Holiday – Mark Brown – Writer

Best Christmas Songs – Nick Lowe

Mark — Sat, 24 Dec 2016 21:51:40 +0000

Best Christmas Songs – Just to Be With You (This Christmas)

For the love of god I’m far behind in my 25 Days of Christmas songs list. Every year I swear I’m going to be on top of things and then every year the season gets away from me.

New to the list this year is “Just to Be With You (This Christmas)” by Nick Lowe. It was released in 2013 on his Quality Street album.

The song was written by Ross Bon, of Ross Bon & The Mighty Blue Kings fame. The original is more of a 1940’s lounge song. Nick has jazzed it up a bit. Both versions are great but I like Nick’s version more.

[embedplusvideo height=”385″ width=”640″ editlink=”http://bit.ly/2ipAWUL” standard=”http://www.youtube.com/v/JAEQX7m0v5Y?fs=1″ vars=”ytid=JAEQX7m0v5Y&width=640&height=385&start=&stop=&rs=w&hd=0&autoplay=0&react=1&chapters=¬es=” id=”ep2254″ /]

Buy Just to be With You (This Christmas)

[amazonjs asin=”B00F4IHQXC” locale=”US” title=”Just To Be With You (This Christmas)”]

Get it at iTunes.

Ross Bon & The Mighty Blue Kings

In case you’re wondering, here’s the Ross Bon & The Mighty Blue Kings version.

[embedplusvideo height=”385″ width=”640″ editlink=”http://bit.ly/2ipCXk1″ standard=”http://www.youtube.com/v/iRsEGPtSO7s?fs=1″ vars=”ytid=iRsEGPtSO7s&width=640&height=385&start=&stop=&rs=w&hd=0&autoplay=0&react=1&chapters=¬es=” id=”ep6232″ /]

The Best Christmas Songs

I love Christmas music. I’m all for Bing Crosby and Burl Ives, but my tastes lean towards the more offbeat Christmas Songs. I think they make for a superb Christmas play list. Put them on yours. You won’t be sorry.

Day 1. “Good Time Christmas” by Lou Rawls

Day 2. “Merry Christmas (I Don’t Want to Fight Tonight)” by The Ramones

Day 3. “I Want an Alien for Christmas” by the Fountains of Wayne

Day 4. “Slashed Wrists This Christmas” – Gruff Rhys

Day 5. “All I Want is Truth (for Christmas)”– The Mynabirds

Day 6. “Santa Claus Wants Some Loving” – Albert King

Day 7. “If I Get Home on Christmas Day” – Elvis

Day 8. “Everything’s Gonna Be Cool This Christmas” – The Eels

Day 9. “Presents for Christmas” – Solomon Burke

Day 10. “Purple Snowflakes” – Marvin Gaye

Day 11. “Christmas in the Room” – Sufjan Stevens

Day 12. “Mele Kalikimaka” – Chris Isaak

Day 13. “Snowing in the East Coast” – Joseph Washington Jr.

Day 14. “A Christmas Song For You” – The Kik

Day 15. “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” – Amy Winehouse

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Best Christmas Songs – I Saw Mommy

Mark — Thu, 22 Dec 2016 18:16:46 +0000

Best Christmas Songs – I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus

Okay, so Day 15 in my 25 Days of Christmas Songs list of what I think are the best Christmas songs is coming in on the 22nd. Oy. So far behind. Today it’s a very rare recording of Amy Winehouse singing I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus. I think it’s from the Q Awards in 2004. Side note: The Pet Shop Boys were award the Q Inspiration Award and The Red Hot Chili Peppers won the Best Act in the World Today at the 2004 Q Awards.

I can’t find the song for sale anywhere but you can snag a copy of it by downloading the video. Just sayin’.

