Media Monarchy’s annual all-Christmas music show features seasonal sounds from Burl Ives, Freddie King, Billy Childish and more on #PumpUpThaVolume for December 19, 2024. ♬
Ren & Stimpy – “Fleck The Walls” (Cassette)
https://www.discogs.com/release/4091373-Ren-Stimpy-Crock-O-Christmas // https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ren_&_Stimpy’s_Crock_O’_Christmas // https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=192Do_7B308
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Joe Normal – “Don’t Go, Christmas”
‘Don’t Go Christmas’
Independent: Joe Normal – November 13, 2024
*Joe Normal – “Don’t Go, Christmas” https://joenormal.bandcamp.com/track/dont-go-christmas-2 // https://joenormalusa.com // Here’s the 2024 Christmas song by Monarchy friend, Joe Normal, from his just-released 5-song EP, ‘Don’t Go, Christmas’. Available now via the artist.*
Neal Fox – “Maybe This Time (There Will Be Peace On Earth)”
Digital Single
Independent: Neal Fox – July 28, 2012
*Neal Fox – “Maybe This Time (There Will Be Peace On Earth)” https://youtu.be/uDRuitwMcLU // https://www.therealnealfox.com // Given the events of 2024, this song released in 2012 by Neal Fox is more timely than ever. Thanks to Naomi Fox for sending us the track!*
Full Cord – “Christmas Cheer”
Digital Single
Dark Shadow Recordings – December 5, 2024
*Full Cord – “Christmas Cheer” https://soundcloud.com/syntaxcreative/full-cord-christmas-cheer // https://fullcord.bandzoogle.com/home // Here’s a song about the importance of Christmastime spent with loved ones, by Michigan-based bluegrass quintet, Full Cord. Available now via Dark Shadow Recordings.*
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Jackson Hollow – “Papa Noel” (Brenda Lee Cover)
Digital Single
Mountain Fever Records – November 8, 2024
*Jackson Hollow – “Papa Noel” (Brenda Lee Cover) https://soundcloud.com/syntaxcreative/jackson-hollow-papa-noel // https://www.jacksonhollowmusic.com // Here’s a cover the Brenda Lee classic by Canadian bluegrass band Jackson Hollow. Available now via Mountain Fever Records.*
John Denver – “Christmas For Cowboys”
‘The Last Recordings’
Windstar Music – November 17, 2023
*John Denver – “Christmas For Cowboys” https://soundcloud.com/john-denver-official/christmas-for-cowboys-3 // https://www.discogs.com/release/28988236-John-Denver-The-Last-Recordings // From ‘The Last Recordings,’ by John Denver, available now via Windstar Music.*
Merle Haggard And The Strangers – “Santa Claus And Popcorn”
‘Merle Haggard’s Christmas Present’
Capitol Records – 1973
*Merle Haggard And The Strangers – “Santa Claus And Popcorn” https://youtu.be/PcjkegsNz6w // https://www.discogs.com/release/17651596-Merle-Haggard-Merle-Haggards-Christmas-Present // From ‘Merle Haggard’s Christmas Present,’ the 1973 album by The Poet Of The Common Man.*
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Burl Ives – “Silver And Gold”
‘Original Sound Track And Music From Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer’
Decca / Geffen Records – 2014
*Burl Ives – “Silver And Gold” https://youtu.be/JrpLh7N67m0 // https://www.discogs.com/release/6226931-Burl-Ives-Original-Sound-Track-And-Music-From-Rudolph-The-Red-Nosed-Reindeer // We’ll all be spending the stuff by next Christmas! A song sung by Burl Ives from ‘Original Sound Track And Music From Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer,’ released back in 2014 on Decca / Geffen Records.*
Malcolm McDowell, Cleopatra’s Dark Ensemble – “You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grinch” (Gothmas Mix)
Digital Single
Cleopatra Records – October 28, 2024
*Malcolm McDowell, Cleopatra’s Dark Ensemble – “You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grinch” (Gothmas Mix) https://youtu.be/HuiWY1n3KZ4 // https://orcd.co/a358gom // Here’s a new mix of “You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grinch” recorded back in 2019 by legendary actor Malcolm McDowell, available now via Cleopatra Records.*
Dick Shawn – “I’m Mr. White Christmas (Snow Miser Song)”
‘The Year Without A Santa Claus’
Rankin/Bass Productions – 2010
*Dick Shawn – “Snow Mizer” https://youtu.be/fEbFfoBPfw44 // https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0072424/ // Here’s the Snow Miser Song from ‘The Year Without A Santa Claus’, a Christmas classic TV show produced by Rankin/Bass, released in 1974. The show has not been seen on broadcast TV for many years, but is available on physical media or via several streaming services.*
