25/12/2023
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!
Another year, another playlist of songs that should never have been made/we are so glad were made. Who am I kidding? I'm glad all of them were made!!
It includes possibly the worst song I've ever put on one (it's called Santa Came on A Nuclear Missile), a Swedish version of a classic, some Muppets, and, of course, disco
I hope you are full of food and feeling loved.
I hope this year you were able to be kind to yourself, kind to others and laugh lots.
https://www.mixcloud.com/mikimusicmixes/mikis-audio-christmas-card-2023/
00:00
1. Excerpt - Cabin Pressure at Christmas
This version now often supplants the real words in my head. But who needs the real words? GET DRESSED YOU MERRY GENTLEMAN!
00.35
2. The Beach Boys - The Man With All the Toys
Get ready to sing backup.
02.04
3. Gareth Davies-Jones - Love Came Down
Now for the twinkly, achingly beautiful folk track of the playlist.
05.29
4. Bobby Helms - Jingle Bell Rock
I totally forgot this was a country track, seeing how it has rock in title. And also is now inextricably linked to young women dancing inappropriately in sexy santa outfits. And thus Mean Girls became a Christmas movie.
07:38
5. Hot Dad - The War on Christmas
Was an instant add as soon as I heard it. I think the moment at 10:00 is my favourite
11:11
6. The Cameos - Merry Christmas
There is so much great Christmas rhythm 'n' blues and doo-wop, it's honestly an embarrassment of riches.
13:04
7. The Muppet Christmas Carol - One More Sleep 'Til Christmas
Finally getting recognition as one of the best Christmas films ever, I think The Muppet Christmas Carol is also one of the best film musicals ever with songs by Paul Williams, and the wonderful score by Miles Goodman.
15:53
8. Heather Noel - Santa Came On A Nuclear Missile
From the album "The American Song-Poem Christmas: Daddy, Is Santa Really Six Foot Four", I'm not sure where I heard this song, which I find mildly upsetting as it feels like it materialised onto my listening lists of its own accord. It might be from https://www.avclub.com/of-snowness-and-of-sleeves-15... which describes the origins brilliantly:
"In its 1960s and 1970s heyday, the American Song-Poem Corporation catered to the millions of Americans whose hobby was writing terrible poetry. For a small fee, the company would set such terrible poems to music, ground out at a rate of dozens per day by embittered studio rats like the pseudonymous “Heather Noel.” And for some reason, nothing inspired terrible poets like Christmas—hence the prevalence of songs like this one, alternately sweet and incredibly disturbing."
I'm so sorry.
18:36
9. Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings - White Christmas
It's 'White Christmas' meets 'Proud Mary'.
20:50
10. Aubrey Logan - Carol of the Bells
LISTEN TO THE BREATH CONTROL!!!! Aubrey Logan is both the singer and trombonist on this track and clearly has the lungs of a
freediver.
24:33
11. Charo & The Salsoul Orchestra - Mamacita ¿Dónde Está Santa Claus?
Disco-disco!
30:13
12. Ramsey Lewis Trio - Here Comes Santa Claus
I can't believe I've omitted Ramsey Lewis on earlier playlists. Such a cool groove.
32:52
13. Pomplamoose - Here We Come A-Caroling
I hadn't heard Pomplamoose in ages when I heard this, and they are delightful as ever.
35:38
14. Lasse Lindbom Band - Om jag bara fick en elgitarr till jul
Listen, I don’t speak Swedish but I think it's still a Christmas song. I mean it's from an album called 'Glitter, Glögg & Rock 'N' Roll', so it must be, right?
40:07
15. The Christmas All-Stars, Joseph Simmons, Salt-N-Pepa, Onyx, Snoop Dogg, Diddy, Keith Murray, Mase - Santa Baby
For your information, Benzo refers to a 'Mercedes Benz.'
44:11
16. Triawd Y Coleg - Dawel Nos
47:04
17. The Band - Christmas Must Be Tonight
Both these tracks make me want to cry. The first for its harmonies, the second because it manages to capture something extraordinary. The excitement, not so much of the son of God, but 'hey guys, it's a baby!'
50:41
18. The Flirtations - Christmas Time Is Here Again
This is gorgeous. Like something produced by The Beach Boys. Just gorgeous orchestral pop.
54.20
19. Ballsy - omg it's xmas
A new track out this year. When I first heard it, I listened to it on repeat about 25 times. '00s pop-punk heaven.
57:40
20. Edmundo Ros and His Orchestra - Jingle Bells Calypso
Edmundo Ros paints such a vivid picture in these lyrics of what Christmas partying must have felt like in 60s London for immigrants new to the country. Check the volume of whisky they're buying though...
1:00:17
21. Jackson 5 - Someday At Christmas
Perfection.
01:03:02
22. Amy Winehouse - I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus (Live At Union Chapel / BBC Radio 2)
Listen out for her little giggle right at the end. Perfect.
01:05:14
23. Schola Cantorum & Tone Bianca Sparre Dahl - Lux aurumque (Eric Whitacre)
It's like putting your hand in a golden beam of light. Healing
Another year, another playlist of songs that should never have been made/we are so glad were made. Who am I kidding? I'm glad all of them were made!! It includes possibly the worst song I've ever put on one (it's called Santa Came on A Nuclear Missile), a Swedish version of a classic, some Muppets,....