[embedplusvideo height=”385″ width=”640″ editlink=”http://bit.ly/2hXn2X5″ standard=”http://www.youtube.com/v/hUFhVFiLTr4?fs=1″ vars=”ytid=hUFhVFiLTr4&width=640&height=385&start=&stop=&rs=w&hd=0&autoplay=0&react=1&chapters=¬es=” id=”ep4860″ /]

The Best Christmas Songs

Day 1. “Good Time Christmas” by Lou Rawls

Day 2. “Merry Christmas (I Don’t Want to Fight Tonight)” by The Ramones

Day 3. “I Want an Alien for Christmas” by the Fountains of Wayne

Day 4. “Slashed Wrists This Christmas” – Gruff Rhys

Day 5. “All I Want is Truth (for Christmas)”– The Mynabirds

Day 6. “Santa Claus Wants Some Loving” – Albert King

Day 7. “If I Get Home on Christmas Day” – Elvis

Day 8. “Everything’s Gonna Be Cool This Christmas” – The Eels

Day 9. “Presents for Christmas” – Solomon Burke

Day 10. “Purple Snowflakes” – Marvin Gaye

Day 11. “Christmas in the Room” – Sufjan Stevens

Day 12. “Mele Kalikimaka” – Chris Isaak

Day 13. “Snowing in the East Coast” – Joseph Washington Jr.

Day 14. “A Christmas Song For You” – The Kik

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Best Christmas Songs – The Kik

Mark — Thu, 22 Dec 2016 00:20:00 +0000

Best Christmas Songs – A Christmas Song For You – The Kik

Man oh man I am trying to catch up on my 25 Days of Christmas list, in which I countdown, in no particular order, what I think are best Christmas songs.

“A Christmas Song For You” by The Kik is a fantastic throwback to the early 1960s Beatles beat. I can’t find much info about Kik. Pretty much all I can find is the band is a Dutch band. That’s pretty much it. Nor can I find anywhere to buy their music here in the states.

But “A Christmas Song For You” is loads of fun and a toe-tapping holiday song.

A Christmas Song For You Lyrics

I hear those sleigh bells ringing
Star shining bright
I hear those church bells singing
O what a night!

Happy days are here again o baby, yes it’s true
This year I’ll write a Christmas song for you

Outside the snow is falling
O what a sight
Inside it’s nice and cozy
We’re holding tight

Happy days are here to stay o baby, yes it’s true
This year I’ll write a Christmas song for you
This year I’ll write a Christmas song for you

Underneath the mistletoe, standing hand in hand
Let’s go outside and have some fun
In winter wonderland

I hear those sleigh bells ringing
Star shining bright
I hear those church bells singing
O what a night!

Happy days are here again o baby, yes it’s true
This year I’ll write a Christmas song for you

Underneath the mistletoe, standing hand in hand
Let’s go outside and have some fun
In winter wonderland

I hear those sleigh bells ringing
Star shining bright
I hear those church bells singing
O what a night!

Happy days are here again o baby, yes it’s true
This year I’ll write a Christmas song
This year I’ll write a Christmas song
This year I’ll write a Christmas song for you

[embedplusvideo height=”385″ width=”640″ editlink=”http://bit.ly/2hUY9v9″ standard=”http://www.youtube.com/v/zkKuIJFKuBM?fs=1″ vars=”ytid=zkKuIJFKuBM&width=640&height=385&start=&stop=&rs=w&hd=0&autoplay=0&react=1&chapters=¬es=” id=”ep7078″ /]

The Best Christmas Songs

Day 1. “Good Time Christmas” by Lou Rawls

Day 2. “Merry Christmas (I Don’t Want to Fight Tonight)” by The Ramones

Day 3. “I Want an Alien for Christmas” by the Fountains of Wayne

Day 4. “Slashed Wrists This Christmas” – Gruff Rhys

Day 5. “All I Want is Truth (for Christmas)”– The Mynabirds

Day 6. “Santa Claus Wants Some Loving” – Albert King

Day 7. “If I Get Home on Christmas Day” – Elvis

Day 8. “Everything’s Gonna Be Cool This Christmas” – The Eels

Day 9. “Presents for Christmas” – Solomon Burke

Day 10. “Purple Snowflakes” – Marvin Gaye

Day 11. “Christmas in the Room” – Sufjan Stevens

Day 12. “Mele Kalikimaka” – Chris Isaak

Day 13. “Snowing in the East Coast” – Joseph Washington Jr.

