Tag Archives: music

MUSIC, Video

My Favorite Christmas Songs #18

“Peace On Earth/The Little Drummer Boy,” David Bowie and Bing Crosby, 1977

Recorded for a television special (Bing Crosby’s Merrie Olde Christmas) in September 1977, the counterpoint “Peace on Earth” was specifically written for David Bowie, who reportedly hated “The Little Drummer Boy” and refused to sing it, although he does accompany Bing at the start.  Those two great talents from two different times combined to make something wonderful.

Sadly, Bing Crosby passed away five weeks after the taping at the age of 74 and David Bowie at the age of 69 in 2016.

The video below has the full segment, the song starts at about 1:45

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MUSIC, Video

My Favorite Christmas Songs #14

“Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town,” Bruce Springsteen, 1975

Recorded live at C.W. Post College in Greenvale, New York, The Boss sounds like he’s having a ball performing this staple.  The banter between Bruce, The E Street Band, and the audience at the start adds an extra layer of fun to the song.

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MUSIC, Video

My Favorite Chirstmas Songs #13

“Wonderful Christmastime,” Paul McCartney, 1979

Paul McCartney has been accused of writing ‘Silly Love Songs’ by some folks.  John Lennon supposedly chastised him for writing ‘granny music’ before the Beatles’ breakup.  I unabashedly enjoy pop music myself, including this Christmas tune, and as Paul once sung: “What’s wrong with that?”

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MUSIC, Video

My Favorite Christmas Songs #12

“Feliz Navidad,” Jose Feliciano, 1970

While most (including myself) only know of Jose Feliciano through this Christmas staple, he has enjoyed international success for many years and was the first person to publicly perform “The Star Spangled Banner” in a non-traditional manner before Game 5 of the 1968 World Series.  I will confess to getting just a small kick out of hearing non-Spanish speakers attempt to sing it. 😉

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Eduardo Soliz, MUSIC, Video

My Favorite Christmas Songs #9

“Do They Know It’s Christmas?” Band Aid, 1984

Recorded to raise money for Ethiopia famine relief, this song began the ‘charity single’ wave of the 1980s that reached its nadir (in the US, at least) with the release of “We Are The World” the following year.  Primarily featuring artists from Britain and Ireland, the song’s lyrics, driving bass line, and Phil Collins’ drum work make it a good listen despite the somber subject matter.

 

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Eduardo Soliz, MUSIC, Video

My Favorite Christmas Songs #5

“Baby Its Cold Outside,” Dean Martin, 1959

For all the cock and bull about this classic being (to borrow a friend’s term) ‘rapey,’ this duet was written by Frank Loesser in 1944 and originally performed by he and his wife, Lynn Garland.  Lynn was furious when Frank sold the rights to MGM; she considered it to be ‘their’ song.  Curiously enough, the ‘mouse’ part is sung by a chorus in Dean’s rendition.

It bears mentioning that the part sung by Dean is marked as the ‘wolf’ in the sheet music. /shrug

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