Too soon?
Kristen was looking for suggestions for a holiday mix, which sent me digging into my collection to throw a few tunes her way. Around that same time, Joan Jett’s Blackheart Records drops their new holiday release A Blackheart Christmas into my lap.
And on A Blackheart Christmas is a cover of one of my most favoritest holiday songs ever, Billy Squier’s “Christmas Is The Time To Say I Love You” as covered by Seattle punkers The Cute Lepers.
The Cute Lepers – Christmas Is The Time To Say I Love You
BTW – I know that favoritest is not a word, but with your help, if we use it enough, we can get it in there, just like meh.
“Christmas Is The Time To Say I Love You” has been covered at least once before, by SR-71 (remember them?) and the new version by The Cute Lepers is good campy fun that doesn’t veer too far away from the original version by Squier.
Believe it or not, I never saw the original video for Squier’s version, and actually I didn’t even know there was such an animal.
Now that I actually know where most of my holiday CDs are, I’m contemplating my first holiday mix in years to get all of my favorites whittled down to a disc or two. If I actually get around to it, I’ll share the rundown with you all.
What are some of your rock and roll holiday favorites?
Billy Squier – Christmas Is The Time To Say I Love You
Stream the A Blackheart Christmas album here.
Purchase A Blackheart Christmas via Itunes.
Here’s the full press release:
Joan Jett’s Blackheart Records Holiday Album Available Now on iTunes
Features Newly Recorded Holiday Standards, Original Tunes and a Joan Jett Classic
The holidays are right around the corner and Blackheart Records, Joan Jett’s record label, will be celebrating with a holiday album available on iTunes. The album features newly recorded holiday standards from Girl in a Coma, The Dollyrots and original tunes from Seattle punks The Cute Lepers and veteran Blackheart band The Vacancies. A modern take on “Silent Night” closes out the 11-track offering. Recently recorded with Joan Jett on vocals and guitar, the track includes excerpts from Barack Obama’s victory speech in Chicago earlier this month.
Girl in a Coma, The Dollyrots, The Vacancies and The Cute Lepers are all featured artists on Jett’s Blackheart Records, a company she started over 25 years ago, making her the first woman to start her own rock label.
Track Listing:
1. Blue Christmas – Girl in a Coma
2. The Elf Song – The Vacancies (original)
3. Santa Baby – The Dollyrots
4. Little Drummer Boy – Joan Jett and the Blackhearts
5. Christmas Is The Time To Say I Love You – The Cute Lepers
6. Father Christmas – The Vacancies
7. I’ll Be Home For Christmas – Girl in a Coma
8. Winter Wonderland – Thommy Price featuring Nefertiti Bones
9. Home For Christmas – Kenny Laguna
10. All I Ever Want (Under The Christmas Tree) – The Cute Lepers (original)
11. Silent Night – The Blackhearts and special guests
I love Fairytale of New York by The Pogues and I like the cover that No Use For A Name did of that song as well. All I Want for Christmas is You being covered by My Chemical Romance. Santa Claus is coming to town By The Boss, there are so many others i am drawing a blank right now
My fav J-day (jesus day) album to date is Punk Rock X-mas. It has attitude positive jingles featuring Mojo Nixon, the Ramones, and a band called the Greedies (Sex Pistols & Thin Lizzy member side project…). Even if I hardly listen to it but once a year it is my fav comp ever.
Ha, Billy Squire.
OK, I have no favorite Christmas songs, other than the original “Silver Bells” by Bing Crosby.
Everything else about the holidays can go suck it… except for the eggnog.
And then I have to go and stick my foot in my mouth because I love Girl in a Coma … I didn’t pay attention at first that they had a recording on this album.
I’ll shut up and go listen now…
Jose – I think that’s why I need to make a Xmas mix. There are SO many tunes that I love, and each year, I have to mentally remember them all, and then dig them out from the various parts of my collection.
Brian – I always like your J-Day refs.
Mel – I often share your sentiments about the holidays, and if I go storming off, I always make sure that I take the eggnog with me!
Matt, you know retail has killed my Xmas spirit. I give much thanks to that certain little record store that used me and my great staff through a holiday season only to can us all the J-Day…without formally telling us… At least I was able to gain your friendship even if you do rock out to Winger too much.