Promo posters as seen on "WKRP in Cincinnati" #21 (Christmas Edition)

Albums: Linda Ronstadt - Mad Love (Asylum, 1980)
Episode:  Season 3, Episode 7, "Bah, Humbug"
Original air date: Saturday, December 20, 1980

Blog post #500

Billboard Christmas Hits 1985

Billboard, December 21, 1985, p. 57

Billboard, December 28, 1985, p. 92

Billboard Christmas Hits 1984

Billboard, December 22, 1984, p. 8

1984 releases on the charts include the singles "Winter Wonderland" by Dolly Parton (actually a medley with "Sleigh Ride") and "Another Lonely Christmas" by Prince & The Revolution, the b-side to "I Would Die 4 U."

New albums included releases from country stars Kenny Rogers & Dolly Parton and Barbara Mandrell. Also, the New Age-ish Mannheim Steamroller is at #3 with their first Christmas album and it listed for $12?!? (that's $28 in 2016 dollars).

Billboard Christmas Hits 1983

Billboard, December 17, 1983, p. 6

Most of the singles can still be heard on radios in December. I haven't heard the Alabama or Singing Dogs cuts in many, many years. Wish I could say the same for Elmo N' Patsy.

This blog heartily endorses the album at #7, Christmas Portrait.

Speaking of Christmas music, check out our compilation, A My Favorite Decade Christmas:

The Christmas Song - Al Jarreau (1982)

The Christmas Song
(Chesnuts Roasting On An Open Fire)

Released: 1982 (Warner Bros.)
Written by: Mel Tormé & Robert Wells
Produced by: Jay Graydon
Album: N/A (single only release)

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It's already been determined 'round these parts that the early '80s combination of singer Al Jarreau with producer/guitarist Jay Graydon was a perfect storm of pop goodness. During that time, the two lifted the lazy shuffle groove of "Teach Me Tonight" from the album Breakin' Away and applied it to a holiday single.

A Christmas song so good it's titled "The Christmas Song." Jarreau's and Graydon's contributions are immediately recognizable. And while no credits are listed, that's gotta be Toots Thielemans with the sweet harmonica solo.

So as my Christmas gift to you, my few but faithful readers, here's a rip from my personal copy of the promo single (all photos here of that 45, as well). Enjoy and Merry Christmas.

C.B. Santa Claus - Richard Gillis (1976)

C.B. Santa Claus
b/w Come Love Me Long

Released: 1976 (20th Century)
Written by: Richard Gillis
Produced by: Joe Saraceno
Album: N/A (single only release)

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It's a country Christmas novelty song, attempting to capitalize on the Citizen Band Radio craze that was sweeping the country at the time (think "Convoy" by C.W. McCall shamelessly reworked as a Christmas tune). Can't find much online about Richard Gillis and you can guess the content of the song from the title, so the best I can do is provide the lyrics for ya and you can decide for yourself.

On a cold Christmas Eve out of Denver
Truckin' west on Highway 6
Through the snow, some arms are wavin'
Someone's in a fix

Well, I pulled my rig on over
Never dreaming what I'd see
And puffing hard, Santa Claus
Came runnin' up to me

He said, "I'd been a runner
on a condo in San Berdoo.
Donner pulled a tendon
and Rudolph's got the flu

"I've got lots of stops to make tonight
but I'm stuck in the Great Divide"
Easy, Santa, us truckers
Gonna give them toys a ride

CHORUS:
And I called "Breaker, breaker. ten-three-three
Give me ears on channel nine
We got a Christmas problem here
Upon the Great Divide
You truckers east and you truckers west
We need your wheels, come on, because
Santa's down! You turn around and
Come back to C.B. Santa Claus

"C.B. Santa Claus" the call went out
and before the moon was high
Truckers appeared from everywhere
To give them toys a ride

There were pick-ups, flat beds, bobtails, and trailers,
and even a motorbike
There were vans, and trams, lorries, and trollies,
and a man on a motorized trike

Well the bears, of course, had heard the call
and they were everywhere
Bears in the bushes, bears in the weeds
And buzzin' bears in the air

We'd all amassed to do this task
And while truckers rolled their sleeves
A county mountie's cleared the road
We couldn't wait to leave

