis Presley "It's Christmas Time." A classic. Of course Alvin and the Chipmunks is great too - my first two albums were Alvin and Jefferson Airplane Takes Off.
676. Elspeth said:
John Denver and the Muppets. it's made of awesome. we play it every year when we decorate our tree, along with the King's College Chapel Choir doing a traditional English Festival of Lessons and Carols.
If you like the classical music and choral sound, you might also look into the albums by Chanticleer, a 12-man group based in San Francisco who produce heart-stoppingly beautiful music.
677. Nhiro said:
I quickly browsed some of the responses and someone mentioned Boney M. I remember listening to one of their albums in my mom's car. That is some catchy shit right there. DOWNLOAD.
678. Erica said:
Stan and Doug's, "Yust Go Nuts at Christmas.". It's an album of parodies of traditional Christmas songs with a Swedish theme. I listened to this every Christmas growing up on a tape made from a record. Found it on eBay a couple years ago and it brings me endless joy. All my life I hear the parody lyrics in my head instead of the real ones. You could make Leta's life skewed like mine. Happy hunting!
679. Kim said:
I'm not really a country fan, but Garth Brooks' Beyond the Season is one of our family's favorites. It's not nutty or funny, but I love his version of The Friendly Beasts.
My favorite Christmas album is Kathy Mattea's Good News - a relative gave it to us a few years back, and it has some great songs, many you've probably never heard before. It has Mary Did You Know? but my favorite starts out like this
Just another homeless family
Looking for a stranger's charity
Just another night and one safe place to stay
Born beneath a star so far away . . .
I love the 259 Christmas album called 259 Christmas - all a capella and I second the Very Special Christmas. I think the first one is the best. And we always start our season with the Chipmunks.
680. The said:
John Denver and the Muppets.
681. tamaran17 said:
If you are looking for something with an acoustic flair and a bit of jazz-ish touch to it. Check out Peter Mayer's Stars and Promises Alive or Echos of the Season. He is an amazingly talented musician. www.petermayer.com
682. Ashley said:
John Denver and the Muppets . . .we used to listen to it every Christmas on our drive from Seattle, WA to Vancouver, BC to visit my grandparents. . . .i.e. that was the only music played for the 3h+ drive!
683. TrustyPony said:
My vote: John Denver and the Muppets Christmas for Leta. (Save yourself. Those squeaky chimpmunks combined with the frustrated cry of "Alvin!" would drive me over. the. edge.) My Pal God Holiday Records are a unique take on the traditional. The first one has covers including Wham!'s "Last Christmas" and "Feed the World." Some songs definitely more kid-appropriate than others, though. You may not want Leta going around singing "Please, Daddy, Don't Get Drunk This Christmas" for example.
684. Tori said:
I'm sure someone else mentioned it, but I'm not going to flip through the hundreds of comments to make sure. So forgive if I'm being repetitive...but Gayle Peevey singing, "I want a hippotomas for Christmas" is as quirky as you can get!
685. alicat said:
John Denver's chrismas has some classics (Pls daddy don't get drunk this christmas")
But more seriously - the Fats Domino christmas album is really great! May be hard to find but it is worth it!
686. Michelle said:
I've always liked that Eagles song - I'll be home for Christmas or something like that...and who doesn't love Last Christmas by Wham!
OR, maybe there's a kids Christmas album. I know my nieces (5 & 3) love hearing kids sing. Me, not so much. But it is sute when I hear them sing, "We wish you a VERY Christmas..."
687. Susannah said:
Pandora.com is truly amazing! You just put in the type of music (or artists or a song you like) and it chooses other songs like it! You can put in "christmas music" and it will play an assortment.
688. Anonymous said:
Martin Sexton: Camp Holiday CD
689. Caitin said:
I grew up with Bing Crosby and Martina McBride, and they are still what I hear every Christmas season
I would also suggest Michael Buble and Kristin Chenoweth.
happy holidays!
690. Jolie said:
your comments scare the bejeebies out of me. I mean, can you even read all of these!?
but just in case you can:
I second Sufjan Stevens. Ah. Love his Christmas Box Set.
Rosie Thomas just came out with a new Christmas cd, I hear it's great.
Mariah Carey Christmas. Yeah, the one from like 1991. It is my favorite.
both of Harry Connick Jr.'s Christmas albums.
691. jepwaite said:
With all the high tech gadgetry in your house, I'm astonished you don't listen to pandora.com. A streaming music site based on the music genome project. It made me excited to listen to music again.
692. mellymel said:
Sufjan Steven's Christmas album - amazing.
693. Carly said:
Two bizzare ones I like are
I'm getting Nuttin' for christmas ('cause I ain't been nothing but bad)
The hat I got for Christmas is too big.... (it's nice, but my sombrero is too big, can't tell one thing from another, I got married to my brother, oh the hat I got for christmas is tooo big..... )
Definitely the Muppets 12 days of Christmas too!!
694. Joy Tincher said:
Funny enough I just bloged about this a few weeks back on my blog. My favorite Christmas Album of all time is...wait for it.....Hanson - Snowed In. Don't laugh, it's so good. Here is the link to my music blog: http://joytincher.blogspot.com/2008/11/christmas-music.html
Love your blog.
695. jodifur said:
Barenaked ladies for the holidays, especially Elf's Lament
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qixiv080feg
696. Tiffanie said:
I don't have the energy to read the bajillion comments before mine but I'm suggesting "Ella's Swinging Christmas" with Ella Fitzgerald. If you look on iTunes there are two versions - get the album with the presents on it. Fave songs: well - all of them. I blast it and sing through making cookies.
697. Sarah said:
your tree sounds HUGE .. I'd love to see a picture!!
ok .. favorite albums ..
Celine Dion .. her Christmas Album (now, if her version of O Holy Night doesn't give you shivers .. nothing will) .. she is our Quebec native girl .. and I thing her voice is the purest .. she does a fantastic album!
ok ... Sarah McLaughlin .. just look her up in amazon .. I don't have the time to get you the links, but it's called Wintersong .. FABULOUS ALBUM
Harry Connick of course
Micheal Buble .. another great Christmas song collection
And finally, a favorite of my Dad's (he's british) and thus mine, it is SO hard to find though, The Vienna Boys Choir (Christmas songs..) it's is SO amazing...
good luck ..
698. Stella said:
Oh man...I fail at giving suggestions. I mean, I like US Christmas music, after all, my dad was born there, but Puerto Rican music is my favorite! How can I resist songs about eating pork and gorging on soup at 2 in the morning!
(Trust me, it sounds weird in English, but in Spanish it makes perfect sense.)
Parranda!
699. Tracy said:
I'm a big fan of a christmas album with John Denver and the muppets, I don't have the name handy but I always enjoy it.
700. Gina said:
i checked the first 70 or so comments and the last handful, and i see no one has suggested tchaikovsky's nutcracker. i definitely don't consider myself that cultured, but nothing sounds like christmas to me more than a little dance of the sugarplum fairies! i highly recommend!
701. leslie said:
i didn't read the bajillion comments.....but we like the barenaked ladies christmas album up here in canada!
702. Anonymous said:
I really love Aimee Man's Christmas Album "One more drifter in the snow." Classic songs, but in her cool style.
Also, you can get a free download of Twas the Night Before Christmas narrated with funny sounds and music (www.todscircus.com) . My little ones LOVE THIS. I even sent this to friends and family instead of our annual christmas card....Free is cheaper than a card and stamp.
703. Lis said:
The Muppets and John Denver: A Christmas Together.
It doesn't get any nuttier than this! But 25 years later I still love love love this album.
http://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Together-John-Denver-Muppets/dp/B000001VD4
704. Kylie said:
Time Life Christmas Treasury. We always listened to it growing up. It has a good mix of nutty old songs and the classics. I love it. Order it online, I don't know it it is on itunes.
