SeedSing's Advent Calendar of Awesome Holiday Music: Day 21 - Hard Candy Christmas

ed note: This article was originally published on December 21st, 2015

The pre-Christmas Day season of Advent is upon us. Here at SeedSing we love the chocolaty goodness of getting a piece of candy once a day until we get to open our presents. As our gift to you we will present a new awesome holiday song for every day of Advent. This is the greatest music of the season. Enjoy.

Day 21: Hard Candy Christmas by Dolly Parton (and the cast of The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas)

Opened doors: One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven, Eight, Nine, Ten,

 Eleven Twelve, Thirteen, Fourteen, Fifteen,Sixteen,Seventeen,Eighteen,

Nineteen, Twenty

The winter solstice can be one of the most dark and depressing days of the year. It is the day with the shortest amount of daylight. Many a December 21st we have been lucky if there were any daylight at all since the weather tends to be very dreary. My feelings on the depressing nature of the first day of winter slightly changed with the 2010 Doctor Who holiday special "A Christmas Carol". The episode introduced the idea that the winter solstice meant we were halfway through the dark. Everyday from here until late June was going to bring more and more light to our world. December 21st was not a day to be dreary, it was a day to think about new beginnings.

In 1978 "Hard Candy Christmas" was the second to last song on the Broadway musical The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas The Carol Hall penned tune gained immortality when Dolly Parton took ownership of the melancholy song in the film version of the play. "Hard Candy Christmas" is not really even about Christmas, it is about finding your next step. Because the festive holiday is put into the title, "Hard Candy Christmas" has been locked into the December song rotation. Dolly has performed it on numerous Christmas specials, and many other musicians have covered the song for Christmas themed albums. Without any direct mentions of yuletide imagery, "Hard Candy Christmas" became winter holiday music tradition.

Late December is always a time for reflection. The year is nearly finished, and everyone gets into a what next mood. "Hard Candy Christmas" acknowledges that things are tough, but we will make it through the hard times maybe and something else. The song fits in perfectly with the beginning of winter. The next 10 days are going to be filled with parties, family, and memories. Our worst moments are going to back into our minds. Many of us will not have the easiest of times on Christmas Day. Yet we should not fear, the dark is halfway gone and we can make it through. We can leave the sorrow behind and find our next victory.

Now that we have made it halfway through the dark together, it is time to dream about what is next. What are you going to do with the growing daylight? Tomorrow may seem tough, but don't let your sorrow bring you way down. You could learn to sew, maybe just lie low, or you could find someone to settle down with. Me, I may just get drunk on apple wine.

RD Kulik

RD is the Head Editor for SeedSing and the host of the X Millennial Man podcast. He will not let a drop of apple wine get near him this year, that way he may lose some weight. Help all of SeedSing avoid a hard candy Christmas by supporting us. 

SeedSing's Advent Calendar of Awesome Holiday Music: Day 20 - Alone on Christmas Day

ed note: This article was originally published on December 20th, 2015

The pre-Christmas Day season of Advent is upon us. Here at SeedSing we love the chocolaty goodness of getting a piece of candy once a day until we get to open our presents. As our gift to you we will present a new awesome holiday song for every day of Advent. This is the greatest music of the season. Enjoy.

Day 20: Alone on Christmas Day by Phoenix and Special Guest Bill Murray

Opened doors: One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven, Eight, Nine, Ten, Eleven Twelve, Thirteen, Fourteen, Fifteen,Sixteen,Seventeen,Eighteen, Nineteen

I have spent many Christmas nights all by my lonesome. I was not alone for the whole day. My Christmas mornings have always been about waking up way earlier than normal and opening tons of presents with my family around. Once the intense excitement of Christmas morning was finished, I would pack up my bounty and head back to my 15th floor studio apartment in downtown St. Louis. Most of these Christmas nights I would stare out at the Gateway Arch on the usually cold evening and decided I would get a drink, at the fancy hotel a few buildings down. I would put on my Christmas sweater, wrap a scarf around my neck, and head to the hotel bar. Once inside I would find a seat in a corner booth and observe all the travelers who were truly spending Christmas alone. I would sip my Manhattan, listen to the piano being played, and was thankful I was not alone on Christmas Day. 

Earlier this December, Netflix premiered the Sofia Coppola directed Bill Murray holiday special A Very Murray Christmas. During the course of the program a lonely Bill Murray asks the catering staff at the hotel to play him a song. The staff happens to be french indie rock band Phoenix. The band, with help from Paul Shaffer on piano, Jason Schwartzman on drums, David Johanson (as Buster Poindexter) on martini shaker, and Mr. Bill Murray himself on featured vocals, cover the Beach Boy's rarity "Alone On Christmas Day".

Phoenix and gang take an unknown and discarded Beach Boys tune with "Alone on Christmas Day" and create a new holiday standard. The Beach Boys tune was originally unreleased in 1979, and after Phoenix requested to cover the tune, Mike Love changed some of the lyrics and released his own version. The Phoenix cover is light years better. The tune alludes to the sadness of being by oneself on Christmas, but "Alone on Christmas Day" encourages us to think of the gladness, and to keep moving on. Plus if you listen to the tune, no one is truly alone on Christmas Day. You will still have the bar patrons and employees to sing you a joyful tune.

I was never truly alone on Christmas Day. In the morning I had my family and in the evening I had the travelers and  employees at the hotel bar. We all came to the bar as individuals, but on Christmas evening we were together. The piano played on in the background, our drinks warmed our spirits, and we all got ready to move on, together.

RD Kulik

RD is the Head Editor for SeedSing and the host of the X Millennial Man podcast. He has given up the Christmas Night bar scene and traded it for his family sitting around the fireplace. He did not give up on his yuletide Manhattan. Celebrate the togetherness of Christmas by liking SeedSing on Facebook.

SeedSing's Advent Calendar of Awesome Holiday Music: Day 19 - Merry Something to You

ed note: This article was first published on December 19th, 2015

The pre-Christmas Day season of Advent is upon us. Here at SeedSing we love the chocolaty goodness of getting a piece of candy once a day until we get to open our presents. As our gift to you we will present a new awesome holiday song for every day of Advent. This is the greatest music of the season. Enjoy.

Day 19: Merry Something to You by Devo

Opened doors: One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven, Eight, Nine, Ten, Eleven Twelve, Thirteen, Fourteen, Fifteen,Sixteen,Seventeen, Eighteen

There has never been a dumber news story than the idiotic War on Christmas. I understand that Fox News wants to keep white Christians in a perpetual state of anger, but this manufactured outrage is beyond moronic. The people who believe that their white christian values are being trampled upon by groups who want to be inclusive are worse than Scrooge pre-spirits. Jesus was not even born on December 25th, the Christians won that day with their war on paganism. The soldiers fighting to regain Christmas are pathetic.

"Merry Something to You" is an original song by Devo featured on the holiday compilation album Gift Wrapped II: Snowed In. The song is very short, and extremely joyful. Devo welcomes all faiths into the holiday season and wishes them a merry something. "Merry Something to You" is a perfect song to get any faithful, and non faithful, person into a solstice dancing mood.

There is a small throwaway line in "Merry Something to You" that is a direct hit by those trying to take Christmas away. Mark Mothersbaugh invites you to have any belief, but none of it is actually true. BANG. The holidays are not about some archaic story, it is about food and being merry. "Merry Something to You" is gleefully telling the religious zealots to get over themselves.

Devo has inspired me this yuletide season. With only a few days left in the holiday season I want to call a truce with the good Christian soldiers fighting the War on Christmas. So to you Fox News, lets have an old dance and gobble some festive food. Merry something to you. Deedle, deedle, deet, deet, deedle, deedle, deet, deet, doodly, doodly, doo. 

