DIGITAL JOURNALIST
Bryan Adams (AP Photo)
Bryan Adams is my favorite Canadian (that’s even counting the “You Can’t Do That on Television” cast).
I also really love his version of “Run Rudolph Run” from that “A Very Special Christmas” album I’ve been reminiscing about all season.
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The Vandals (Contributed Image)
One of the best bass lines in any Christmas song belongs to “Oi to the World.” Plus, can you name another Christmas song that references “Indiana Jones”?
Are you a fan of The Vandals version or the No Doubt version?
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You wouldn’t believe how many New Kids on the Block songs I still know by heart. I remember listening to both Led Zeppelin and NKOTB in third grade and when the band came out with its Christmas album “Merry, Merry Christmas,” a friend made me a cassette copy until I was able to buy my own.
I just feel like something fun today, so the post won’t feature anything else NKOTB-related (although I will say that seeing them at the Staples Center in 2008 was one of the best birthday presents ever).
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Annie Lennox, left, is joined by her Eurythmics bandmate Dave Stewart for a performance during the 23rd Annual ASCAP Pop Music Awards in 2006. (AP/File Photo)
I love the Eurythmics. I think Dave Stewart is criminally underrated as a musician, songwriter, producer (basically anything he puts his mind to, which is a lot) and that Annie Lennox is one of the greatest vocalists of the last 30 years.
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The full cast of characters from Band Aid’s classic “Do They know It’s Christmas?” video.
In what has become a proud Audio File Christmas tradition, I am happy to bring back my commentary for Band Aid’s “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” video.
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Jordan Knight and Debbie Gibson sing in 2006. (AP Photo)
If you’re a regular here, you know I make no bones about the music I like. Today I feel like discussing my love of Debbie Gibson.
And since ASCAP has released that “Sleigh Ride” is once again the most popular Christmas song, it only makes sense to play the Debbie Gibson version. Also, this homemade video is kind of amazing.
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Paul McCartney, surprised that anyone is admitting their love for “Wonderful Christmastime.” (AP Photo)
I have a confession: I love Paul McCartney’s “Wonderful Christmastime.” I love the goofy synths, the lyrics, the choir of children singing their song, ding-dong, ding-dong. And even if you don’t like the song, I love the video because it shows Paul with Linda together and it has crazy animated graphics not seen since Pink Floyd Laser Light shows dominated Saturday nights at a planetarium near you.
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Johnny Mathis is a part of the holiday season. (Contributed Image)
I don’t remember why this ever came up, but every holiday I think about the time my best friend said something along the lines of, “Well, it just isn’t Christmas until my mother takes the Johnny Mathis Christmas record out.”
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John Mellencamp performs for fans during a concert with Willie Nelson and Bob Dylan at the Diamond in Lake Elsinore. (2009/File Photo)
The other day I posted about the wonders of Run-DMC’s “Christmas in Hollis” and the cassette version of “A Very Special Christmas.”
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The LeeVees made Hanukkah songs that rock. (File Photo)
Tonight is the first night of Hanukkah and it’s only appropriate to feature a Hanukkah song for today’s Audio Files. The LeeVees put out a great album, 2005’s “Hanukkah Rocks,” which brought some much-needed power pop love to the holiday. Here’s my favorite song off the album, titled “How Do You Spell Channukkahh?”
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