705. Jenn said:
Well, if you haven't already gotten this suggestion, my favorite Christmas albums growing up were the compilation albums called "A Very Special Christmas". They have all of the classics with updated twists and some other fun ones mixed in! There are a bunch of volumes, but the I've been playing Volume 2 on repeat for over a decade.
Highlights include:
"Christmas All Over Again" - Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers
"Please Come Home for Christmas" - Bon Jovi
"What Christmas Means to Me" - Paul Young
"Sleigh Ride" - Debbie Gibson
"The Birth of Christ" - Boyz II Men
Volume 3 has No Doubt, Sheryl Crow, Hootie, Chris Cornell, and my favorite Christmas song by Dave Matthews appropriately named "Christmas Song".
And Christmas is not complete in our house without watching Elf! :-) Just play the movie on repeat while you decorate. It's not depressing like Charlie Brown.
My allergic-to-Christmas-trees husband was quite pleased to hear that John shares this with him. I suppose it's better to have to "fluff" the tree than deal with the fire hazard and the needles everywhere....
706. Sarah said:
Last year the NPR electronica podcast, Groove Salad, did a show about Om Records' Home for the Holidays CD.
By the time I got around to listening to it was mid-March, but I remember thinking it was really fabulous (smooth and chill and not all dance-club-wanna-be) and swore to buy it this Christmas. It must've been kinda' good because eight months later, it immediately popped into my head after this post.
However, I just listened to some of the samples on Amazon and it isn't as fabulous as I remember. I'm not sure if that's because it isn't fabulous or because my laptop speaker is very tiny.
Of course, as others have suggested, the New Kids Christmas album is surely the definitive authority on holiday tunage. Can't go wrong there.
707. Sarah said:
You would love Relient K's 'Let is snow, baby... Let it reindeer.' A good mix of nuttiness and holiday cheer for the whole family. I also love the Barenaked Ladies CD, Barenaked for the Holidays, which has some great songs for all of the holidays during this time of year.
Currently my daughter's favorite Christmas song is 'Backdoor Santa' by Clarence Carter (don't judge) - album is A Classic Soul Christmas.
708. Heather F said:
I wouldn't know about buying, since my holiday $$ goes in a million other directions, but I'd recommend you just check out the holiday stations on Pandora Internet Radio. It's free, and once you start finding songs you like (or just from this comment list) you can input your favorites to your own channel. VERY helpful for the holidays, customizable, and FREE!
709. Nikki said:
One of my favorite (current) Christmas songs is "Maybe This Christmas" by Ron Sexsmith.
710. e said:
Um, I can't believe you would read all the way down here? I will post my suggestions anyway. I did not see James Brown's Funky Christmas but I also did not read all 70,000 comments. That is my all time favorite and one of the few things my husband and I can listen to together. Also a possibility, Twisted Sister's Christmas album. I found it too late last year but I am going to buy it this year, right now even. I have never heard it, but I have a feeling I won't be disappointed. Merry Christmas.
711. jamie said:
the veggie tales christmas album has a song about things stuffed with meat...it's hilarious...I swear it is!
712. Shawna said:
Dr. Demento, Dr. Demento, Dr. Demento...
There's this like...random shouting 'song' called I'M A CHRISTMAS TREE!!! The last verse is I'M A HANNUKAH BUSH! etc...it's freaking amazing.
713. Rebekah said:
I'm a big fan of
The Pottery Barn Christmas Trilogy - jazzy, swingy 40's music
Sufjian Stevens Christmas albumn
Sarah MacLachlan Wintersong
714. Jenn said:
I agree all the way with the suggested Trans-Siberian Orchestra and Mannhiem Steamroller. Growing up at Christmas time for me was always connected with Mannheim Steamroller. I can listen to a few traditional songs but if Mannheim isn't on, it isn't Christmas. Trans-Siberian Orchestra is my new love. You can bet those will be what is playing when I finally pop out a kid.
715. Amethest said:
Oddly enough the music I play during the holidays is also a Merry Mixmas, DJ Riko style. http://www.djriko.com/html/mixmases.htm
Someone may have mentioned this already but there are 300 comments now and I'm heading to bed. =)
716. Mia said:
Not for the Christmas mix, but if you'd like to listen to a wacky Christmas story, find David Sedaris's 6-8 Black Men in audio. It is the most hilarious holiday piece he has ever done.
717. Nancy said:
am I really the first one to mention this? Well, if not, worth mentioning again:
Brave Combo: It's Christmas, Man! Which apparently is out of print as a CD, but worth tracking down.
718. stephamama said:
Ooooh!! My childhood Christmas' were set to "Christmas Disco" by the Mistletoe Disco Band:
http://rs554.rapidshare.com/files/154473517/Mistletoe_Disco_Band__The_-_...
Trust me. This is it.
719. Maryanne said:
This is not nutty, but Christmas is absolutely Mannheim Steamroller for me, especially the first two albums.
This one:
http://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Mannheim-Steamroller/dp/B0000005MT/ref=s...
And this one:
http://www.amazon.com/Fresh-Aire-Christmas-Mannheim-Steamroller/dp/B0000...
Love them something crazy.
720. JP said:
Trout Fishing in America has a Christmas album called "Merry Fishes to All". Definitely nutty. My kid loves it. SOme highlights: Chocolate Christmas, Santa Brought Me Clothes, The Eleven Cats of Christmas, Just Because Mrs. Claus...
721. Anonymous said:
A Christmas Album ~ Barbra Streisand
722. Kristi said:
If you want unique and quirky check out Esquivel Space Age Bachelor Pad Christmas.
http://www.amazon.com/Merry-Xmas-Space-Age-Bachelor-Pad/dp/B0000048EZ
I also like the cover of the Heat Miser song by Big Bad Voodoo Daddy.
723. Maryanne said:
Also, I did not bother to read all 718 comments before me, so if tons of other people suggested them, I wouldn't know. Then again, if they did it's clearly because these albums are amazing.
724. whitney said:
Absolute favorite is Soul Christmas. http://www.amazon.com/Soul-Christmas-Various-Artists/dp/B000002IS4
It rocks and is quite nutty at times. It has become a favorite in our house, car, work, etc.
725. Nikki said:
Check this out. You may need a moment to process, but take a chance with this one...fun, funky and, well, soulful.
http://www.amazon.com/Soulful-Christmas-Various-Artists/dp/B00000097X/re...
726. Scott said:
Hipsters' Holiday (I think it is on Rhino records) it includes (among others):
"Santa Baby" sung by Eartha Kitt, "Christmas Night In Harlem" and "Cool Yule" with Louis Armstrong "Boogie Woogie Santa Claus" by Mabel Scott
"Blue Xmas (To Whom It May Concern)"-- (the only time you hear Miles Davis SIng!), and "Dig That Crazy Santa Claus" sung by Oscar McLollie & His Honey Jumpers. It also includes the best song for our economic times: "Five Pound Box Of Money" sung by Pearl Bailey.
I also like "Christmas Remixed" (Volume 1, came out a number of years before Merry Mixmas)
For the very traditional, it is hard to beat your local choir,
Happy Holidays!
727. Trisha said:
I must admit I LOVE Christmas Music! I highly recommend "John Denver and the Muppets" as well as the classic "Carpenter's Christmas". As for nutty and quirky, John Denver's "Rocky Mountain Christmas" includes the infamous song 'Please Daddy, don't get drunk this Christmas.' I, too, found the BareNaked Ladies Christmas/Hannukah album fun. Anything classic like Sinatra and the Rat Pack also fills our stereo this time of year. One song that I have always wanted to include on a comp cd for friends and family is Dar Williams' 'Christians and the Pagans.' It is a fun and poignant song - although I don't think she has a full-on holiday album. I hope those suggestions help! :)
728. Lindsey said:
Dominick the Donkey by Lou Monte
or
The Chimney Song by Bob Rivers
Believe me, you won't be let down, and neither will Leta! =)
729. Katie said:
Brady Bunch Christmas
730. Bisous said:
The Asylum Street Spankers have a good album on itunes called "A Christmas Spanking." Seriously, it is not freaky or kinky or anything - it is good old fashioned bluesy folksy Christmas music.
