Its that time! Its official we can listen to Christmas music. We don't have to listen to the killjoys anymore (not that we really ever did). So here are 20 amazing Christmas songs and 10 not so amazing ones. You may prefer a different rendition of a song but....tough, it is my list! In no particular order.
1. Fairytale of New York by the Pogues featuring Kirsty MacColl
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9jbdgZidu8
I lied. There is one Christmas song I like the very very very best in the whole wide world, and it is this one. This is the one I hold off as long as I can to listen to so I can have a very special Christmas moment! I still have listened to it for 2017. It is a love story! It is Christmas eve in the drunk tank! It's naughty! It's lovely! It's everything!
2. Hard Candy Christmas Dolly Parton-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivLpzyTA9ik
Now I am in no particular order! This is among the best because Dolly Parton is an American treasure and it's from Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. Take that conservatives that complains about Starbucks cups!
3. Do You Hear What I Hear- Whitney Houston
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZ-coIXJf4s
For whatever struggles Whitney Houston had, we never really deserved her voice. This proves that
4. Do they Know It's Christmas- Band Aid
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjQzJAKxTrE
It is basically a big Christmas guilt trip, but it is one with George MIchael, Bono, Simon Le Bon and Boy George. So it is amazing.
5. Someday at Christmas Andra Day featuring Stevie Wonder
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MaA7B9cu4kU
Some people would just include the Stevie Wonder version, but this is my list so they should shut up.
6. Little Drummer Boy/ Peace on Earth- David Bowie and Bing Crosby
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_ReMi7tVWA
This one was my favorite when I was a kid because of their amazing clothes and home decor. But it is still one of the greats. I can't believe both of them are gone now. :(
7. Have Yourself A Merry Christmas- Judy Garland
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxxTHzERTsk
Many a dive has tried to sing this, but Judy lived it. There is no comparison.
8. Oh Holy Night- All the divas. Martina McBride in this case.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rOd4nTz0hhY
It doesn't matter who sings it as long as it is a diva with serious pipes. It's the dream Christmas song for people who can SANG! I chose Martina McBride because this list could always use some more country.
9. Children Go Where I Send Thee- Audra McDonald and The Mormon Tabernacle Choir
You thought no Audra? No Broadway? Wrong! Sadly no version of this is on the internet. But the link below proves it exists. It is also on Apple Music.
https://www.mormontabernaclechoir.org/about/guest-artists/audra-mcdonald.html
10. Merry Christmas Darling- The Carpenters
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YR1ujXx2p-I
What? Not everyone is happy during the holidays? The Carpenters is evidence.
11. River- Joni Mitchell
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nAK9Pj5-QXY
What? I love Christmas, but I'm moody! Not just a great Christmas song, but it is perhaps a perfect song all around.
12. Christmas Wrapping The Waitresses
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nud2TQNahaU
Because who hasn't forgotten cranberries too...and laughed and laughed and laughed and laughed.
13. Silent Night Stevie Nicks
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRP06e3jFt4
Silent Night is one of the greatest Christmas hymns ever, but Stevie Nicks haunting voice elevates it!
14. Ave Maria Chris Cornell
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pd2emzFAqv8
That voice! Many will never know what we have lost!
15. Song for a Winter's Night Sarah McLachlan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UV4F2yfEt9o
Yeah Sarah is a late 90s Lilith Fair relic, but her version of Gordon Lightfoot's song is amazing.
16. Merry Xmas/ War is Over John Lennon
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yN4Uu0OlmTg
Sure it is a liberal pipe dream as long as Republicans exist. But one can dream
17. Wonderful Christmastime The Shins
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qReziqBwEr4
Perhaps you think it is blasphemy not to choose Paul McCartney's version, but that one is pure cheese. This one is much better.
18. We Need a Little Christmas Angela Lansbury
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=St7mQWwmo70
My gay shame is that I have never seen Mame, but Christmas isn't Christmas without this manic need for Christmas. Right. This. Very. Minute.
19. That was the Worst Christmas Ever! Sufjan Stevens
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TpmiPbDkvBQ
Because not everyone's Christmas's are bright!
20 Put A Little Love in Your Heart- Al Green and Annie Lennox
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3J_3mcOwdQ
It wasn't technically a Christmas song until it was in a Christmas movie. And now it is 80's. positive and necessary.
10 Bad Christmas Songs with NO LINKs because you shouldn't have to suffer.
1. Grandma Got Ran Over by a Reindeer- Elmo and Patsy
Look even bad grandmothers deserve better
2. Baby It's Cold Outside: All versions
Because Christmas never should have been date rapey. Especially now.
3. The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late)
Sure the song itself isn't terrible, but the original autotuning of the Chipmunks is nails on a chalkboard.
4. Merry Christmas from the Family Rosie O Donnell and the Dixie Chicks
This pains me but.....once upon a time Rosie Donnell was so popular (and deservedly so) that she got her own Christmas album. The great Dixie Chicks agreed to participate. They should not have.
5. My Favorite Things: All Versions
Because it is a song from Sound of Music. Not. A. Christmas. Song.
6. Santa Claus is Coming to Town- Bruce Springsteen
Because no one is perfect. Even the boss.
7. Zat You Santa Claus? Buster Poindexter
For a short period in time, the character Buster Poindexter was made popular much to many people's astonishment. This song proves it happens.
8. The Christmas Shoes- Newsong
In no way is this so bad that it's good. It is just bad. The most emotionally manipulative song ever created. They should feel shame.
