Friday, November 28, 2008

From combat boots to stilettos, one thing's the same. I love music.

I am most positive that if you take one look at my pearls you would never guess that I know the lyrics to many hard-core rap songs from my years of teaching high school in the ghetto of Milwaukee. If I showed you my stiletto collection you would never guess that I wore serious steel-toe combat boots, as a teenager during underground SKA concerts in Chicago.

Now, Thanksgiving is over it's completely acceptable for me to discuss Christmas music.

Last year
the Barenaked Ladies and Sarah McLachlan's rendition of "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" made me cry each time I heard it. I listened to it again this evening and I wept. It is my most favorite Christmas song ever thanks to BNL and Sarah.

Here it is:



This year I am trying to adopt a song that doesn't make me weep so much. The a Capella ensemble, Straight No Chaser from Indiana University, made me giggle like a school girl after listening to their rendition of the "12 Days of Christmas." It could, quite possibly, be the very best Christmas song ever. Promise me you will watch all 3 and 1/2 minutes and I promise that you will be smiling at the end.

Crank it up....

38classy comments:

Anonymous said...

You have me smiling. My tastes are also as varied as yours - I guess I love music too.

Beth said...

That is hysterical!!! I needed a good laugh tonight! Thanks! Happy Thanksgiving!

Dennis and Leslie said...

Happy Thanksgiving! Hope you and your family had a wonderful holiday.

Anonymous said...

that was great.

Rhea said...

I can't listen at the moment, but I will come back, I promise.

Happy Thanksgiving and YAY for Christmas music time!

Unknown said...

I've been listening to that BNL/Sarah rendition of God Rest Ye for several years now. I LOVE it too. It's a staple for sure in this house, every year.

And that video - so cute. Must show it to my husband tomorrow! : )

Stephanie said...

THat was great, thanks. Totally reminded me of a group I enjoyed in college: Vocal Point. Good stuff.

Zoeyjane said...

Okay, but have you heard this? Merry xmas (rock on).

Anonymous said...

I am so ready for some Christmas music. I have a ton, but the Carpenters Christmas tops my list.

Miss Lisa said...

I have been playing Christmas music since November 1 (yes I do have a problem!). I love the BNL one but I must say it is not Christmas without Elvis and Nat ;)

I love all music but country and most rap--but that's just because I cringe at bad words ;)

Tonya said...

that was AWESOME. My kids were cracking up when the guy started singing the dradle song!

Indy said...

That will get us in the Christmas spirit. Is it really time? Where did the year go?

Kalle said...

I love music too - all types (most types). Straight No Chaser is awesome and this rendition made my day.

This year I'm loving Sinead O'Connor's version of Silent Night.

Tara R. said...

Just what I needed after a day of endless eating. I've been listening to Christmas caroles on the radio all morning. Good thing there aren't many people in my office today to hear my terrible voice raised in joyous song.

Val said...

That was great! How do they go in and out of songs? I would get totally confused.
I also love all kinds of music.

Krystyn @ Really, Are You Serious? said...

Still smiling! That rocked!

Thanks!

Hope you enjoyed your turkey day!

Tami said...

Thanks for my new favorite this year with God Rest Ye, I LOVE IT!!!

Unknown said...

Your music is like mine - eclectic, to say the least. I love music is well done, literally no matter what the genre. My favorite Christas songs are "Oh, Holy Night" (there are several outstanding recordings available), "The Little Drummer Boy" (also several recordings available), and last, but certainly not least, "Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer", by the Yuppers.

Oh yes - honorable mention to "Pretty Little Dolly" by Mona Aboud.

April said...

I enjoy Adam Sandler's Chanukah song and David Sedaris' "6 to 8 black men." Okay, so it's not music, per se, but it totally makes me laugh!
Hope you had a great Thanksgiving.

Stephanie said...

I'm totally with you on the music thing. When I'm feeling sassy, I'll listen to something like Flyleaf or Alterbridge. If I'm feeling mellow, I'm all about Sarah McLachlin or Daughtry. If I'm sad, classical. I've never been a huge rap or country fan, but I'd listen to it if I had to! ;oD I guess I should say now, Merry Christmas!

