Favorite Songs #9: Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree

To celebrate the Christmas season, I am introducing a three-fold song poll. After all, three is a significant number for this holiday (three wise men, the Trinity, etc.), so it only makes sense! What I’m asking for is your three favorite Christmas songs—but here’s the catch: you should only vote for one song in three distinct categories. These categories are as follows:

1. Religious Classics
Vote for your favorite, religiously-themed Christmas song. For example, “Silent Night,” “The First Noel,” or “Away in a Manger.” You are not, however, voting for a particular rendition of the song. It doesn’t matter if Bob Seger’s “The Little Drummer Boy” is your all-time favorite, or if anything by Mannheim Steamroller gets your sleigh bells jingling. Your vote should not be specific to a particular version, though you may note which version is your favorite. This is merely to distinguish from those cases when we’ve been blown away by the performance of a song we don’t normally care for. On the other hand, this in no way obligates you to liking every version known to humankind of your favorite song.

2. Secular Classics
Vote for your favorite secular Christmas song, such as “Jingle Bells” or “Deck the Halls.” Included in this category are what I will dub neotraditional Christmas songs. These are those songs that, while fairly contemporary (i.e., from the 20th century), have become traditional standards. For example, “The Christmas Song” (Chestnuts roasting on an open fire…) or “Silver Bells.” However, once again, you are not voting for a particular version, though you may make note of such.

3. Pop Christmas Songs
Here, you are voting for your favorite Christmas song that is typically considered a pop/rock song. Naturally, these will all likely stem from the last 50 years or so, whether it’s Bobby Helm’s 1957 hit, “Jingle Bell Rock,” or (heaven forbid) Britney Spears’ “My Only Wish (This Year).” Due to the nature of this category, many songs could be unique to a particular artist, but this needn’t be the case. Despite their youth, most of these songs have also been covered numerous times.

So there you have it. Now, ‘tis the season to be voting!

Favorite Songs #8: Magically Delicious

Having absolutely nothing to do with the release of the new Harry Potter film today, I hereby ask you for your favorite "magical" song (or, as always, top 5, top 10, etc.). Here's the only real rule -- the song must have the word "magic" in the title (e.g., "Practical Magic" by Stevie Nicks), a variant thereof (e.g., "Magical Mystery Tour" by The Beatles), or an otherwise blatantly magical reference (e.g., "Abracadabra" by Steve Miller Band).

So is that a magic wand in your pocket, or are you just excited to vote?!?

Benny K says...

We've had some good nominations, my personal favorite of which is JL Pagano's nod to The Police's "Every Little Thing She Does is Magic." (Sarah, I'll have to hunt down the Ghostbusters soundtrack to check out your vote.) Still, I believe some gems were missing, including (in no particular order): "You Can Do Magic" by America, "Magic" by Pilot, "It's a Kind of Magic" by Queen, and "Strange Magic" by Electric Light Orchestra. But the number one song left off the list, for nostalgic purposes, is "Magic" by The Cars.

Favorite Songs #6: Case of the Monthlies

We've done it for various days of the week, but at the start of a new month it's time to ask: what is your favorite song (or Top Five or Top Ten or whatever) with a MONTH in the title?

The rules:

• I strongly prefer we lean away from songs where the month name is actually being used as a person's name. For example, Rod Stewart's "Maggie May" won't count despite the word "May" in the title. I won't forbid it (as though I really could), especially if it's a more unique example (e.g., a song about a girl named January or something). But please play the game as it is obviously intended. Otherwise, what's the fun?
• The song needn't be a radio-friendly tune. It can be an obscure album track, so long as at least one of twelve keywords are mentioned in the title.
• Go ahead and break the language barrier. If "Cinco de Mayo" by Herb Albert & the Tijuana Brass is what rocks your casbah, then let it be known.

There you have it. Now vote!

Benny K says...

Given the broad scope of this survey, it is probably quite difficult to remember every "month" song there is. As such, I don't feel comfortable assuming a "Top Five" list could really be deemed all that accurate. There's just too much room for error. Nevertheless, in addition to the many great songs that have already been pointed out, I'll give honorable mentions to "In September" and "Middle of July" (both by Hayden) and "December" (by Teenage Fanclub). But, the #1 song that has not been mentioned thus far is: "December, 1963 (Oh, What a Night)" by Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. With four songs being nominated, it appears December is the king (or queen) of great pop-song inspiration. Congratulations, December!

Favorite Songs #5: Monday Songs

When it comes to the smash hits of pop-rock radio, only one day of the week can rival Saturday, and that day is Monday. So what is YOUR favorite song with "Monday" in the title?

• Could it be "Blue Monday" by New Order?
• Is it "Manic Monday" by the Bangles?
• How about "Monday, Monday" by the Mamas and the Papas?
• Do you prefer "Rainy Days and Mondays" by the Carpenters?
• Maybe it's "New Moon on Monday" by Duran Duran?
• Or maybe it's something else!?

The only rule is that the song MUST have the word "Monday" somewhere in its title. It does NOT have to be one of the songs listed above. Still, if you'd like to sample one of the songs listed above, just to make sure it's not a long-forgotten favorite, simply click on its title and be whisked away to a sample-bearing page on Amazon.com. For added convenience, I have made these links open in a new window. You will no longer have to click back and forth to figure out which songs most rock your world. Enjoy!

