But some Christmas songs I look forward to hearing every year. For the most part, they are cynical Christmas songs, but still....
#5. Greg Lake : I Believe in Father Christmas (the album version from Emerson Lake and Palmer)
Lake just passed away, but the song is described as "a picture-postcard Christmas, with morbid edges" by lyricist Peter Sinfield. It includes a section from Prokofiev, whom we just discussed on the blog, and part of the video was made in the Qumran Caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered.
This is the single version.
#4. The Who: Christmas
Part of the Tommy rock opera, it includes a subversive dig at Christianity, asking how someone who cannot see or hear can be saved.
#3. The Waitresses, Christmas Rapping
OK, this is far more traditional. The plot is corny, but, damn, I love both the lyrics and the tune. My guilty Christmas pleasure. (Along with the original Miracle on 34th Street.)
#2. Bob Rivers, I Am Santa Claus
This Black Sabbath spoof is great, with very funny lyrics.
#1 The Kinks: Father Christmas
Another subversive song, with poor kids mugging Santa Claus because they need money, not silly toys. And it really rocks.