Don't Shoot Me Santa - MC Christmas Edition
Ho ho ho, better listen to my Christmas radio! 🔫🤶🎄🎶📻 | MC #17
Good morning,
Today I invite you to step into Christmas with me 🎄.
Consider this issue of the MC as my Christmas present for you 🎁. I’ve selected a bunch of songs that may cheer you up, bring some pleasant memories, or even surprise you. I hope you’ll find something for yourself.
This time I come to you with some wishes, as well. May you feel love, cheerfulness, a sense of closeness, and ease. I wish you a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! May it be exactly the way your heart desires 💖.
I must warn you, that’s a long issue, so if you prefer to skip the read, here are the links for today’s playlist, full of mood-boosting, Xmas-themed songs:
If you choose to stay with me, let’s take a look first at this music video by The Killers. “Don’t Shoot Me Santa” starts with a crazy puppet show made by the murderous Santa Claus, which leads to even crazier events later. The whole song is about asking Santa not to be shot. It’s the funniest, and darkest Christmas song I’ve ever heard.
With this weird opening, I invite you to get into the Christmas spirit together! Grab something hot to drink, and let’s continue our music journey, starting with Sir Elton John’s hit, released almost 30 years ago.
Christmas Time is considered to begin with Mariah Carrey’s “All I Want For Christmas” song, right? It’s undoubtedly the most famous hit of that kind ever made. It has broken 3 Guinness World Records, for g sake! Carrey, often called the “Queen Christmas”, earned over $60 million from this song, since the day it was released in 1994, to 2018. I hope you haven’t got an allergy to this record yet 🙊.
The second, most recognizable Christmas song in the world is probably “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas” by Michael Bublé, the crowned “King of Christmas Music” 👑.
If you ask me, what’s my favorite Christmas song, I’ll not hesitate any minute. My all-time favorite is “Santa Baby” by Eartha Kitt, '50s Broadway star 🌟 (known best for “I Wanna Be Evil”).
There are a lot of different versions of this song, but hers is truly special. Eartha’s voice is incredibly velvety and unforced. She didn’t try to sound seductive, over-singing it, like others. If you’re curious what I mean by that, check out other performances, like this one by undisputed pop diva Ariana Grande & Liz Gillies (Spotify | YouTube), Kylie Minogue (Spotify | YouTube), or Wolf Alice (Spotify | YouTube). They’re all nice and sweet, but on a totally different level than Eartha’s.
Eartha Kitt was an amazing performer and had a great sense of humor. She once said at one of her concerts: “I used to have a lot of fun with this song… then Madonna sang it” 😂.
If you like to stay in this fiery state, let’s go for another fisty holiday classic. I recommend you something from the “King of Rock and Roll” himself. Elvis Presley recorded this epic “Blue Christmas” song in 1957. This one never gets old and it’s always bringing the heat 🔥.
Watch the colored clip below, and prepare to be astonished by his rich facial expressions. I literally forget to blink when he sings 👀. Martina McBride’s voice is also impeccable and hypnotic.
*Whole “Elvis' Christmas Album” is pure gold! 👑
Another rock & roll classic for Christmas Time is definitely “Run Rudolph Run” by Chuck Berry. There’s no way to not tap your foot to this rhythm, is there? 🎶.
“Baby It’s Cold Outside” was always on top of every Christmas playlist in my home. All my life I’ve considered it as a flirty and ironic song. This year I’ve found out that it’s discussed as controversial. Many people find this song offensive, describing it as sexually harassing. I’m still quite shocked it can be viewed this way. In the ‘40s it was indecent to stay at a partner’s house if the couple was unmarried. And I’ve always thought it was a satirical fight against the strict social norms of that time. Some people say now that it’s creepy, sexist, and outdated. It’s something that I just don’t understand. I cannot help but see the struggle between two people, bursting with love for each other. They both want to stay together, that’s why they’re extending their meeting indefinitely. Their biggest worry is what people may say if they stay longer.
The fun fact is that the songwriter of “Baby It’s Cold Outside” - Frank Loesser, wrote it for his wife Lynn Garland. They performed it together at their parties. This song was their original way to signal their guests that it was time to leave the building 😉.
The cut scene down below is from the musical romantic comedy movie “Neptune’s Daughter” from 1949, played by Esther Williams and Ricardo Montalban.
Check out a fun parody of “Baby It’s Cold Outside” by John Legend and Kelly Clarkson. Even this caused some controversy and backlash. Legend explained to the Observer that "The song was supposed to be silly! It wasn't supposed to be preachy at all. I never disparaged the old version".
Christmas Time won’t be the same without iconic Dean Martin’s version of the song - “Let It Snow” ❄️. In my opinion, his performance is impossible to beat.
And the same story is with the classic - “It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year” by Andy Williams, called “Mr. Christmas”, legendary singer and TV host of his own show in the 70’s ✨.
Brenda Lee's music is also essential to most people in December. It’s just impossible to not recognize at least one of her Christmas classics, like:
“Rockin’ Around Christmas Tree”
“Jingle Bell Rock”
“Winter Wonderland”
Tell me in the comment section down below, which of these 3 is your favorite song by Brenda Lee?