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Best Christmas Songs – Snowing

Mark — Thu, 22 Dec 2016 00:00:11 +0000

Best Christmas Songs – Snowing in the East on Christmas

I am so far behind in my 25 Days of Christmas list I can’t stand it. This happens every year. I have to lay off the eggnog. Today’s song is “Snowing in the East on Christmas” by Joseph Washington Jr.

[embedplusvideo height=”385″ width=”640″ editlink=”http://bit.ly/2hUVOAn” standard=”http://www.youtube.com/v/TE5gMWlifTg?fs=1″ vars=”ytid=TE5gMWlifTg&width=640&height=385&start=&stop=&rs=w&hd=0&autoplay=0&react=1&chapters=¬es=” id=”ep7669″ /]

Snowing in the East on Christmas – Joseph Washington Jr.

I can’t find any information about Joseph Washington Jr. I have no idea who he is but in 1983 he put out a funky and soulful Christmas album. The song reminds me of something Isaac Hayes would sing. Some of the lyrics make me laugh but the song has made it to the list.

Buy the Song

[amazonjs asin=”B01M7VSYRG” locale=”US” title=”Snowing in the East on Christmas”]

Buy it at iTunes here.

The Best Christmas Songs

Day 1. “Good Time Christmas” by Lou Rawls

Day 2. “Merry Christmas (I Don’t Want to Fight Tonight)” by The Ramones

Day 3. “I Want an Alien for Christmas” by the Fountains of Wayne

Day 4. “Slashed Wrists This Christmas” – Gruff Rhys

Day 5. “All I Want is Truth (for Christmas)”– The Mynabirds

Day 6. “Santa Claus Wants Some Loving” – Albert King

Day 7. “If I Get Home on Christmas Day” – Elvis

Day 8. “Everything’s Gonna Be Cool This Christmas” – The Eels

Day 9. “Presents for Christmas” – Solomon Burke

Day 10. “Purple Snowflakes” – Marvin Gaye

Day 11. “Christmas in the Room” – Sufjan Stevens

Day 12. “Mele Kalikimaka” – Chris Isaak

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Best Christmas Songs – 8 Days of Hanukkah

Mark — Wed, 14 Dec 2016 22:39:34 +0000

Best Christmas Songs – 8 Days of Hanukkah

Well, Day 13 of my 25 Days of Christmas Songs (Yes I know I’m a day behind), in which I count down what I think are the best Christmas songs, has to take a brief detour. The first day of Hanukkah falls on Christmas Eve this year so I thought I’d go with a Hanukkah song today.

Now Hanukkah isn’t known for its songs. In fact, none of the Jewish holidays are known for catchy songs. So the pickings are pretty slim. But I found one that I think is great.

8 Days of Hanukkah – Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings

Before I get to the song, let me say how sad I was when I learned that Sharon Jones passed away in November. She was only 60. She left us far too soon but her music and spirit remain.

Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings will be showing up later in my list but today they make their first appearance with the soulful song “8 Days of Hanukkah.” It’s pretty hard to come up with a good song about driedels and latkes but Sharon has done pretty well. I think my favorite lyrics is –

“Day 5, I like it more than Pesach, Let’s leave the Manischewitz on the shelf.”

True story.

So get out there, get your Hanukkah game face on, and stuff yourself with brisket while listening to probably the only good song about Hanukkah.

[embedplusvideo height=”385″ width=”640″ editlink=”http://bit.ly/2gMBqSL” standard=”http://www.youtube.com/v/VT2_7aq3ytE?fs=1″ vars=”ytid=VT2_7aq3ytE&width=640&height=385&start=&stop=&rs=w&hd=0&autoplay=0&react=1&chapters=¬es=” id=”ep1953″ /]

Buy 8 Days of Hanukkah

[amazonjs asin=”B011JBC358″ locale=”US” title=”8 Days of Hannukah”]

Buy it on iTunes here.

