It was a while ago I posted, and now as christmas is knocking on my door, I wanted to share one of my favourite christmas raps with you lovely people.

Alltime great Run DMC & Jam Master Jay (R.I.P.) with their Christmas in Hollis.

Hope you enjoy, and lookout for another of our special christmas gifts on christmas day. Only for you peoples!

Have you noticed you can spin the radio dial and land on Aerosmith at almost any time of day or night?

I don’t know who they are paying or what computer program has determined that Aerosmith is what the people want to hear, but I’ll pay more or hire some evil Russian computer virus programmers if that’s what it takes to change this horrible radio reality.

What I never hear, but what always keeps me listening a little bit longer to see if maybe this time, the computer was thinking outside the box, is this:

Thanks to YouTube, I can advise you to skip the Sum 41/Nelly/Jah Rule/DJ Clue remix. They don’t even do the close-up on the Adidas.

Back when  MTV played music videos, this was on 24/7 at christmas time. A testament to how dope Run DMC will always be. And one of my favorite lines in Hip Hop. “Moms cooking chicken and  collard greens.”

Good morning. The faster you go, the more chance there is of stubbing your toe, but the more chance you have of getting somewhere.

God is Love
Rev Run

After the jump more, uh, non-traditional,  Christmas songs.

Beat Street Christmas Rap

Featuring none other than the Treacherous Three. I remember seeing this in the theater and it blew my mind. We memorized every word. I still remember them. I sang along just now.

Princess Superstar

I hope I sell a lot of records at Chrismas time

Merry Christmas from the Family

Ho ho ho and all that yuletide crap. I haven’t went shopping yet and its 48 hours til’ the fat guy supposedly crams himself down your chimney. Regardless I took some time to compile the latest list of Holiday records by rappers. My top 5 Christmas records by rappers in order of ‘dopeness’ are as follows:

5. Run DMC – Christmas in Hollis: Why doesn’t Obama go ahead and just officially make this shit a Christmas Carol? It’s a standard at this point and sits next to Jingle Bells for anyone that grew up in the 80’s. Am I lying?

4. Snoop Dogg -Santa Claus Goes Straight to the Ghetto: Imagine if the there was like an ex-convict work release Christmas Caroling program set up by the state or something. This is what they would sing at the old folks home.

3. Outkast – Players Ball: We all know this is a Christmas song by now right? It’s not a surprise anymore is it? It was a part of a LaFace Christmas LP. Listen to the lyrics for further proof. When they included it on the Southernplaylistic LP they bleeped out all the Christmas references though. LOL.

2. TLC – Sleigh Ride: This song was on the same LaFace Christmas album and while it ain’t a ‘rap’ song by purist standards it’s definitely a great Christmas. Hell, Left Eye (R.I.P.) rappin on the hook accounts for something right?

1. Treacherous Three & Doug E Fresh – Santa’s Rap: Best_Christmas_Song_EVAR! Man o’ fucking man. Kool Moe Dee as Santa and Doug E. Fresh on the beatbox? Come on man…

Honorable Mention for gratuitous use of ‘Jingle Bells’:
Nas – Can’t Forget About You
Tanya Morgan – Hardcore Gentlemen

*Editor’s Note: This is my list. If you disagree or want to challenge my picks thats what the comments section is for. Feel free to let me know anything I forgot/missed!

Donwill’s Don Cusack in High Fidelity coming March 2010

Reese Roper (Five Iron Frenzy, brave Saint Saint, Roper) granted me one of my first interviews ever—for my cut-and-paste zine, Third Nail.  I thanked him by giving him a can of Spam.  Now we’re both much older and we’re doing it again—interviewer and interviewee—to celebrate the holidays with another Christmas Un-Wrapped.

Speaking of wrapping, I’m still hoping to get brave Saint Saturn’s third and final release, Anti-Meridian, for Christmas.  That is, if Reese ever sends me my review copy (I’m pretty sure it’s a lost cause).  Also, remember to keep a look out for The Rise and Fall of Five Iron Frenzy, a documentary about FIF to be released in early 2010 and distributed by Asian Man Records.

What’s your fave Christmas song/Christmas movie or cartoon/Christmas cookie?
Christmas Song—“Oh Holy Night” as recorded by Seven Day Jesus. I have literally wept several hundred times while listening to it. I’m not even kidding. It is made so much better by the fact that there are only about 12 good Christmas songs and thousands of other horrifically crappy ones.