RD Kulik

RD is the Head Editor for SeedSing and the host of the X Millennial Man. He was awarded the Flying Spaghetti Monster uncooked pasta ribbon for bravery during the 2010 War on Christmas. Wish us a merry something by liking SeedSing on Facebook.

SeedSing's Advent Calendar of Awesome Holiday Music: Day 18 - Tree of Life

ed note: This article was first published on December 18th, 2015

The pre-Christmas Day season of Advent is upon us. Here at SeedSing we love the chocolaty goodness of getting a piece of candy once a day until we get to open our presents. As our gift to you we will present a new awesome holiday song for every day of Advent. This is the greatest music of the season. Enjoy.

Day 18: Tree of Life as performed by Princess Leia

Opened doors: One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven, Eight, Nine, Ten, Eleven Twelve, Thirteen, Fourteen, Fifteen,Sixteen, Seventeen

I am the father of a young son. One of my primary duties as a father is to teach my boy about being an intelligent, kind, and curious person. During the winter holiday season I have tried my best to introduce my son to the variety of holidays celebrated be different peoples. We put up lights for Diwali, we lit the Menorah for Hanukkah and will light the Kinara for Kwanzaa. I have also made a point of showing the boy all the great holiday entertainment of my youth. Because today is the opening of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, I have been trying get my son excited for some new December entertainment. Yet there is one piece of holiday nostalgia that my kid will not get to celebrate this year. This will be another year without the infamous "Star Wars Holiday Special".

In 1978 Star Wars was a national obsession. People were enthralled by the film, kids were excited to be getting empty figurine boxes as Christmas presents, and CBS aired the only official showing of "The Star Wars Holiday Special". The public was not impressed. The comedy stylings of Bea Arthur, Art Carney, and Harvey Korman were made permanent members of the Star Wars mythos due to their involvement in the special. Disco legend Diahann Carrol gets to be Chewbacca's father's (Itchy) fantasy girl. A certain bounty hunter, who was fond of disintegration, was introduced through an animated short. In fact, the Boba Fett cartoon is the only part of "The Star Wars Holiday Special" that gives anyone fond memories. The only celebration was to be for a paid killer, not our heroes.

Then there was the music. The aforementioned Caroll sings, Jefferson Starship started their downward slide into 80s kitsch with a tune. Bea Arthur gets to sing with the Cantina Band (Figrin D'an and the Modal Nodes). But the topping on this disaster cake was Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher)singing the song "Tree of Life" to the original Star Wars theme. 

Life Day was a Wookie holiday similar to Thanksgiving or Christmas. Like any great holiday, Life Day had it's own kind of carol. "Tree of Life", or also known as "A Day to Celebrate", hits all the important notes of any species celebratory season. Peace, harmony, togetherness, and many more themes are sung off key by an extremely sincere Princess Leia. "Tree of Life" and it's seasonal message has become more famous for being a "what the hell" type of song than one that makes people, or wookies, celebrate. Princess Leia did not ruin "The Star Wars Holiday Special" with the awful song, but she made sure the crash was as explosive as possible.

Today is a great day. We get a new Star Wars movie as an early Christmas present. I am very excited to infect my son's mind with all things Skywalker, Jedi, Solo, and more. I will not infect his mind with Star Wars lore that should be crushed in a trash compactor. "The Star Wars Holiday Special" may be spectacularly bad, and "Tree of Life" may be the rotten cherry on the trash dump, but we still have new Star Wars for the holidays. Today is a day to celebrate, to laugh, to dream, to grow, to trust, to love, to be.

RD Kulik

RD is the Head Editor for SeedSing and the host of the X Millennial Man podcast. He wonders what happened to Chewie's wife Malla, and their kids, between Return of the Jedi and The Force Awakens. Did the Midichlorians get them? Make this a day for SeedSing to celebrate by liking us on Facebook.  

SeedSing's Advent Calendar of Awesome Holiday Music: Day 17 - Merry Christmas (I Don't Want to Fight Tonight)

ed note: This article was originally published on December 17th, 2015

The pre-Christmas Day season of Advent is upon us. Here at SeedSing we love the chocolaty goodness of getting a piece of candy once a day until we get to open our presents. As our gift to you we will present a new awesome holiday song for every day of Advent. This is the greatest music of the season. Enjoy.

Day 17: Merry Christmas (I Don't Want to Fight Tonight) by the Ramones

Opened doors: One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven, Eight, Nine, Ten, Eleven Twelve, Thirteen, Fourteen, Fifteen, Sixteen

Every Christmas I drive my wife and son to St. Louis so we can visit our family. In some ways I am lucky because my parents and in-laws live in the same metro area. It does seem very convenient that we can spend the holidays at both parents households. In reality it has been stressful at times running between two households. My wife and I have many discussions leading up to our journey about who we will see and on what days. Sometimes these discussions become tense and we give up negotiating with each other. During the joys of the holiday season my wife and I will get into arguments about our plans. We rarely fight, but Christmas has a special power over many loving couples.

"Merry Christmas (I Don't Want to Fight Tonight)" was the final track on The Ramones 1989 album Brain Drain. The song has the typical Ramones sound. Joey Ramones iconic voice, the driving repetitive guitar, the brevity. Like many other holiday songs, "Merry Christmas (I Don't Want to Fight Tonight)" uses iconic Christmas imagery. Rudolph, Santa, snow, sugar plum fairies, and sleeping children all pop up in the tune. Christmas is supposed to be about these ideals, it is not a time to fight.

Society tells us that loving couples never fight. That is incredibly naive. "Merry Christmas (I Don't Want to Fight Tonight)" recognizes that people who love one another will fight. Joey just wants us to remember that it is Christmas, we should not be attacking each other. The Ramones believe the best way to not fight is to think of everything great about the holidays. When the fighting starts, think of Christmas, and we can all calm down.

I am an idiot for having silly arguments with my wife around the holidays, or anytime of the year. We are very lucky to have our parents in the same city. We are very lucky to have loving people around us during the holidays. When I start to get anxious discussing our Christmas schedule with my wife I will hum the catchy tune from the Ramones and think of everything great about the holiday. I will remember to tell my wife Merry Christmas, I don't want to fight tonight.

RD Kulik

RD is the Head Editor for SeedSing and the host of the X Millennial Man podcast. He and his wife rarely argue around Christmas anymore. They save their disagreements about which "Star" franchise is the best. The correct answer is Star Wars. Come tell RD why his view is correct by writing for SeedSing.

SeedSing's Advent Calendar of Awesome Holiday Music: Day 16 - Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer

ed note: This article was originally published on December 16th, 2015

The pre-Christmas Day season of Advent is upon us. Here at SeedSing we love the chocolaty goodness of getting a piece of candy once a day until we get to open our presents. As our gift to you we will present a new awesome holiday song for every day of Advent. This is the greatest music of the season. Enjoy.

Day 16: Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer by The Simpsons

Opened doors: One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven, Eight, Nine, Ten, Eleven Twelve, Thirteen, Fourteen, Fifteen

For the Advent Calendar of Awesome Holiday Music, I'm going to talk about the classic, "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer".

This is a real, authentic holiday song that I actually enjoy. I remember singing this in the school choir an an elementary student. I remember singing it amongst friends all the way through high school. And now, I'm starting to hear my three year old sing it, and it's making me sing along with him. It's a great song about an outsider overcoming adversity and, basically, saving the day.

The song was written in 1949 by Johnny Marks and it's still as popular today as it was when it came out 66 years ago. This is truly a generational song. Many famous performers have recorded versions of this song. People like Bing Crosby, Dean Martin, Paul Anka, Burl Ives, The Jackson 5 and Paul McCartney just to name a few. But, I prefer the 1949 original. This song is so popular, they made a movie entirely based on the tune. The movie is fantastic too. Check out the original one that's an animated/claymation movie, it's really great.

