Christmas A Go Go!

Vista Blue fans (aren't we all?) know that their heroes are big baseball fans, earlier this year they released a The Smiths-themed concept EP with songs all about the ball 'n wood (but rest assured, no Morrissey or janglin' guitars anywhere). And for Christmas, they sing the praise of Chicago Cubs-stadium Wrigley Field: Christmas at Wrigley by Vista Blue It's loud, it's Ramones, it's Weezer, it's Fountains of Wayne, it has the Vista Blue quality stamp. Hey ho, let's play!

We've discussed Arbor's compilations several times before, but hey, every year there's always beautiful (new) Christmas music to enjoy. And this year is no exception on that. This 26th edition features eight tracks. Read here all about previous Arbor editions at Christmas A Go Go.  And now the music. If it fits in a minute and a half, why take longer? And it doesn't have to be that complicated either; just listen to this perfectly good and civilized rockin' track by It's A King Thing from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Arbor Christmas: Volume 26 by Arbor Christmas Mark Martucci was on Arbor compilations before, but he surpasses himself with this bare, yet very atmospheric synthy electro Christmas track of a true story, which hums warmly into the Christmas season. Beautiful vocals too. Insta over there . Arbor Christmas: Volume 26 by Arbor Christmas

Now, I know we used the term 'To end all other versions' a few times on this blog. Here, for the Boris-version of Last Christmas . And here, for Sun's screamo-version of All I Want for Christmas. But this, people, this version of Mariah's AIWFC is something else. You want it darker? See for yourself: Fantastic, no? More on this French metal project Waste\Dawn here . The lyrics are here .

Rule of thumb: if a song suddenly pops up on more than one Christmas themed album, it can be considered as a Christmas(-y) song. Case in point: Snow is Falling in Manhattan , a song by Purple Mountains (= David Berman, of Silver Jews fame) from 2018. The fact that Berman died within a month of release of the album that included the song, adds to the weight, the impact. There's an understated beauty to this song. And that 'snow'-chorus is great. Read more on Berman and Purple Mountains here . There is no mention of Christmas in the lyrics, but there is a December feel ('So much joy in merely looking') and a slight Christmas spirit at the end: 'And on the couch, beneath an afghan/Lies an old friend he just took in/Seeking shelter from the cold wind.' Here is a selection of the versions that I found In 2020, two bands put cover versions on Christmas albums, this one by Brooklyn based Holly Grove Choir (that's not a choir, by the way), that put a slight...

Another guest blog by Santajan Vollaard, our esteemed host on the upcoming CAGG party in Paradiso ( ticket link! ): Hidden on the B-side of a 1966 comedy 45, I found one of the most hilarious versions of the time-honored White Christmas ever. In a conversation between "Senator Bobby" and "Senator McKinley," the latter proposes the brilliant idea that connecting with the young student electorate could be fostered with a song from "the folk bag". Folk music went through a revival in the early 1960s, and the great hero of that movement was, of course, Bob Dylan. McKinley comes up with a song by a certain Bobby the Poet. After an intro clearly inspired by Like a Rolling Ston e the singer launches into a gritty sung White Christmas , unmistakably with the timbre and timing of Dylan circa 1966. He sticks neatly to Irving Berlin's lyrics until he abruptly rhymes "sleighbells in the snow…" with "..it flóws and gróws and blóws." Thes...

Making a list is SO Christmas, that's why I round up of all the bestest tracks every season (according to me). I left out the covers, I tried to pick only songs that were released this year. There is a Spotify playlist HERE with over 35 songs. No trend really stood out this year, apart from the Sad Girl Xmas songs that just kept on coming. There were French tracks, punk anthems, alt rock gems, Dutchies getting involved, covers, electronics, reworks, KNP released an album, so did THE TOOTH. In fact, A LOT to enjoy, really. Here are some of the highlights of 2025: * The bestest of the best is King Hüsky's December95 . Already wrote a post about that song, that Jim/Christmas Underground posted first . And every time I played it, it just got better. It's the melody, it's the structure, it's the solo (very much the solo), the nostalgia in the lyrics, the voices, the sped up ending. It just stays interesting, ticks all the right boxes. It's good. Very goo...

