According to the date on this video it’s old news — I can’t believe I’ve never seen it before!
I may have previously mentioned my love affair with Trans-Siberian Orchestra.
Apparently a couple years back some enterprising soul combined two of my favorite things, Christmas lights and TSO, into an incredible home display. So very cool!
The song is “Wizards In Winter,” from TSO’s third Christmas album “The Lost Christmas Eve.”
Last week I posted my 10 favorite Christmas songs. But then today I got to thinking, what about all those funny holiday songs? Heaven knows a good laugh goes a long way, especially during the often hectic days of December. So here are my favorite Christmas funnies (click on title links for lyrics):
1. Merry Christmas From The Family, by Robert Earl Keen. At first glance this song appears to be about a loud, drunken, lowbrow family Christmas party — not the sort of thing that usually appeals to me. But after I’d heard it a few times I began to realize that it’s about a lot more than just that. I mean, it is about a loud, drunken, lowbrow family Christmas party, but the real message here is about love and togetherness and the noisy, messy fun of a big extended family get-together where everyone feels welcome and at home. It’s really grown on me.
2. Please Come Home For Christmas, by Rockapella. I can’t find the lyrics online anywhere, sorry about that. This song starts out as a straightforward version of the classic, but it gets very funny about halfway through.
3. The Twelve Days Of…you know, stuff. There have been so many different versions of the 12 Days Of Christmas, I decided to lump my faves together. We have The Redneck 12 Days Of Christmas by Jeff Foxworthy, “The 12 Gifts Of Christmas” by Alan Sherman, and the Muppets’ slightly-disorganized rendering of the original “12 Days” lyrics.
4. Baby, It’s Cold Outside, by Steve Tyrell and Jane Monheit. Actually, Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Jordan have a pretty good version too, and Dean Martin (I totally have a crush on Deano, he’s so dreamy) has done this song with a gazillion different partners, but I think the Tyrell/Monheit duo gets the comic timing just exactly right.
5. It’s So Chic To Be Pregnant At Christmas, by Nancy White. Very funny song!
6. Deck The Stills, by Barenaked Ladies. No lyrics link here because the song consists of exactly five words: Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young. Repeated over and over to the tune of “Deck the Halls.” Rather strange — but insidiously catchy! This one will get in your head.
Enjoy! 🙂
Christmas music: you love it or hate it. Or maybe you’d like to love it, if only they’d stop playing the same tired old songs on the radio and in the supermarket all the time.Â
The good stuff’s out there, my friends. And since I find I don’t have anything even slightly witty or insightful to say today, instead I offer a list of my own ten favorite Christmas songs, for anyone who might be looking for a bit of diversity to refresh their holiday-music palate.Â
I’ve left out the obvious songs, like Bing Crosby’s “White Christmas,” no matter how good they are, because I’m assuming that if you’re reading this you don’t live in a cave so you’ve probably already heard them. ;^)Â
1. “I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day,” by MercyMe, from their album The Christmas Sessions.Â
This is a great upbeat version of the old classic. From the same album and also worthy of note is the song “Gloria,” MercyMe’s take on “Angels We Have Heard On High.”Â
2. “O Come All Ye Faithful/O Holy Night,” by Trans-Siberian Orchestra, from their album Christmas Eve And Other Stories.Â
This one can only be described as a heavy metal instrumental medley. It’s fabulous!Â
From the same album and worthy of note: Actually, this whole album is sublime, even if you’re not a fan of heavy metal music.Â
3. “The Peace Carol,” by John Denver and the Muppets, from “A Christmas Together.Â
What can I say? For me it’s not really Christmastime until Kermit The Frog sings a carol or two. Your mileage may vary. ;^)Â
From the same album and worthy of note: “Noel: Christmas Eve 1913,” “The 12 Days Of Christmas.”Â
4. “Little Drummer Boy/Peace On Earth,” by David Bowie and Bing Crosby, on various albums.Â
Bing and Bowie seem like an odd pairing, but it really works here. Great song!Â
5. “Wintersong”, by Sarah McLachlan, from her album Wintersong.Â
Absolutely beautiful.Â
From the same album and worthy of note: I don’t know. A friend gave me this song on a mix cd, so I haven’t heard the rest of the album.Â
6. “Christmas Canon,” by Trans-Siberian Orchestra, from their album The Christmas Attic.Â
Love love love Trans-Siberian Orchestra. From the same album and worthy of note: “Dream Child,” “Appalachian Snowfall.”Â
7. “O Come, O Come Emmanual,” by John Berry, on various albums.Â
This is my own favorite version of this song; but if you like a more upbeat take, Bebo Norman’s version is also very good.Â
8 “Let There Be Peace On Earth,” by Vince and Jenny Gill, on various albums.  ‘Let there be peace on Earth, and let it begin with me.’ Words to live by. :^)Â
9. “Remember,” by Trans-Siberian Orchestra, on their album The Lost Christmas Eve.Â
What can I say? I lurves me some TSO.
From the same album and worthy of note: “Faith Noel,” “Christmas Dreams,” “Back To A Reason.” Actually, the whole album is really good.Â
10. “Christmas With You,” by Stephanie Mills, from her album Christmas.Â
Really captures that feeling of anticipation, hurrying home to spend the holiday with a loved one.Â
From the same album and worthy of note: I don’t know. This one came to me on a mix *cassette,* lo these many years ago. I picked up the mp3 at iTunes.Â
Anyway, that’s my list of extra-faves this year. Hopefully there’s something in there to delight and inspire even the most jaded holiday listener. Enjoy!Â
[For my favorite funny Christmas songs, go here.]
An Invincible Summer 