Christmas Music Everyday

It's Just Another New Year's Eve

Song #40: It's Just Another New Year's Eve

Artist: Barry Manilow

Year: 1977

Notes: Back when the Dick Clark New Year's Eve TV show was good, Barry used to regularly perform this one just before midnight. For those of you who think you are not Manilow fans, listen to this one again and just try to deny its excellence.

What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?

Song #39: What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?

Artist: The Orioles

Year: 1948

Notes: With apologies to Guy Lombardo, this is the best New Year's Eve song. It's from the great early Doo Wop vocal group from, you guessed it, Baltimore, Md.

Santa Claus' Party

Song #38: Santa Claus' Party

Artist: Les Baxter

Year: 1952

Notes: Often called the father of Exotica.

Always Winter, Never Christmas

Song #37: Always Winter, Never Christmas

Artist: XTC

Year: 1991

Notes: This one's for Rose. Not technically a Christmas song but it captures the writer's disappointment in this season, and others.

There's No Christmas On The Moon

Song #36: There's No Christmas On The Moon

Artist: Thee Spivies

Year: 1996

Notes: "I won't be seeing Santa Claus real soon, cuz Santa, he don't have a spacesuit..."      So you'll buy the flying reindeer thing but surviving in space:
no way?

Back Door Santa

Song #35: Back Door Santa

Artist: Clarence Carter

Year: 1968

Notes: This would be in the Holiday Hall Of Fame even without contributing to the world that great horn break that Run DMC sampled for Christmas In Hollis. 

The Holidays Are Here (And We're Still At War)

Song #34: The Holidays Are Here (And We're Still At War)

Artist: Brett Dennen

Year: 2005

Notes:  This folk singer has done better songs  - this one's a little clunky really - but if you are into reflecting on the state of the world this Christmas, here's a good place to start. 

Don't Believe In Christmas

Song #33: Don't Believe In Christmas

Artist: The Sonics

Year: 1965

Notes: First punk band? Many say yes. Surely one of the great Seattle bands of all time though.

What Christmas Means To Me

Song #32: What Christmas Means To Me

Artist: Hanson

Year: 1997

Notes: Charming remake of the Stevie Wonder classic

Christmas In The Northwest

Song #31: Christmas In The Northwest

Artist: Brenda Kutz White

Year: 1985

Notes: Signature song of ongoing yearly charity albums sold in the Pacific Northwest