George S. Irving – “The Heat Miser Song”
‘The Year Without A Santa Claus’
Rankin/Bass Productions – 2010
*George S. Irving – “The Heat Miser Song” https://youtu.be/7T4uI9Kde4U // Here’s the Heat Miser Song from ‘The Year Without A Santa Claus,’ a Christmas classic TV show produced by Rankin/Bass, released in 1974.*
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The Moonglows – “Hey Santa Claus”
‘Get Ready For A Groovy and Bluesy Christmas’
Bear Family Records – July 23, 2024
*The Moonglows – “Hey Santa Claus” https://youtu.be/4czjFMLG6vU // https://www.discogs.com/release/31918183-Various-Get-Ready-For-A-Groovy-And-Bluesy-Christmas // This song by Cleveland quintet, The Moonglows, was released on Chance Records in 1953, here comped on the just-released various artists compilation CD ‘Get Ready For A Groovy and Bluesy Christmas’. Available now via Bear Family Records.*
Freddie King – “I Hear Jingle Bells”
‘Get Ready For A Groovy and Bluesy Christmas’
Bear Family Records – July 23, 2024
*Freddie King – “I Hear Jingle Bells” https://youtu.be/ITevBLhv6FY // https://www.discogs.com/release/31918183-Various-Get-Ready-For-A-Groovy-And-Bluesy-Christmas // This song was originally released on the Federal label in 1961 by Chicago blues powerhouse, Freddie King, here comped on the just-released various artists compilation CD ‘Get Ready For A Groovy and Bluesy Christmas’. Available now via Bear Family Records.*
Elvis Presley – “Blue Christmas” (Live)
‘The King In The Ring’
RCA Victor / Legacy / Sony Music – November 30, 2018
*Elvis Presley – “Blue Christmas” (Live) https://open.spotify.com/track/0aHq7Y88LVjGPP5OFPjWIl // https://www.discogs.com/release/12877130-Elvis-Presley-The-King-In-The-Ring // The Christmas classic performed live by Elvis in 1968, from ‘The King In The Ring’, released in 2018 on the RCA Victor label.*
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Wild Billy Childish And The Musicians Of The British Empire – “Santa Claus” (The Sonics Cover)
‘Christmas 1979’
Damaged Goods – 2007
*Wild Billy Childish And The Musicians Of The British Empire – “Santa Claus” (The Sonics Cover) https://youtu.be/Zy72E6ulzp4 // https://www.discogs.com/release/2327054-Wild-Billy-Childish-And-The-Musicians-Of-The-British-Empire-Christmas-1979 // https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billy_Childish // Here’s a cover of The Sonics from ‘Christmas 1979’, the 2007 album by Wild Billy Childish And The Musicians Of The British Empire.*
The Sensible Gray Cells – “A Stupid Xmas!”
‘A Stupid Xmas!’
Damaged Goods – December 1, 2023
*The Sensible Gray Cells – “A Stupid Xmas!” https://youtu.be/7ud_E-WlhIc // https://www.discogs.com/release/29045173-The-Sensible-Gray-Cells-A-Stupid-Xmas // The A-side and the title track of the 45 released last year by The Damned side project, The Sensible Gray Cells. Paul Gray and Ray Burns of The Damned, along with Johnny Moped drummer Martin Parrott.*
The Shades – “Prancer’s Got Some Red Spots”
‘Santa Claus Is Coming To Town’
Numero Group – 2015
*The Shades – “Prancer’s Got Some Red Spots” https://youtu.be/wVZSyLwHjnc // https://www.discogs.com/release/24687890-The-Shades-Santa-Claus-Is-Coming-To-Town // This song is the B-side of a 45 originally released in 1966 by all-girl trio The Shades, ripped from the 2015 reissue by Numero Group.*
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Frank Sinatra – “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!”
‘Christmas With Frank Sinatra’
Legacy / Columbia – October 27, 2022
*Frank Sinatra – “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!” https://open.spotify.com/track/0SUKNXEqZnRw7g0NO139FM // https://www.discogs.com/release/24771749-Frank-Sinatra-Christmas-With-Frank-Sinatra // From ‘Christmas With Frank Sinatra’ the 2022 album featuring early (78 era) recordings of Frank Sinatra Christmas songs. Available now via Legacy / Columbia.*
Judy Garland – “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas”
‘Pin-Up Girls Christmas’
Vinyl Passion – 2022
*Judy Garland – “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” https://youtu.be/Tt9L2uWFI4Y // https://www.discogs.com/release/24957133-Various-Pin-Up-Girls-Christmas // https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Have_Yourself_a_Merry_Little_Christmas // The classic song originally introduced by Judy Garland in the 1944 film ‘Meet Me In St. Louis’, here comped on the various artists compilation album ‘Pin-Up Girls Christmas’, released on the Vinyl Passion label in 2022.*