Music Video Friday: The Twelve Days Of Christmas

As a special Christmas gift to you, I am offering you this post without links. If you don't understand a reference, you'll have to look it up yourself. I promise to give you just enough information to drive you crazy. Consider this post your Official Time Killer at work today. No need to thank me.

Today's music is one of the most ubiquitous and notorious Christmas songs ever introduced to humanity. It is beloved by children because of the game-type aspect (How many days can I remember this year?) and loathed by adults because it is so repetitive and, quite frankly, boring (Oh. Em. GEE! This song has been going on for FOUR HOURS!!!).

And because I love you all so much, I'm presenting you with not one but TWO different versions!

What makes these both extra special, and what ties them together, is that they both feature a solo artist singing with a group. I think that formula helps to break up the monotony of the song. The caliber of talent doesn't hurt much, either.

The first rendition is from Bing Crosby and The Andrew Sisters. It was recorded in 1951 and is, in my most honest and humble opinion, the best recording of this song EVAH! First, Bing Crosby is to Christmas music as William Shakespeare is to tragic comedies. Don't try to argue that; it is a universal truth like the Law Of Gravity or the Rule Of One. Second, the vocal mastery of the Andrew Sisters is in full force. Just listen to the way they effortlessly switch from solos to singing in unison to tight three-part harmony. I defy you to find any vocal artists who can do this with such comfort and ease (and, yes, that includes The Manhattan Transfer, Take 6, and Rockapella ... not even close). Third, the arrangement here makes each verse unique so that, even though it's the same friggin' melody for three-and-a-half minutes, it's fresh every time.



The second rendition comes from two of my favorite performers, The Muppets and John Denver. It was recorded in 1979 as part of a Christmas television special, which you can still purchase today if you look around online. Why is this recording so special? Oh, c'mon now. It's John Denver, one of the purest vocalists I've ever known in my lifetime who, coincidentally, never took himself too seriously. And it's The Muppets, for Pete's sake! What these lovable characters lack in vocal talent, they more than make up for in hysterical entertainment.



I'm certain that there are other versions out there that would stack fairly well against either of these: this song has been recorded too many times for there not to be. I challenge you to post your favorite in the comments section.

'Tis the season to be giving and all.

Music Video Friday: I Hate My Job By JbDubs

I know. It's December. Christmas is just around the corner. The air has a briskness about it. A certain DC radio station has been playing 'round-the-clock holiday music since Thanksgiving. You are all expecting me to post Christmas music over the next two weeks.

Well, I had planned to do so. But last night happened. See, last night was Cobalt's 3rd Annual Employee Show. As is tradition, there was an awful lot of trainwrecking going on. But there were also a few diamonds. One particular number caught my attention. It wasn't the cleanest choreography I'd ever seen, but it was cool. And that infectious song that I couldn't quite make out was ... infectious.

Now maybe it's because I wrote the initial draft of this post in the early moments of the morning and my brain isn't firing on all cylinders, but it took me a friggin' long time to figure out what the blasted song was. (The sound quality didn't help much either.)

But I found it!!!

And, lucky you, I'm sharing it with you this week!

It's by this musical artist by the name of JbDubs who is ... well ... he's a musical artist who performs music. Honestly, I don't know the first thing about him or his music. But this song! This song is poetry!

I hate my boss. I hate my coworkers. I hate my job.

All snark aside, who hasn't thought this at least once in their life?

(You, in the back there, put your hand down and shut up. No one wants to hear about your perfect life.)





Okay fine. Here's some Christmas music. Happy now?

Music Video Friday: Holiday Road By Lindsey Buckingham

It's the holiday season. I'm currently in the airport getting ready to go on holiday. That is all.

Music Review: Xmas! The Beatmas By Rubber Band

What would have happened if the Beatles had made Christmas music instead of popular music? Pure effin' magic, that's what!

Rubber Band is (or was ... I don't right know because they don't have a presence online) a Beatles tribute band from Denmark. In 1994, the Fab Fire released an album of Christmas songs with a Beatles twist. See, what they did was take the lyrics from some of our most favorite Christmas songs and paired them with the instrumentals from some of our most favorite Beatles songs, with a little re-arrangement of course, to concoct a delicious blend of Yuletide cheer to bless your ears.

You can buy an import CD, but it will cost you an arm and a leg. My best advice is to click the link up there for the iTunes store to buy a copy of this album. Or you could get it through nefarious means ... but you didn't get that idea from me.

Either way, this album simply must become a part of your holiday music library. Trust me, you'll thank me for it.

Music Video Friday: My Favorite Christmas Special

Once again I am forgoing the usual music video for something different. But not terribly so, because today's offering features music! So there.

