The next best Rock ‘n Roll Christmas songs…

I’m a little Grinchy when it comes to Christmas songs.  I prefer originals to covers.  And I prefer rock ‘n roll Christmas songs to the classics.  Although I do love me some “Little Drummer Boy”.  That song rocks.

A few years back I wrote a post that listed what I thought to be the Top 10 Rock ‘n Roll Christmas songs of all time.  If you missed you can read it at:

http://arizonapremieremusic.com/2008/12/13/top-10-rock-n-roll-christmas-songs/

But time has passed, and I thought it would be a good time to list some of my other favorites.  And I had to break the rule on some of these, a few of them being covers of classic Christmas songs.  And some of them I can merely tolerate.  I know, I’m a mean one Mr. Grinch.  So with no further adieu here are my best of the rest rock ‘n roll Christmas songs:

Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) by Darlene Love

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UV8x7H3DD8Y

This song has been covered over the years by numerous artists, including my favorite rendition by U2.  But I’ll always give props to the original of any tune.  So Darlene Love and Phil Spector, good job.

Santa Claus is Coming to Town – Bruce Springsteen

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Khpk9274gMg

I’m not big on covers.  And like I said above, I prefer originally penned rock ‘n roll Christmas songs over the classics, but this one is an exception to the rule.  I remember this song from when I was a kid and always liking the baritone coda from Clarence Clemons, “you better be good for goodness sakes”.

Christmas Is The Time to Say I Love You – Billy Squire

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPf2snTB2wo

This is a Christmas song I really like.  I’m surprised I didn’t include it in my original list of Christmas rock ‘n roll songs.  Billy Squire had a hot streak going in the early ’80’s including this song.  Which was pretty much the last good song he wrote.

I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus – John Cougar Mellencamp

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zsat4e8jgHA

Another cover here.  This is one of those Christmas songs that I can tolerate.  It’s not bad, but it’s not great.  But then again, the GREAT original rock ‘n roll Christmas songs are hard to come by.

Merry Christmas (I Don’t Wanna Fight Tonight) by the Ramones

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Y5GtaTrPHM

Kind of a weak attempt at a Christmas song, but it’s the Ramones, so ya know.  Plus, it’s a little different take on a Christmas song.  So I’ll give them credit for that.

Superstar – From the movie “Jesus Christ, Superstar”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvVr2uks0C8

I know, I know.  This is not really a Christmas song.  But I’ve always liked this song.  And it IS about Jesus Christ, so technically it IS a Christmas song.

Proving once again that we do more than just show you the best deals in the Phoenix real estate market; we show you how to get the most out of living in Arizona, and try to help you get the most out of what you are listening to.

Top 10 Rock ‘n Roll Christmas Songs.

 

Okay the criteria for this list was the songs had to be originals (no re-makes of old classics/standards).  For the songs that are maybe not so popular I attached links to their YouTube videos.  Just click on the hyperlinks to hear.

1.       Feed the World (Do they know it’s Christmas) – Band Aid.  A truly great song, regardless of the fact that it is a Christmas song.  Rarely do various artists from different bands and different parts of the world gather together to produce a piece of music this good.  And the fact that it raised money and awareness for the starving people of Ethiopia AND led to the Live Aid concerts, and ensuing copycat concerts, adds to the song’s greatness.

 

2.       Christmas Wrapping – The Waitresses. Doesn’t get played enough.  For those who know the song, you know how good it is.  For those who don’t, give a listen, I think you’ll like.

 

 

3.       Father Christmas – The Kinks. I like the Kinks.  I’ve always thought the Kinks were underrated.  This is kind of a punky Christmas song, but good nonetheless.

 

4.       War is Over – John Lennon. Beautiful song, beautiful sentiment.  John had a soft side to him as well.

 

 

5.       Wonderful Christmas Time – Paul McCartney. Some people think this song is rather schmaltzy. Not me. I like it. To me it exemplifies the genius of Paul McCartney, simple, catchy, quirky.

 

6.       Christmas in Hollis – Run DMC. A little inner city Christmas cheer from Run and the boys. Fairly humorous video too, with Harry “Bud” Mellman.

 

 

7.       Christmas is a time to say I love you – Billy Squire.   I will probably catch hell from the hipster doofusses who would dismiss anything written and performed by Billy Squire, but he had his moments.  Try NOT to sing along with this one.

 

8.       Last Christmas – George Michael/Wham.  Leave me alone hipster doofusses! This is my list and I like this song.  Go make your own hippy doofussy list if you think you can do better.

 

 

9.       Blue Christmas – Elvis Presley.  A classic, pure and simple. Crooned in a way only the King could do it.

 

10.   Run Rudolph Run – Chuck Berry.  Another classic done by the man who was TRULY the King of rock ‘n roll (see The Rolling Stones, Beatles, Beach Boys, and anyone else who has picked up a guitar over the past 50 plus years.)

Merry Christmas Everyone!