Benny K says...

While "Manic Monday" certainly gets my toes a tappin', I have to go with the somber sounds of "Monday, Monday." It's a classic, and it reminds me of playing my mom's records when I was young. But Amie-J has voted for "Monday Morning" by Fleetwood Mac, a band I usually love but a song I am not familiar with. I'll have to get a hold of it and see if my feelings change! (Bravo, Amie-J, for thinking of a song other than those listed...)

Favorite Songs #3: Never Eat Soggy Waffles

Time to cast your vote for your favorite song with a directional (i.e. north, east, south, west) in the title (e.g., South Side by Moby; Wild, Wild West by Escape Club, etc.).

The rules:

• All variations are allowed (e.g., "southern," "westward," "northerly," etc.). Hence, songs such as Life in a Northern Town (by Dream Academy) and Southern Man (by Neil Young) are eligible.
• Because it's the most blatant directional song I know of, Stand (by R.E.M.) will be the one non-directionally titled song for which I will allow.
  
• Because there are certainly a bajillion songs that will be eligible, I encourage you to stretch your music muscles and compose a Top 5 or Top 10 list. Earn bonus points by putting them in order of preference (something difficult for an indecisive person such as myself to do).

Enjoy!

Benny K Says...

I have decided to put my own responses as an appendage to my posts. Hence, here is my Top 10 List for Songs with Directionals in the Title:

1. Life in a Northern Town – Dream Academy
The kind of song you can listen to while laying on your bed, just staring at the ceiling and being completely wrapped up in your own thoughts, be they somber or romantic (regardless of the song's lyrics). The tribal chanting, the timpani drums, all the orchestrated nuances -- it simply commands reflection.

2. West End Girls – Pet Shop Boys
An 80's classic. Because it's a bit overplayed, it loses some of its impact, but you can't deny it a high spot on the list.

3. South Bound Suarez – Led Zeppelin
Zeppelin goes honkytonk, and the result is honkytonktastic!

4. Go West – Pet Shop Boys
Though originally done by The Village People, I can't escape my fondness for 80's synth pop. The Pet Shop Boys add a nice touch of melancholia, taking it a step away from disco. My enjoyment of this song is probably heightened by the blatant "Pachelbel's Canon" undertones (a beautiful song in itself).

5. Stand – R.E.M.
Okay, it's admittedly quirky, but it is catchy. The simplistic lyrics are quick and easy to learn, making this an obvious sing-along favorite when showing up on the radio dial.

6. It Never Rains in Southern California – Albert Hammond
It's one of those songs from childhood that, while you have no distinct memory of hearing it, you somehow know it quite well. And like other music you must fault your parents for exposing you to, you can't dislike it ... the Bee Gee's anyone?

7. Wild, Wild West – Escape Club
Once in a while, 80's pop liked to feign edginess and expose its listeners to distorted guitars (albeit smothered in snythesizers and saxaphones). Think of Roxette, Animotion, and Fine Young Cannibals, to name just a few. Sure, this song in particular was automatically dated by the inclusion of the lyrics, "Heading for the nineties, living in the eighties," but that just makes it all the more nostalgic to sing (à la Prince's "1999").

8. South Side – Moby
The verses aren't really singable and the music is somewhat dark and agitated, but Gwen Stefani's guest vocals make the chorus a pleasant counterpoint to the rest of the song. Better suited for some slightly aggressive head-bobbin' than for singing, it's still an enjoyable listen.

9. Only a Northern Song – The Beatles
Psychedelic anti-prose, it's true, but it is the nature of psychedlic songs to hypnotize their listeners. As such this otherwise medicore song still manages to get one's toes tapping, albeit very slowly and hazily.

10. Southern Nights – Glen Campbell
Not really my cup of tea, but I couldn't think of anything else to round out my list. And, as far as this genre goes, you can do a lot worse than Glen Campbell. You might be embarrassed if your friends caught you listening to it, but you know you like it more than some of the crap they listen to.

Favorite Songs #2: Saturday Songs

In honor of the upcoming weekend, I am hereby asking you to vote for your favorite song with "Saturday" in the title. The only rule is that "Saturday" must be part of the title, not just part of the chorus or something. While there are probably several more, I am listing a few examples to get your brain going. Please note: these are NOT the only songs eligible!

Examples of "Saturday" songs, in alphabetical order:

• Another Saturday Night -- Cat Stevens
• Saturday in the Park -- Chicago
• Saturday Night -- Bay City Rollers
• Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting -- Elton John
• Saturday's Child -- The Monkees

And, of course, anything else you can think of. Happy voting!

R.O.C.K. in the UK?

European bands, North American bands. Imagine that, with the exception of one band/artist of your choosing, you had to give up listening to any music that stemmed from one of these continents -- for the rest of your life! What do you do?

Here are the rules:

• Should a band be of mixed origin (à la Fleetwood Mac), you can keep listening to it regardless of which continent you choose.
• You do not have to give up music from any other continents. (Air Supply fans, rejoice.)
• No funny business. You get the point of this exercise, so play along. No claiming you can listen to the British band that recorded their latest album in New York, or the California punk band who made their CD in Turkey.

So, which continent do you choose to keep, and which artist from the sacrificed continent do you hold onto? Discuss!