Let's look at the song. As I said, it's about an outsider that's needed in a desperate time of need. But, it starts off looking grim for Rudolph. First of all, the reindeer has an abnormality. All the other reindeer look similar, but Rudolph, he has a shiny red nosed. The song even claims that "you could even say it glows". Damn, that must be a really bright red nose. Then, poor Rudolph gets picked on by the other reindeer. They, "used to laugh and call him names". That's brutal. Poor Rudolph. They wouldn't even let him play games with them. What a bunch of dicks. But, then it's starting to look grim outside on Christmas Eve. Santa doesn't like the look of the weather that he will be flying through. This is when Santa steps up his game, acts like an adult, finally, and speaks up for Rudolph. As the song says, "then one foggy Christmas Eve, Santa came to say, Rudolph with your nose so bright, won't you glide my sleigh tonight". Way to step up Santa. I like your tactics. He doesn't bad mouth the other reindeer for picking on Rudolph, no, he just politely asks Rudolph, in front of all the other reindeer, if he wants to be a leader. I love it. Rudolph jumps at the chance to lead and he does a kick ass job. He does such a good job, the other reindeer stop picking on him and as the song goes, "then how the reindeer loved him, as they shouted out with glee. Rudolph the red nosed reindeer, you'll go down in history". They like him so much now, they say that he will be remembered for all of time as a hero. Children and other reindeer will look up to Rudolph. He's not an outcast anymore, he's the hero.

This is such a good song. It has everything you could want. There's a conflict, an older, wiser adult steps in and the one that was picked on, saves the day. Does it get any better than that? And this is a great time of year to have this song. The holidays can sometimes be a bummer, so why not have a song about overcoming adversity and triumphing. It's phenomenal. There's other versions, I remember singing added lyrics after original verses. Stuff like after "you could even say it glows", we'd say, "like a lightbulb!" Or "wouldn't let him join in any reindeer games", we'd say, "like Monopoly!". Everybody knows the version I'm talking about. "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" is a perfect holiday song. I love it, my wife loves it and my kids love it. I'm sure about 99 percent of the people out there love this song. Go listen to all iterations of it, but if you want the best, listen to the original. And during this holiday, if you're feeling stressed, put yourself in Rudolph's shoes. He overcame teasing and being secluded to become a hero.

Rudolph is a true inspiration.

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial  Man podcast. He was picked on when he was little because all the other kids could not deal with how handsome Ty was. Get caught up in Ty's good looks by following him on twitter. @tykulik.

SeedSing's Advent Calendar of Awesome Holiday Music: Day 15 - Christmas Lights

ed note: This article was originally published on December 15th, 2015

The pre-Christmas Day season of Advent is upon us. Here at SeedSing we love the chocolaty goodness of getting a piece of candy once a day until we get to open our presents. As our gift to you we will present a new awesome holiday song for every day of Advent. This is the greatest music of the season. Enjoy.

Day 15: Christmas Lights by Daniel Hudson

Opened Doors: One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven, Eight, Nine, Ten, Eleven Twelve, Thirteen, Fourteen 

When it comes to Christmas lights, I tend to be an insufferable traditionalist. I will only use white, non-blinking lights in my yuletide presentation. My tree, white non-blinking. Outside lighting, white non-blinking. My pre-lit fake garland, only the best non-blinking white traditional lights. Multi color lights are for amateurs. Blinking lights are a big annoyance. Inflatable glowing Christmas characters are the most tacky. In the dead of the December night, I want my house draped in tiny bits of uniform white light. I take my Christmas lights very seriously, even if they are usually just the backdrop on the whole holiday season.

In 2012 singer-songwriter Daniel Hudson released the song "Christmas Lights" on the holiday compilation album A Very Jorma Christmas. The tune is a simple, infectious, piece of pop. Hudson joyfully breezes through everything that makes the holiday great. Hope for love, snow, and brightly colored lights. Yes, Daniel Hudson is not as particular about his light choices as I am, and he seems to be having a great time. The song is so happy and simple, it would make a great December bowling alley karaoke tune. In fact it is used in a karaoke scene in the recent Seth Rogen comedy The Night Before. 

The thing I love most about 'Christmas Lights" is how easy it is to fall in love with the tune. The lyrics flow together, the music is basic, yet it all comes together into something magical. The holiday season is filled with so much activity, and it always seems so hectic. "Christmas Lights" hits all the high points of the year, and makes it simple. "Christmas Lights" is the perfect song to listen to while you enjoy your neighbors displays. It puts you into a perfect, and bright, spirit.

The days are getting shorter, and many houses are being lit up all night with their bright and colorful Christmas lights. I, like Daniel Hudson, have a giddy little song in my heart when I drive around town and see the varying light displays. I also accept that the lights are secondary to other aspects of the seasons. "Christmas Lights" may be ok with the bright colorful displays, but my love for the song will not change my stance on proper holiday lighting.

RD Kulik

RD is the Head Editor for SeedSing. He may be snobby about lights, but he has had a fake tree his entire adult life. Come in and tell us your insufferable holiday traditions by writing for SeedSing.

SeedSing's Advent Calendar of Awesome Holiday Music: Day 14 - Fairytale of New York

ed note: This article was originally published on December 14th, 2015

The pre-Christmas Day season of Advent is upon us. Here at SeedSing we love the chocolaty goodness of getting a piece of candy once a day until we get to open our presents. As our gift to you we will present a new awesome holiday song for every day of Advent. This is the greatest music of the season. Enjoy.

Day 14: Fairytale of New York by The Pogues (featuring Kirsty MacColl)

Opened Doors: One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven, Eight, Nine, Ten, Eleven Twelve, Thirteen

I once spent a magical December evening in New York City. My wife and I had an overnight layover in the city on our way for a tropical Christmas vacation. It was bitterly cold that evening. We bundled up and caught the subway to have a nice dinner in Manhattan. The few cold hours we spent in New York City that December were amazing. The city was decked all out for the upcoming holiday. It was magical. On our plane leaving the city I glanced down for one last look. The joys of New York City during Christmas was a memory I will never lose. I am glad I did not stick around to see the hopefulness of Christmas give way to the brutal realities New York City is home to the rest of the year.

"Fairytale of New York" was released by the Irish band The Pogues on their 1987 album If I Should Fall from Grace with God. It is rumored that the song was written based on a bet between Elvis Costello and The Pogues lead singer Shane MacGowan. Costello bet that MacGowan could not write a hit Christmas single. Once the music and lyrics were set, singer songwriter Kirsty MacColl joined MacGowan to sing the song as a duet. Elvis Costello must have lost the bet, because "Fairytale of New York" has spent the last few decades as one of the most popular Christmas songs in the United Kingdom.

"Fairytale of New York" starts off with the magic of New York City during the holidays. MacGowan and McColl are young, in love, and inspired.Being in the drunk tank on Christmas Eve cannot dampen their spirits. They have each other and the wonders of the city. The song treats their ideals as fake as the decorations around town. Love and admiration quickly turns to name calling and regret. Behind the holiday facade of the city lies a brutal, and ugly, reality. The two lovers were embracing the facade, but once the decorations are gone, their hate and despair shows through. They love the imagery and magic, they unfortunately do not really like each other.

The build up to Christmas can make us forget all the unfortunate things that confront us during the year. Our hopes, dreams, and love seem to get amplified in December. Once our holiday drunken stupor turns into a post December 25th hangover, our realities come into sharp focus. I enjoy the magic, and I am trying to prepare for the headaches. Thank goodness I will have the fine Irish ditty "Fairytale of New York" to be my musical companion through the transition.

