{"id":60,"date":"2016-12-12T05:30:16","date_gmt":"2016-12-12T10:30:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/departmentoftangents.wordpress.com\/?p=60"},"modified":"2021-12-15T02:34:13","modified_gmt":"2021-12-15T07:34:13","slug":"eight-essential-rock-and-roll-christmas-songs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nickzaino.com\/departmentoftangents\/2016\/12\/12\/eight-essential-rock-and-roll-christmas-songs\/","title":{"rendered":"Eight Essential Rock and Roll Christmas Songs"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Christmas is about joy. Not mere happiness, but a jolt to your soul. Rock and roll gives that to me. So rock and roll Christmas songs are a perfect combination, and there are a lot of good ones. Some of them have become indispensable classics I listen to every year. It doesn\u2019t feel like Christmas without visions of Rudolph running, kids singing with the band, and kids hassling Santa. I\u2019m particularly bad at making top ten lists where the order matters, since I\u2019m hesitant to name a \u201cnumber one\u201d anything, but in this case, I do have a clear number one. But you can\u2019t really go wrong with any of these for getting into the holiday spirit. Post your own essentials in the comments!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>1. \u201cFather Christmas\u201d by the Kinks<\/strong><br>I would always look forward to hearing this one on WCFM in Rochester, NY growing up. It was funny with a killer guitar hook, and that was enough. These days, the appeal to \u201cremember the kids who have nuthin\u2019 while you\u2019re drinking down your wine\u201d gets me.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"The Kinks - Father Christmas (Official HD Video)\" width=\"880\" height=\"495\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/fPPCPqDINEk?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>2. \u201cChristmas (Baby, Please Come Home)\u201d by Darlene Love<\/strong><br>This was originally released on <em><a href=\"http:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Christmas-Gift-You-Phil-Spector\/dp\/B002N1AEV4\">A Christmas Gift for You from Phil Spector<\/a><\/em>, which is a fantastic album top to bottom. My first memories of the song came from Love performing it on Davod Letterman\u2019s shows, starting on NBC and continuing on CBS. I love melancholy Christmas songs, and this one manages to get that melancholy vibe and still be a flat-out rock and roll tune.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Darlene Love - Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) (Official Music Video)\" width=\"880\" height=\"495\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/vf4ZXBzbAio?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>3. \u201cI Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day\u201d by Roy Wood and Wizzard<\/strong><br>I was introduced to this one from Wood, co-founder of The Move and ELO, through <em><a href=\"http:\/\/www.wickedcoolrecords.com\/shop\/music\/christmas-a-go-go.html\">Little Steven\u2019s Underground Garage presents Christmas A Go Go<\/a><\/em>, a collection you should probably own if you like rock and roll Christmas songs. This tune has that big orchestral sound and goofy lyrics. And it\u2019s a lot of fun to sing.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Wizzard - I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday (Official Music Video) [HD]\" width=\"880\" height=\"495\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/IJPc7esgvsA?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>4. \u201cRun Rudolph Run\u201d by Chuck Berry<\/strong><br>Keith Richards did a great version that\u2019s a classic in its own right, but I have to go with the original by (in my opinion) the King of Rock and Roll.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Chuck Berry - Run Rudolph Run (Official Video)\" width=\"880\" height=\"495\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/YiadNVhaGwk?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>5. \u201cJingle Bell Rock\u201d by Bobby Helms<\/strong><br>Yes, it has become a clich\u00e9, and by this time of year, you may already be tired of hearing it at CVS. But it\u2019s still a classic to me. Those smooth vocals, and especially that guitar.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Jingle Bell Rock \/ Bobby Helms 1957\" width=\"880\" height=\"660\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/itcMLwMEeMQ?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>6. \u201cMerry Christmas (I Don\u2019t Want To Fight Tonight)\u201d by the Ramones<\/strong><br>It would be hard to make this list without the Ramones. If anyone understood the simple joys of rock and roll, it was them.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Ramones - Merry Christmas (I Don&#039;t Want to Fight Tonight) (Official Music Video)\" width=\"880\" height=\"660\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/KIhIBFPtnoc?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>7. \u201cChristmas All Over Again\u201d by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers<\/strong><br>Can a holiday song be sly and sincere at the same time? Yes, here come the relatives I haven\u2019t seen in a while. Glad they\u2019re here. Kinda. Ah, what the hell, it\u2019s Christmas, gimmee kiss.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Tom Petty &amp; The Heartbreakers - &quot;Christmas All Over Again&quot;\" width=\"880\" height=\"660\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/gaPj1GoDpQw?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>8. \u201cSanta Claus Is Coming To Town\u201d by Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band<\/strong><br>With his fondness for bells and a big rock sound with the E Street Band, Springsteen is particularly well-suited to deliver Christmas cheer. He owned this one, with a huge assist (as always) from Clarence Clemons. Another one I used to hear on rock radio in Rochester as a kid. <br><br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Santa Claus Is Comin&#039; To Town (Live in Houston, 1978)\" width=\"880\" height=\"660\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/RcV8INh0d7g?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><script type=\"text\/javascript\"><br \/>\namzn_assoc_placement = \"adunit0\";<br \/>\namzn_assoc_enable_interest_ads = \"true\";<br \/>\namzn_assoc_tracking_id = \"thedepaoftang-20\";<br \/>\namzn_assoc_ad_mode = \"auto\";<br \/>\namzn_assoc_ad_type = \"smart\";<br \/>\namzn_assoc_marketplace = \"amazon\";<br \/>\namzn_assoc_region = \"US\";<br \/>\namzn_assoc_linkid = \"f2cbe1aa3ba1a6957aab0125ca18b05c\";<br \/>\namzn_assoc_emphasize_categories = \"130,5088769011,195209011,301668,16261631\";<br \/>\namzn_assoc_fallback_mode = {\"type\":\"search\",\"value\":\"christmas rock\"};<br \/>\namzn_assoc_default_category = \"All\";<br \/>\namzn_assoc_rows = \"1\";<br \/>\n<\/script><br><script src=\"\/\/z-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/widgets\/onejs?MarketPlace=US\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Christmas is about joy. Not mere happiness, but a jolt to your soul. Rock and roll gives that to me. So rock and&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1400,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":true,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[7,1],"tags":[12,18,20,25,43,58,61,63,66],"class_list":["post-60","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-music","category-uncategorized","tag-bobby-helms","tag-bruce-springsteen-and-the-e-street-band","tag-chuck-berry","tag-darlene-love","tag-little-stevens-underground-garage","tag-roy-wood-and-wizzard","tag-the-kinks","tag-the-ramones","tag-tom-petty"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/nickzaino.com\/departmentoftangents\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/woodchristmas.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p7lGwW-Y","jetpack-related-posts":[],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/nickzaino.com\/departmentoftangents\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/60","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/nickzaino.com\/departmentoftangents\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/nickzaino.com\/departmentoftangents\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nickzaino.com\/departmentoftangents\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nickzaino.com\/departmentoftangents\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=60"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/nickzaino.com\/departmentoftangents\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/60\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4006,"href":"https:\/\/nickzaino.com\/departmentoftangents\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/60\/revisions\/4006"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nickzaino.com\/departmentoftangents\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1400"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/nickzaino.com\/departmentoftangents\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=60"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nickzaino.com\/departmentoftangents\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=60"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nickzaino.com\/departmentoftangents\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=60"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}