If you’re looking for some festive music to play this weekend, then here are 12 alternative Christmas songs to get you started. One each for the 12 days of Christmas, as selected by Mr Teeth Reviews.
Los Campesinos! – “Lonely This Christmas”
One of my favourite songs from the classic Xmas compilations, the original sounds like Elvis, but glam rockers Mud were awesome. Here though Welsh band Los Campesinos! cover the track wonderfully:
Lemmy Kilmister, Dave Grohl & Billy Gibbons – “Run Rudolph Run”
Xmas 2015 we lost a legend, in fact Lemmy needs no introduction… neither for that matter does Nirvana/Foo Fighters Dave Grohl, or indeed Billy Gibbons from ZZ Top:
AC/DC – “Mistress for Christmas”
While we’re on the subject of those who we’ve lost – this one’s for you Malcolm:
Twisted Christmas – “Heavy Metal Christmas”
Ok, the whole album is very silly but every year I have to dig out “A Twisted Christmas”, even if only for the line “…and a tattoo of Ozzy”:
Ten Benson – “Black Snow”
Ah, whatever happened to the fantastic Ten Benson? Frank Zappa may have already warned us “Don’t Eat the Yellow Snow”, but these guys turn it black:
The Retrospective Soundtrack Players – “Christmas Day”
Let us turn the volume down a bit now. Local Portsmouth band Retrospective Soundtrack Players have long since called it a day, but not before they released a beautiful Christmas album:
No Doubt – “Oi to the World”
This year singer Gwen Stefani has released “You Make it Feel Like Christmas”, which I can only imagine is going to be a Mariah Carey take on the festivities. However several years ago, Gwen provided vocals to this great tune – complete with love, respect and an Oi to the World:
Bob Dylan – “Must be Santa”
Love him or hate him, the man is a legend. I personally can’t get enough of Bob Dylan, however his recent American Songbook output has been rather cringe-worthy. Here though, you get the impression good ole Bob doesn’t care what people think… plus he looks a little like Tom Petty:
Phoenix – “Alone on Christmas Day”
It’s pretty difficult to get too excited by new Xmas tunes, after all the likes of the Darkness quite happily admitted only doing it for the pension fund. That said, a couple of years back Phoenix delved into the vaults to record the Beach Boys lost song “Alone on Christmas Day” (with a little help from Bill Murray):
The Ramones – “Merry Christmas (I Don’t Want to Fight Tonight)”
The ultimate punk rock Christmas ballad, here are the Ramones. I absolutely adore this band, leather jackets and low slung guitars – who would want to fight to this?
Malcolm Middleton – “We’re all Going to Die”
So lyrically depressing and not really a Christmas song as such, but the video sums up a lot of the festive season. I mean, forget the religious aspects of Xmas, but who hasn’t seen this happen to at least one poor soul – staggering around dressed as the big man:
Let us however end on a high note, quite literally when it comes to King Diamond and his falsetto vocals. Imagine this one blaring out while you rush around trying to buy those last minute stocking fillers:
The list of course goes far beyond the above. So why not crack open a bottle of beer, stuff the turkey and put on some great tunes… you never know, you might pull a cracker.
Remember, music is for life, not just for Xmas. Peace, love and thanks for your support.
Mr Teeth _ 2017
Bonus Alternative Christmas Songs for 2020
Chris Kamara – “I Wish it Could be Christmas, Everyday”
….updated for 2020, ex-footballer and football pundit Chris Kamara destroying a Christmas classic:
Jon Bon Jovi – “Fairytale of New York”
Even though 2020 has been a tough year, there’s always something to make it that little bit worse. Hot on the hills of Chris Kamara, here’s introducing the Bon Jovi frontman murdering the Pogues/Kirsty McCall song “Fairytale of New York”:
The Stayawakes – “Let’s Stayawake This Christmas Eve”
Luckily, however, local lads the Stayawakes are on hand to save the day with this instant Xmas classic. The cleverly titled… “Let’s Stayawake this Christmas Eve”. It should be on every alternative Christmas song playlist, maybe even on instant repeat until Easter.
So as we end this list of alternative Christmas songs here’s wishing anyone still with me a joyous New Year. Stay safe, stay listening… and apologies if I’ve been neglecting Mr Teeth Reviews a little lately.