CHORUS

What a Christmas Eve that was
Bears was on our side
And with red flights flashin'
Our wheels went crashin'
through the snow, chests swelled with pride

And from Northern Maine to the Western coast
Truckers slipped in and slipped away
No sleep at all, they left their toys
No broken hearts on Christmas Day

Well, Santa couldn't believe his eyes
and he was sorta doubtin' his ears
But before the kiss of dawn appeared
I'd eased up all his fears

His sleigh was empty, the job was done
He could go on home because
On a snowy night on Christmas Eve
He found a C.B. Santa Claus

CHORUS

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CD Longbox #5

Carpenters - Christmas Portrait (1978, 1984)

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Exclusive photo courtesy of the Hambonian Archives.

MFD Random Five #5 (Christmas Edition)

In which I click the shuffle icon on the increasingly frustrating iTunes app and listen to the first five holiday songs that pop up from the years 1976-85.

1. "Do They Know It's Christmas" by Band Aid (1984, Columbia)
   Great idea, groundbreaking even.  I dig Midge Ure's percolating New Wave backing tracks, but Bob Geldof's depressing lyrics aren't what I'm looking for this time of year.  Still, I don't flip the station when this comes on the radio.


2. "Jesus, Jesus Rest Your Head" by George Winston (1981, Windham Hill)
   A gorgeous, reflective piano solo based on an Appalachian carol from the late nineteenth century.  From one of my favorite quiet, late-night, hot cocoa by the fire Christmas releases, December.


3. "Santa Claus is Comin' to Town" by Bruce Springsteen (1981, Columbia)
   Recorded in December '75, promo released in '81, and commercially released in '85 - this thing's got My Favorite Decade covered!  It's Springsteen, so it's got that going for it as well as a nice solo from Clarence Clemons, but it's really just a cover of The Crystals' take from the epic A Christmas Gift for You from Phil Spector.


4. "Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On an Open Fire)" by The Carpenters (1978, A&M)
   With a voice as flawless as Karen Carpenter's, this is easily my favorite version of this Christmas standard.  From one of the best Christmas CDs ever put together.


5. "A Mighty Fortress/Angels We Have Heard on High" by Amy Grant (1983, A&M)
   A great way to end this shuffle.  A majestic instrumental intro gives way to Grant singing this beautiful carol.  The arrangement builds as the orchestra re-enters and when it's over, you should really take a few minutes before listening to something else.

For more Christmas music from 1976-85, don't forget about this beauty:

The Official MFD Christmas Album, Side Two

Last month, with the help of Dirk Digglinator over at Hambonian Studios, I put together my very own Christmas compilation album. Click here for more on that "release."  Here's a closer look at side two:

"Last Christmas" by Wham
single release (1984)

When the idea for this compilation first popped into my head, my initial thought was, "Side two, track one will be Last Christmas."  And it was so. There's no real chorus or bridge to speak of, but no matter; this is pure pop with sleigh bells.  The bouncy bass line belies the depressing lyrics. After "Everything She Wants," this could be my second-favorite Wham tune.

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"Please Come Home for Christmas" by the Eagles
single release (1978)

A cover of a Christmas classic, originally written and recorded in 1960 by blues great Charles Brown. Anyone who has ever been apart from the person they love at this time of year know the misery described in this slow 6/8 blues shuffle.  Tight background harmonies on the second verse mix things up a bit and lead into a rather tame guitar solo and then it's over all too quickly.

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"Merry Christmas Darling" by the Carpenters

from the album Christmas Portrait (1978)

My three all-time favorite Christmas albums, in no particular order, are as follows:

• A Christmas Gift for You from Phil Spector
• A Charlie Brown Christmas
• Christmas Portrait

This song is one of my favorites from that last one.  Karen Carpenter's pure voice smites me every time.  It's as if she's singing just to me.  Love the brief sax solo and the vocal harmonies that tie it all up at the end. Just writing about this song pretty much ensures that I'll listen to that album at least two times today, mostly like singing along with every word.

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"Santa Claus and Popcorn" by Merle Haggard

from his album Goin' Home for Christmas (1982)

Included for no other reason than it's an old family favorite.  I'm pretty sure I first heard the song when my father brought home a compilation from the local Firestone dealer.