731. buelsy said:
i love "the hotel cafe presents winter." found here: http://www.amazon.com/Hotel-Cafe-Presents-Winter-Songs/dp/B001EYGOGU. enjoy. :)
732. ali said:
ok, my parents were FAR from conventional, I guess you could probably call them INSANE. but what we listened to at christmas was Kevin Bloody Wilson's 'Kev's Kristmas' with songs like santa was stoned at christmas. It's probably not what you want your kids listening to on christmas, but just for interests sake, it is probably the WEIRDEST christmas album ever.
733. Shelley said:
Our two favourites were Raffi's Christmas and Conway Twitty and the Twitty Birds sing Merry Twismas. Cheesy? Yes. But somehow I've never gotten sick of them!
734. Jordan said:
I would suggest any of the "A Very Special Christmas" albums, there are anywhere from 4-6. When I was a kid they used to come out with a new album every year and my mother would always buy them.
The songs are classic Christmas and holiday tunes performed by contemporary artists. Artists are varied and include every kind of music. Run DMC, Busta Rhymes, Madonna, The Boss, U2 and the Smashing Pumpkins all make an appearance on the album, and that's only the beginning.
If you're looking for something kooky, but that also has some less nutty songs I would definitely suggest picking up these compilations!
735. Anonymous said:
"Tis The Season for Los Sraitjackets" -- so fun and funky!
http://www.amazon.com/Tis-Season-Los-Straitjackets/dp/B00006JM99
736. Karyn said:
Barenaked Ladies "Barenaked for the Holidays"
Harry Connick Jr. "When My Heart Finds Christmas"
Sarah McLachlan "Wintersong"
737. Sandy said:
Obviously you got some feedback, but just in case no one mentioned it yet. I found an album on itunes called Hotel Cafe Presents Winter Songs. It is wintery, but not overly Christmasy. Might be perfect!
738. ali said:
There's also the vandals - christmas with the vandals:oi to the world, if you're into that sort of thing
739. Nia said:
James Brown's Funky Christmas.
740. Erica said:
Another vote for Sufjan Steven's .. I just happened to be introduced to it today and I'm already in love with it!
741. Corley Tullos said:
If you can still find it, A John Waters Christmas - Various Artists, is the oddest Christmas album I've heard, but also my favorite. I can only think of one song that might not be suitable for Leta, depending on how often you want her to hear the word "shit." There is a version of "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer," sung by Tiny Tim, that I refuse to listen to. The album does include one song by The Chipmunks.
742. Sara said:
Aside from the classics like Bing and Dean Martin and all those guys, the only suggestion I would give is Allison Crowe. She has a lovely Christmas album. It's not nutty, but damn that girl can sing. It's hard 'round these parts to find a worthwhile Christmas album that doesn't involve the songs being slaughtered by Kenny Chesney, George Strait, or any other country artist. Not that I have anything against those talented gentlemen, but PLEASE, NO MORE COUNTRY CHRISTMAS ALBUMS, FOR THE LOVE OF THE BABY JESUS, it's just not right.
743. Julie said:
Kenny and Dolly's Once Upon a Christmas...Wonderfully Cheesy
Nuff Said....
744. Julie said:
Kenny and Dolly's Once Upon a Christmas...Wonderfully Cheesy
Nuff Said....
745. Wendy said:
Too lazy to read the previous 1,213,456,789 comments, so I will vote for John Dever and the Muppets: A Christmas Together. It's great! You and Jon will remember the Muppets and laugh, and Leta will be entertained by the voices. It has Dr. Teeth and The Electric Mayhem doing the Beach Boys' "Little Saint Nick" and Miss Piggy ordering Scooter and Gonzo around on "Christmas is Colming" along with some really pretty songs done fairly seriously.
746. Jenna Brandl said:
I know you have 700+ comments so you probably won't get to this one - but Billy Idol put out a Christmas album last year, and it's THE BEST. Not just because it's kind of weird that Billy Idol is singing Christmas music, but because it's ACTUALLY GOOD.
747. Joelle said:
Just make sure you get a copy of Dominic the Donkey. It's my very favorite, and I didn't discover it till college. Apparently it's a New Jersey thing.
748. Desiree Fawn said:
I don't have an album in mind -- but I've been pretty happy just listening to non-stop itunes radio holiday stations ^_^
Blissful, methinks haha. I listened all this afternoon while unpacking (we just moved) my living room and feeling my baby (due in January) kick around in there.
749. Nellie said:
1. ELVIS. His Christmas album is SO GOOD!
2. Raffi was one of my favorites as a kid.
3. Jimmy Buffet is also excellent. "Mele Kalikimaka" is my favorite Christmas song, but it will DEFINITELY make people think you are nuts.
4. The Target CD "All Wrapped Up" is actually pretty good.
5. I love all of Handel's Messiah, but there's one track called "For Unto Us a Child is Born" which is outstanding.
6. I am so totally with commenter #158 in that this post is going to cause me to spend $6,000 on iTunes!
Happy Christmas :)
750. Susan said:
Hmm, well, if you hate Charlie Brown, then you might find this depressing too, but I think it is really beautiful: Shawn Colvin's Holiday Songs and Lullabies.
You need, at the very least,
Christmas with Dino
Sinatra Christmas album
Ella Wishes You a Very Swinging Christmas
Bing Crosby's White Chrstimas
If you like jazz, then I recommend the Verve best of xmas jazz album, and of course, Three Suites by Duke Ellington. I got a Louis Armstrong one which is quite good.
As far as kids' music goes, I actually quite like the Raffi Christmas album (that dates me squarely in the 1970s).
I (rather weirdly) also have a Mormon Tabernacle Choir CD too; my parents had it and so I have inexplicably carried the torch. YMMV.
751. Heather Sisman said:
Honky the Christmas Goose is my favourite as a Canadian. It brings back so many fond memories of my childhood. I used to play it over and over and over and OVER on Dad's stereo, until one year the record disappeared. Thank God for the internet:
http://honkythechristmasgoose.ytmnd.com/
Leta will love it!
752. Missy said:
When I was a kid, I had the 45 of "I'm gettin' nuttin' for Christmas" and I played it until I wore it out. It's the quintessential nutty Christmas kid's song and Leta would probably love it. To bring it full circle, my 9 year old is singing it at her choir concert tomorrow. Yes, there will be tears. Rivers and rivers of tears. How the hell did I get old enough to have a 9 year old?
753. Stenar said:
Christmas is all about Sissel. She's not nutty, just effing AMAZING!
Here are a couple of links, unfortunately, her 5 other XMAS albums aren't available on iTunes! :P
iTunes, Sissel with the MoTabs (I know what you're thinking but I'm not even Mormon, but I love Sissel's songs she sings.)
http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewCollaboration?ids=...
Here's a link to MP3 downloads of some of her XMAS stuff on Amazon.com:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=https%3A%2F%2Fww...
754. Kathleen said:
I don't know how you read all those comments because I get bored after about the first five. Anyway, incase no one has suggested it, the Shrek Christmas songs are my favourite Christmas songs of all time and even though there are only about five of them, they are awesome.
That is all.