Rachel said...

I love music! Music, Music, Music!!! Love it. All kinds. Yippeee ;-)

Hope your Thanksgiving was wonderful, delicious and full of happiness! mwah!

tracey.becker1@gmail.com said...

I KNOW!! I get so excited as the Lite in Chicago goes all holiday, all the time starting TODAY!!!

Half Gaelic, Half Garlic! said...

Hope you had a Happy Thanksgiving!!

That certainly put me in the Christmas spirit!!

Enjoy your weekend!

Lisa

AEH said...

I also listen to all types of music. I couldn't imagine living without music. Can you imagine how lifeless things would seem?

I hope you had a Happy Thanksgiving. :)

Momo Fali said...

I love Straight No Chaser! They crack me up. You and I must REALLY be thinking alike these days, because I was going to share that link as well!

The song that brings me to tears is the Kenny Rogers/Wynonna Judd song, Mary Did You Know...and country music is the ONLY kind of music I DON'T like! But that song...ugh...puts a big, huge lump in my throat.

Anonymous said...

I was just in a downloading frenzy that would have made most people cringe. "Barenaked Ladies AND Josh Groben? John Butler Trio AND Beyonce???"....they would think I was insane!!!

I took a break to read your post and laughed myself silly. I too love it ALL. Well, not death metal...but I too had the doc martins for my Punk phase which I wore with my cheerleading outfit while listening to Wham later that day. I was versitile to say the least. Sounds like you are too.

Melissa ♥ Spoiled Mommy said...

OK-as I was listening to the God Rest Ye song my little princess came into the room...ahhhh!!
It was played 5 times before I finally convinced her to listen to MY favorite Chrismtas song...Santa Claus is coming to town!! :D

Michael from dadcation.com said...

These are great...wish I'd had them playing earlier today when we put the tree up!

Jessica said...

I was giggling! Funny b/c I play a cd of an acapella group from my college in the car for my kids. My daughter will only hush her carseat tanturms for a college buddy of mine singing "Bear neccessitites..."

A Crafty Mom said...

My hubby just adores the BNL/Sarah M song too - we listen to it ALL THE TIME. I've had Christmas music blaring on our XM radio for a few days - LOVE it!!! Hope you had a lovely Thanksgiving :-)

Unknown said...

The song that makes me weep out loud is "O Holy Night". Just typing the title just now gave me chills and I am starting to tearing up. Hands down the most emotional song for me.

Anonymous said...

That song (BNL and Sarah) gets cranked on high whenever I hear it. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it, but it doesn't make me cry, it makes me smile. That band (I've met them! La te da, I know) and Sarah are two of my favs anyway.

The second song is pretty cool, too ;)

Anonymous said...

I love Christmas music from instrumental like Charlie Brown Christmas to O'Holy Night and O Come O Come Emmanuel. This is my most favorite time of year. Thanks for putting your favorite songs on. You gave an idea for a post.

Chelsea said...

There are so many Christmas songs I love (and a lot that I don't love, I guess). I know it's cheesy, but one of my faves is "Mary's Boy Child", by Boney M. This year, Stevie Wonder's "Someday at Christmas" has me smiling/tearing up. And have you heard of Raffi's Christmas Album? One I grew up with - great kids' songs but I still love it.

Anonymous said...

i still have to listen...but i just sat here listening to bnl song, snuggling w/ baby in x-mas pj's....weeping like a baby....me, not her!

Jessica said...

I don't know if you originally found this group/song from the radio...but they came on Q104 this morning while I was awaiting preschool drop-off!

Colleen - Mommy Always Wins said...

Oh, I'm so far behind in my reader, among other things.

MILWAUKEE?!? REALLY?!? Wow...I feel classier now for living here...

Great tunes. Jammin' here at work, thanks!

Jaina said...

I'll have to watch them when I'm not at work.

 

Blog Designed by: NW Designs

Original Header and Concept by: Judith Shakes