The lyrics are delightfully, horrifically memorable.  When Merle cheerfully sings, "We celebrate 'cause the King was born/with Santa Claus and popcorn" it becomes one of those moments where you ask, "Did he just say what I think he said?!?"

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"One Christmas Catalog" by Captain Sensible

single release (1984)

I didn't discover this pop gem until after the fact, but it's a catchy thing.  Love the chorus and bridge. I first heard this piece of "bouncy new wave fun" on the compilation disc Just Can't Get Enough: New Wave Xmas. Speaking of Christmas catalogs, I wonder how much time I spent pouring over the pages of this thing:

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"Christmas Medley" by The Salsoul Orchestra

from their album Christmas Jollies (1976)

 

100% Christmas, 100% disco, 100% wonderful.  Funky bass lines like you've never heard before on any Christmas tunes. Twelve minutes of danceable medley with religious and secular Christmas favorites:

• Joy to the World
• Deck the Halls
• O Holy Night
• O Come All Ye Faithful
• Jingle Bells
• Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
• Santa Claus is Coming to Town
• The Christmas Song
• I'll Be Home for Christmas
• Winter Wonderland
• The First Noel
• Joy to the World
• We Wish You a Merry Christmas

My Favorite Decade wishes you a very MERRY CHRISTMAS!

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The Official MFD Christmas Album, Side One

Last month, with the help of Dirk Digglinator over at Hambonian Studios, I put together my very own Christmas compilation album. Click here for more on that "release."  Here's a closer look at side one:

"Wonderful Christmastime" by Paul McCartney
single release (1979)

When the idea for this compilation first popped into my head, my initial thought was, "Side one, track one will be Sir Paul."  And it was so.  It's not McCartney's best song by any means, but ofttimes even mediocre McCartney is better than most pablum and if nothing else, it's catchy as all get-out, especially the chorus.  I'm sure McCartney didn't imagine this as more than a throw-away Christmas single, but it's definitely had some staying power.

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"This Christmas" by The Temptations
from their album Give Love at Christmas (1980)

To be honest, I was hoping that the Donny Hathaway original would fit into our 1976-85 time frame, but it did not.  However, this smooth version will do just fine.  After a slow intro, the strings and tight background vocals make this modern R&B Christmas classic the Temptations' own.  Even an ill-advised synth solo can't dampen the spirit.  The entire Give Love at Christmas  album is recommended.

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"Xmas at K-Mart" by Root Boy Slim & The Sex Change Band with The Rootettes

single release (1978)

 

I discovered this song on the compilation disc Just Can't Get Enough: New Wave Xmas.  They had me at the band name.  I like a novelty tune as much as the next guy, but when it comes to decrying the overt commercialization of Christmas, this song don't mess around.  There's also a little self-promotion and a background vocal line from The Rootettes that will stick into your head for days and will immediately come to mind whenever you hear the word K-Mart.  I like how Root Boy "sings" with absolutely no regard for phrasing.  Normally that would bother me, but it works here.  Bonus points for mentioning mood rings and 7-11.

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"She's Right On Time" by Billy Joel

from his album The Nylon Curtain (1982)

One of my favorite Joel songs with a huckuva bridge, I've always wondered why it didn't get more play around this time of year.  Granted, it's a love song that just happens to be set around Christmastime, but I think it fits.  Never released as a single, Joel did film a video for the song because it was the 80's (and if you need proof of that, check out the black metal mini blinds).

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"Jingle Bell Rock" by Hall & Oates

single release (1983)

A fairly straight-ahead cover, but it's become my favorite version of this song.

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"2000 Miles" by The Pretenders

from their album Learning to Crawl (1984)

 

Sort of like "She's Right On Time," this one is as Christmasy as you want to make it.  I think it's a beautiful, lush song of longing during this time of reflection.  I've provided the video below, but do yourself a favor and don't watch because it doesn't do the song justice.