755. Heather P said:
hey... i've purchased NUMEROUS christmas albums in hopes of finding something to help me not want to drink my weight in spiced rum and eggnog, but i keep coming back to
"A Very Special Christmas" (the original - red case... there were others)
its classic Christmas songs by your favourite contemporary artists...in 1987.
honestly, what could possibly beat madonna singing "santa baby" or run dmc singing "christmas in hollis" or bruce springsteen singing "merry christmas baby"... it just gets better and better. i promise.
756. Beth Robertson said:
Screw buying an album. Listen to internet radio: WOXY Holidays is the best mix of stuff from our childhood, stuff from before that and then current and off the wall stuff. (They play Merry Mixmas among other stuff...Though you may not want Leta singing along to "Give the Jew Girl Toys" by Sarah Silverman...unless you want her to call Santa a douche.)
Right now they are playing Kathie Lee and Regis singing "Silver Bells"
http://woxy.lala.com/holiday.php
757. Beck said:
Um, hello? STAR WARS CHRISTMAS ALBUM!!!!!
http://wonderfulwonderblog.blogspot.com/2006/11/christmas-in-stars.html
758. Alana said:
I picked this album up called 'Christams sing with Frank & Bing,' it is corny and a bit nutty, Frank and Bing talk to each other between songs as if they are hangin' out together on Christmas eve.
759. Jason said:
I'll second all those recommending Sufjan Stevens.
You might be looking for something more traditional, but stereogum and brooklynvegan have some good mixes on their sites. I have been listening to this one for a couple of years: http://staergetaleht.blogspot.com/2007/12/mix-2005-2006-xmas-music.html (there's zips at the bottom)
Happy holidays and thanks for years of good reading!
- Jason
Brooklyn, NY
760. Lissa said:
I grew up listening to and loving the Carpenter's Christmas Portrait. Classic.
One of my more 'modern' favorites is of course Sufjan Stevens' Hark! Songs for Christmas Volumes 1-5. Some of the songs are mellow, but there are a lot of quirky ones too (ie. Come On! Let's Boogey to the Elf Dance!)- I'm sure Leta would love it!
761. Anonymous said:
it's not completely nutty, but i have to listen to the muppet's christmas with john denver cd while i'm putting up my tree. and by have to, i mean i cannot put up the tree otherwise. the lights pop one by one and all my branches sag. while i love the muppet's version of the 12 days of christmas, i have to admit there are at least 2 songs that make me cry every time i hear them. but i get emotional around christmas. and the muppet christmas carol soundtrack of course. does anything scream christmas more than the muppets? i love them. :-)
jill
762. Kecia said:
Christmas in the Ashram by Tom Prasada-Rao
Its a must have. Awesome title track about some christians that get snowed in in an ashram and the hilarity that ensues. "There is egg nog in the black spice tea, lotus petals on evergreens...monks with santa caps etc.."
Some traditional tunes and some originals. Awesome!!!
763. Erin said:
I don't know if these have been suggested yet, but I'd recommend Barenaked for the Holidays by the Barenaked Ladies (they also have a Hannukah album) and A Winter's Night: The Best Of Nettwerk Christmas Albums.
764. Katie said:
John Denver and the Muppets. Kooky at times to be sure, but profound and beautiful, too.
The Time Life Christmas Collection is great, too.
765. margie stroman said:
John Denver and the Muppets. Seriously. Funny, silly, thoughtful and the best Silent Night ever.
Ba dum bum bum.
766. kelpi said:
I love the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. Their Christmas music is awesome, they take classics the orchestra peforms and put a rock twist on it. My personal favorite is Christmas Eve / Sarajevo but all their Christmas albums are good and many samples are on itunes.
The video of my favorite song is here - it really takes off around the 37 second mark!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sy4ppeNb62g
767. Amelia Sprout said:
The Roches http://www.amazon.com/We-Three-Kings-Roches/dp/B000009V0M
I grew up selling Christmas trees and this and Nat King Cole (can't beat the best) are by far my favorites. Never tired of listening to them ove rnad over and over and over and over again.
768. Emma's mom said:
Aimee Mann's Christmas Album is great!
769. Jay said:
The Raveonettes new Christmas EP (Wishing you a Rave Christmas) has four good songs that are not typically Christmas-y. I enjoy it a lot.
770. alexis said:
Definitely Operatica Christmas. Its different and fun. You will like it for sure
http://www.amazon.com/Operatica-Christmas-Classics/dp/B0000AYL36
771. Michelle said:
The nuttiest Christmas songs I can think of is
"Grandma got run over by a reindeer" and
"I want a hippopotamus for Christmas"
772. jeannie said:
you've got over 700 comments that i'm not scrolling through so forgive me if this has been suggested umpteen times but i absoutely love The Barenaked Ladies CD that I think is called Barenaked Christmas. Kids love it too.
773. Cece said:
The soundtrack to Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer!
774. jonathan said:
Sufjan Stevens in the way to go, but don't buy it on iTunes. You won't get all the music, or the Christmas stickers...seriously.
775. Brandi said:
Oh, God. I have never commented because I can't imagine you'd ever read comment #4382703952385730957 and who cares what I have to say since you have no clue who I am.
HOWEVER. If you download one album this year, and it happens to be at Christmastime, PLEASE let it be Songs for Christmas by Sufjan Stevens. http://www.amazon.com/Songs-Christmas-Sufjan-Stevens/dp/B000HLDF0O
Thanks, sent with love.
776. Sarah B. said:
A John Waters Christmas!!!!! Definitely strange but not too strange. There is one song that's probably best left for adults, "Here comes Fatty with his sack of sh#@!"
I also echo the praise for John Denver and the Muppets and pretty much anything else Muppet-related.
And the Sufjan Stevens Christmas stuff is cool, but if you thought you were depressed after the Charlie Brown Christmas...
777. Marion said:
I third the recommendation for the Home Alone soundtracks.
778. Briana said:
I have heard just about every Christmas album under the sun, because my mother is obsessed with Christmas music. She listens to Christmas music year round. Although I love the classics, by far the most memorable Christmas album and one I cannot live without is the Boney M Christmas Album. YOU NEED IT.
Also, if you enjoy mullets you should check out the 4Him album "The Seasons of Love". My sisters and I would laugh every time my mom played it.
779. Lina Kirkwood said:
My Christmases featured, as a child, lots of Handel's Messiah as well as the inevitable and horrid Mannheim Steamroller -- do it! It involves tacky eighty sinthsesizers.... oh, delicious.
I also love dearly Crystal Method's version of the Ukrainian Carol of the Bells...
780. Katie said:
You absolutely cannot live without John Denver and the Muppets. I have been listening to it for 20 something years and my five year old might like it more than I do. It's the best.
781. Lori H. said:
BareNaked for the Holidays. No Question. They have the "Batman" version of Jingle Bells as well as the most rockin' version of Dreidel Dreidel Dreidel ever recorded. (You know, for that multicultural touch)
782. Rachel said:
Andy Williams is the quintessential Christmas album. It wouldn't be the holidays without him.
783. Julie said:
Not nutty, but Christmas isn't Christmas in my house without "Merry Christmas Baby" by B.B. King. It's on the GRP 3 Christmas album and my kids love it!
784. Anonymous said:
SUFJAN STEVENS!!
785. Little Ms. Notetaker said:
I'm sure it's somewhere in this ever-growing list: "A Christmas Together: John Denver & The Muppets"
Beaker featured on the 12 Days of Christmas? You couldn't get nuttier if you lived on a damned peanut farm.
786. PB Rippey/sleepless mama said:
Jethro Tull's "A Jethro Tull Christmas" is replete with flute and light rock and is my husband's favorite and it's, what can I say, absolutely grown on me and that's an xmas miracle.
787. Jennifer said:
My friends like to say my CD collection is all soundtracks and Christmas music. And they're mostly right.