The album 'Translation Is Key', released this year by underground darling Frankie Traandruppel (translated Frankie Teardrop, got it ?), is widely considered one of the best of the past year in Belgium. And rightly so; listen here and marvel at the beautiful DIY lo-fi songs that grate and slur, effortlessly finding their way to your heart. But back to Christmas. Frankie Traandruppel (Lee Swinnen) from Antwerp, Belgium has recorded three tracks that continue the line of his aforementioned album, but with a slightly sweeter tone, less noisy and more melodic. I'd say this EP is, at the last minute, a real 2025 Christmas gem!  And beside the two songs below, don't forget to listen to the moving loneliness story in 'A Frankie Christmas Carol' slash rap slash whatever it is you want it to be, including appropriate choir singing and Ho Ho Ho's.  "This is volume 4 of the 10 years of Belly Button 7" EP series. It's a thing of beauty and the perfect gi...

I love it when a good concept is played out well. XMASX is a seasonal project by members of two Philadelphia punk bands, and their kids. The concept is: play a very loud & fast cover of a Christmas classic, and wrap it in a cover design referring to a legendary punk/hardcore album. This is most recent example: Bad Brains-fans probably recognised this immediatly . And it sounds like this: It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas by XMASX Earlier singles referred (in design) to Black Flag and other hardcore bands. Can you tell which ones? And while we're on the subject of punk-versions of Christmas classics, here's another concept version. From a Beach Boys tribute album ( heyyy! ), this Ramones-y take on a carol: A VERY DIY Beach Boys Christmas by The Ram-Ho-Ho-Ho-nes

You might already know Kurt Bloch as the Seattle music legend , guitarist and one of the founders of the American punkrock band Fastbacks. But this time of the year he has teamed up again with Leslie Beattie to record a Christmas album under the moniker of El Bee & Kay Bee this time. Eight tracks , a number of covers, a number of new ones, including the one below, an eclectic piece of work.  El & Kay took their time to carefully build this song that sometimes even tends towards symphonic rock (!), but then, after three minutes and just in time, it degenerates into a growling, scorching noise and guitar solo in which even the Deck the Halls theme can be detected for a moment, before it finally ends with a kind of angelic singing and soft sleigh bells. Highlight of the album.  Christmas 2025 by El Bee & Kay Bee Thanks Brian Foss for the tip! 

Short notes on songs of note: Christmas = compilation time! From 'Lost Nog', a comp from Seattle label Small Batch, this fantastic power pop stormer by Graham Winchester (from 2024, but still): Lost Nog: A Small Batch Holiday Compilation Volume 6 by Graham Winchester From the yearly Polaroid Memory compilation, this LOUD rock song that namechecks some big stars, but is about 'the anarchist conspiracy theory that Pyotr Kropotkin might be related to Santa Claus': A polaroid for Christmas 2025 by e.p. nap feat. melody almroth Polaroid Memory features a strong song by our friend Kristian Noel Pedersen , and so does this Canadian comp. Also on there, probably the first xmas song about the 6-7 hype. Highly charming, by Robots! Everywhere!! and his daughter: Home for the Holidazed: An Eternal Bummer Christmas Volume 6 by Robots! Everywhere!! Dutch comedian Roel C. Verburg wrote a song (two years ago) from the perspective of Joseph, feeling superfluous on the day...

Probably one of the most used musical references on this blog is The Beach Boys. Their sunny songs with astounding harmonies are an influence to m-a-n-y Christmas music makers. Also to The Lemon Twigs , an American rockband centered around two brothers. To call them retro, or 'magpies' is an understatement - these guys relive the best parts of the musical 60s and 70s. The brothers worked with female pop trio Tchotchke , who make music in the vein of girl groups like Ronettes and Shangri-La's. Perfect for Christmas, one could say. 'Tchotchkes' the song is about tchotchkes , or trinkets, souvenir-like gifts that are 'a gem, not the stone', to quote from the lyrics .  More proof that Lemon Twigs really, really dig the Beach Boys:

One of the coolest xmas tracks of this year, definitely: Christmas Struttin' by The Bacarrudas from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. I mean ... hear that organ moan, feel the hypnotic low-pitched floor tom, sing along with an aching heart to the backing choir and watch them strut!  The Bacarrudas recorded a superb and slow psychobilly garage rock track with sad lyrics and full of emotion and longing, because "It’s the time of year I shed a little tear" . But hey, keep on struttin' and always keep that swag! Insta over there .  Ring-A-Ding-Ding! by The Bacarrudas   And there's even more. More up-tempo as well, but as addictive as their strut is this 'Ring-A-Ding-Ding', a festive and cheerful rockabilly-beat kinda track, retro 60s vibe organ playing and woohoo choirs. Despite all, it can hardly be anything other than that Christmas with The Bacarrudas must be a damn good holly jolly party.  Ring-A-Ding-Ding! by The Bacarrudas