The Best Christmas Songs

Day 1. “Good Time Christmas” by Lou Rawls

Day 2. “Merry Christmas (I Don’t Want to Fight Tonight)” by The Ramones

Day 3. “I Want an Alien for Christmas” by the Fountains of Wayne

Day 4. “Slashed Wrists This Christmas” – Gruff Rhys

Day 5. “All I Want is Truth (for Christmas)”– The Mynabirds

Day 6. “Santa Claus Wants Some Loving” – Albert King

Day 7. “If I Get Home on Christmas Day” – Elvis

Day 8. “Everything’s Gonna Be Cool This Christmas” – The Eels

Day 9. “Presents for Christmas” – Solomon Burke

Day 10. “Purple Snowflakes” – Marvin Gaye

Day 11. “Christmas in the Room” – Sufjan Stevens

Day 12. “Mele Kalikimaka” – Chris Isaak

The post Best Christmas Songs – 8 Days of Hanukkah appeared first on Mark Brown - Writer.

Best Christmas Songs – Mele Kalikimaka

Mark — Tue, 13 Dec 2016 18:35:14 +0000

Best Christmas Songs – Mele Kalikimaka

New to my 25 Days of Christmas Songs list, in which I countdown my favorite Christmas songs, is “Mele Kalikimaka” by Chris Isaak.

Written in 1949 by Robert Alex Anderson,”Mele Kalikimaka” takes its title from the Hawaiian phrase Mele Kalikimaka, meaning “Merry Christmas”.

The most famous recording of it was by Bing Crosby and the Andrews Sisters in 1950. That’s a pretty darn good recording but I prefer Chris’ version.

[embedplusvideo height=”385″ width=”640″ editlink=”http://bit.ly/2gJvKcx” standard=”http://www.youtube.com/v/QMpXqW3Vifc?fs=1″ vars=”ytid=QMpXqW3Vifc&width=640&height=385&start=&stop=&rs=w&hd=0&autoplay=0&react=1&chapters=¬es=” id=”ep3251″ /]

Chris Isaak

Okay, so here’s my Chris Isaak story. Chris and I were both cast in the mini-series From the Earth to the Moon. We were in the first episode, which was directed by Tom Hanks.

The story goes that Tom liked me so much that he wanted to give me a recurring role. I was supposed to have a five episode arc. I turned down a job at Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival to do the series. I mean, who wouldn’t? Well, my story line was cut. I ended up with only one episode. When the mini-series came out, my story line was completely cut. Ah, show business.

Anyway, Chris and I had a great time on set and he told me some great stories about touring. By the end of his tour with Tina Turner, he hated her so much that he started wearing “I Like Ike” buttons. (Chris has a collection of political buttons). There was one line Chris couldn’t remember because it was full of technical language and he was worried about screwing up every take and asked me what to do. I said, “Go ask Tom.” Why he was nervous to ask him I don’t know but I convinced him to do it.

When Chris told Tom he was having trouble memorizing the line, Tom said, “Just read it.” Chris was dumbfounded.

“What?”

“Just put your script on the table. Sift through some papers and then just read your line. It’s no big deal.”

Chris was beyond relieved. It was an epiphany. Sage words of advice from one of the best actors of our time.

Lyrics

Mele Kalikimaka is the thing to say
On a bright Hawaiian Christmas Day
That’s the island greeting that we send to you
From the land where palm trees sway

Here we know that Christmas
Will be green and bright
The sun to shine by day
And all the stars at night
Mele Kalikimaka is Hawaii’s way
To say Merry Christmas to you

Mele Kalikimaka is the thing to say
On a bright Hawaiian Christmas day
And that’s the island greeting that we sing to you
From the land where palm trees sway

Here we know that Christmas
Will be green and bright
The sun to shine by day
And all the stars at night
Mele Kalikimaka is Hawaii’s way
To say Merry Christmas to you

Mele Kalikimaka is the thing to say
On a bright Hawaiian Christmas Day
That’s the island greeting that we sing to you
From the land where palm trees sway

Here we know that Christmas
Will be green and bright
The sun to shine by day
And all the stars at night
Mele Kalikimaka is Hawaii’s way
To say Merry Christmas
A very Merry Christmas
A very, very, Merry, Merry Christmas
To you

Buy Mele Kalikimaka

[amazonjs asin=”B000UDP1EW” locale=”US” title=”Mele Kalikimaka”]

Get it at iTunes here.

