The Kinks (Contributed Image)
Put tonight’s entry on the depressing Christmas songs list, but it has a great guitar riff. It’s The Kinks‘ “Father Christmas,” touching on materialism, classism, economic woes and beating up Santa Claus raising money for those less fortunate outside a department store. But did I mention that it has a great guitar riff?
Ray and Dave Davies have written some iconic songs, like the iconic riffs of “You Really Got Me” and one of my favorites “All Day and All of the Night.”
However, I think the true brilliance of The Kinks is best illustrated with “Waterloo Sunset.” I think it’s one of the most perfect pop songs ever written.
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
Dec. 7: Run-DMC
Dec. 8: The LeeVees
Dec. 9: John Mellencamp
Dec. 10: Johnny Mathis
Dec. 11: Paul McCartney
Dec. 12: Debbie Gibson
Dec. 13: Band Aid
Dec. 14: Eurythmics
Dec. 15: New Kids on the Block
Dec. 16: The Vandals, No Doubt
Dec. 17: Bryan Adams
Dec. 18: David Bowie and Bing Crosby