I'd say my craziest Christmas CDs are the Barbra Streisand one. And the Neil Diamond one. And the Kenny G one.
Those crazy Jews.
788. edith said:
lump of coal was a GREAT christmas cd (henry rollins reads "the night before christmas"; the odds does a beautiful "we three kings" - and the nick at night cartoon christmas classics (there are 2 cds) are really fun, too.
789. Corey said:
Just to echo #663, "Silent Night" by Richard Cheese is unbeatable. Perfect Christmas fare like "Holiday in Cambodia" and "Like a virgin".
790. Josie said:
The Blenders
"Nog" or "When It Snows."
791. Victoria said:
I muchly love the Elf soundtrack :)
792. Mira said:
I agree with whoever said Rat Pack Christmas.
And Kristin Chenoweth's new Christmas cd is great.
793. Ann said:
Handel's "Messiah"
794. amanda said:
I've gotta throw up another vote for the John Denver and the muppets christmas album. That is ultimate christmas for me but as for something a bit different, I can't recommend Original Soul Christmas enough:
http://www.amazon.com/Original-Soul-Christmas-Various-Artists/dp/B000003...
795. GranBecks said:
Oh My Word! I am doing a daily prayer journal based partially on Rick Warren's The Purpose of Christmas and I have not had ONE person visit! I think I will ask about ...hmmmm...Christmas Music!!! lol I had to make my daughter Michelle(www.thedumasfam.blogspot.com) a couple of Christmas CD's for her birthday November 11! I wanted her to have them in time to listen to on their trip to FL where we met for Thanksgiving! A little early for Christmas tunes, I know, but we both love it. Anyway, one had to be Amy Grant's Home for Christmas (this is one that Michelle and I have been fighting over since the early 1990's when it first came out!--You know, "Mom, you have the Amy Grant CD!" "No, Michelle, YOU have it!" Well, I have one of them now and I made a copy so she would too, although she bought one last year and lost it already) And the other I made for her was one I just got at Kohl's Department Store that is a pretty neat compilation CD for this year. They charge $5 for it and donate the all the profits to children's education and health initiatives across the nation. Oh, and I sent Grandson Jacob and Grand-daughter Alex each a KidBopz Christmas CD too!
796. Dimberly said:
It's Christmas, Man! by Brave Combo polka/samba/waltz/cha cha/polka/ranchero/Hora/cumbia... totally fun, Christmas tunes set to world music. It is BY far the most fun Christmas music I've ever listened to. It's actually a pick-me up throughout the year. I have the CD but I also listen to it on Rhapsody - I don't know if it's on iTunes.
797. Mira said:
OH! And if you remember Ren & Stimpy, they had a really cute cd out back in the 90's that I was obsessed with as a kid. Instead of The Twelve Days of Christmas, they had The Twelve Days of Yaksmas.
Something like: "On the 1st day of Yaksmas, cousin Sven he sent to me... A nose goblin stuck to a chair."
798. Kristi said:
If you want a mix of classics and fun stuff go to Java Bachelor pad and download the past December episodes. It's free and you can download through itunes.
http://www.javasbachelorpad.com/radio.html
799. Hazel said:
Hanson - Snowed In. Seriously the cheesiest, cutest album ever.
Perhaps.
800. Kristen said:
I have quite the extensive collection of Christmas CDs and I have to say the Barenaked Ladies and Brad Paisley are a couple of the current best. We just got the 80's Christmas Collection, which is amusing - my daughter (who is 9) now says that Christmas Wrapping by the Waitresses is her favorite Christmas song.
But you just can't go wrong with the Chipmunks or the Burl Ives soundtrack to Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer.
801. Chrissielcious said:
Best holiday song ever:
I want a hippopotamus for Christmas
:)
802. Ellen said:
I second (third, fourth? I didn't read all the comments) Over the Rhine's Snow Angels and Sufjan's Christmas epic box set - they're amazing.
803. Iris said:
I have to put a vote in for Mannheim Steamroller. It's terribly 80s, and not really so nutty as just kooky.
I love me some Mannheim.
804. Emily said:
I've been enjoying "A Foggy Holiday: Carols from the SF Scene" (Volume 1) for the last two years. It's nice, not nutty so much as awesome.
For absolute, sheer bizzarity, try the song "Dominick the Italian Christmas Donkey" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_C_G3tS234).
805. ML said:
if you're into the really depressing stuff, Bright Eyes has a christmas album...
it is, quite honestly, the worst thing EVER.
however, one thing i am always prone to doing is making my own christmas cd. i made one for christmas presents one year (because i was dirt poor) and everyone ended up liking it a lot. or perhaps my parents just do because they're my parents. either way, i always like to have a great mix of different songs.
oh and also - Barenaked Ladies has an awesome christmas album. goes along with the "zany" side of this holiday.
806. Ellen said:
SUFJAN, SUFJAN, SUFJAN! We've been listening to the 5 disc set since it first came out and its already a family tradition at our house. LOVE LOVE LOVE it.
807. Shannon said:
You need "Tis the Season for Los Straitjackets".
I have a HUGE Christmas music library (working at a music store for 4 years will do that) and this is by far my favorite this year. I will be shocked if you and Jon don't adore this album.
http://www.amazon.com/Tis-Season-Los-Straitjackets/dp/B000QZY1VS/ref=dmu...
808. namedphoenix said:
You should get the Watsonville Community Band "Music to Make Cookies By"
http://www.watsonville-band.org/index.php
We are one of the few marching all volunteer community bands in the country! And our CD is pretty neat if you like band music (my boyfriend is a featured soloist, too!). We played at the White House in 1995, too.
Anyway, if you like Christmas tunes without the Christmas message... this is what you need!
809. Karen said:
SQUIRREL NUT ZIPPERS "Christmas Caravan" - there's nothin like it! i have a 5 and 7 year old who will remember goofing around to this album just like we all did to alvin & the chipmunks growing up.
also, i'd recommend sufjan stevens "songs of christmas" (though probably more for you guys than for your daughter).
810. Alibi said:
I second #507's call for The Chieftains (The Bells of Dublin). It's a great mix of classic and cheeky, especially St. Stephen's Day Murders and The Rebel Jesus. And it has JIGS. Who doesn't want their holidays filled with jig-full joy?
811. Lisa said:
Sarah McLachlan's Christmas CD (white and blue cover) is our favorite. It plays almost daily this time of year.
812. Emily said:
My family has listened to Boney M's Christmas album since before I can remember. Now that I'm in university and away from home it's the best thing to listen to around this time of year cause it reminds me of home and of how soon I get to be there for the holidays. They've done all the different kinds of holiday songs, religious to non-denominational. They're not necessarily nutty but still fun to listen to.
813. Amy said:
When I was a kid, my aunt had an 8-track of silly Christmas songs, like "I'm getting nothing for Christmas" and "All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth" (unsure of exact titles). They were hilarious! (Yanno... for a five year old.)
814. Beverly said:
when my boys were in high school here in Memphis we always played the Traveling Wilberrys. That always reminds me of Christmas....
815. Robin said:
We need only one: A Christmas Gift for You From Phil Spector (http://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Gift-You-Phil-Spector/dp/B000003BD7).
It came with my Phil Spector box set and I LOVE it, so much that I bought it again when I lost it. Features mostly Darlene Love, the Ronettes, and the Crystals -- amazing wall-of-sound, girl-group stuff. This version of Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town is even better than the Jackson Five's, and that's saying something!
816. Angela said:
Santastic 4 is a great (and free) collection of mashups and bootlegs.
http://www.santastic4.com/
817. Carolyn said:
I'm sorry if this has been suggested. I'm too lazy to sift through the hundreds of comments thus far... but for nutty and a sticky fun tune, how about "Dominic the Donkey"?
Happy holidays!