Another guestblog by Santajan, the host of Christmas A Go Go on December 22 in Paradiso, Amsterdam . Jan loves his oddball Christmas songs, ànd chicken on the dinner plate. And, while we're at it, why not add some farting? How many Christmas songs have been written about a chicken? Not many, I'm afraid. The famous Christmas rabbit ‘Flappie’ has received infinitely more attention than the noble poultry that lays our Christmas eggs. Turkeys, venison, and suckling pigs fill the windows of poulterers and butchers during the Christmas season, but the ordinary chicken receives far too little praise. For this reason alone, the song ‘Vret(d)e op Aarde’ (a Dutch pun, 'Vrete' means to hog, 'vrede' means peace) by the band with the striking name Sjef Kok en de Toetjes is a must-listen during these dark days. Sjef Kok is the nom de plume of Aad Klaris, novelty-hit songwriter extraordinaire, who passed away earlier this year . His culinary Christmas single from 19...

Music connoisseurs can flaunt their knowledge about all the well-known and lesser-known samples that Bristol-based beatmakers The Allergies throw at you at their festive funk and classic hip-hop EP Allergies Season , although that's certainly not the only thing that makes their style so attractive since 2012. The five brand new tracks sound contemporary and funky and at the same time also have an old skool vibe due to the scratch techniques and fast, clear raps that are reminiscent of the late 80s, early 90s and sometimes even go back much further to dynamite James Brown funk.  The Allergies (ft. MC Andy Cooper) throw it all in the blender and out comes the most delicious high energy cocktail you could wish for these days. Not something to sit still about. So put on your dancing shoes, tis da season, da funky season! Insta over there . Allergies Season EP by The Allergies   Allergies Season EP by The Allergies    The Allergies are also highly recommended for all yo...

Franco-Ontarian Dayv Poulin from Sudbury, Ontario, has been around the block more than once. Current and past projects include Toe Jam Tequila, Le Paysagiste, The Bilinguish Boys, cAbiners, and Nacho Jam. Lo and behold, he recently released a Christmas tune, entitled 'Le Noël Fatiguant'. If running around getting the shopping done isn't a theme yet, it sure is one in Canada this year. I'm looking at you, Le Band à Boivin and Quimorucru . The song is about how Christmas is tiresome and annoying, but the kids love it. Poulin does bring up traditional tourtière (mmmm) and beer, and of course, family members arguing. The song goes full on Canadian country music, making it wonderfully catchy. At some point, he reminisces about being a kid, and then I start thinking about at MLou who wrote a song about that as well. Bonus: I've added Poulin's unlikely 2023 hit 'Simple de même' that suprised even him. It's not a Christmas song, but hey, everything ...

Okay, so first there was this post with covers of The Beach Boys' song Santa's Beard and then later on a They Might Be Giants Santa's Beard cover post too, and now ... now this third beard post is just a plain and simple post about Father Christmas's often discussed beard. Because sometimes that beard is just gross, too long, too short, too weird, too yellow, or even shaved off. Oh well, let's say it's a lively thing, so here we go. An existential question underlies the first in this list, a ukulele-driven track from The Quaint & The Curious (2012): "Everybody seems to love Santa's beard. Why do they think mine is weird?" Poor guy, he's just trying to spread a little Christmas cheer.  Insta over there .  This Winter of Ours (EP) by The Quaint & the Curious Another poor (and jealous) guy. Also from 2012, also ukelele: Lachlan MacLeod from Melbourne, Australia. He still can't grow a beard and is dying for a gnarly beard like Santa...

Lists and Christmas songs. Well. There's 'Santa Clause is Coming to Town' , about the bearded guy who's making a list, and checking it twice. Many versions. M-a-n-y . And there's the syrupy song by David Foster for Nathalie Cole, about the Grown-Up Christmas List . Also: many versions . But this blogpost is a list (heheh) of songs about Christmas lists that are not covers of the aforementioned two. But originals, different in styles, often with a common theme. Because the one thing that is asked for the most on all those lists, is love. I tried to make it into a proper Christmas mix, about lists. This is such a charming song! From 2003, by a British songwriter, it's DIY but with a lot TLC: My Christmas List (2003) by Nathan Persad From 2011, from Dallas. More streamlined, smoother 'round the edges, but the plea is the same: 'You're love is the only thing that is on my Christmas list': My Christmas List single by Scott Riegel A fat ...