In my opinion, there is no better Christmas duet than this smooth-voiced by Frank Sinatra & Bing Crosby. Listen to their epic, jolly song “We Wish You The Merriest” from 1964 or their performance at the “Christmas Special” TV concert from 1957. The whole thing is just a pleasure for the soul, ears, and eyes ✨👂👁.
If you want to feel like a kid again, check out these songs by America's Favorite Singing Cowboy - Gene Autry:
They’ve got everything. Strong, engaging storytelling, cheerful melody, and playful vocals.
“I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas” is another one of my favorites. It’s a totally cute song from 1953, sung by 10-year-old Gayla Peevey. The fun fact is that she actually got that dream hippo later on in her life (Read More).
And if you have a sweet tooth 🍬 or you’re in need of sugary cute songs, give your ears a favor and listen to:
Britney’s “My Only Wish This Year” - which has turned 21 this year!
Ariana Grande’s “Santa Tell Me” - pop diva’s absolute bop full of her powerful vocals and sleigh bells sounds 🔔
Kelly Rowland’s “Love You More At Christmas Time” - a feel-good song with smooth and soft vocals mixed with finger snaps sounds, and 00’s R&B vibe
Natasha Bedingfield’s “Shake Up Christmas” - a catchy, jolly tune, made for Coca-Cola’s campaign in 2011. Fun fact - Natasha is a true polyglot and sang this song in 6 different languages!
For language stimulation, hear “Feliz Navidad”, a bilingual, Spanish-English, cheerful hit by Puerto Rican singer-songwriter José Feliciano. Since the 70’s it delights anyone needing a shot of Christmas joy and good energy ✨.
The last things I want to introduce to you are the new, Christmas-themed releases of 2021 🎄.
The first one is “I Feel Like A Kid Again” by Jax, a musician from New Jersey. The song is simple and catchy. It’s one of those songs that makes you feel good. It’s cheerful, the lyrics are easy to remember, and there’s a lot of clapping in it! 👏👏👏
*Btw, it’s worth checking out Jax's other song, titled “Like My Father” in which she beautifully portrays the relationship between her parents. But be careful! It can be a true tear-jerker… 🥲
The next one is “This Is Life (Merry Christmas)”, a fresh song made by The Lumineers & Daniel Rodriguez (released on 1 Dec). It’s a delightful mix of the family footage-styled music video, truthful lyrics, and indie-folk sounds. Pleasantly warm, trumpet-y 🎺, Christmas jewel to discover 💎.
*See their version of the “Pretty Paper” song (Spotify | YouTube). It’s really worth giving it a listen.
The last of my discoveries is “Nothing Breaks Your Heart Like Christmas” by Matt Maltese. It’s a sad, and honest, but a cozy-feeling song. It’s an alternative for the modern, intrusive, pop Christmas hits. Kind of Grinch’y vibe for sure comforts everyone who’s not a fan of Christmas family gatherings around the table, and awkward conversations of that time.
In case, you’re not in a festive mood today, I think you may like “Christmas Lights” by Coldplay. If those lines resonate with you - “When you're still waiting for the snow to fall. Doesn't really feel like Christmas at all”, I wish you together with the band’s vocalist, Chris Martin - "May all your troubles soon be gone, oh Christmas lights, keep shining on" ✨.
Now, I’d like to end with a special recommendation of a great documentary to watch on Apple TV+.
I’ve seen “‘Twas the fight before Christmas” two weekends ago and I still cannot get over how good it was. What a story! So awful and yet so wildly interesting. It captures a portrait of an egotistic, delusional Christmas maniac who sues and terrorizes emotionally everyone, who stands in his way to organize his front-yard Christmas events. He’s an embodiment of the worst possible nightmare to the HOA and the whole neighborhood. What this man does to prove he’s right and in a position of power, hiding behind the smokescreen of "religious freedom", is beyond imaginable. Since his very first day, he acts like a jerk to the community members in this little corner of North Idaho. I think it’s a great alternative to classic Christmas movie positions 🍿📺. Let me know what you think if you’ve already seen it!
All right, that’s all that I’ve prepared for today. I’ll get back to you in 2 weeks. Prepare for some yearly summaries, best releases, and multiple playlists to listen to 🎧. There will be many flavors to try. So stay tuned!
If you’re not subscribed yet, don’t hesitate to do so:
Also let me know in the comment section down below, what are your favorite Christmas songs!
And here you have the links for today’s playlist:
Enjoy the mix, and have a very merry Christmas!
Stygi
P.S. If you still have some energy left in you, here’s the link to MC’s older posts:
I guess though Wham! Last Christmas
Very merry Christmas ⛄️🎄☃️
Stygi, you've outdone yourself! This is such a fantastic Christmas playlist!! You've picked some of my favourites and found a load of new songs I'm excited to listen to! Merry Christmas Stygi and wishing you a wonderful new year!