A Small Holiday Blag

I have been a little sick the past couple of days, but I was trying to think of a little fun holiday blog. And I've been stuck on what to do. I kinda wanted to make this into a 'gift' for those who read this. My way of saying Happy Holidays to those who take time to read this.

So I've decided to make a little top 10 list of some of my Favorite Holiday songs. Some of these are for Humor's sake, or for nostalgia, but most of them genuinely are some of my favorite Holiday songs.

Even though I don't believe in a supernatural being that seems to be the focus of "Christmas" or quite a few of the Holidays around the winter solstice, does not mean I am a Scrooge. That being said, let's get to the List.

10. The Smashing Pumpkins - Christmastime



Now, I kind of hate Billy Corgan. His voice is a bit nasally for my tastes, but somehow, it works with the Pumpkins. And this song kind of reminds me of how my parents must have felt Christmas morning; with me as a kid. After all the hustle and bussle of the holiday season, sitting down and watching a child's eyes light up as they open gifts... it could be nice on some level.

09. Bob Rivers- I am Santa Clause


There is something so wonderful about a well done Christmas parody. Using Black Sabbath's main riff from Iron Man is great. And I have an image of Santa sporting "C-H-R-I-S-T-M-A-S" across his knuckles like Ozzy has "O-Z-Z-Y'. My cousin Miles showed me this a few years back. I'm glad he's more into Black Sabbath and Ozzy more than Santa now, but I thank him for hipping me to this.

08. Danny Elfman - What's This?



So being a former little Goth-y boy, and still being a huge Tim Burton fan, and to a lesser extent a Fan of musicals, this ranks up there as one of my top Christmas songs. Danny Elfman's voice as Jack Skellington is delivering an enthusiastic of wonder is a major turn for the character from "Jack's Lament" earlier in the Film. Burton's creation, the music and clay-mation make "Nightmare Before Christmas" one of my go to Holiday movies. Macabe at times, sure, but Disney has done much worse Christmas Specials/movies. "What's This" is just a fun song, and if it doesn't make you smile, like it Christmas town does for Jack, I have three Ghosts of Christmas that will be paying you a Visit tonight.

07. My Chemical Romance - All I Want for Christmas Is You


This is a recent find for me. I remember the frigging Mariah Carey original, and I loathe it. But Gerard and Co. put a nice little 'pop-punk' spin on it, that makes the unbelievably sappy lyrics a little more palatable. If you really want to torture yourself, go on youtube and see some of the horrendous fan made 'music videos' for either version. I kind of want to stab my eyeballs out due to the one I watched.

06. The Used - Alone This Holiday



Another 'punk-lite' Holiday song. I apologize for the crappy audio on this, but I'm not the one who uploaded the video. The original is on Maybe Memories CD, or iTunes. This is more of a Nostalgic song for me; The lyrics are depressing, but it's a fun song. Good when you're pissed over the holidays. Or just using it when taking a walk out in the snow alone. I actually prefer the version without Kelly Osbourne (Ozzy's daughter) but that's hard to come by.

05. Blink 182 - I Won't be Home for Christmas


This is usually how I feel around the holidays until about a few days before Christmas. I mean, I PROBABLY won't attack someone around Christmas with a baseball bat and get butt-raped in jail for aggravated assault. But one can only have their buttons pushed so much as the days get darker, and drearier. If I end up in jail, please, post my bail.

04. The Vandals - My First Christmas (as a Woman)


What can be more awesome at Christmas than getting what you want? The Vandals, what can I say, I love Josh Freese. A fun upbeat, probably not to serious song about wanting Santa to make you the opposite sex for Christmas. But then again, it is the Vandals. You can never be sure.

03. Spinal Tap - Christmas with the Devil


YouTube does not have a decent recording of this, so I had to get a piano/bass jazz-y version of it. You can find the original on iTunes, I think or any respectable filesharing site. There's a REALLY crappy VHS era of Spinal Tap playing on the Arsenio Hall show. And there is just something hilarious about the lyrics and/or the music in it. Metal + Christmas... it's odd, isn't it? I mean this was released in 1992. A good 4 years before Trans-Siberian Orchestra. Coincidence?
Yeah, Probably.

02. Nine Inch Nails - 28 Ghosts IV



Something about this song reminds me of snowfall or walking in snow. This is not my video to the song, but gives a nice representation of what's in my mind when it plays. Off of Nine Inch Nails instrumental album released in March of 2008 Ghosts I-IV this track has been one of my favorites for this year. at over 5 mins, it's one of the longer pieces on the album. Give it a listen, it's a $5 download off of nin.com.

01. John Lennon - Happy Xmas (war is over)


Street Drum Corps. Featuring Bert McCrakin

The Three Tenors

Maroon 5


This song was originally a protest song about the Vietnam war; although in recent years, I feel it has lost it's meaning. Or it has changed at least. I don't want to preach here (but it might come off as such); It's not what I do well at all. I take this song to be reflective on your year, and if you're working to help this planet, and help and love those around you. I try to, so much and I'm sure you do to. This song is to promote the ultimate ideal of this holiday season, peace on earth and love for your fellow person. Peace can come from a messiah that is to come; or one that has come, died, and will come again. Peace can be simple as extending a hand to someone in need with out thought of getting something in return. Peace is possible, if we hold ourselves accountable for our actions, and we take care of ourselves, and take care of our neighbors.

This Holiday season, lets let the messages of hope, love, light and happiness really take hold. Promote it all year round, take a few minutes each day and do something kind for someone in need. Talk to strangers, make them smile, you might help them when they are having a bad day. Promote people to reach there full potential. Love everyone equally, regardless of race, ethnic background or religion.

Happy Holidays. War, Hunger, Illiteracy, Poverty, Disease can all be over. If you want it. Let's make it happen.