Christmas Movie—Die Hard. YES, it is a Christmas movie- the credits play out as Run DMC sings “Christmas in Hollis”.

Christmas Cookie- Peanut butter cookies are the best, no matter what time of year.

New Year’s resolution—yes or no? If yes, what is your resolution?

Resolution- No. Revolution- Heck yes! 365.25 times a year I enjoy the earth revolving on its axis!

Have you ever recorded a Christmas song of your own—what song did you do and what makes it the best one on the planet?

Five Iron Frenzy recorded a horribly botched version of “You Gotta Get Up” by Rich Mullins. I think hospitals now use it as a cheaper way to induce vomiting than stomach pumping. Were we to be able to do it again I would have chosen to cover “Christmas in Hollis” by the aforementioned RunDMC in some sort of lounge style.

Another weekend has come and gone much too quickly.  Your boy E got some much-needed rest and is hopefully turning the corner on this nasty cold bug that bit early last week.  With Christmas coming up at the end of the week, it’ll be all holiday tunes from here until close to the new year.  Two more today to make up for lost time over the busy football weekend.  First up, clearly the best hip-hop holiday song of all-time.  I dare you to argue with the Too Old Crew on this point.  Jam one: Run DMC – Christmas in Hollis.  Enjoy…. (forgive3 the long intro, but I thought I’d hook up the full MTV video.  The song begins around 1:15)

Next up, I’ll move back to a more “traditional” Christmas tune.  This is a nother track featured on my 2009 Christmas mix.  An R&B take on a very classic song.  Jam two: Cece Winans – Silver Bells.  Enjoy….

“It was December 24th on Hollis Ave in the dark
When I see a man chilling with his dog in the park
I approached very slowly with my heart full of fear
Looked at his dog, oh my God, an ill reindeer

But then I was illin because the man had a beard
And a bag full of goodies…“

RUN DMC, Christmas in Hollis, London Records, Vinyl, 12″, 1987

The tale was re-issued for the benefit of “Special Olympics athletes” – an organisation giving mental retarded people possibility to practice sport.
This time the artcover was laced by Keith Haring

>>> Bad Santa walks through the streets of Harlem:

My gift: Ballin’ On Xmas

>>> remember:
Christmas evening 1988 in Bayside, Queens

Good morning. “The fullness of joy is in your presence, and in your right hand is pleasures forever more.” -Psalms 16:11

God is Love
Rev Ru

Alrighty, as I sit here watching the Flaming Lips: Christmas on Mars I am struck by how the audio is better than million dollar movies. There is no huge discrepancy in volume between the music and the dialogue. The dialogue is clear. But I digressed before I even gressed, so now I shall regress. Here are 5 of my favorite Christmas songs. They are neither my TOP 5 nor THE top 5, just 5 really good Christmas songs. Enjoy and share your favorites with me. Merry Christmas. And remember Jesus was actually born in March. Viva la Pisces!

Billy Squire-Christmas Is The Time to Say I Love You

Run DMC-Christmas In Hollis

Greg Lake-I Believe In Father Christmas

The Kinks-Father Christmas

Squirrel Nut Zippers-Carolina Christmas

Top 10 Christmas Rap Songs
Holiday songs are a part of the music culture and rap is no different. Here is a list of the ten best Christmas songs in the Hip Hop genre.

Read More ==> the mix of Old School & New School just might surprise you!

Oh, Christmastime. I am going to be honest with you. I was in a bookstore today and had to sit down. I don’t know if it was exhaustion, dehydration, or just a general malaise that did me in, but I couldn’t take it.

The music might be the worst part of it all. So here is my gift to you, gentle reader–some Christmas songs that won’t drive you to the edge. You’re going to make it. JB

Slade–Merry Christmas Everybody

This song just puts a hop in your step. I like this clip from ‘Top of the Pops’ that really captures what it must have been like to be in London in the mid-80’s. I mean, it must have been great. There is a great scene featuring this song from “The Office” (the British version) which is fantastic. Highly recommend the British version of the Office.

John Lennon–Happy Xmas (War is Over)

Slightly insipid. Don’t know what the “war is over” refrain has to do with anything. Still a great Christmas song, by Christmas song standards.