9. Santa has got The AIDS Tiny Tim
I discovered this yesterday. I wish it didn't exist. Do not link to the video. It will give you nightmares. Not only does Santa have AIDS. Santa has THE AIDS and that is much worse. So offensive. Really don't search for it. Trust me. It is real.
and finally
10. I think you might Like it Olivia Newton John and Travolta.
You deserve this link. It is the most deliciously awful thing ever. The two stepping!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGNIDXUaVts
You're welcome!
Happy Holidays!
Friday, November 24, 2017
Wednesday, November 8, 2017
11/9...One Year Later...I won't forget
In a few hours it will be 11/9/2017, one year after the current disaster President was officially named through our convoluted electoral system. I believe it was and continues to be an American tragedy.
Early into the morning hours of 11/9/2016 I was in an Uber (don't do those anymore), and I was talking to the driver. The results of the Presidential election had not been officially decided yet but things were not looking good for the future of America.
"Can you believe people voted for him?" my driver asked.
I could not.
I still can't
One of the best unplanned things I ever did was time my vacation the day after the 2016 Presidential Election. When I arrived at the airport after getting no sleep and suffering a minor nervous breakdown at home (watch the first 20 minutes of American Horror Story: Cult. That shit was my life). After I went through the security lines, the newscasters quietly announced that we had a new president, and it was not who I had hoped (and that is putting it nicely). The person the Electoral college would choose was about the worst possible choice I could think of. I still can't say his name and President in the same sentence. In my mind then and now, America had just committed an act of terrorism--against itself.
It was early morning in the airport, but I have never heard a place so eerily quiet. I was in the airport the day that it was announced Michael Jackson died and this was still quieter and different than that. No one was talking, but you could tell people were thinking. How and why did this happen?
Most of us have survived, but one year later--
I am still angry.
I won't forget.
I am still angry.
I won't forget that when Evangelicals were given choice they chose the least moral option even when they had all the evidence of what kind of man he was right in front of him.
I am still angry.
I won't forget growing up in a conservative environment and having people make judgments about my life, and then they had the nerve to vote for evil. Prior to 11/9, I had always been open minded about people who have different opinions politically than my self. on 11/9 that ended for anyone I know who voted for Trump. I don't think I will ever be able to move past it and have any kind of respect for those I know who did vote for him.
I am still angry
I won't forget that some people were apathetic. They didn't like their choices and stayed home. Their votes could have put us in a different place one year later.
I am still angry.
I wont forget that people were careless with their vote and voted 3rd party or voted for someone who wasn't even on the ballot. I am not against 3rd party candidates, but when Donald Trump is one of two choices, you should not be reckless with your vote. There vote could have made a lot of lives different one year later, and no I don't care what state you live in.
I am still angry.
I won't forget last night. Hope returned again. Even though most of the elections were minor, I felt a sea change-- albeit a small one. I hope once again. I hope that 2018 is a disaster for conservatives. I hope in the long run supporting Trump runs people far away from bigoted evangelical churches. I hope that Donald will no longer be president by January 2021.
Because if this country survives him, the night he is no longer President, I am going to be dancing in the streets. And if you know me you know...I. don't. dance.
But even then I will never forget anyone who played a part in his election.
Early into the morning hours of 11/9/2016 I was in an Uber (don't do those anymore), and I was talking to the driver. The results of the Presidential election had not been officially decided yet but things were not looking good for the future of America.
"Can you believe people voted for him?" my driver asked.
I could not.
I still can't
One of the best unplanned things I ever did was time my vacation the day after the 2016 Presidential Election. When I arrived at the airport after getting no sleep and suffering a minor nervous breakdown at home (watch the first 20 minutes of American Horror Story: Cult. That shit was my life). After I went through the security lines, the newscasters quietly announced that we had a new president, and it was not who I had hoped (and that is putting it nicely). The person the Electoral college would choose was about the worst possible choice I could think of. I still can't say his name and President in the same sentence. In my mind then and now, America had just committed an act of terrorism--against itself.
It was early morning in the airport, but I have never heard a place so eerily quiet. I was in the airport the day that it was announced Michael Jackson died and this was still quieter and different than that. No one was talking, but you could tell people were thinking. How and why did this happen?
Most of us have survived, but one year later--
I am still angry.
I won't forget.
I am still angry.
I won't forget that when Evangelicals were given choice they chose the least moral option even when they had all the evidence of what kind of man he was right in front of him.
I am still angry.
I won't forget growing up in a conservative environment and having people make judgments about my life, and then they had the nerve to vote for evil. Prior to 11/9, I had always been open minded about people who have different opinions politically than my self. on 11/9 that ended for anyone I know who voted for Trump. I don't think I will ever be able to move past it and have any kind of respect for those I know who did vote for him.
I am still angry
I won't forget that some people were apathetic. They didn't like their choices and stayed home. Their votes could have put us in a different place one year later.
I am still angry.
I wont forget that people were careless with their vote and voted 3rd party or voted for someone who wasn't even on the ballot. I am not against 3rd party candidates, but when Donald Trump is one of two choices, you should not be reckless with your vote. There vote could have made a lot of lives different one year later, and no I don't care what state you live in.
I am still angry.
I won't forget last night. Hope returned again. Even though most of the elections were minor, I felt a sea change-- albeit a small one. I hope once again. I hope that 2018 is a disaster for conservatives. I hope in the long run supporting Trump runs people far away from bigoted evangelical churches. I hope that Donald will no longer be president by January 2021.
Because if this country survives him, the night he is no longer President, I am going to be dancing in the streets. And if you know me you know...I. don't. dance.
But even then I will never forget anyone who played a part in his election.
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