RD Kulik

RD is the Head Editor for SeedSing. He is embaressed to say that his dinner in New York that night was at Trump Tower. Come and tell your tales of Christmas in the city by writing for SeedSing.

SeedSing's Advent Calendar of Awesome Holiday Music: Day 13 - The Twelve Days of Christmas

ed note: This article was originally published on December 13th, 2015

The pre-Christmas Day season of Advent is upon us. Here at SeedSing we love the chocolaty goodness of getting a piece of candy once a day until we get to open our presents. As our gift to you we will present a new awesome holiday song for every day of Advent. This is the greatest music of the season. Enjoy.

Day 13: The Twelve Days of Christmas by Bob and Doug McKenzie

Opened Doors: One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven, Eight, Nine, Ten, Eleven Twelve

When I was growing up I used to love to go Christmas caroling with some neighborhood families. I loved getting bundled up, sipping on hot cocoa, and singing the classic Christmas tunes in a large group. The way I remember the scene is very Norman Rockwellesque. Of all the classic tunes we would sing, I looked most forward to "The Twelve Days of Christmas". Like every other kid I enjoyed belting out the part about the five golden rings. The twelve days song was the peak of the Christmas season. The twelve days was the top reason to go out caroling.

As I grew older I started to real dislike "The 12 Days of Christmas" The gifts make no sense. What were the actual twelve days of Christmas? The length and repetitive nature of the song is excruciating. Every modern version of the song takes the horrid tune, and makes it a whole lot worse. My love for the song was pure childhood ignorance. If I could spend a whole holiday season without having to think about pipers piping, maids a milking, or five freaking golden rings I would be so happy.

On the 1981 comedy album The Great White North , Bob and Doug McKenzie (characters created and played by Rick Moranis and Dave Thomas) redeemed "The Twelve Days of Christmas" with their comedic look at what Canadian hillbillies thought of the twelve days of presents. The entire song takes everything bad about the original, and makes it a whole lot more fun. They first try to identify what the actual twelve days are. We all know about Christmas and Christmas Eve, but we often forget Boxing Day (or is it wrestling day?). Who in their right mind would think a partridge in a pear tree is a great gift. The McKenzie brothers know that a beer is a great way to start of the first day of Christmas. Plus once you get eight comic books, there is no point to go on with the next few days. The McKenzie brothers understand how idiotic the original is, and just cut it off before the end to make the point. Coming up with twelve days is too hard.

Christmas is only twelve days away. Go out and enjoy shopping for presents. Give the McKenzie brothers "Twelve Days of Christmas" a listen and get some ideas. Any good person could use five golden tuques. If you are truly in a giving mood, go to a good doughnut shop and get me a bakers dozen for Christmas. Then I will fall in love with the music of the thirteen days of Christmas.

RD Kulik

RD is the Head Editor for SeedSing. Instead of the seven packs of smokes, he really wants 7 writers blogging. Make his Christmas wish come true by writing for SeedSing.

SeedSing's Advent Calendar of Awesome Holiday Music: Day 12 - Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

ed note: This article was originally published on December 12th, 2015

The pre-Christmas Day season of Advent is upon us. Here at SeedSing we love the chocolaty goodness of getting a piece of candy once a day until we get to open our presents. As our gift to you we will present a new awesome holiday song for every day of Advent. This is the greatest music of the season. Enjoy.

Day 12: Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas performed by Judy Garland

Opened Doors: One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven, Eight, Nine, Ten, Eleven

There are a few cultural icons produced by the 1944 film “Meet Me in St. Louis.”  For example, it’s where Judy Garland met Vincente Minelli, thus creating Liza.  I had a film TA in college who theorized that the film inspired “Night of the Living Dead.”  But the one I care about the most is that staple of treacly holiday radio, “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.”

A great many BAD versions of this song have been produced.  James Taylor has brought his special brand of anodyne blandness to it.  I once heard a bowdlerized version of it that replaced the word “fates” with “Lord.”  I guess the original line is just too pagan.  I’m sure it’s only a matter of time until Taylor Swift yell-sings her way through with her trademark lack of vocal subtlety.  (To whomever decides these things, I would happily pay $1.29 to hear Josh Groban do it.)  But Judy Garland’s lovely, heartfelt original is one of the finest pieces of Christmas music ever produced.

A great many of our holiday standards are unabashedly joyful.  Those are fine, I’m happy to hear “Silver Bells” and “This Christmas.”  But my favorite pieces of holiday art are the ones with a touch of melancholy about them, like A Charlie Brown Christmas.  To me, as a non-religious person, the holiday season is about finding light during the darkest time of year.  Most religions have a similar holiday, usually around the winter solstice.  Christmas, Hanukah, and Diwali, for example, are all about miracles and triumphs that chase away the darkness (metaphorical and otherwise).  Whether it’s baby Jesus born to bring hope, or lighting the way for Rama after his defeat of evil, it’s basically the same idea.

In Meet Me in St. Louis, the song “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” is sung by Esther to her youngest sister Tootie after they learn they are leaving their St. Louis home for New York.  The song is Esther ostensibly trying to comfort Tootie by assuring her they will always have Christmastime to come with their loved ones, in person or in spirit.  But Esther is really singing about her own sense of loss at moving, and trying to remind herself that there will be joyful times in the future, even if all is bleak right now.  We can all use that reminder some years.

A very merry whatever to all!

Tina S

Tina is a sometime contributor to SeedSing and occasional guest of the X Millennial Man podcast. One time we even let her host the show.

SeedSing's Advent Calendar of Awesome Holiday Music: Day 10 - It Feels Like Christmas

ed note: This article was originally published on December 10th, 2015

The pre-Christmas Day season of Advent is upon us. Here at SeedSing we love the chocolaty goodness of getting a piece of candy once a day until we get to open our presents. As our gift to you we will present a new awesome holiday song for every day of Advent. This is the greatest music of the season. Enjoy.

Day 10: It Feels Like Christmas by Paul Williams

Opened Doors: One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven, Eight, Nine

The best thing about Christmas Day is how happy I feel. The presents are always welcome, the food is great, but my feeling of personal contentment is the greatest gift I get every December 25th. The stress of buying presents is over, the long car ride to visit family is completed, the high anxiety of the holidays is gone. Finally being able to relax with my family gives me comfort. I wish I could have the feeling of Christmas all year long.

In 1992 Michael Caine took his turn playing Ebenezer Scrooge in The Muppet Christmas Carol. The awesome Paul Williams, wrote many songs for The Muppets, uses "It Feels Like Christmas" as an introduction to the ideas presented by the Ghost of Christmas Present. Scrooge has a lot and gives little, The Ghost of Christmas Present shows how those that have very little still give a lot during Christmas. The people (Muppets) are not giving store bought gifts, the are giving love and comfort. The spirit shows Scrooge that Christmas is about togetherness. Scrooge cannot keep Christmas because he is alone.

"It Feels Like Christmas" is the heartwarming ideal of the holidays. The comforts of love and family trump any toys and gadgets. The story of A Christmas Carol has always used happy gatherings as the path the Ghost of Christmas Present takes Scrooge on. The Muppet Christmas Carol is able to get the whole point across in under 3 minutes.

Christmas Day is not about rushing out to buy the right gift. Once the presents are all opened I look forward to the rest and relaxation I have been missing out on for weeks. I look forward to sitting by the fire with my family. I take joy in the love I am surrounded by. "It Feels like Christmas" may be a holiday song, but it's message carries on year round. I love Christmas for how it makes me feel. Whenever I am in the comfort of those I love, it really does feel like Christmas.