David Bowie and Bing Crosby–Little Drummer Boy

How did this even happen? Who would have thought this would have been a good idea? What’s the equivalence of this happening today? I’m thinking Paul McCartney doing a duet with Lady Gaga. Actually that would probably be good.

Robert Earl Keen–Merry Christmas from the Family

Definitely the song to play as you make a run for Salem Lights on Christmas night.

The Pogues and Kirsty McColl–Fairytale of New York

It was Christmas Eve…in the drunk tank…

Band Aid–Do They Know It’s Christmas

We could make snarky jokes about the amount of cocaine/hair spray used during the making of this video. But it was for a good cause and they put out a good song. Feed the world.

John Prine–Christmas in Prison

“I dream of her always, even when I don’t dream…” If nothing else, you’ll appreciate not spending Christmas in prison.

Bing Crosby–Mele Kalikimaka

More Bing Crosby. This guy was a genius.

Stevie Wonder–Someday at Christmas

This video is amusing based on the sheer weirdness of the photos uploaded to go with the song. Anyway, if the radio stations played this song more during their Christmas blitz, the world would be a better place.

Aaron Neville–Please Come Home for Christmas

Please don’t make Aaron Neville beg. Just come home for Christmas. You know he feels bad. Mercy.

Elvis Presley–Blue Christmas

Still great.

Run DMC–Christmas in Hollis

AWWWWWW YEAAAAAAHHHHHHH….Production values for Rap Christmas videos were on the low side back in the day.

Brett Dennen–Holidays are Here (and we’re still at war)

Remarkably, this is still true.

Jackson 5–I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus

Before he was killed by the media, Michael Jackson was an adorable child singer.

Vince Guaraldi Trio–O Tannenbaum

Shouldn’t it be mandatory that kids watch the Charlie Brown Christmas special?

Bing Crosby–White Christmas

Ironically, Bing Crosby hated Christmas. Happy holidays.

“WALK THIS WAY” WAS AND STILL IS A HUGE SONG. MANY PPL HAVE TRIED TO COVER IT BUT THIS IS ALWAYS THE BEST!! That guitar is sick
!!!!

Good morning. When all is said and done… Don’t let more be said than done!

God is Love
Rev Run

If you enjoy a whiskey and egg nog minus the egg nog, and can appreciate the finer things in life. You are a Mansion Boy at Xmass. Ladies, if your man has expensive gifts under the tree for you at Xmass and you pour his whiskey… You are a Mansion Girl.
You will both love this mix.

::Download Here::

here’s your two turtle doves and a partridge in a pear tree…

Dexter. Californication. It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia. The League:  Four of the six shows I watched religiously this fall; and none of them will air a new episode for ten months.

Some of the shows had some surprise endings: [SPOILER ALERT!]

And all of them had some memorable moments:

With all of these shows finishing their respective runs for the year, it can only mean one thing: Christmas is looming and subsequently attempting to rid my checking account of any money I’ve saved for a wedding or a PlayStation 3.

There is, however, one thing I love about Christmas: the music.

And no, I’m not talking about Gene Autry songs.  You see back in 2000 I started making Christmas albums for my friends in lieu of real gifts, and I even managed to do it for five years before running out of material.  I scoured record stores all over Milwaukee every year in an effort to find yuletide tunes that were often overlooked along with some of the most fucked up carols I could find.  What you see below is a “best of,” if you will, containing some of the best songs I’ve acquired over the years.  So be sure to buy/download/steal these albums, or just email me.

1. Henry Rolllins – ‘Twas The Night Before Christmas
2. Run DMC – Christmas In Hollis
3. Eels – Christmas Is Going To The Dogs
4. Mr. Hankey & Kenny McCormick – The Most Offensive Song Ever
5. CKY (w/Bam Margera) – Santa’s Coming
6. Sum 41 & Jack Black – Things I Want
7. Akim & The Teddy Vann Production Co. – Santa Claus Is A Black Man
8. Sarah Silverman – Give The Jew Girl Toys
9. The Vandals – Christmas Time For My Penis
10. Denis Leary – Merry Fuckin’ Christmas
11. Stand Still – I Saw Daddy Kissing Santa Claus
12. The Vandals – C-H-R-I-S-T-M-A-S
13. Cranes – Happy X-Mas (War Is Over)
14. Red Peters – You Ain’t Getting Shit For Christmas
15. The Killers – Don’t Shoot Me Santa
16. Weezer – The Christmas Song
17. The Dicamillo Sisters – But Why’s It So Cold?
18. Pansy Division – Homo Christmas
19. Size 14 – Mrs. Claus
20. Mr. Garrison – Merry Fucking Christmas
21. No Doubt – Oi To The World
22. Ramones – Merry Christmas (I Don’t Want To Fight Tonight)

Help to put you in the Xmas mood!

