Music

"2000 Miles" by The Pretenders is a great X-Mas song. David Bowie and Bing Crosby's "Little Drummer Boy" was pretty neat.

Comment by Liles — December 20, 2007 @ 12:19PM

"2000 Miles" by The Pretenders is a great X-Mas song. David Bowie and Bing Crosby's "Little Drummer Boy" was pretty neat.

Comment by Liles — December 20, 2007 @ 12:19PM

should have asked Reverend Heat about 'Christmas in the Congo' a song he recorded with Teddy and the Talltops here in Dallas in 1983...he'd probably like to forget it.

Comment by ChrisU — December 20, 2007 @ 09:14PM

ChrisU, I haven't heard that song. Any idea where I might find it?
While I'm at it, does anyone have any guesses about the "worst Christmas song" that the Rev was referring to?

Comment by Jesse Hughey — December 21, 2007 @ 12:50PM

I have a copy of 'christmas in the congo/christmas party' on 45.unfortunately my technical skills are still of the vinyl era, maybe I can get a friend to put it in another format for you. The Rev says the song he regards as the worst made money so I don't think it was that one. Ted Roddy's Talltops had various lineups that not only included the Rev but also local favorites Homer Henderson(Phil Bennison),Mark Pollock and Donny Ray Ford.

Comment by ChrisU — December 23, 2007 @ 11:30AM

Here are some responses I got after I'd already turned in the story. Sorry this is a bit late.... Anyone else who's interested, feel free to add yours.

More from Chris Holt
Last night I was driving home and I heard “Christmas Curtain” by My Morning Jacket...great melody! I think it’s about stealing gifts for Xmas and being poor, kinda like the Kinks tune I mentioned. Jim James’ voice is absolute perfection on that tune.
Finally, I remember an old, little-known ditty by an even lesser-known band known as The Rectal Thermometers, who recorded a classic called “The Christmas Dragon” years ago. It’s virtually impossible to find, and it may be the single most offensive holiday song ever recorded, but hey, it’s in the spirit of the season, and I can’t help but want to mention it. I’m not sure I’d go so far as to recommend it, but its existence is something to chuckle about :)

Aaron Bartz, Tame … Tame and Quiet
1. I’ll have to stick with the theme and say “Christmas Time Is Here” by Vince Guaraldi. Besides that it’s just a beautiful song, I like that it’s the most depressing Christmas song I can think of. The music and melodies are all melancholy, but the lyrics are bright and shiny. It’s a weird dichotomy and I love that about it. I think the holidays bring that dichotomy out in a lot of people.
2. I watch the Charlie Brown Christmas Special every year, so it’s more of a repetitive memory, where every time I hear the song, it reminds me of all the Christmases that have passed, and how much has changed.
3. “Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer.” It sounds like something they’d sing on Hee Haw or the Blue Collar Comedy Tour. Not that Christmas songs have to be serious or anything, but geez.

Comment by Jesse Hughey — December 25, 2007 @ 05:06PM

Here are some responses I got after I'd already turned in the story. Sorry this is a bit late.... Anyone else who's interested, feel free to add yours.

More from Chris Holt
Last night I was driving home and I heard “Christmas Curtain” by My Morning Jacket...great melody! I think it’s about stealing gifts for Xmas and being poor, kinda like the Kinks tune I mentioned. Jim James’ voice is absolute perfection on that tune.
Finally, I remember an old, little-known ditty by an even lesser-known band known as The Rectal Thermometers, who recorded a classic called “The Christmas Dragon” years ago. It’s virtually impossible to find, and it may be the single most offensive holiday song ever recorded, but hey, it’s in the spirit of the season, and I can’t help but want to mention it. I’m not sure I’d go so far as to recommend it, but its existence is something to chuckle about :)

Aaron Bartz, Tame … Tame and Quiet
1. I’ll have to stick with the theme and say “Christmas Time Is Here” by Vince Guaraldi. Besides that it’s just a beautiful song, I like that it’s the most depressing Christmas song I can think of. The music and melodies are all melancholy, but the lyrics are bright and shiny. It’s a weird dichotomy and I love that about it. I think the holidays bring that dichotomy out in a lot of people.
2. I watch the Charlie Brown Christmas Special every year, so it’s more of a repetitive memory, where every time I hear the song, it reminds me of all the Christmases that have passed, and how much has changed.
3. “Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer.” It sounds like something they’d sing on Hee Haw or the Blue Collar Comedy Tour. Not that Christmas songs have to be serious or anything, but geez.

Comment by Jesse Hughey — December 25, 2007 @ 05:07PM