RD Kulik

RD is the Head Editor for SeedSing. Being with family is the number one thing he loves about the holidays. The generosity of people is his second favorite thing - Support SeedSing.

SeedSing's Advent Calendar of Awesome Holiday Music: Day 9 - Christmas Time at My House

ed note: This article was originally published on December 9th, 2015

The pre-Christmas Day season of Advent is upon us. Here at SeedSing we love the chocolaty goodness of getting a piece of candy once a day until we get to open our presents. As our gift to you we will present a new awesome holiday song for every day of Advent. This is the greatest music of the season. Enjoy.

Day 9: "Christmas Time at My House" by Da Yoopers  (ed note: There is no free way to hear this song, this is a video of the lyrics, you can enjoy the holiday musical styling of Da Yoopers with the classic Rusty Chevrolet). 

Opened Doors: One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven, Eight

For the Advent Calendar of Awesome Music I'm picking "Christmas Time at My House" by Da Yoopers. This is a way off the wall choice for some, but not my family and not for the people that live in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

Da Yoopers are a bunch of random guys from the UP. As you all know by now, the UP holds a special place in my life and so do Da Yoopers. Just some random dudes got together, one of them knows how to kind of play the accordion, another one knows maybe three chords on guitar and none of them can really sing. But, they know the UP inside out and if you've ever been there or lived there, you can relate. They talk about ice fishing, their love for the Green Bay Packers, Lake Superior and eating venison jerky. They mention all the snow and just downright cold weather that happens in the UP. They do get a bit un PC at times, but it's never hateful or hurtful. It's kind of like a comedian telling a tasteless joke. No harm, no foul.

In keeping up with this countdown, I picked one of their holiday songs to talk about. As I mentioned, it's called "Christmas Time at My House". They talk about everything from video games to lutefisk. The opening lyric mentions Italians at the door, spilling meatballs. Now, in the UP there's either Polish or Italian people. It's a small part of the country, so there's not too much diversity. From this lyric I gather these guys are Polish. Also, if you've ever enjoyed a holiday in the UP, this line is 100 percent true. My father's parents were Polish and my mother's parents were Italian and during the holiday, my mom's parents would come to my dad's parents bearing gifts that included meatballs. They later mention that some uncles are getting into a fight and say, "Christmas is going to be some night". Who among us can't relate to this. There's always one or two family members that have one too many drinks (ed note: not me) and inevitably fight. They later mention the kids being on a sugar high and stealing their uncles dentures and hanging them on a tree like an ornament. I've actually seen this happen in my own life, so I know this is a real thing that actually happens. It's commonplace to me. They also talk about the kids having "visions of the latest video game dancing in their heads". Also 100 percent true. When I was younger I always wanted the newest sports game for the Nintendo 64 or the PlayStation.

The chorus is as follows, "Christmas time, food and wine, family friend and foe. We celebrate his birthday by spending all our dough. Now we are broke and happy, it's a shame Christmas only comes once a year". All of that is very relatable. There's always alcohol, lots of food and you are surrounded by your loved ones, for better or worse. People spend way too much money buying gifts, but everyone seems fairly happy around this time of year. And yes, it is a shame it only comes once a year. Sure, some people hate the holidays, but me, and the majority of my family, have a great time during the holidays. It's a lot of fun.

After the chorus, in the third verse, they bring in the not so PC talk when saying that "the mother in law is dancing with bloomers on her head after drinking all the Dago red". Now, this may be an actual wine, I don't know because I don't drink, but why not call it Italian wine? I'll tell you why. This is exactly what my Polish grandpa called Italian wine. He'd never just call it by its name, it was always "Dago red". I'm not saying it's excusable, it's just the way it is in the UP. They also mention that the priest is at the house playing the organ, but he's drunk too speak the words. Yep, priests go over to your house in the UP, get all liquored up and are so drunk by the end of the night, they literally can't speak. It's all very, very true.

The final verse had them talking about a drunk uncle, dressed as Santa Claus, "digging in his sack", I think we all know what they're talking about here. He's also showing butt crack that the kids are sticking nickels down. And, to close out the night, he passes out and destroys the tree.

Reading this you may say, that's not me and my family, we aren't this low class, but you'd be wrong. Everyone can relate to some point of this song. This song is universal. We all experience one or more of these things during the holiday. And for those of you from the UP, you know this tune is 100 percent true. I'm sure it hits very close to home. Basically, I love "Christmas Time at My House". I don't like much holiday music, but this song, and any song by Da Yoopers for that matter, is classic. Go check this song out if you haven't heard it and I guarantee you'll love it.

Happy holidays.

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man. What he lacks in wine knowledge he makes up in college football awareness. Follow Ty on twitter @tykulik.

SeedSing's Advent Calendar of Awesome Holiday Music: Day 8 - Christmas at Ground Zero

ed note: This article was originally published on December 8th, 2015

The pre-Christmas Day season of Advent is upon us. Here at SeedSing we love the chocolaty goodness of getting a piece of candy once a day until we get to open our presents. As our gift to you we will present a new awesome holiday song for every day of Advent. This is the greatest music of the season. Enjoy.

Day 8: Christmas at Ground Zero by Weird Al Yankovic

Opened Doors: One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven

When I was a young child I was extremely frightened of being killed in a nuclear strike. Growing up in St. Louis, I would hear people say that the McDonnell Douglas plant my dad worked at was a prime target for the Soviets. The weapons being developed and built in the St. Louis area made us a prime strategic target, so I heard. The television movie The Day After  freaked me out even more with it's setting being in Missouri. Nuclear annihilation was never far from the front of my mind. If it was not for the joyous holiday season, I would be worried about being vaporized, mutated, or full of cancer. That fear would last the whole year.

"Christmas at Ground Zero" was included on Weird Al Yankovic's 1986 album Polka Party! Many people associate the great Weird Al with parody songs, yet "Christmas at Ground Zero" was one of his original tunes. The song uses classic and joyful holiday compositions with words that are absurd to our minds today. Weird Al makes fun of the popular culture associated with nuclear paranoia. Duck and cover, mutations, flying debris, fallout shelters, they are all combined with the yuletide celebration. No amount of atomic carnage seems to dampen Weird Al's holiday mood.

The video, directed by Weird Al, is a great companion piece to "Christmas at Ground Zero". The stock videos of duck and cover drills highlight the lunacy of nuclear paranoia. The inclusion of Hollywood Ronald Reagan counting down to the big day is a great touch. President Reagan was quite happy to increase our fear of being destroyed by nukes, and in hindsight his rhetoric is as absurd as Weird Al's tune. Reagan loved cold war paranoia, and he loved Christmas. Weird Al found married Reagan's to loves into something quite magnificent. That is the mark of a great director.

I am comfortable with the knowledge that I will not be vaporized while I duck and cover this holiday season. I am even more at ease that I will probably never need to dodge atomic bombs throughout the rest of the year. Anything is possible though, and if I need my radiation suit on New Year's Day, I will have the spirit in my ears with Weird Al's "Christmas at Ground Zero".

RD Kulik

RD is the Head Editor for SeedSing. His biggest fear watching The Day After is that his family may have to move to Lawerence, Kansas. That is frightening.  Tell your tales of duck and cover by writing for SeedSing.

SeedSing's Advent Calendar of Awesome Holiday Television Programs: Day 7 - "The Late Show with David Letterman - December 19th, 2014 "

The pre-Christmas Day season of Advent is upon us. Here at SeedSing we love the chocolaty goodness of getting a piece of candy once a day until we get to open our presents. As our gift to you we will present a new awesome holiday television program for every day of Advent. This is the greatest tv of the season. Enjoy.