818. Anonymous said:
Are you familiar with the artist Bleu? He has a GREAT holiday album called "A Bing Bang Holidang" that he organized with a few other Boston bands as a fund raiser a few years ago. I don't know if you can still get it, but if you can, it's wonderful. My favorites are his mixes of Mele Kelikimaka and Jingle Bells, both of which sample from the Bing Crosby versions.
819. Gayle said:
I love reggae Christmas covers, I just do. I also love the Mariah Carey song "All I Want for Christmas is You". And the version of "Little Drummer Boy" by Bing Crosby and David Bowie. Oh and Vanessa Williams' version of "What Child is This".
820. Megan said:
Kenny and Dolly, A Christmas to Remember--you might remember the tv special
I got my kids the Nick Christmas album last year, which they loved.
We also have an out of print Glen Campbell album with Little Altar Boy and Little Toy Trains, both great and bizarre songs
Good luck with the music and the baby!
821. Gayle said:
Just one more: "Oi to the World" by No Doubt.
822. Caryn said:
Did you manage to get this far? If so, I applaud you! You're not a Baltimore native, but this song is pretty damn funny:
http://www.crabsforchristmas.com/
Not sure it will translate for the non-Baltimorons though!
823. Sarah O. Miller said:
Long time lurker - 1st time commenter.
I'm a big fan.
Ge'ez, I've officially crossed over into "cheesey".
Ok, now that I've gotten the "falling-all-over-myself" portion of this comment out of the way, I will say that, for what it's worth, in my humble opinion, by-and-far THE best, no, the ONLY, Christmas album of all time is...
Drumroll please...
(wait for it)
Handel's Messiah.
It's not kooky, but, my, is it beautiful.
Still want kooky?
Try: El Vez - Merry MeX-Mas
:)
Enjoy! And, Merry Christmas!
824. tina said:
Sarah McLachlan's Wintersong is beautiful, but relaxing.
The Carpenters Christmas Portrait is my absolute favorite.
825. Amy said:
Ray Stevens also has some pretty off the wall stuff. (Or at least he did in the 80s). He has a Christmas album, I've never heard it, but it might have something interesting.
http://www.amazon.com/Ray-Stevens-Christmas-Through-Different/dp/B000002...
826. red said:
Has anyone suggested a Smurf Christmas yet? doesn't get more fucked up than that, dude.
827. Anonymous said:
The Home Alone soundtrack...good stuff
828. CBC said:
Tiny Tim's Christmas Album. Fat man with a high-pitched voice sings Christmas Carols accompanied by a ukulele. Check out "O Holy Night."
Also The Flaming Lips' rendition of "White Christmas." Painfully wonderful.
My personal FAVORITE Christmas song: "Stop the Cavalry" by the Cory Band. It's a Northwest thing.
829. Teresa said:
www.tonicsolfa.com is the site for an a capella group out of Minnesota. Wonderful Christmas albums.
The Christmas albums are "On Top of the World" and "Sugarue".
830. Kris said:
TSO (Trans Siberian Orchestra)
Dr. Dimento
Manheim Steamroller
Nothing else will do for the holidays.
831. Julie said:
i've gotta say sufjan stevens christmas collection.
a mixed bag of classics and originals.
after finding this collection, or perhaps just to convince yourself to do so,
check out this little video by some kids in china, set to the song "put the lights on the tree"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIQrRp-l3G4
832. MsAPhillips said:
I looked through the first 30 comments, and didn't see A John Waters Christmas. I guess you should screen it first, because there's some mighty catchy stuff on the album. Chipmunks, yes, but also "Santa Claus is a Black Man."
833. Josh said:
Sufjan Stevens
Hark! Songs for Christmas Volume 2
It is a great Christmas Album!
834. Jason Trommetter said:
Brian Setzer Orchestra has a new album "Christmas Rocks"
835. Jessica said:
John Denver & the Muppets - "A Christmas Together"
Josh Groban - "Noel"
Trans-Siberian Orchestra - "Christmas Eve & Other Stories", "The Christmas Attic", "The Lost Christmas Eve"
836. Rebecca said:
Bob Rivers- More twisted Christmas always gets me in the mood. Police stop my Car is one of the best Christmas songs ever.
837. SAJ said:
I can't believe/am really glad that no one has posted this one yet:
Have a Fun Christmas (which I found here) is exactly how it sounds. Fun, a little wacky at times, and a couple of totally oddball tracks (like the chipmunk one and the rather tragic one about grandma). Maybe you have to be a Midwesterner to appreciate the last track by Bob & Doug McKenzie, but I find it absolutely hilarious, and it's what made it worth the purchase for me.
I'm glad you're only indoctrinating your child with the very best quality weirdness about this holiday, but isn't that the fun of having a kid? The joy (evil or not) that you can get from watching them believe in something totally bonkers?
838. Dani said:
"Don't Come Home for Christmas" by Jeff Dunham
839. Jessica said:
Oh yeah, and Sarah McLachlan's "Wintersong"
840. psyjamie said:
i don't know if i has been suggested (and im not about to read through and see if it has) but check out SOMA FM. they have a radio stream, one choice is 'christams BEATS'. nice chill holiday background music...
841. Heather's Garden said:
Since A Charlie Brown Christmas is actually my all time favorite Christmas music you might not want to listen to my advice, but my husband and I really enjoy the 3-CD box set we bought 2 years ago -- Ultra-Lounge: Christmas Cocktails http://www.amazon.com/Ultra-Lounge-Christmas-Cocktails-Part-One/dp/B0000.... You get the classics and just enough kitsch to make it fun. The graphics on the album covers are your style too.
842. Meanbear said:
This is as nutty as Christmas gets:
It's "Christmas Caravan" by the Squirrel Nut Zippers.
Try it first, seriously, you can't do better than this one.
843. Stephanie said:
Bare Naked Christmas is a hoot I love to dance with my daughter with that in the background.
I also think Dr. Demento's Christmas album is very fun.
844. MS said:
I love The Most Fabulous Christmas Album ever (http://www.amazon.com/Most-Fabulous-Christmas-Album-Ever/dp/B00001OHAL). It's somewhat kooky. Jose Feliciano anyone? Highlights: Spike Jonze "All I Want For Christmas is My Two Front Teeth, Eartha Kitt singing "Santa Baby." Meow! It also has some traditional stuff...and it's cheap!
845. Larissa said:
Do you really read all of these??? Definitely Squirrel Nut Zippers' "Christmas Caravan", to second (and third and fourth) other readers. I am a South Carolinian transplanted to snowy Chicago so I am partial to "Carolina Christmas" but the whole CD is pretty nutty.
846. Anonymous said:
Music suggestions?!? ...I'm still getting over the fact that you say ANYTHING to your FOUR year old containing the sarcastic phrase, "suck it".
I mean jesus christ, let the kid be.
847. Jenny said:
I'm addicted to Harry Connick's Christmas album. We have tons of albums and I rarely listen to any others.
848. heather said:
I am a total Christmas music addict. Right now there's more than 20 hours on my computer, and much much more that I want. Here are my top 5 choices:
1) Christmastime with the Judds (I grew up with this one, it's totally classic)
2) John Denver Rocky Mountain Christmas
3) The Carpenters' Christmas Portrait
4) Raffi's Christmas Album (great for kids!)
5) Josh Groben Noel
849. Christine said:
You might not still be reading by the 845th comment, but... every year I cannot wait to bring out "The Caroler," an a capella album by a foursome called The Coats. They're all men, and one of them sings soprano. And he sings it GREAT.
850. Gord Otto said:
The Barenaked Ladies put out a Christmas album not long back, titled... I think... Barenaked for the Holidays.
Intelligent stuff. With a certain nuttiness, too, like a lot of their stuff.
My kids like it.
