“I Believe in Father Christmas” – Vertical Horizon

The Washington, D.C.-based band, Vertical Horizon, recorded the following cover of Emerson, Lake and Palmer’s classic, “I Believe in Father Christmas,” at Jim Henson Studios in Los Angeles, 2002. Of the various remakes of the song that I’ve heard, this is my personal favorite.

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I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas (1953)

Not only was ten-year-old Gayla Peevey unexpectedly vaulted to fame in 1953 after recording “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas,” but she actually got a hippo for Christmas that year. In a 2007 radio interview, Peevey related how “…a local [Oklahoma City] promoter picked up on the popularity of the song and Peevey’s local roots, [...]

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“The Mistletoe” (circa 1815-30)

THE MISTLETOE When winter nights grow long, And winds without grow cold, We sit in a ring round the warm wood-fire And listen to stories old! And we try to look grave (as maids should be) When the men bring the boughs of the Laurel tree. O the Laurel, the evergreen tree! The poets have [...]

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Bing Crosby and Marjorie Reynolds Sing “White Christmas”

From Paramount Pictures 1942 hit, Holiday Inn. This marked the motion picture debut of the now immortal “White Christmas.”  

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For Fans of Love Actually: Bill Nighy sings “Christmas is All Around”

“Aw, come on Mikey. You know as well as I do–the record’s CRAP. Heh, heh.”  

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The Christmas Song (lyrics) Generator

Here’s a silly little entertainment– Deck the halls with boughs of pork pie, Fa la la la la, la la la la… Deck the Halls from the Christmas Song Generator.

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Jingle Bell ROCK: Aly & AJ

Here’s a rather less “sedate” version of Jingle Bell rock than Brenda Lee, from teen pop duo Aly & AJ – who, incidentally, spent part of their childhood in Seattle–

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“You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch,” Music + Lyrics

I couldn’t find an online karaoke for this classic song, but I can provide you with both the song, via YouTube, and the lyrics– You’re a mean one, Mr. Grinch. You really are a heel. You’re as cuddly as a cactus. You’re as charming as an eel. Mr. Grinch! You’re a bad banana with a [...]

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“I Believe in Father Christmas,” Part 2

A couple of weeks ago I posted a video of Greg Lake (formerly of Emerson, Lake, and Palmer) performing “I Believe in Father Christmas” with the Empire State Choral in New York, 1994. Now let’s jump back in time to 1975 – to a much younger Greg Lake, and the original studio recording of the [...]

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“Baby It’s Cold Outside,” 1957: Fred MacMurray, Dinah Shore, and Ann Miller

The Fred MacMurray-Dinah Shore version has been removed from YouTube for whatever reason.  In lieu of that, I give you  Margaret Whiting and Johnny Mercer – a very nice version. A holiday season,  50 years ago. The poster at YouTube, writes: Fred MacMurray finds himself in a bind as Dinah Shore and Ann Miller put [...]

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