Run-DMC got into the Christmas music biz for a good cause. (Contributed Image)
The first Christmas album I ever bought was the original “A Very Special Christmas.” I remember getting it when it came out on cassette back in 1987 when I went Christmas shopping with my grandmother. I was supposed to be shopping for others, so I ended up with a lecture about why it’s better to give than to receive when I got home.
I was compelled to buy it because it was all the rage on MTV and it had Bon Jovi on it. In 1987 my two favorite things in the world were Bon Jovi and MTV. Bon Jovi is still one of my favorite things in the world. MTV, eh, it’s been replaced by VH1 Classic, because I’m old.
Anyway, the first song on side one of the cassette is still one of my all-time faves–Run-DMC’s “Christmas In Hollis.” It lets me have the illusion that I can rap for an entire verse and quite frankly, that’s a Christmas miracle. Also, I really like the message of the song–do a good deed and try to return Santa’s wallet with $1 million dollars in it, and you will be rewarded.
Now, if one Run-DMC Christmas song is awesome, two is even better. The group recorded a second holiday tune, “Christmas Is” for the follow-up to “A Very Special Christmas,” titled “Very Special Christmas 2,” which came out in 1992 (and I received it from Santa that year on cassette.)
I think this one is more realistic for our tough economic times.
However, no Run-DMC entry is complete without the video for “It’s Tricky,” still a great song and a hilarious video with a young Penn & Teller.
Want more holiday music? The artists I’ve been featuring this month are listed under the disturbing Wham! photo.
Wham! The other outtakes from the “Last Christmas” single are even more disturbing. (Contributed Image)
Dec. 1: Wham!
Dec. 2: Richard Marx
Dec. 3: Gram Rabbit
Dec. 4: Nat King Cole
Dec. 5: Mariah Carey, Jimmy Fallon and The Roots
Dec. 6: Billy Squier