Christmas is upon us. That means, the adverts on TV are all urging you to part with money you don’t have and the prospect of sitting in, alone, blind drunk while swearing about your family friends under you breath, seems all the more appealing.
Of course, the prospect of Christmas is actually worse than the real thing. The sense of dread of the Yuletide period soon dissipates when you’re faced with a plate full of grub covered in gravy.
However, what about the music? Carols are crap and serve to remind you about stupid Jesus. Commercial Christmas records are usually a bit too saccharine or forced. What if there was a whole bunch of really cool tunes to listen to at this time of year? Well folks, your luck is well and truly in!
It has to be pointed out that, if you’re a fan of ’50s rock ‘n’ roll, ’60s soul and reggae, a smattering of funk, folk and some peculiar novelty records… then and only then could you regard your luck to be in.
We at hecklerspray think that old recordings have a certain warm crackly fuzz about them, perfect for feeling cosy around Christmas time. That’s why we’ve gone vintage with this playlist.
You’re probably sick of hearing Wham! and Mariah Carey already. We promise that neither of these tunes feature on our playlist. Rather, we’ve got James Brown, Marvin Gaye, Elvis, The Carpenters, Run DMC and a whole bunch of songs you may have never heard before.
Dig in.
HECKLERPLAY: PURPLE SNOWFLAKES (Christmas Playlist)
Purple Snowflakes – Marvin Gaye
Santa Bring My Baby Back – Elvis
Boogie Woogie Santa Claus – Mabel Scott
The Christmas Song – Stevie Wonder
Back Door Santa? – Clarence Carter
Merry Christmas Baby – Lou Rawls
Ringing The Bells For Jim – Johnny Cash
Christmas Love – Rotary Connection
Cool Yule – Louis Armstrong
Celebrate Christmas – BB King
Black Christmas – The Harlem Children’s Choir
White Christmas – Otis Redding
I Wanna Spend Christmas With Elvis – Marlene Paul
Go Power At Christmas – James Brown
Christmas Time’s A Coming – Bill Monroe
Marshmallow World – Darlene Love
What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve? – Nancy Wilson
Merry Christmas Darling – The Carpenters
Little Saint Nick – The Beach Boys
Christmas Date Boogie – Joe Turner
Faraway Christmas Blues – Little Esther & Mel Walker with Johnny Otis
The Chipmunk Song – The Chipmunks
Happy Christmas – Byron Lee & The Dragonaires
O Holy Child – Dusty Springfield
Ska Greetings To Everyone – Frank Cosmo
Christmas Time Is Here (from Peanuts) – Vince Guaraldi Trio
I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus – The Ronettes
Close Your Mouth (It’s Christmas) – Free Design
Zat You Santa Claus? – The Muppets
Santa Claus Wants Some Lovin’ – Mack Rice
Christmas Rappin’ – Curtis Blow
Santa’s Got A Bag Of Soul – The Soul Saints Orchestra
A Surfer’s Christmas List – The Surfaris
Santa! Don’t Pass Me By! – Jimmy Donley
So Much Wine – Handsome Family
I Want A Hippopotamus For Christmas – Gayla Peevey
Little Jack Frost Got Lost – Geraldo
We Wanna See Santa Do The Mambo – Big John Greer
I’d Like You For Christmas – Julie London
Christmas In Hollis – Run DMC
Mommy Kissing Santa Clause – Johnny Clarke
I’m A Little Christmas Cracker – Diana Decker
New Baby For Christmas – George Jones
Pax Um Biscum (Peace Be With You) – Ringo Starr
Christmas Kisses – Ray Anthony
Christmas Song – Gilbert O’Sullivan
Stoned Soul Christmas – Binky Griptite & the Dee-Kay’s
All I Want For Christmas Is You – Carla Thomas
Children Go Where I Send Thee – Gospel Starlets
I Like Christmas – Bruce Haack
One More Sleep ‘Til Christmas – The Muppets
Click here to listen to the Hecklerspray Christmas playlist on Spotify