So the subject of pop/rock Christmas tunes came up the other day somewhere -- probably over at Eschaton -- and I remarked that there hadn't been a really good new one since the Pretenders' "2000 Miles" back in 1983.
Turns out I was wrong.
That's "All That I Want," by the utterly charming pop/folk duo The Weepies. It is, of course, a fiendish earworm that has been chewing at my cerebellum for a week or so of late since I noticed it in a J.C. Penny ad, but I hadn't realized it was a holiday song until I found that YouTube yesterday. In any case, it's wonderful; Deb Talan has the most adorable voice I've heard in ages, and then there's this bit in the lyrics
Above the rooftops
The full moon dips its golden spoon
I wait on clip-clops, deer might fly
Why not? I met you
which just kills me. What could be more improbable or too much to hope for than falling in love, and yet...
Okay, I'll just say it -- these guys are for the moment at least my favorite band.
Oh, and this song is another reason why.
I'm a big fan of Martin Newell's "Christmas in Suburbia."
ReplyDeleteIf you haven't heard it, or the CD that it came from, "The Greatest Living Englishman" you should. Andy P. had a hand in it and it is quite wonderful.
steve, thanks for sharing the Weepies and "All That I Want." (The second video seems to be hosed tho.) I love it.
ReplyDeletePowerPop, c'est les tits!
Wish I could get Deb Talan to sing on this Christmas song:
http://www.blackveils.com/daddy-...y- christmas.mp3
I think it's not bad, but the girl who sang it was only 10.... I play some pretty guitar on it, if I may say so.
Peace.
I actually have that album somewhere, and yes it's wonderful. I'd forgotten that song...
ReplyDeleteSpeedy:
ReplyDeleteI just clicked on the second song and it played fine...
I wonder why you had a problem...
Meanwhile, I'll go listen to the one you posted...
No, it turns out you were right. The song is a beguiling as a roasted marshmallow, but that song it's not 2000 miles, I knew 2000 miles...
ReplyDeleteIs it me or do those two folk groups on your homepage all sound like the little girl in the Ipod Nano commercial who sounds like Cat Power who sounds like Jonatha Brookes who sounds like Beth Chapman who sounds like . . . (well, you kind of get the idea)
ReplyDeleteLovely music but. . . .
DWD
Was "2000 Miles" before or after "Thanks For Christmas"?
ReplyDeleteDWD --
ReplyDeleteYou're thinking of Feist.
Rufus Wainwrigh:
ReplyDeleteSpotlight on
Christmas
Jackson Browne (for the pagans):
Rebel Jesus
I hope Fairytale Of New York gets consideration.
ReplyDeleteI must confess I don't know those last three...
ReplyDeleteI'll check 'em out!!!
on a related note:
ReplyDeleteScout's just thrown out some Xmas video war trash talk over at www.first-draft.com.
not that I'm trying to stir shit or anything....
Well, I like Scout's work...
ReplyDeleteLet's go see!!!
Anonymous said...
ReplyDeleteWas "2000 Miles" before or after "Thanks For Christmas"?
I did a little research on this one for you. According to the XTC Chalkhills website (http://chalkhills.org/discog/indexo.html), Thanks for Christmas (recorded under one of their several pseudonyms, The Three Wise Men), was released in November 1983. From there I went to check out the Pretenders entry on the Wikipedia site (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Pretenders) and saw that "2000 Miles" was the B-side of the "Middle of the Road" single released in December of 1983. If both pieces of info are accurate, "2000 Miles" would be the more recent of the two.
"Fairytale of New York" by the Pogues (featuring Kirsty MacColl), which Mike mentioned earlier, was released in 1987. I'm surprised Steve isn't familiar with this one, but I suspect once he hears it he'll add it oto his list of top pop/rock Xmas songs.
TJWood said...
ReplyDelete"Fairytale of New York" by the Pogues (featuring Kirsty MacColl), which Mike mentioned earlier, was released in 1987. I'm surprised Steve isn't familiar with this one, but I suspect once he hears it he'll add it oto his list of top pop/rock Xmas songs.
I think it's up there w/ White Christmas...no foolin'.
Take a look-see here. That's Matt Dillon early on as the cop. And of course, the lovely, much-missed Kirsty MacColl sharing vocals with Shane.
Oh, THAT Fairy Tale of New York.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know that was the title, but of course I've heard it.
Seriously, that's gorgeous...my bad for overlooking it..