The Best Christmas Songs

Day 1. “Good Time Christmas” by Lou Rawls

Day 2. “Merry Christmas (I Don’t Want to Fight Tonight)” by The Ramones

Day 3. “I Want an Alien for Christmas” by the Fountains of Wayne

Day 4. “Slashed Wrists This Christmas” – Gruff Rhys

Day 5. “All I Want is Truth (for Christmas)”– The Mynabirds

Day 6. “Santa Claus Wants Some Loving” – Albert King

Day 7. “If I Get Home on Christmas Day” – Elvis

Day 8. “Everything’s Gonna Be Cool This Christmas” – The Eels

Day 9. “Presents for Christmas” – Solomon Burke

Day 10. “Purple Snowflakes” – Marvin Gaye

Day 11. “Christmas in the Room” – Sufjan Stevens

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Best Christmas Songs – Christmas in the Room

Mark — Mon, 12 Dec 2016 22:02:07 +0000

Best Christmas Songs – Christmas in the Room

Let’s face it, Christmas is a time for bittersweet songs. For every kiss stolen under the mistletoe there’s grief from the memory of family and friends no longer with us. Believe me, I know.

Christmas in the Room by Sufjan Stevens

Christmas in the Room captures the bittersweetness of the holidays and life. But the song by Sufjan Stevens (He has a brother named Marzuki. What up with those names?) hits on what’s really important: being together. No gifts. No crap. Just the joy of being together.

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Lyrics

No travel bags, no shopping malls
No candy canes, no Santa Claus
For as the day of rest draws near
It’s just the two of us this year

No silver bells or mistletoe
We’ll kiss and watch our TV show

I’ll come to you, I’ll sing to you
Like it’s Christmas in the room
I’ll dance with you, I’ll laugh with you
‘Til it’s Christmas in the room

No traffic jams, no ice and storm
Far in the house the fire is warm
No Christmas tree, no great parade
It’s just an ordinary day

No parties planned, no place to go
It’s just the two of us alone
And in the house we see a light
That comes what we feel inside

I’ll come to you, I’ll sing to you
Like it’s Christmas in the room
I’ll dance with you, I’ll laugh with you
‘Til it’s Christmas in the room
‘Til it’s Christmas in the room

Oh, I can’t see the day when we’ll die
But I don’t care to think of silence
For now I hear you laughing
The greatest joy is like the sunrise

No gifts to give, they’re all right here
Inside our hearts, the glorious cheer
And in the house we seek a light
That comes from what we know inside

I’ll come to you, I’ll sing to you
Like it’s Christmas in the room
I’ll dance with you, I’ll laugh with you
‘Til it’s Christmas in the room

I’ll come to you, I’ll sing to you
Like it’s Christmas in the room
I’ll dance with you, I’ll laugh with you
Like it’s Christmas in the room
Like it’s Christmas in the room

Buy the song at iTunes here.

Buy it at Amazon by clicking below.

The Best Christmas Songs

Day 1. “Good Time Christmas” by Lou Rawls

Day 2. “Merry Christmas (I Don’t Want to Fight Tonight)” by The Ramones

Day 3. “I Want an Alien for Christmas” by the Fountains of Wayne

Day 4. “Slashed Wrists This Christmas” – Gruff Rhys

Day 5. “All I Want is Truth (for Christmas)”– The Mynabirds

Day 6. “Santa Claus Wants Some Loving” – Albert King

Day 7. “If I Get Home on Christmas Day” – Elvis

Day 8. “Everything’s Gonna Be Cool This Christmas” – The Eels

Day 9. “Presents for Christmas” – Solomon Burke

Day 10. “Purple Snowflakes” – Marvin Gaye

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Best Christmas Songs – Purple Snowflakes

Mark — Mon, 12 Dec 2016 03:10:43 +0000

Best Christmas Songs – Purple Snowflakes – Marvin Gaye

Marvin Gaye’s “Purple Snowflakes” makes it back on this year’s 25 Days of Christmas Song list, in which I countdown (in no particular order) what I think are the best Christmas songs. This is a curious song. In 1965, Marvin Gaye released a single called “Pretty Little Baby” on the Tamla label. It was his second Top 40 single of 1965. The first being “I’ll Be Doggone”.

