As the Day of Christmas draws even closer, it is fun to remember the Past and look towards that day...but do you ever look to the Christmas of the Future? Maybe when you are shopping the after Christmas sales you think you are getting ready for next year, but have you already made out a list of things you want or things you want to give? Things you really wanted or things you wish you could have afforded this year? Funny while we celebrate the present, we sometimes recall the past, but rarely look to the future.
5. "'Twas the Night Before Christmas" - Henry Rollins
Taken from an Australian Christmas album, this song sis much more scarier than Eazy E song ever thought about. No cussing in here, just the true sounds of Christmas in Sarajevo. If Call of Duty: Modern Warfare had a Christmas soundtrack, this song would be all you need. He starts you off with a regular coffee shop type ambiance only to fool you when the gunshot and helicopter starts. While Rollins' voice is deep enough to frighten (see: "Liar") it is that background noise that makes you wonder what exactly is going on. Is Saint Nick an invader? Is he avoiding the gunfire and bombs to deliver toys to the good boys and girls in a war torn city? You can almost see the sleigh ride the skies as flares light the atmosphere. The song is so odd it makes you think.
4. "The Tweleve Days of Christmas" - Bob and Doug McKenzie
Good Day. If you ever wanted to know what those 12 days of Christmas was Bob and Doug give you them...and I'm still wondering what those mystery days are. Plus they also give you ideas if you don't know what gifts to give someone. One of the cutest Christmas songs around that somebody went out and even did an cartoon about the song portion, which missed out on those mystery days (see: youtube Animax). Of the countdown songs for the season, I enjoy this one the most...who could argue with giving Beer in a Tree? Good Day.
3. "Carol of the Bells" - Trans-Siberian Orchestra
The first time I heard this song I was instantly hooked. At last a Christmas song that you could bang your head to. Little did I know that there were different people already doing this at the time (Mannheim Steamroller, Gary Hoey). Still, I place this song at the top since it was the first and still allows me to rock at this time of the year. Plus, seeing it live is something to experience.
2. "O Tannenbaum/O Christmas Tree" - Vince Guaraldi Trio
This song is also on the "A Charlie Brown Christmas" Soundtrack. While most associate the Christmas time song with the special, I think of this song first. The song represents the reality of things if you will. It starts out slow, almost sad and lonely like Charles. His life is always falling apart and some of his friends are always on the look out to tease or exploit him. But, the song becomes jazzier and has other instruments join in as one. Christmas is a time for family and friends, but sometimes you have to think about those people who are lonely this time of the year. Think about your parents who visit you that one day to open up gifts on either the 24th or 25th only to spend the other day alone with each other. Or those widowed who are happy to see their children come to visit a few times out of the year, only to have them go away and be lonely once again. We look forward to this time of the year because if we are lonely, we can hope that we can see our families all together and happy at least for one day. Then we go back to the rest of our lives with the occasional email or post. This time of the year is happy for many and stressful for just as much...but we have to remember that some of us that no matter how many people we surround us with are fearful that it will soon end and have it go back to being just like Charlie Brown. A MacGyver episode summed it up best for me: We should celebrate Christmas all year 'round.
Now with any list there is usually a break between Number 1 and Number 2 to give a recap or a note to those that almost made it. In reality it is a buffer to sneak in additional advertising. Just one more commercial break for those that might have missed the previous commercials and thought to skip all the way to number one. I chose to remember those that almost made it:
"The Hanukkah Song" - Adam Sandler
While the song is catchy and many people have it memorized, I still feel like it is an easy checklist for any anti semitics out there to put to use. Still it is festive and fun to hear, both versions. And anyone that put O.J. Simpson in his place (See: Denis Leary) is good in my book.
"Delicious Dish: Guest Pete Schweddy" - Teri Rialto, Margaret-Jo McCullen, Pete Schweddy
I can never get enough of this sketch from Saturday Night Live. It makes me smile every time no matter how naughty it was.
You know, David Letterman always has a Top 10 list. Every night he and his writers come up with a current event related list that makes you laugh all the way up to Number 2. Then the Number 1 on the list is always kind of off. Many times the second one was funnier than the first. Makes you wonder if Letterman is letting some of his humor show through. "Why don't we make it so that the second one is the one that is funniest since every other list has the best at the top. That way they get to the punch line and it makes them wonder. Besides, they aren't gonna remember it by the weekend anyway." Mine might reflect that too, but in a way it is more of my personality that shows through...as well as a little humor.
1. "Santacide" - The Toadies
Few people have actually heard this song. It is as it is, a song about the murder of Santa Clausi. A guy (mentally ill?) is discussing how Santa invades each season and this year he is ready. As each Santa falls, Baby Jesus is happy. Such a morbid song at Christmas? Not really. Each year we have a silent war between our symbols of Christmas: Jesus Vs. Santa (which by the way is an anagram for "Satan"). While most of us don't see it, it is there. Christianity and it's belief of good will vs the spirits of giving and as some believe commercialism. We see the man in the red suit and think "Christmas." We think also that it is Jesus' Birthday (observed). There is a war to some, but in reality we shouldn't we be like the rest of us and just do what we are supposed to? And that is be happy for each other. Yet each year malls get busy and money is spent on our families to get the coolest gifts. Each year people go to church, even if they haven't all year. Each year children get happy about getting presents or seeing the pretty lights. And at the risk of sounding like a South Park episode, if you get rid of one the rest of society might fall. Many retailers rely on these months to keep in business. Others see it as a time to get back in touch with religion if only for a day. While the song is a bit on the darker side, it does say one important thing in one of it's lyrics "The true meaning of Christmas is love." No matter how dark the tone, we should all love at Christmas. And it is a fun song to play at family gatherings....don't argue, some play songs about the deaths of grandmothers.
Argue if you will or accept them all that's just what I listen to and helps me remember what the season is really about this time of the year...fun and love. I'll have one more Christmas note to share later, something that ever since I heard of it happening I recall it every time the season starts and long after the season ends.
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