The Christmas Can-Can

Here's a Christmas cure-all, an ear salve for those who have tired already of hearing holiday songs, and there are many days ahead. Vocalese group Straight No Chaser feels your pain. From their tune "The Christmas Can-Can":

"Heard this same song 20 times and it's only Halloween.

" So we offer a continually updated playlist (12+ hours worth at this posting) of originals that probably haven't been played to death, and standards that are different enough to not be annoying (mostly). It's an eclectic mix, so every song won't fit every taste. But there are 200+ songs here-- there are more than enough to give anyone some respite from moldy oldies. Some of this music isn't strictly holiday music, being seasonal or with a thematic message, but virtually every song was released on a Christmastime album.

 

"Xmas Always Makes Me Want To Die"

Of course it's a novelty song, but it's really only an exaggerated reminder that the holidays aren't jolly for everyone. But the beauty of this music themed for the season, there's something for everybody. The Dick Grande and The Dirty Danglers band is a comedy gig with an R-rated catalogue (e.g."She's a Ho Ho Ho," "Size Really Matters," etc.), but this is relatively safe -- meaning it's safe for the relatives above a certain age.

Done to the tune of "I saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus."

"Santa Claus Is Back In Town"

via SNCMusic.com

The a capella dectet, Straight No Chaser, seasons much of their music with irony and "Santa Claus Is Back In Town" is no exception. Undoubtedly, that helps to avoid the cliche of yet another vocal ensemble doing holiday songs and also may be due to a certain kind of college frat humor -- this band was born at Indiana University.

Here, they merge elvish with Elvis ... which of course relies on some Elvis cliches. But it's clever, even if it wears out its welcome after a while.

More irony: Taking their name from Thelonius Monk's stellar tune, and despite doing nothing but remakes, they haven't recorded a remake of that one.

"We're a Couple of Misfits"

Originally written for the Rankin/Bass stop animation TV special "Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer, "We're a Couple of Misfits" is redone by alt-rockers Bowling For Soup on their "Merry Flippin Christmas" collection.

on Spotify.com