12.21 The B List: Christmas Rock

As we approach Christmas, this week s B List takes a look at the ten great rock and roll Christmas songs. I m Jewish, but hey, if Bette Midler and Neil Diamond can make Christmas albums, I can at least list my favorite songs.
1.

: One of the oldest songs on this list (1958), Run Rudolph Run has been performed by everyone from Dave Edmunds to the Grateful Dead to Bryan Adams. I always found it cool (because laziness rules) that Berry just stole the chords from Johnny B. Goode and added new seasonal lyrics, yet 50 years later, Run Rudolph Run is still in regular airplay on the radio.

2. : Eartha Kitt, Madonna, Kylie Minogue and the Pussycat Dolls all cover this one it seems like every 10 years the slutty popstar of the era records a new version of this classic. Madonna is still the sluttiest.

3. : John and Yoko wrote this one in 1971, and while it s not exactly the most uplifting song, it s got Christmas in the title. The melody is haunting, and the words still ring true today 35 years later.

4. : Springsteen has one of the most distinctive voices in all of rock and roll. The E Street Band does a great job with the music, and the way Bruce adds accents and screams to the lyrics makes his version unique and entertaining.

5. : In 1984, Bob Geldof and Midge Ure decided to do something about famine in Africa, so they put together a supergroup to record a charity record. The result is the timeless , which stills gets tons of airplay today, and for good reason.

6. : The Waitresses, who were best known for their hit I Know What Boys Like, made the most of their 15 minutes of fame and released a Christmas song. Christmas Wrapping mixes the characteristic New Wave sound with quirky lyrics about the magic of the holiday.

I wonder what ever happened to these ladies. Anyone got some heady info for me?
7.

: As we ve seen with other entries on this list, when an artist hits the top of the charts it must be time to release a Christmas single. Elton John was the biggest rock superstar in the world when he released this original song in 1973. While the song is just okay, the video is hilarious.

8. : Yet another great Christmas song from the early 80s: Why don t pop stars write Christmas songs anymore? Oh, that s right, because they re merely a creation of the recording industry and have no discernible talent.

9. : If my list is any indication, depressing Christmas songs seem to be the best. This particular tale of loneliness and misery shows off The King s crooning style perfectly.

10. : Phil Spector, who also produced Merry Christmas (War Is Over), wrote this tune with Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich, with the original version recorded by Darlene Love. Then in 1987, U2 recorded a version at a soundcheck and added background vocals from Love.

This track can be found on A Very Special Christmas, my favorite Christmas album, which also includes songs that just missed this list such as Run DMC s Christmas in Hollis, The Eurythmics Winter Wonderland, and Stevie Nicks singing Silent Night.
I know there are plenty more, so tell us, what s your favorite Christmas song? I think Bruce could have very easily made the list a second time with Merry Christmas Baby .

Check out this fun version with the E Street Band on Late Night with Conan O Brien a few years back, complete with Conan awkwardly strumming some guitar on stage and a fat guy in a sweater awkwardly dancing in the crowd. I challenge you not to tap a foot under your desk.
Darlene Love s version of #10 is probably my favorite Christmas track of all time, and I hate Bono I didn t know they did a version of this I think I hate him more now.

Scotty boy, I gotta make a correction
if you ve never heard the California Guitar Trio performance of said tune, I ll try and play it for you some time next week.
I think Rockin Around the Christmas Tree has always been a favorite of mine. Another is Cracker s Merry Christmas Emily.

I dare you to listen to that one and not get it stuck in your head. I haven t been able to get it out of my head for like 4 years.
Very cool, i ve never even heard of that UM jingle thanks for sharing.

And of course you are correct about the proper spelling of Xmas. I look forward to hearing the CGT version. please come home for christmas - jon bon jovi/eagles/charles brown?

?? No Christmas in Hollis ?

No Bowie/Bing Drummer Boy ? Seriously?

: Excellent work as always boyz!! Love the analysis.