Purple Snowflakes – Marvin Gaye

The song was written by Gaye, Clarence Paul and David Hamilton. The band playing on the track is The Funk Brothers. What a fantastic name. The Funk Brothers.

Anyway, Marvin took “Pretty Little Baby,” wrote new lyrics, and voila – “Purple Snowflakes.”

Purple Snowflakes Lyrics

Softly they fall, where do they go?

(purple snowflakes)
Cover the ground, without a sound
(gentle snowflakes)
Fall from the sky, before your eyes
(it’s so thrilling)
Blankets of white, brighten the night
(such a feeling)
They seem to say, that our love is

Here to stay
We’ll be cozy and warm until summer

Flowers bloom

Here in our midst, we’re surely blessed
(chestnuts roasting)
Over the heat, gee ain’t life sweet?
(tootsies toasting)
Drifting on air, without a care
(purple snowflakes)
Cover the ground, without a sound
(love the snowflakes)
I’m sure that snowflakes, fall from the
Gloom
I will always remember this night,

Here with you
There snowflakes, pretty purple

Snowflakes
Snowflakes, pretty purple

Snowflakes
Here in our midst, we’re surely blessed
(chestnuts roasting)
Over the heat, gee ain’t life sweet?
(tempters toasting)
Drifting on air, without a care
(purple snowflakes)
Cover the ground, without a sound
(love the snowflakes)
I’m sure that snowflakes, fall from the
Gloom
I will always remember this night,

Here with you
And I say snowflakes, pretty purple

Snowflakes
I’ll always Remember the snowflakes
And you baby, and you
Snowflakes are falling, falling,

Falling..
And I got you in my arms

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Suzanna Choffel

Suzanna Choffel, who was on the 3rd season of my friend Paul Mirkovich’s show The Voice, did a cool cover of “Purple Snowflakes.”

[embedplusvideo height=”360″ width=”640″ editlink=”http://bit.ly/1vWGQXW” standard=”http://www.youtube.com/v/8807Nwb0b3Y?fs=1″ vars=”ytid=8807Nwb0b3Y&width=640&height=360&start=&stop=&rs=w&hd=0&autoplay=0&react=1&chapters=¬es=” id=”ep9006″ /]

Where to Buy Purple Snowflakes

Buy Purple Snowflakes at iTunes here.

Buy Purple Snowflakes at Amazon here.

[amazonjs asin=”B001NAZJSE” locale=”US” title=”Purple Snowflakes”]

The Best Christmas Songs

Day 1. “Good Time Christmas” by Lou Rawls

Day 2. “Merry Christmas (I Don’t Want to Fight Tonight)” by The Ramones

Day 3. “I Want an Alien for Christmas” by the Fountains of Wayne

Day 4. “Slashed Wrists This Christmas” – Gruff Rhys

Day 5. “All I Want is Truth (for Christmas)”– The Mynabirds

Day 6. “Santa Claus Wants Some Loving” – Albert King

Day 7. “If I Get Home on Christmas Day” – Elvis

Day 8. “Everything’s Gonna Be Cool This Christmas” – The Eels

Day 9. “Presents for Christmas” – Solomon Burke

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Best Christmas Songs – Solomon Burke

Mark — Sat, 10 Dec 2016 07:09:03 +0000

Best Christmas Songs – Presents for Christmas

Oh man oh man, the R&B groove of “Presents For Christmas” by Solomon Burke is as smooth as an eggnog latte. This Christmas song, penned by Burke, has been a mainstay on my holiday song playlist for years.

“Presents For Christmas” was produced in 1966 and released on a 45 (remember those?) by Atlantic in 1967.

And I especially love the Sam Cooke tribute at the 2:06 mark.

[embedplusvideo height=”505″ width=”640″ editlink=”http://bit.ly/2hebLRs” standard=”http://www.youtube.com/v/ZYPIgR-r8cI?fs=1″ vars=”ytid=ZYPIgR-r8cI&width=640&height=505&start=&stop=&rs=w&hd=0&autoplay=0&react=1&chapters=¬es=” id=”ep2610″ /]

Buy Presents for Christmas

Get it at iTunes here.