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"Christmas Wrapping" by The Waitresses

from the compilation album A Christmas Record (1981)

Previously covered on this blog last year; here's what I wrote then:

Around these parts, this wonderful song is being heard as background music for a frequently aired TV spot.  All that does is drive me to call it up on iTunes and give it a listen.  Like most songs from The Waitresses, it's an unusual but catchy song. It's definitely one of the better original Christmas tunes written during my favorite decade (with competition from Paul McCartney's Wonderful Christmastime and Wham's Last Christmas). So why don't we hear this happy tune more often on the radio??

Musically, it all works for me from the rhythm guitar to the horn parts to the unexpected chord progressions to Patty Donahue's quirky vocals.  Much like the protagonist in the song's narrative, I often have the desire to "miss this one this year" as the holidays turn from quiet reflective time to something else completely.  But then, once it gets here, I'm filled with joy and happy that I didn't miss it.  As is its nature, Christmas will find you regardless.  

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"Jingle Bell Hustle" by Wayne Newton

from his EP It Could Have Been Such A Wonderful Christmas (1979)

 

 

Yes, this is a disco version of Jingle Bells and it's wonderful.  Any argument to the contrary is invalid.  When the background singers, disco strings, and scratching guitar come in at the chorus, I can't help but move.

I've seen Wayne Newton in Vegas - he's a showman nonpareil and I'd pay to see him again.  He didn't perform this particular song because it was August when I caught his act, but I can easily visualize him singing this with Vegas showgirls providing the backing vocals.  He's an entertaining (if dated) singer and "Jingle Bell Hustle" is an entertaining (if dated) track and a great way to close out side one.

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The Official "My Favorite Decade" Christmas Album

Released: 2014 (K-Ram) Produced by: SRK Productions Peak on the US Billboard 200: ?

Side One	Side Two
Wonderful Christmastime This Christmas Xmas at K-Mart She's Right On Time Jingle Bell Rock 2000 Miles Christmas Wrapping Jingle Bell Hustle	Last Christmas Please Come Home for Christmas Merry Christmas Darling Santa Claus and Popcorn One Christmas Catalogue Christmas Medley

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I shot coffee out my nose when I heard a certain daytime talk show host had released a Xmas compilation titled "The Only Holiday Album You’ll Ever Need, Volume 1." Knowing this particular host wasn't up to such a challenge, I took it as a call to arms to put together a definitive Christmas compilation. I gave myself only two restrictions: 1) No Cyndi Lauper, and 2) keep the recordings between 1976-85.

Unfortunately, this definitive Christmas album is currently out of stock, so it's become a DIY joint. Pull out your vinyl, grab a blank cassette and get to dubbin'! Here's the pertinents:

1. "Wonderful Christmastime" by Paul McCartney, single release (1979)
2. "This Christmas" by The Temptations, from their album Give Love at Christmas (1980)
3. "Xmas at K-Mart" by Root Boy Slim & The Sex Change Band with The Rootettes, single release (1978)
4. "She's Right On Time" by Billy Joel, from his album The Nylon Curtain (1982)
5. "Jingle Bell Rock" by Hall & Oates, single release (1983)
6. "2000 Miles" by The Pretenders, from their album Learning to Crawl (1984)
7. "Christmas Wrapping" by The Waitresses, from the compilation album A Christmas Record (1981)
8. "Jingle Bell Hustle" by Wayne Newton, from his EP It Could Have Been Such A Wonderful Christmas (1979)

1. "Last Christmas" by Wham, single release (1984)
2. "Please Come Home for Christmas" by The Eagles, single release (1978)
3. "Merry Christmas Darling" by Carpenters, from their album Christmas Portrait (1978)
4. "Santa Claus and Popcorn" by Merle Haggard, from his album Goin' Home for Christmas (1982)
5. "One Christmas Catalog" by Captain Sensible, single release (1984)
6. "Christmas Medley" by The Salsoul Orchestra, from their album Christmas Jollies (1976)

You can bet you haven't heard the last of this album. A more complete breakdown to follow in the coming month.

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BUT WAIT! Friend o'the blog (and our very first Twitter follower) Dirk Digglinator has used his considerable talents and vast library to bring you a streaming version of this hard-to-find classic Christmas compilation! Enjoy the mix and give ol' Dirk a follow because he's the mixer with the magic elixir.

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Blog post #200