(They like their new kids' album, too "Snack Time"... you might look for that, too.)
Best of the Season.
GLO
851. gretchie said:
Darlin', I love ya, but don't over think it. Just expose her to all the classics, the serious stuff, the goofy crap, and everything in between. I grew up on Salsoul Christmas Orchestra (disco!), and Bing Crosby and David Bowie's "Little Drummer Boy", and you know, the Chipmunks. There was "I saw three ships," and "Silent Night" - in three languages, of course. "Baby it's cold outside" and "Let it snow", The Nutcracker Suite, and of course "UP ON THE HOUSETOP", which must be typed in all caps because kindergardeners must yell through songs.
It's all good. I love it all. Music is the only part of Christmas left that I still love. Even better than cookies.
But not "A Charlie Brown Christmas." That does sort of suck.
852. Christina said:
After realizing I didn't particularly *love* any of our Christmas albums I started using Pandora whenever I wanted "something festive."
853. Amanda said:
I counted at least 24 people have already mentioned this, so I would like to add for at least the 25th time: SUFJAN STEVENS PRESENTS: SONGS FOR CHRISTMAS.
This 5-disc set is delightful from beginning to end, mixing new interpretations of traditional Christmas songs, with new songs by Stevens, like "Come On! Let's Boogey to the Elf Dance!" He had his friends help record each of the five discs (one representing a different year, in which he created Christmas albums for his friends and family). Love it so much.
854. Dawn said:
Go to itunes, search for "Jungle Bells" by Brent Lewis. This little diddy is for you.
For Leta, search for "Countdown Kids." I don't know what it is about kids but they love to hear other kids sing. My girls, 4 and 5 love this xmas CD.
855. Jennifer L. said:
I highly recommend Harry Connick Jr.'s Christmas album titled "Harry for the Holidays". He is so jazzy! ;)
856. Krystal said:
It's probably been said but I recommend the bright eyes Christmas album. Usually in the winter I listen to that, the earth is not a cold dead place by explosions in the sky, and the song Paper Snowflakes by Son, Ambulance.
There's also a lot of Elliott Smith but I guess I just like to have a sad christmas.
857. Margot said:
Willie Nelson!! Sounds dorky, and it is a little, but its great, catchy, and has this old-grandpa-country sound to it. Oh yes, get the Willie Nelson christmas cd!!
858. Mindy said:
Looks like a hot topic! I'm sure you've heard these already since you've got a babillion comments, but just in case...
Classics:
Bing Crosby
Muppets & John Denver
Otis Redding
New Classics:
Maybe This Christmas (features beautiful Coldplay version of Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas)
Maybe This Christmas Too
859. Anonymous said:
I hate to say it, but Mariah Carey's Merry Christmas is the best Christmas album ever :)
Ditto to Sarah McLaughlin's Winter Song
860. Anonymous said:
YOU MUST get John Denver and the Muppets. BEST CHRISTMAS album ever... nutty and nice!
861. Nicole said:
Clearly you need Richard Cheese. He lounge-ifies standard songs, thus improving them greatly. He has a Christmas album called "Silent Nightclub" which is chock full o' seasonal classics, as well as a few that could be loosely interpreted as wintry ("Ice Ice Baby," for example).
He is all kinds of awesome.
862. Nicole said:
sorry, forgot to add his site--easy enough to google, but here you go:
www.richardcheese.com
863. Gabbitron said:
Christmas is All Around - Love Actually Soundtrack. Bill Nighey. 'nuff said.
Twelve days of Christmas - John Denver & the Muppets.
It Must Have Been Old Santa Claus - Harry Connick Jr.
What Child is This (Greensleeves) - Sarah Mclachlan (always misspell her name)
Christmas Wrapping - The Waitresses
Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer
Blue Christmas - Porky Pig
2000 Miles - Coldplay
All that I want - The Weepies
Greensleeves - John Coltrane
White Christmas - Otis Redding
Your a mean one, Mr. Grinch - Thurl Ravenscroft
What Christmas Means to Me - Stevie Wonder
Little Drummer Boy - David Bowie and Bing Crosby
We Wish You the Merriest - Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby
and for some latin flavor...no Jose Feliciano!
El Burrito De Belen - Juanes
and yes...i really seem to have WAY too much time on my hands at the moment.
864. Julia said:
I love the happy 50's style Christmas music. Gene Autry and Peggy Lee and Elvis... Anyway, go to Pandora.com and type in "jingle bell rock" and it'll get some wonderful stuff going for you. :) For free! :) :) :)
865. Mandi said:
Anything Bing Crosby. My family would play it every year while we put up the tree. It's perfect.
866. Michael said:
Ya gotta try Bela Fleck and the Flecktones new CD "Jingle All the Way" Funky 'newgrass' instrumentals of classic songs. We found it on accident and really dig it. Enjoy!
867. Sandy said:
Ella Fitzgerald's "Ella Wishes You a Swingin' Christmas" is a must-have. (Sorry if this is a repeat). Plus "Christmas Wrapping" by the Waitresses. Happy holidays to you and your family.
868. Lori Magno said:
Jimmy Smith - Christmas '64 available on Verve Records.
http://www.vervemusicgroup.com/artist/releases/default.aspx?pid=11425&ai...
**Shuffle this in iTunes with Christmas Wrapping by the Waitresses, Starbucks "Stockings by the Fire" compilation from last year and "Merry MexMas" by El Vez and you've got a party. (Just add tequila.)
Cheers!
869. Christa said:
Must haves:
The Elvis Christmas Album-my sentimental favorite. Saw him in concert when I was four. For real.
Ella Fitzgerald's Swinging Christmas-a close second.
Also-fond childhood memories of Harry Simone Chorale's Xmas album. Lots of Jesus, but carries sentimental memorories for me nontheless.
870. Wendy said:
I'll put in another vote for the Nettwerk compilations and Sufjan Stevens. But we also love the Bright Eyes "A Christmas Album", which is all traditional songs as arranged by skinny-hot indie kid, Conor Oberst. And all proceeds go to an AIDS charity, which makes me feel nice.
871. Anonymous said:
For nutty I always turn to the Looney Tunes. We used to always hear this song and it cracked me up everytime. "The hat I got for Christmas is too BIIIIIIIG" - I googled it for you. You can listen and download at the bottom of the page.
"In 1958 Mel Blanc released a Christmas record (Capitol 3902), featuring his mexican Speedy Gonzales voice (though it is never referenced as being Speedy), called “The Hat I Got for Christmas is Too Beeg.” On the B-side is a song called “Pancho’s Christmas.” "
http://musicalfruitcake.com/2007/03/22/mel_blanc_-_the_hat_i_got_for_chr...
872. Amanda said:
Growing up we would always listen to "A Muppet Christmas Carol." The movie and the soundtrack are equally enjoyable, and maybe not as nutty as the Osmond's, but then what is?
873. Mary Dell said:
One of my favorite Christmas CDs is "Too Many Santas" by The Bobs. It may be a little old for Leta, but you and Jon would probably like it.
874. Joanne said:
I'm a big fan of nutty Christmas music.
I'll add another nod in the direction of anything by Bob Rivers & Twisted Radio... Police Stop My Car, Yellow Snow! and the Chimney Song are some of my favorites.
I also second "I Farted on Santa's Lap" by the Little Stinkers... great for sing-a-longs!
And I hesitate to suggest this one, only because once it gets in your head, it STAYS THERE. Even now, all I had to do is think about it and I already know I'll be hearing it in my head ALL NIGHT LONG. So here goes, proceed with caution: Dominic The Donkey.
I'm not sure who does the version I'm used to hearing, but there's a bunch of versions on iTunes. But it's just not Christmas without that Italian Christmas Donkey.
Cheers!