Here’s one of my all time favorite xmas songs! Christmas In Hollis by Run DMC! What a better way then this! Enjoy! Video after the jump.

Over the past few weeks, our home has been filled with the sounds of Christmas – those ageless tales of jolly old St. Nick and Jesus in a manger accompanied by happy cows mooing with glee – so, I thought it appropriate to give you ten songs that are on my Christmas playlist. As an extra special bonus I will also include five songs that will get you directly to my naughty list. So, without further ado, here we go:

10. B.B. King – Back Door Santa
There is probably no form of music that mastered the art of the double entendre like the blues, so you can imagine what you get when you cross that genre with Christmas.

9. Bruce Springsteen – Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town
Sure, it’s terribly overplayed, but he is still the Boss.

8. Vince Guaraldi – Christmas Time is Here
An iconic song for an iconic hour of Christmas television, it captures both hope and sadness in a way like few others can.

7. Leon Redbone – Frosty the Snowman
Come on, who can resist him doing the “Thumpety thump thump, look at Frosty go.” Oh, and I like to hear about Frosty’s tragic demise.

6. Run DMC – Christmas in Hollis
There just aren’t enough rap songs about Christmas, but, even if there were more, it’s hard to imagine one with a better line than “It’s Christmas time in Hollis, Queens / Mama’s cookin’ chicken and collard greens.”

5. Bob Dylan – I’ll Be Home for Christmas
If the idea of the gravelly voiced Dylan singing Christmas songs bothers you, then you should stay away from his album. If you’re a fan, though, it is awesome, especially this dirge-like take on a classic.

4. Sufjan Stevens – Come On! Let’s Boogey to the Elf Dance
You know you can’t resist a song about dancing elves, just try.

3. Twisted Sister – O Come All Ye Faithful
Who better to do a campy take on a classic hymn than Dee Snider? The band plays their best-known 80’s tune “We’re Not Gonna Take It” as Snider belts out lyrics about the nativity, in one of the coolest and heaviest takes on Christmas in recent memory. Also, their duet with Lita Ford (Yes, THE Lita Ford) on “I’ll Be Home For Christmas” should listed as an honorable mention.

2. James Brown – Soulful Christmas
Sure, I have no idea what James Brown is saying through about half of this song, but that’s just part of the charm. With each line punctuated by “Good God,” or “Ugh,” this is a must for any Christmas celebration.

1. Dean Martin
I tried to pick one song from Dino, but it is really too hard to do so. All of it is just so great at Christmastime – whether you are talking about “Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow!” or his funny take on “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” or one of my favorites, “I’ve Got My Love to Keep me Warm,” all of his yuletide works are worth having.

Then, of course, there is the other end of the spectrum. Everyone knows of certain songs that irk them and this is dedicated to that feeling.
Five Least Favorite Christmas Songs

O Holy Night
With the lone exception being the version performed by my wife (and Beth and Joel) at the holiday dinner, this song never fails to get under my skin. I’m sure it is more the crime of oversinging that bugs me than it is the actual song, but nevertheless.

Feliz Navidad
I really didn’t care about this song a few weeks ago, but then my oldest daughter, Rachel, discovered a version sung my Celine Dion. It’s horrible, just horrible, and so bad that I’m at a loss of words to describe how much it annoys me.

Do You Hear What I Hear
There is some great music that was obviously written while under the influence of hallucinatory drugs, take the Beatles’ Revolver, for instance, but this turd with its talking animals and one of the stupidest lyrics ever (a tail as big as a kite? Really?) is just plain bad.

Wonderful Christmastime
Speaking of the Beatles, this irritating song nearly negates every good thing that Paul McCartney ever accomplished with them. It’s that bad.

Christmas Shoes
Worst. Song. Ever.