An oft heard low rating for Santa is his poor choice in gifts given. I mean, what’s the list i sent him FOR?! Handwriting analysis? Worth repeating: Trout Fishing in America knows kidsong, if “Santa Brought Me Clothes” is any indication. Wild mini-organ jelly-rolling. Meatwad from Aqua Teen Hunger Force serenades a visiting country pop star with “Santa Left a Booger in My Stocking.” It’s an Adult Swim thing. Space Band has a problem with a little AM radio from “@santaclaus.” Children rocking about griping. Saint John and The Revelations call down club rock to set a “Christmas Fire” as a reacti ..read more

Worth repeating: “Fat Daddy” by Paul ‘Fat Daddy’ Johnson was a Baltimore fave from 1963 on, dug up and shared by John Waters. It’s not really S.C. but the spirit is here through jazzy doo wop RnR. “Santa’s Getting Bigger” is charming folk from Bob Wire & Chip Whitson, who might be somewhat understanding. Tesse slows the roll with an R+B sorta-rap “Fat Man in a Red Suit.” It’s sad, but we need to accept those things we can’t change. Dale Jarvis dramatizes the domestic enabling that causes our protagonist to become “Fat Like Santa.” There’s a certain sound to those comedy songs for FM mornin ..read more

One of the complaints we aim at the Wintry Philanthropist is that He’s Larger than Life. Worth repeating: The Ineffective Subdefectives parody ‘Nowhere Man’ with “Big Fat Man.” They’re having such fun. I’m jealous. D’modes nitpick the dietary lack of restrictions Claus does in “Too Fat to Fly.” Club pop, but thoughtful-like. Richard Sponaugle is also deliberate when asked to berate the old guy in the countrifried pop of “Santa Needs to Diet.” Low hanging fruit. Making kidsong of it Muriel’s Animated Stories brings us a specific culinary caution in “Santa Needs a Diet.” Lifestyle choices are me ..read more

You know what’s as much fun as praising St. Nick? Tearing him into li’l pieces!! To begin, we’ll recognize the global phenomenon of Mr. Christmas, almost as widely recognized as Mickey Mouse. But, to get multicultural about it, “Some Children See Him” as different colors and adorned in local accoutrement. Others have made this a kidsong, but TEF’s 1958 rendering is gospel pontificating. The Snowman translates from Earth-tongue to Ozzie in “Who is Father Christmas?” A globetrotting characterization with boings and skritching brings Music Hall home. Racist? Don’t make me laugh! Balloon Man (feat ..read more

Well, what DOES James Brown have to say about that frosty philanthropist? “Santa Claus is Definitely Here to Stay” that’s what. Trademark Brown blues. A Bushman on walkabout, a pilot, a mermaid lover… “Wily Clause” is more than you thought. So say The Uh Ohs with well pointed indie/pop fun. Spell it out The Christmas Jug Band (feat. Paul Rogers)! “S.A.N.T.A.” is the parody of a powerful myth. Encore, you say? Well The Christmas Jug Band studies the Santas and determines the one with the most magic in the blues number “Santa Clara, San Jose or Santa Claus?” One guess who it is! Todd McHatton po ..read more

Worth Repeating: The Marquees whistle up some doo wop for “Santa Done Gone Hip.” Believe it, Jake. Zendaya develops her chops as a Disney baby way back when flouncing some kid-friendly R+B in “Shake Santa Shake.” That’s how we do. The Withers wanna get down with Mr. Cookies & Milk in the Men Without Hats parody “Santa Dance.” Get down, get frosty. The Wiggles also move hyperactively with their kidsong “Reindeer Express.” It’s more block chain than twisting. Three Day Threshold says it in so many words: “You Can’t Slow Santa Down.” His sleigh will beat a Ferrari! Louis Prima dances big band ..read more

Andrew Hyatt wants us to know “Santa Is A Good Ole Boy.” Bubba blues outlines his redneck tendencies, but with adoration. Alabama tries out surf rock (?) for a holiday floater: “Ain’t Santa Cool.” Seems to be less of a question than an accusation. Kidsong posted by a teacher for her kids to learn, this ‘rap’ involves stomping and clapping, but still rocks (some). “Santa is the Man” may entertain. Carlos Fandango tries some Elvis/Chuck Berry for a bit of all right amateurism in “Mr. Santa Claus, Baby (You’re a Real Cool Guy).” Sadly, he wants the Great One to supply a present he hasn’t acquired ..read more

Colin Buchanan & Greg Champion make boogie woogie into elevator music with “Cool Rockin’ Santa.” Oh, the guitar licks are there, but these Ozzies play it safe emotionally. It’s all under control. More authentic, LenneBrothers Band lean into “Boogie Woogie Santa Claus.” It’s receptive, hypnotic, and out of control. Flames! Asleep at the Wheel mashes up country swing with the B.W. in “Santa Loves to Boogie.” Now my feet are movin’. The Tractors get us back on track with “The Santa Claus Boogie.” It’s all about the piano, y’see. Slidawg & the Redneck Ramblers lean much more western than b ..read more

Worth repeating: The Rubettes (feat. Alan Williams) sing us “Santa’s Song” as a party all in of itself. Mitchell Musso (of Phineas and Ferb) honors Mr. 12/25 with the tedious pop of “Thank You Santa.” It’s a song. Pirate shanty chanting from The Radish Friends hails “Santa! Danny! O!” They are all over the place, but they seem to love the old guy. Scott Fagan chorales thanks when presenting “A Christmas Present to Santa.” Kidsong of the turd kind. The Wiggles don’t OWN kidsong, but they swing a big didgeridoo when it comes to audience participation. “Let’s Clap Hands for Santa Claus” gets the ..read more

Worth repeating: I’ve before shared Mono Puff cover of “Careless Santa” but it’s really a They Might Be Giants number. It’s give and be taken. James Brown stylings are unique. So is his “Santa Claus Santa Claus.” Please don’t make him suffer so. You’re his only hope. Little Charlie & The Nightcats dish out a bucket of blues with their “Santa Claus.” Please stop by his house today. He’s got needs. Aaron Schubert is asking for something better than “A Ho Ho Hobo’s Christmas.” Not having to eat half a rat, or a new box…? Throw him a bone already. A cappella amateurism. Professional a cappella ..read more