875. Rachel said:
There are way too many comments for me to sift through to see if my suggestions have already been made. However, there is no way in the known universe anyone should ever be without Mariah Carey's "Merry Christmas" album at the holidays. "All I Want for Christmas is You" has become somewhat of a cult-classic song with my friends and I. It's seriously a must-have album, for that song alone. But don't underestimate Ms. Carey (well, maybe Mrs. Carey-Cannon now, but that's beside the point); she will take you to church with her renditions of "O Holy Night" and "Joy To The World".
My second recommendation is 'NSync's "Home for Christmas". Crazy cheesy but a must-have for any late 90's, early 2000's pop fan. "Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays" is very catchy and "Kiss Me At Midnight" is a great song for New Year's, which I find most artists tend to ignore. My other reason for purchasing this is simple: It's NSync. Singing Christmas songs. What more do you need? Except for maybe Justin Timberlake singing you "Dick in a Box".
876. Anonymous said:
I don't know if this would be appropriate for Leta, but give "Twisted Christmas" by the Bob Rivers Comedy group a try. The third album, "I am Santa Clause", has couple of songs that are a little on the deranged side for my tastes, but that first album is hilarious.
877. Jenny said:
Look up Reverend Horton Heat on iTunes. It's...odd, but oh so fun. Someone called it "Psychobilly Christmas" which is pretty much dead on.
878. sleepdoc said:
Definitely try "Barenaked for the Holidays" by the Barenaked Ladies. Our Solstice-celebrating family likes all of the songs, though some may not be classified as nutty. The name is worth having Leta quote, am I right?
My 9 year old loves "The Elves' Lament." And how can you not call a song nutty when it repeats the names "Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young" to the tune of. . . . you've just gotta listen!
There. My first post ever to your sight.
I hope you find some appropriate memory-making soundtrack to your holiday rituals.
879. Liz said:
There's a Klezmer Nutcracker that's pretty great.
880. Alison said:
Ditto Katherine's suggestion of Snoopy and the Red Baron. My sisters and I had the Royal Guardsmen album and it was such a crazy, classic moment - Snoopy battling the Red Baron and then crashing behind enemy lines. Yeah, somehow I still tear up a bit thinking about the songs and how much fun we had listening to it nonstop every Christmas. After years of searching my sister finally figured out the name of the band and the album and bought each of us the CD last year.
Fairytale of NY is sort of my grownup version of Snoopy vs. the Red Baron. The perfect Christmas includes both songs.
881. Klemptor said:
The Billy Idol christmas album (called "Happy Holidays") is absolutely not to be missed. Also, on his 2005 album Devil's Playground, there's a song called "Yellin' at the Christmas Tree" which is a lot of fun but maybe not appropriate for Leta.
And I know others have already suggested them like a billion times, but John Denver's Rocky Mountain Christmas (my favorite song: "Please Daddy, Don't Get Drunk This Christmas" [I'm not kidding - it's ridiculous]), John Denver and the Muppets, and the Cabbage Patch Christmas albums are all great.
882. Mattisimo said:
Harry Connick Jr.!!! His new album is okay, but his old christmas album is really good!
883. TM said:
I am not a big Barbra Streisand fan but her Christmas Album has become a holiday staple in our family. I love it. You will never sing Jingle Bells the same again.
884. Anonymous said:
Sufjan Stevens "Songs for Christmas" is the only way to go. If you must suffer through Christmas jingles - he does an amazing job.
885. Erin said:
I absolutely love Amy Grant's 'Home for Christmas' album - could listen to it year-round :)
If you want something really unusual, though, you might really enjoy the Klezmonauts' 'Oy to the World' (see: http://www.oytotheworld.com/). They're traditional Christmas songs performed in Jewish style - totally bizarre but absolutely hilariously, fabulously cool :) (and very upbeat)
You can listen to snippets on the website above - make sure you listen to Oy To The World first!
886. Anonymous said:
I am not a country music fan at all, but Dwight Yokam's holiday cd Come on Christmas is pretty effing good, most especially the track "Santa Can't Stay". (Sample lyric: "Mama said Santa can't stay, said he might just have to beat the crap out of Ray, then a car just like Dad's pulled away . . ."
Several years ago at Pier One I picked up their holiday cd "Christmas Twist" and it's been one of my favorites ever since, especially the Marcy Playground tune, 'Keegan's Christmas'.
And it's not really nutty, but the BareNaked Ladies have a christmas cd--Barenaked for the Holidays--that's pretty good. Also the Squirrel nut Zippers 'Christmas Caravan'. And last year's Starbucks Christmas Cd "Stockings by the Fire" has some good ones.
887. KB said:
The Original Grinch Soundtrack.
888. aly said:
just bought all three:
Sufjan Christmas
Hotel Cafe Presents Winter Songs
The Warm December : Bushfire Holdiay
good more mellow christmas - some good artists like rogue wave, jack johnson, matt costa which is a nice rest from my roommates beyonce brings you carol of my bells (oh lord stop it now. but seriously.)
889. Souther' Mother said:
OH MY GOD! JOHN DENVER AND THE MUPPETS! I challenge you not to add a "bu dum dum dum" every time you hear "five golden rings." They really have something there. I remember fondly listening to it on LP and it was one of my first CDs many years ago. Now it's in the iPod. And I have to admit, after all those years of mocking John Denver because mom liked him, the man was fucking talented. "When the River Meets the Sea" is just a beautiful song, and I don't think that's just the pregnancy hormones talking (18 weeks--what what!).
890. Anonymous said:
Right on that Jon's allergic! I am too! It's so rare to find someone with a similar allergy. Years ago, when I was a smart ass at the tender age of 12, a friend of my grandmother's was asking me if we were having a real tree and I said no, I was allergic. She said, "Oh how horrible! How do you celebrate Christmas?"
"We had to convert to Judaism."
891. Kimmy said:
All the 'A Very Special Christmas' albums. ALL.OF.THEM!
And the one, most bestest Christmas song ever = Christmas Wrapping by The Waitresses. Seriously, best song ever.
892. jailbird said:
do you really read all these?
I'll know you do if you run out and get the Beach Boys Christmas CD - it's fab and really cheesey
893. Lonnie said:
I dig Harry Connick Jr's When My Heart Finds Christmas. I also dig John Denver and the Muppets A Christmast Together. Oh and the soundtrack to Jingle All the Way is one that I'll play a lot.
But then again- I like the Vince Guaraldi Trio's A Charlie Brown Christmas- so you probably won't want to take my advice. :)
Thanks for all the funny posts and great pictures!
894. Lindsey Fay said:
Maybe This Christmas (there's also like, a part 2 and 3 or whatever) but they're all by artists like Guster, The Flaming Lips, Pedro the Lion, Polyphonic Spree, Death Cab and so on.
Also, Bright Eyes' christmas album is about as nutty as you can get.
895. Betsy said:
Bebe and Cece Winans have an awesome Christmas CD. It's got sort of an R&B/soul feel to it. Very soothing and perfect for sitting by the fire and enjoying a bourbon.
Give it a listen! I promise you will not be disappointed!
896. goddesslo said:
Mele Kalikimaka
Hawaiian Christmas
897. Gayle said:
The Home Alone soundtrack, definitely - along with Porky Pig singing Blue christmas, that is hilarious! My kids new love this year is "I'm gettin nuthin for christmas" - now I'm off to look for NKOTB xmas songs!
898. lynn said:
Aimee Mann's One More Drifter in the Snow - It is so awesome.
899. kmbrknits said:
"Too Many Santas" by the Bobs. Original. Quirky. Acapella.
900. Erica said:
I'm not sure if there's an album of
Emmett Otter's Jugband Christmas, but
it's a Muppet special holiday special
that used to air all the time on HBO
in the 1980's and it has some great
holiday songs!