The Best Christmas Songs

Day 1. “Good Time Christmas” by Lou Rawls

Day 2. “Merry Christmas (I Don’t Want to Fight Tonight)” by The Ramones

Day 3. “I Want an Alien for Christmas” by the Fountains of Wayne

Day 4. “Slashed Wrists This Christmas” – Gruff Rhys

Day 5. “All I Want is Truth (for Christmas)”– The Mynabirds

Day 6. “Santa Claus Wants Some Loving” – Albert King

Day 7. “If I Get Home on Christmas Day” – Elvis

Day 8. “Everything’s Gonna Be Cool This Christmas” – The Eels

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Best Christmas Songs – Everything’s Gonna Be Cool This Christmas

Mark — Fri, 09 Dec 2016 02:36:35 +0000

Best Christmas Songs – Everything’s Gonna Be Cool This Christmas

Coming in on Day 8 of my 25 Days of Christmas songs in which I countdown (in no particular order) what I consider the best Christmas songs is “Everything’s Gonna Be Cool This Christmas” by the Eels. The video makes me laugh.

Everything’s Gonna Be Cool This Christmas – Eels

The Eels are a band formed just a 5-iron away from me in Los Feliz, California in 1995 by singer/songwriter Mark Oliver Everett. Over the years band members have come and gone and Everett is the only original band member. Sort of like when my friend Paul played in what we like to call Whitesnake 9.

“Everything’s Gonna Be Cool This Christmas” came out in 2002 on the live version of The Eels album Electro-Shock Blues. The album is a cheery old album inspired by Everett’s sister’s suicide and his mother’s terminal lung cancer. The title refers to the electroconvulsive therapy received by Elizabeth Everett when she was institutionalized.

Songs include “Going to Your Funeral,” “My Descent Into Madness” and “The Medication is Wearing Off.”

Fun, huh?

Taking all of that into consideration, “Everything’s Gonna Be Cool This Christmas” takes on a very uplifting meaning.

[embedplusvideo height=”505″ width=”640″ editlink=”http://bit.ly/2h9hh7J” standard=”http://www.youtube.com/v/AkOX3oiSOv8?fs=1″ vars=”ytid=AkOX3oiSOv8&width=640&height=505&start=&stop=&rs=w&hd=0&autoplay=0&react=1&chapters=¬es=” id=”ep9889″ /]

Lyrics

Remember last year when you were on your own
You swore the spirit couldn’t be found
December rolled around and you were counting on it
To roll out

Well, everything’s gonna be cool this christmas
Everything’s gonna be cool this christmas
Everything’s gonna be cool this christmas

Well everybody’s lookin’ for you down at the house
The tree is looking so inspired
There’s a yuletide groove waitin’ for you to move
I’ll go and throw another log on the fire

Everything’s gonna be cool this christmas
Everything’s gonna be cool this christmas
Everything’s gonna be cool this christmas

As days go by the more we need friends
And the harder they are to find
If I could have a friend like you all my life
Well I guess I’d be doin’ just fine

Everything’s gonna be cool this christmas
Everything’s gonna be cool this christmas
Everything’s gonna be cool this christmas

Buy Everything’s Gonna Be Cool This Christmas

Get it at Amazon.

[amazonjs asin=”B001O073GO” locale=”US” title=”Everything’s Gonna Be Cool This Christmas”]

Get it at iTunes here.

The Best Christmas Songs

Day 1. “Good Time Christmas” by Lou Rawls

Day 2. “Merry Christmas (I Don’t Want to Fight Tonight)” by The Ramones

Day 3. “I Want an Alien for Christmas” by the Fountains of Wayne

Day 4. “Slashed Wrists This Christmas” – Gruff Rhys

Day 5. “All I Want is Truth (for Christmas)”– The Mynabirds

Day 6. “Santa Claus Wants Some Loving” – Albert King

Day 7. “If I Get Home on Christmas Day” – Elvis

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