This is the 1974 Rankin/Bass stop motion animated television special The Year Without A Santa Claus and it has my all-time favorite siblings performing in two parts one of my favorite holiday tunes. It was the first time that I remember even pondering the notion that there really wasn't a Santa Claus, which was a bit traumatic and prompted my parents to come clean about the whole Kris Kringle thing (I think). My only real negative criticism is the use of "Blue Christmas" in the show ... even at a young age, before I knew it to be one of the most overplayed Christmas tunes ever and an Elvis one to boot, I knew that this song really didn't belong here. Otherwise, this is classic stuff that should be shared with each new generation.

(Oh, and I don't care what you say, this never happened. Are we clear? NEVER HAPPENED!)

Music Video Friday: The Motown Song By Rod Stewart With The Temptations

I'd been thinking all week about what song to feature in this week's Music Video Friday. It's been a rough week for me and for many people I know. I wanted something upbeat and fun. But I couldn't figure out what. Then, on my way in to work this morning, the perfect song was played on the radio.

In 1991 Rod Stewart released his 16th studio album, Vagabond Heart. The album reached the Top 10 in the US and contained three Top 20 singles. Among them is this week's selection.

"The Motown Song" was written by Larry John McNally and was originally featured on the Quicksilver soundtrack. Rod Stewart made his recording with the help of the legendary Motown group The Temptations. Their inclusion actually adds a lot of heft and cred to the song ... a smart move by whoever made it.

The video for the song was produced by Animation City, the same company that made Elton John's "Club At The End Of The Street". What really makes this video fun is the various cameos. See how many you can spot!

Music Video Friday: Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy By The Andrews Sisters

Today is Veterans Day. It is on this day, every 11th of November, that we pause to remember and honor all of those who have served in our military, particularly those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.

As my tribute, I offer you what is arguably the quintessential popular "military" song. While not specifically written for the military, this song has come to be associated with World War II and the USO. It is also ranked #6 in the "Songs Of The Century" list.

Now, beat me daddy, eight to the bar!

Music Video Friday: What's Opera, Doc? By Looney Tunes

I want slapstick comedy and I want highbrow entertainment. I want romance and I want violence. I want blood-thirsty warriors and I want vampy cross-dressers. I want to laugh and I want to cry.

And I want it all in one nice, colorful, 6 minute 50 seconds package.

My pick for today's music video isn't technically a music video. It's a cartoon set to several of Richard Wagner's operas. So, I think it counts.

By the way, I was not aware that the Looney Tunes (and Merrie Melodies) cartoons were originally created to promote the Warner Bros. music catalog. My, how far we've come since then.

Take seven minutes out of your busy Friday to watch this. You'll thank me later.

Bonus Halloween Music Video: Doing It All For My Baby By Huey Lewis And The News

Okay okay okay. So the song isn't technically Halloween-like. But the music video for it certainly is. It pays homage to, I think, just about every B-movie cliché ever done. Plus this was during the golden years of music videos, when artists didn't take themselves nearly as seriously or cynically as they do now.

So sit back, grab some popcorn, turn the lights down, and enjoy!

Happy Halloween!

Music Video Friday: Zombie Jamboree (Back To Back) By Harry Belafonte

I know it's late in the day for this but I promise you'll enjoy it for the next four days.

(Yeah, I know the video sucks.)

Happy Halloween!

Music Video Friday: Bohemian Rhapsody By William Shatner Feat. John Wetton

Remember when I said this a couple of years ago? Well, I still stand by what I said about that album and that song wholeheartedly. It would be a shining gem in anyone's music collection.

When I heard that Mr. Shatner was working on a follow-up album, I was cautiously optimistic. Perhaps, I thought to myself, he has learned from Ben Folds how to craft a solid music album built on original songs that play to his vocal strengths, a talented surrounding cast, and a visionary producer that will best utilize his limited talents.

But, Bill, you've quickly eroded any faith I may have had that your previous album was a fluke. Please, PLEASE, tell me that the rest of your new album isn't as nightmare-provoking as this:

Music Video Friday: Muppet Numbers

In honor of an upcoming national theatrical release, I offer to you these classics:

Some Judo And Karate


I'd Trade 'Em All


High On A Hill Was A Lonely Goatherd


Animal, Keep It Down!


No, No, No, I Don't Work With A Deadly Tarantula


And, finally, arguably the funniest bit in all The Muppet Show!

Music Video Friday: Eyes By Kaskade Featuring Mindy Gledhill

Until two years ago, I hadn't really heard of Kaskade. I may have heard a song of his or a remix he had done, but I wouldn't have known it. Over the past two years, my boyfriend has slowly introduced me to the music of Kaskade and I've become a fan.

Today's musical interlude is the first single off his soon-to-be-released album. The instrumental track is soothing, foot-tapping, and hypnotic. In short, it's all the good things that a Kaskade's underlying groove has to offer. Mindy Gledhill's vocals are wispy and dreamlike. She delivers the lyrics with a sweet, naïve (in a good way) aching that pulls you in like a gentle tide.