Day 7: "The Late Show with David Letterman - December 19th 2014"

Original air date - it is right there in the title.

Opened Doors: One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six

Every year around Christmas we listen to the same songs and watch the same television shows. We all have our traditions, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. These little bits of holiday pop culture sometimes get us into the right mood during a cold December night. These annual traditions help us look back to other pleasant times we experienced during the holiday season. There is a comfort in looking forward to that one thing that makes our holiday season extra special.

David Letterman once famously said that it is not the Christmas until he hears Darlene Love sing that song. The song in question is the new standard (Christmas) Baby Please Come Home. Vanity Fair has a great oral history of how Darlene Love ended up on Letterman for almost thirty years singing her iconic song. That first appearance in 1986 was simple, and without pomp, but a beloved holiday tradition was born.

Because this song was - and still is - my favorite rock Christmas song ever, I was so elated back in Dec. 1986 when I heard David Letterman say "tomorrow night's guests include...Darlene Love to sing Christmas Baby Please Come Home".

The small band, and ugly holiday sweaters, had nothing on Phil Spector's iconic Wall of Sound, but Darlene Love still slayed with her vocals. Since that appearance, Darlene Love, Paul Shaffer, and David Letterman made (Christmas) Baby Please Come Home a fixture on Late Night, and then The Late Show. Only a writers strike would stop the trio from letting Letterman start Christmas. Many even believe that Love's Late Show appearances helped her finally, rightfully so, get into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

On December 19th, 2014, Darlene Love performed (Christmas) Baby Please Come Home for the last time on The Late Show. In May of 2015, David Letterman retired from the late night game. Everyone knew that the December 19th performance was going to be the last, and nothing was held back. The four-piece backing band of 1986 was replaced by a horn section, strings, backup singers, and Paul Shaffer on a grand piano. Love even decided to belt out the last few lines on top of the piano because she was afraid of breaking down when Letterman came to give her a hug. The 2014 performance of (Christmas) Baby Please Come Home was an epic curtain call for a singer, a talk show host who was a fan, and the viewers that counted on Darlene Love to usher in the holidays every year on late night television.

Darlene Love's final performance of "Christmas, Baby Please Come Home" on The Late Show with David Letterman - Dec 18, 2014.

Our holiday traditions are something to be celebrated. Listening to the same songs, or watching the same tv specials, is what makes December a great time. We all have that one special pop culture thing that gets us in the right Christmas mood. David Letterman had Darlene Love sing that song. We were truly lucky to share this tradition with Mr. Letterman.

RD

RD Kulik is the Head Editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast. The holidays do not start for him until he hears Linus and Lucy.

SeedSing is funded by a group of awesome people. Join them by donating to SeedSing.

SeedSing's Advent Calendar of Awesome Holiday Music: Day 7 - The Man in the Santa Suit

ed note: This article was originally published on December 7th, 2015

The pre-Christmas Day season of Advent is upon us. Here at SeedSing we love the chocolaty goodness of getting a piece of candy once a day until we get to open our presents. As our gift to you we will present a new awesome holiday song for every day of Advent. This is the greatest music of the season. Enjoy.

Day 7: The Man in the Santa Suit by Fountains of Wayne

Opened Doors: One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six

I am embarrassed to know how much actual money Santa makes, and that real beard Santa makes the most money (nothing celebrates the season by shamelessly ripping off the great film Snowpiercer). I have this knowledge because my first professional job was to book performers for parties, including Santa. Many the performers I worked with were semi-normal, professional people. In the sea of clowns, magicians, and Elvis impersonators, the Santas were not quite as normal.  There was an air of desperation and sadness to the group. I paid Santa well, but money does not always buy jolliness. My theory was that these men could only make really good money a few weeks out of the year. To make this extra income these men had to endure a grueling gauntlet of uncooperative kids, demanding parents, and childless adult idiots that wanted themselves (and their dogs) to sit on Santa's lap. I paid Santa well because he had a tough and thankless job.

Fountains of Wayne, one of the Greatest American Bands, included "The Man in the Santa Suit" on their 2005 B-sides double album Out of State Plates. The tune perfectly captures the sad inner life of a mall Santa. Starting with the acknowledgment of "Santa" being a union laborer with a significant other who works at the hair salon. Mr. and Mrs. Claus seemingly live paycheck to paycheck. There is no holiday spirit to uplift Fountains of Wayne's protagonist, he just needs the money. What follows is a list of troubles Santa always has during the Christmas season. There are snot nosed kids who make fun of Santa's appearance (if that Jerry Garcia beard is real, Santa is making double this year), younger kids are throwing up on Jolly Old Saint Mall Nick, and all the older kids are commenting on Santa's beer for breakfast. Being  Santa is not as joyous as popular culture may have led us to believe. 

Santa's troubles are not just with the kids. The fellows at the local tavern also get on Santa's case. After a day of dealing with kids, barf, and attitude, Santa gets called names by the grownups. The world is filled with superficial jerks, and Santa is not immune to their attacks. Being overweight and harry in December may pay some bills, but it does not get one away from ridicule. The cruelty of people does not take a holiday during Christmastime.

"The Man in the Santa Suit" is on point for why any grown man would go through these troubles, it is all about the money. The name calling, the kids, the indignity of it all is worth the money. Fountains of Wayne's protagonist is zen about his current place in the world. He is getting paid for his looks. That is the hairy fat man's victory. He needs the money, and he has an opportunity to enhance his bank account. The bills will be paid up in Santa and Loretta's house this December. Merry Christmas to them.

On your way to the mall give "The Man in the Santa Suit" a listen. Understand what Jolly Old Saint Mall Nick is going through. Be nice to Santa. Every man who puts on the red suit this year will deal with more trouble than any one person deserves. In November my office used to be a revolving door of chubby hairy men looking for work. In January I was being sent a lot of small gifts as thanks. I paid Santa, and Santa needed the money. Santa deserved the money.

RD Kulik

RD is the Head Editor for SeedSing. He is chubby enough to be Santa, but his jolliness needs some work. Any Santas out their that want to give us a gift - Support SeedSing.

SeedSing's Advent Calendar of Awesome Holiday Music: Day 6 - (When Is) Hanukkah This Year?

ed note: This article was originally published on December 3rd, 2015

The pre-Christmas Day season of Advent is upon us. Here at SeedSing we love the chocolaty goodness of getting a piece of candy once a day until we get to open our presents. As our gift to you we will present a new awesome holiday song for every day of Advent. This is the greatest music of the season. Enjoy.

Day 6: (When Is) Hanukkah This Year? by Melee

Opened Doors: One, Two, Three, Four, Five

When I was in college I decided to find religion. I was raised a catholic boy, yet the experimentation of my college years led me into looking for a new religion. I went to a mosque, Hindu temple, a variety of the Protestant churches, and a Jewish temple. On the particular day I decided to attend temple was in early December, and much to my delight they were celebrating the third day of Hanukkah. I had no idea it was Hanukkah time when I entered the temple. It was awesome.

The Jewish Festival of Lights has always been overshadowed by the large presence of Christmas. Nearly every person in the Western World is aware that Hanukkah is around Christmas time, yet almost no one knows when the holiday actually starts. I had such a great time at temple during Hanukkah that I wanted to come back every year. The problem is the next year I completely forgot to check when Hanukkah was being celebrated and I missed out on the festivities. The same date from last year was after Hanukkah of the past year. Oh well, I know that Christmas will always be on the 25th.

