Layla's Dark and Foreboding Weblog

Christmas is upon us. And with the storm of Ho Ho Holiness, we are bombarded with music of the season. My former boss used to torture us with the songs of...Anne Murray. I think that was it. Something awful, something shameful for his perpetually hip, suave gay self. I think it was Anne. Or Reba. Maybe it was worse than that. Either way, I find Christmas music to be loathsome, yet joyous. In the right setting, it could bring tears to my eyes. Take Josh Groban's version of "O Holy Night". That song, at any time of the year, kills me. Even when hearing Cartman sing it. It literally makes me want to go to church. The whole "Fall on your knees" refrain makes my knees buckle with Catholic-infused tremors.

So, in light of all that, I thought I'd ask what YOUR favorite holiday music is. M can't answer this since he hates all forms of holiday music. Here is a little list of the songs that knock the Ebenezer right the hell out of me:

1. Fairytale of New York - The Pogues. Shane MacGowan is joined by Kirsty MacColl for this lovely song. He may not be pretty, or have teeth, but damn, he's got an amazing voice.

2. Oi to the World - The Vandals. If God came down on Christmas day, I'd know exactly what he'd say: He'd say Oi! to the punks and Oi! to the skins, and Oi! to the world and everybody wins! This is the quintessential punk rock Christmas song. No Doubt (or Band to Show off Gwen's Abs) also did a version, which surprisingly doesn't suck.)

3. Christmastime for my Penis - The Vandals. Actually, The Vandals came out with a Christmas album, which remains one of my favorites.

4. Sleigh Ride - The Ronettes. A song that I heard often growing up, and Ronnie Spector is just freaking great!

5. O Tannenbaum - Vince Gauraldi. This song is from "Charlie Brown Christmas", and no, Schroeder did not play it. It has no words in this version, but it's awesome background music. Christmas Jazz. Love it.

6. Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) - U2. I think this was a "Very Special Christmas" song, but, man this song totally brings me back to watching the Yule Log on WPIX Channel 11 in New York.

7. Do They Know it's Christmas? - Band Aid. Well, dumbass, no. They could care less. Let's not even dwell on how most of them are Muslim, but shit...no. Anyway, it was an admirable effort. And the song still rules. FEED THE WORLD!

8. Happy Christmas (War is Over) - John Lennon. This is just a great Christmas song. Too bad war isn't over, even if we DO want it, huh?

9. Christmas Wrapping - The Waitresses. In case you don't recognize it by name, it's the "Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas, but I think I'll miss this one this year," song. You probably hate it more than Band-Aid, but I love it. So there.

10. Blue Christmas - Elvis Presley. This is as great in July as it is in December.

What's your favorite?