Christmas Songs That Don't Suck: Part III

Fa la la la la, and all that jazz. Getting tired of holiday music? We're not. Well, that's not entirely true. We're well tired of the lousy, saccharine, abominable Christmas music that clogs the airwaves. Is it worse when a radio station switches over to all-Xmas-all-the-time, or when a radio...

By Christopher Hassiotis

December 16, 2011

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Fa la la la la, and all that jazz. Getting tired of holiday music? We're not. Well, that's not entirely true. We're well tired of the lousy, saccharine, abominable Christmas music that clogs the airwaves. Is it worse when a radio station switches over to all-Xmas-all-the-time, or when a radio station ambushes you every three or four songs with a holiday tune? We're not sure.

But it's not all bad. (Really.) As we here at Up On the Sun have detailed in our weekly "Christmas Songs That Don't Suck" feature -- check out Part I and Part II -- there are diamonds out there amongst the muck. Here are a few more winners.

The Killers, "The Cowboy's Christmas Ball"

This Vegas band has released a holiday tune every year for the past six years, with proceeds going to charity. This year's number's catchy as heck, and the retro video is a winner.

The Beach Boys, "Melekalikimaka"

"Little Saint Nick" and "I'll Be Home For Christmas" are pretty grating. But this Hawaiian-themed tune, sometimes titled "Kona Coast," is the true standout among the Beach Boys' holiday numbers.

John Denver & The Muppets, "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"

Rowlf kills it. His part in the recently released film The Muppets was shamefully small.

Otis Redding, "Merry Christmas Baby"

Originally released as a B-side to Redding's version of "White Christmas," this version of the holiday classic tops 'em all. A monument to sincerity in musical performance.

Marvin Gaye, "Purple Snowflakes"

There is no finer gift this holiday season than the sound of Marvin's voice slinking out of your hi-fi.

Next Friday, some holiday tunes from around the world as well as some songs from here in the Valley!

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