In 2009 Orange County based band Melee released "(When Is) Hanukkah This Year?". Melee used the biggest question Jewish people get during the holiday season, and made it rock. Very few people want to know what Hanukkah is about, we just want to know what day the celebration is held. Forget for a moment that Hanukkah lasts for eight days, we need to know the one day to associate for the holiday. We are comfortable with the idea of Christmas owning the same day every year. All the holidays that own a single day every year get way more attention. Some may say that Easter gets plenty of attention, and it is a holiday that does not own a day. The mostly christian religious community does put forth a big celebratory effort for Easter, but the secular community does not care that much. Everyone knows about "It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown" and "A Charlie Brown Christmas", but not many are familiar with "It's the Easter Beagle Charlie Brown". The holidays that own a day, own the full public interest. The holidays where we have to question what day it is on, will always have an uphill battle. Melee embraces this idea with their great tune.

The boys of Melee use "(When Is) Hanukkah This Year?" to inform the listener of what a typical American Jewish boy goes through during those eight days and nights. Reading from the Torah, lighting the Menorah, Manischewitz, golden coins, kugel, worried mothers and grandmothers, and many days of presents. The song is a rocking tour of the Hanukkah season. Once the dialogue of the first minute ends, Melee builds until the song ends in an incredibly rocking way. The only song people hear this time of year in relation to the Festival of Light is Adam Sandler's "The Hanukkah Song". There is nothing appreciative about the holiday in Sandler's tune. You learn about many fine people with Jewish heritage, but there is no information about the eight days and nights of Hanukkah. There was the animated movie by Adam Sandler Eight Crazy Nights, but the less said about the film, the better. Melee uses "(When Is) Hanukkah this Year?" to actual share the joy of Hanukkah. It is a song that made this gentile remember that great night at the temple.

To answer Melee's question, Hanukkah starts on December 6th this year. Enjoy the beginning of this joyous time of year. Light some candles, have some great Jewish food and drink, call your mother. Make these eight days and nights rock. By the way next year Hanukkah will start on December 24th, mark it in your calendars. Please do not ask your Jewish friend in 2016, hey, when is Hanukkah this year.

RD Kulik

RD is the Head Editor of SeedSing. He does not really recommend Manischewitz, but a good kugel is awesome. During these eight days of gift giving, keep SeedSing on your mind.   

Ty Listens to Childish Gambino's "Awaken, My Love!"

Last Friday, December 2nd, Childish Gambino released his third album, "Awaken, My Love!".

I adore this record.

For those that do not know, Childish Gambino is Donald Glover's alter rap ego. Glover is an actor, comedian, creator, writer, director, and rapper. He is one of the most talented performers working today. I became aware of his rapping about 7 years ago. He was deep in his run on "Community", and I had heard rumblings that he was going to put out a record, and had some mixtapes that were floating around the internet. I was intrigued. I first thought it was going to be jokey rap, a la The Lonely Island, but I could not have been more wrong. I listened to some of the mixtapes and tracks he released before his first album, and they were very good.

When he released his debut album, "Camp", I was blown away. This was a full-fledged rap record. It was not jokey or goofy in any way. It was a straight up rap album, and it was good. Glover proved that he was a very good, sometimes great, rapper. I loved this first album. I was surprised, but in a very good way.

Then, a few years later, he released his second record, "Because the Internet". This was a departure from "Camp", but I found myself enjoying it just as much, just in a different way. "Because the Internet" showed Glover taking more, spacier chances. The record had longer instrumentals, which I like. Glover also talked primarily about how social media, and other things that are on the internet, are more problematic than they are good. I thought it was a very good second step. He showed his fans that he could do something different, but still be easy to digest. The guest list on "Because the Internet" was made great simply by putting Chance the Rapper on some tracks.

Glover took a long time away from music after "Because the Internet". "Community" was done, but he was acting and developing his phenomenal new show, "Atlanta". He had other things on his mind, and those other things were all great. I missed his music, but the stuff he was doing made it not as bad as I thought it would.

Pretty much right after the first season of "Atlanta" had its season finale, which I cannot say enough great things about, it is the best new show on TV, Glover announced he had a new record coming out. I was stoked. I listened to the early release of some of the songs, and I was even more intrigued. It sounded way different than anything else he had done previously. The songs were not rap songs, but more so in the funk genre. Needless to say, I purchased the album the morning it came out, and I have listened to it almost as much as I have listened to the new Tribe record.

"Awaken, My Love!" is tremendous. Like I said, it is so much different from his other stuff. The opening track has a 2-minute instrumental intro, with very little singing, and then Glover comes in and basically sings a rock song. It is wonderful. Glover, who I will refer to as Gambino for the rest of this piece, proves that he can sing, as well as rap. I love his vocals on this track. "Have Some Love" is a straight up Parliament song. George Clinton himself probably wishes he wrote this track. It is so, so good. The song is so funky and groovy, and Gambino sounds like Clinton, and the band sounds like Parliament. We get another great funk song, "Boogieman". The song has a creepy groove, and Gambino sings it with almost a Dracula-ish voice. It is tremendous. The album only gets better from there. Some other notable tracks are "Redbone", "California" and "Stand Tall". "Redbone" is probably the best song on the whole record. It is the best put together, it sonically sounds the best, the lyrics are great and poignant and Gambino is perfect on this song. It is the true standout on an album filled with great songs. "California" is a weird, groovy, funky and, at times, Gambino's first "silly" song. The lyrics talk about a lady that wants to move to California, and Gambino tells of all the ills that could come her way if she does. The beat and the instrumentation are awesome. The closing track, "Standing Tall", is a perfect ending to this new Gambino sound. The lyrics, instruments, sound, everything about this song are perfect. "Standing Tall" closes out the record excellently. 

After 6 or 7 fully listened through times, "Awaken, My Love!", reminds me of a mix between Parliament, Saul Williams and Andre 3000, from "The Love Below". This album is an incredible departure from what we, the fans, have come to expect from Childish Gambino. I truly do not know of any single performer/artist that is doing the wonderful, challenging and different things that Childish Gambino/Donald Glover is doing right now, and "Awaken, My Love!", is one of the best things he has done in a year that has seen him do some great things. This album is one of the good things to happen in 2016. I hope Childish Gambino continues to push the envelope and try new and odd things as a musician. But, with that being said, go out and buy this album right now, it is awesome.

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast. He feels like we lost a lot of great musicians in 2016, but we have gained some great music in the last part of the year. Follow Ty on instagram and twitter.

SeedSing is funded by a group of awesome people. Join them by donating to SeedSing.

SeedSing's Advent Calendar of Awesome Holiday Music: Day 5 - I Wish it was Christmas Today

ed note: This article was originally published on December 3rd, 2015

The pre-Christmas Day season of Advent is upon us. Here at SeedSing we love the chocolaty goodness of getting a piece of candy once a day until we get to open our presents. As our gift to you we will present a new awesome holiday song for every day of Advent. This is the greatest music of the season. Enjoy.

Day 5: "I Wish it Was Christmas Today" by Julian Casablancas

Opened Doors: One, Two, Three, Four

The conventional wisdom tells us that the winter holiday shopping season peaks on Black Friday. Once the day after Thanksgiving doorbusters are exhausted, the general public falls into a slower holiday shopping pattern. I disagree with this theory. Black Friday does have a large mob of people looking to score off brand electronics for ultra low prices, but the majority of sane people save their holiday shopping for after the mayhem. The first weekend of December is when the holiday shopping season really kicks into high gear. This is when the Christmas spirit starts its full invasion into our culture.

"I Wish it Was Christmas Today" started out as a simple SNL sketch featuring Horatio Sanz seemingly playing a novelty guitar and singing, Chris Kattan head turning and holding a very large keyboard, Jimmy Fallon providing backing vocals and very rarely playing the keyboard, and lastly Tracy Morgan awesomely dancing in place. Every few years the quartet would add a few lyrics, but the singing and dancing remained the same. Tracy Morgan is great in nearly everything he does, but I do think this is the funniest skit that Sanz, Fallon, and Kattan have ever done. Every year I would look forward to hearing "I Wish it Was Christmas Today" on SNL. The simple tune immediately put me into the holiday spirit.