John Idalis thinks they started making music a little late and feels a bit sorry for that. But let's put it this way, it's a good thing it finally happened. Because John Idalis , the singer-songwriter from Los Angeles with a background in theatre and performance, has a lot to offer. Although they is not confined to one rigid genre, their music could be described best as folky indie singer-songwriter with touches of pop and very personal, introspective but direct lyrics. An inspiring artist for them is Daniel Johnston, because they likes "That neurodivergent attitude of, I’m gonna make art for the sole purpose of enjoying making art" . On their Bandcamp, they kinda apologizes for writing such a sad Christmas song. We'd like to say: thank you John, for this great n' fragile Blue Lotus Naraka Xmas! More on John Idalis in these very personal interviews in Shoutout Arizona and Canvas Rebel .  Insta over there .  blue lotus naraka xmas by john idalis

'Santa Claus Is Coming For Your Eyes' is a strong example of DIY. Recorded on December 7 and 8 and released on Bandcamp as early as December 14 — that’s the punk attitude!  The Dead Milkmen are from Philadelphia and have been around since 1983. The cover art, however, with all those eyeballs, looks like it could be a Residents release. Musically, it sounds like a kind of LCD Soundsystem with Henry Rollins as the singer. The track starts with " Santa Claus Is Coming to the USA",   later it turns out to be an escaped prisoner in a Santa suit. An exciting and scary track on Bandcamp and to watch on Youtube!  Santa Claus is Coming for Your Eyes / Here for Now by The Dead Milkmen  

If you agree with me that Christmas stands for exuberance, excess and extravagance, than a 25 hour radio show filled with Christmas music is like a too large tree topper blinding your eyes when you see it. Exactly how it should be! Mr Jon Solomon's 25 hour Christmas radio show on WPRB (New Jersey) is having it's 37th (!) edition this year. It's like all the Christmas playlists, all the blogs and all the podcasts rolled into one exhilirating marathon. If there is an event a Christmas music aficionado AND producer/artist needs to be part of, it's this one. The 2025 edition of Jon Solomon’s 25-Hour Holiday Radio Show on 103.3 fm WPRB rises on Christmas Eve at 5:00 pm ET and unfurls until Christmas Day at 6:00 pm ET. We asked Jon to tell us how he prepares for this monstrosity (in a good way!): So…you want to know how I prep for a Christmas radio show that’s 25 hours long? I don’t think of myself as an anxious person, yet starting around Thanksgiving (sometimes ea...

Yes, yes, y'all, and we don't stop, because Low's Just Like Christmas keeps being covered, and we made it our duty to keep you informed on all the versions worth to share. Like this great version by Basketball, a Texan trio that sampled the iconic intro of JLC, keep the driving beat, add organ and build and twang and build and go astray.... Strange Nog: A Small Batch Holiday Compilation Volume 4 by Basketball From 2025, a happy go lucky version by Eric Jenkins: ERIQ by Eric Jenkins From 2023, on piano and sung with a soprano voice, kinda nice: Xavier's Christmas Record by Xavier Armani This could either be a South Park-character singing, a parody, a loud guitar workout or all of that rolled in one hell of a cover: Christmas Album 2023 by righteouscowboylight A rather hurried, feedbacked-to-the-max version: Just Like Christmas by EchoBravo With a lot of effects, yet faithful to the original: XMAS by Pino Lamar Land of the lakes treated their piano f...

Christmas is stressful, to many. The preparations, the dinner that cannot fail, the right presents. And the cheer. You need the cheer on Christmas. All is gold, all is bright, right? Christmas Is The Deadline by Party Nails 'Christmas is the deadline' by Party Nails is about that stressful feeling of not being cheerful at the golden moment. It was written by Party Nails-singer and producer Elana Carroll, and by Emily Ryan Lerner. Emily wrote in an email to CAGG: "Hi! I've had your blog bookmarked for years (pre-algorithm!) and enjoy checking in this time of year to see what you've unearthed. My husband and I used to create xmas playlists of weird/cool stuff we found for friends and family in lieu of a card and your blog and Spotify were always a great resource for finding fun new things. We kept that going for over a decade (stopped after 2020) but holiday music (done right) is still one of my fave genres. So when I had the opportunity to collaborate on writin...