Eyes may indeed be the windows to the soul but ears are the channel to it.

Music Video Friday: Stand By R.E.M.

I'm certain that you've heard the news: R.E.M. is calling it quits after over 30 years of music making. I wouldn't call myself a dedicated fan, but I am a fan. I have all of their albums. I enjoy the vast majority of the music they've made. While their post New Adventures in Hi-Fi music was still good, the band called "R.E.M." was over when Bill Berry left. Michael, Peter, and Mike carried on for five more solid albums and 15 more solid years as something that very closely resembled "R.E.M." but not quite.

It's hard for me to pick out just one song to showcase. There are just so many. But the one I've got for you today is up in my Top 10 from the band. It's a bouncy tune with an important message about becoming actively involved "in the place where you live". It's up to you to decide to what degree and in what ways you will be.

And also, dance steps. We could all use a little more exercise, right?

Now face North.

Happy Pastafaria!

Today be t' Pirate high holy day. It be on this day, among others, that we pay our repects t' his Noodley Greatness in booty and rum. In honour o' me most favourite o' holidays, here be a tune from one o' t' most piratey o' modern pirates. Listen t' him cover a song from one o' t' most landlubbery o' landlubbers. Arrrrrrrrr! And RAmen!

Music Video Friday: A Roy Orbison Bonanza

He is undeniably one of Rock 'N' Roll's greatest male voices. I've picked four of my favorite Orbison tunes. Enjoy!

Oh, Pretty Woman from Roy Orbison and Friends, A Black and White Night


Crying with k.d. lang


Walk On official video


Not Alone Any More as Lefty Wilbury of the Traveling Wilburys

Music Video Friday: Stone In Love By Journey

It's raining in the D.C. metropolitan area. It seems like it's been raining for months and will continue to rain for months. Depression is setting in all around me. I'm starting to grow moss in my armpits.

I think it's time for a pick-us-up.

Every once-in-a-while I get infected with an earworm. Some of them are chronic. "Stone In Love" is one of my chronic earworms. Steve Perry's unearthly vocals. Steve Smith's thundering drums. Neal Schon's and Jonathan Cain's powerful guitar work. Ross Valory's grounding bass riff. And the harmonies in the chorus. This is Journey in their chart-topping prime.

Music rarely gets better than this.



Actually, while it may not be better, the current version of Journey with Arnel Pineda at the vocal helm certainly holds its own.

Music Video Friday: 5 Songs For A Hurricane

In case you didn't know, the East Coast is going to meet an angry lady named Irene this weekend. Here's some music to help you through.

1. Beatles - Rain




2. Garbage - Only Happy When It Rains




3. John Fogerty - Who'll Stop The Rain




4. Madonna - Rain




5. Gene Kelly - Singing In The Rain

Music Video Friday: I Wish By Skeelo Vs. Stevie Wonder (A Mashup By Roel "rrremix" Regelink) (Plus A Bonus Video)

I've had a crap day. So I'm sharing a mashup that always brings a smile to my face.

If you don't know what a mashup is, it is a song that is comprised of two or more songs "mashed" together. I've posted a mashup before on this site and spoke a little more about them.

So enjoy!



BONUS VIDEO: Jimmie, now that you've heard it, you can never unhear it.

Music Video Friday: Uprising By Muse (Plus A Bonus Video)

To set off this week's music video, I regret that I'll need to get a little political.

I'm pissed off at my government. Maybe I'm making a big thing of nothing here, yet I can't help but feel that the people we've picked to speak for us aren't listening to what we have to say. It's full steam ahead with the same failed politics, the same failed arguments, the same failed games. The whole sorry circus came to its latest head this week, when S&P downgraded the country's credit rating for the first time in our country's history.

My faithful readers, I've had it. And so has a great number of people. I don't think anyone has put it as eloquently as comedian Felonious Munk. WARNING: This epic rant is generously peppered with colorful language; if you're reading this in a sensitive location (i.e. work, church, so on and so forth), you might want to put the headphones on.



He puts to video what, I believe, a lot of people are thinking. Frankly, I don't care who started rolling the snowball from the top of the mountain. We didn't elect these people to their roles in government so that they can finger-point. You, the people in Congress and the White House, are at the wheel now. Fix this mess or we'll find other people who will.



LEGAL DISCLAIMER: I do not advocate violence as a solution. Nor do I advocate releasing an army of Naughty Bears on the world. If you want to change the system, get yourself educated on the truth of the issues and on the candidates running for office then VOTE wisely!

UPDATE 15 Sugust 2011 13:31: What? No one was gonna tell me the Muse video didn't work?