In 2009 The Strokes lead singer Julian Casablancas released a cover of "I Wish it Was Christmas Today". The simplicity of the SNL version was replaced by a hyper kinetic ultra joyful new song to celebrate the holiday season. Casablancas version of the song starts at the top and never relents. For just under 4 minutes, the holiday season gets the positive excitement it so truly deserves.

Both the SNL and Casablancas versions of "I Wish it Was Christmas Today" celebrate the happiness of Christmastime. There are endless stories on the news of people complaining about the length and commercialism Christmas. Fox News invented the moronic War On Christmas to continue their agenda of splitting the country and feeding the idea of white christian victim-hood. "I Wish it Was Christmas Today" leaves all the negativity behind and says that Christmas kicks ass.

Today I will be out starting my holiday shopping. My house is decorated. my spirit is getting into high gear, and "I Wish it Was Christmas Today" will be on my playlist. The crowds at the stores, the idiots at Fox News, and all the naysayers will not dampen my holiday spirit. I love the awesomeness of the holiday season.  I do't care what anybody says, I wish it was Christmas today.

RD Kulik

RD is the Head Editor for SeedSing. He is hungry right now and really wishes it was Thanksgiving today. Tell us about your favorite time of year by writing for SeedSing.

SeedSing's Advent Calendar of Awesome Holiday Music: Day 4: Don't Shoot Me Santa

ed note: This article was originally published on December 3rd, 2015

The pre-Christmas Day season of Advent is upon us. Here at SeedSing we love the chocolaty goodness of getting a piece of candy once a day until we get to open our presents. As our gift to you we will present a new awesome holiday song for every day of Advent. This is the greatest music of the season. Enjoy.

Day 4: Don't Shoot Me Santa by The Killers

Opened Doors: One, Two, Three

I used to live in an urban neighborhood just north of Downtown Cincinnati. Urban living introduces you to wide variety of personalities not always found in the suburbs. I was part of the yuppie community trying to "rebuild" the city. We had some extremely rich people living a few blocks away in their estates overlooking the Ohio river. A few blocks the other way we had a lot of low income people living in government assisted housing. Every single stoplight in our area was populated by panhandlers. Many of these beggars were drug addicts and con artists. Some times we would see college age kids end their "shift" by getting in a car and a new person would take up the empty corner. The started to internally identifying the regular panhandlers with descriptive names. There was one down on his luck guy who always wore a filthy shirt and nice jeans. He was named Clean Jeans. Professor Shakey was a talkative man who never outright asked for money, oh and he was very jittery. One particular panhandler had a bushy white beard and a jolly old face, this man was to be named Hobo Claus.

Since 2006 Las Vegas based band The Killers have been releasing a new original holiday song with part of the proceeds benefitting Product RED . Of the ten offerings, "Don't Shoot Me Santa" is far and away the most surreal. The song is a two character play backed by the rock stylings of The Killers. Singer Brandon Flowers is a naughty boy who has been killing people who tease him, and Santa is coming to deliver justice. Not many holiday songs discuss how Santa deals with the naughty kids. Popular culture has attributed the lump of coal as the go to gift for the naughty. The Killers decided to go a little bit farther. Flowers spends the majority of the song pleading, and Santa is not having any of it. At one point Santa points out that he was a troubled kid, unfortunately that will not be enough to save Flowers. As one last gift Santa does allow Flowers to indulge in the great memory of being young and tasting some sweet Mojave rain.

Outside of the strangeness in the dialogue of the two character play that is "Don't Shoot Me Santa", the song has the great music one expects from The Killers. The band has established itself as one of the greatest pure rock bands of the current generation (Greatest American Band Debate feature?). "Don't Shoot me Santa" has The Killers signature sound, but there is a nice mix of Mariachi like desert music mixed in. Every time I hear "Don't Shoot Me Santa" I image it as a signature tune for Walter White on "Breaking Bad".

Hobo Claus is the placeholder for Kris Kringle whenever I hear "Don't Shoot Me Santa". The naughty kids should not be visited by a jolly old Saint Nick, their Father Christmas should be dirty, smelly, and generally uncomfortable to be around. The video for "Don't Shoot Me Santa" seems to agree with me on the unkempt image. This holiday season pray for a jolly, nice smelling Santa. If you have been naughty, watch out, because Santa may be coming for you.

Ed Note: These Holiday music article are meant to be fun. Having said that, this is the most important time of the year to help the homeless in your city. Your time and money is needed to assist your local homeless charities. Contact the United Way to find a charity in your city.

RD Kulik

RD is the Head Editor for SeedSing. He is trying to be really good this year. He hopes Santa can see the goodness through the small bits of naughtiness. Come bask in our goodness by liking us on Facebook.

SeedSing's Advent Calendar of Awesome Holiday Music: Day 3 - Last Christmas

ed note: This article was originally published on December 3rd, 2015

The pre-Christmas Day season of Advent is upon us. Here at SeedSing we love the chocolaty goodness of getting a piece of candy once a day until we get to open our presents. As our gift to you we will present a new awesome holiday song for every day of Advent. This is the greatest music of the season. Enjoy.

Day 3: "Last Christmas"

Opened Doors: One, Two

Christmas is filled with memories. We remember the great gifts of years past. We never forget he food and drink that highlight the season. We also remember the our loved ones that we spend the holidays with. Sometimes the pressure of the holiday season takes a toll on couples, people separate, and we take Christmastime as a chance to move on. Christmas may be filled with memories of holidays past, but the season also represents hopefulness in creating new lasting memories.

"Last Christmas" released in 1984 by Wham (Andrew Ridgeley and his singing partner) is not a romantic song. The singer (George something) had his heartbroken last year on Christmas. He spends most of the song letting this heartbreaker know that he was in love, and the feeling was not mutual. Christmas Day is often filled with romance, and Wham acknowledge as much in "Last Christmas". The receiver of George's heart seemed to let the romance of Christmas take hold, it was not until the next day was George's heart given away. This betrayal has left a large scar on George's mind, he alludes to the fact that he was bitten by love, but is now twice as shy. He tries to stay away, but will steal a glance from afar. It pains that his love affair from a year ago might not recognize him. He feels foolish for giving his love, but he is confident if his past lover kissed him right now, he would be fooled to love them again.

With all the heartbreak, there is some hopefulness in "Last Christmas". George does not understand how his love can be given away by this person, but this Christmas he is determined to find that someone special. George's problem is that last Christmas he was a bit to hasty in giving away his heart. This year he is determined to find that special person who will give him something in return. Last year's Christmas was a learning experience for George.

Like all great holiday songs, "Last Christmas has been covered by many people. Taylor Swift just yell sings through her tone deaf money grab version. Jimmy Eat World does their Jimmy Eat World like version. Florence + The Machine once did a slow acoustic version for BBC Radio 1. "Last Christmas" has been well covered, but the original recording by Wham! still has no equal.

The first week of December is the time most people put out their holiday decorations. As we hang lights and trim the tree we are filled with memories of previous Christmas times. The strongest memories stem from the lovers lost, and gained, during the winter holidays. As you start to dress your home up for the festive year, give "Last Christmas" a listen. The bad times of Christmas past may come to mind, but the hopeful ideals of this Christmas will carry through the season. Last Christmas is over, find something special to remember this Christmas. 

RD Kulik

RD is the Head Editor for SeedSing. Next Christmas he is looking forward to all the great posts on SeedSing from this Christmas. Are you someone special? Write for us.