Christmas Songs that Rock V: A What the Riff Rabbit Hole

We at What the Riff!?! hope that y'all have a great Christmas — we hope these songs make your season a little more merry and bright.

“Deck the Halls” by Twisted Sister This classic carol was probably not originally envisioned to be quite as rocking as this, but Dee Snyder and Twisted Sister took it up a notch!  This is the sixth and last Twisted Sister studio album they would produce, and we’re sure they donned their gay apparel for this final outing.  

“Skynyrd Family” by Lynyrd Skynyrd Some southern charm was put on this song that tells of Lynyrd Skynyrd finishing up their tour and headed home for Christmas.  It is off their eleventh studio album entitled “Christmas Time Again,” released in 2000.   

“I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” by the Jackson 5 John Lynch brings us a classic Christmas song as performed by the Jackson 5.  Michael Jackson recorded this song on his 12th birthday in 1970.

“2000 Miles” by  the Pretenders This song was on “Learning to Crawl,” the breakout studio album by the Pretenders released in 1983.  Chrissie Hynde wrote the song for James Honeyman-Scott, the group's original guitarist who had passed away the year prior to this recording.

“Mistress for Christmas” by AC/DC Rob may find a lump of coal in his stocking for picking this song for the Christmas podcast!  Brian Johnson of AC/DC isn't looking for peace, love, and joy for Christmas…but for a little Christmas nookie.  We learned that this song was inspired by Donald Trump.

“Joy to the World” by Michael Bolton We don't get a lot of Michael Bolton on our podcasts, and John Lynch set out to rectify that.  Bolton voices this classic Christmas hymn in his unique Yacht Rock style.

“Boogie Woogie Santa Claus” by the Brian Seltzer Orchestra Brian Seltzer of Stray Cats fame put this one out there in 2002.  The Brian Seltzer Orchestra formed in 1990 as a swing and jump blues band, and put out the album “Boogie Woogie Christmas” with this and other Christmas classics.  This is a cover of the song, which was originally released by Mabel Scott in 1954.

“(There's No Place Like) Home for the Holidays” by Perry Como Perry Como released this classic Christmas song in 1954.  It tells of the longing to be home at Christmas, and some of the travelers making their way home.

“Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree” by Brenda Lee Johnny Marks, who wrote “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer,” “A Holly Jolly Christmas,” and other Christmas songs wrote this one as well.  Brenda Lee recorded this in 1958 when she was 13 years old.  It is the fifth best selling Christmas single of all time according to Neilson SoundScan.  

“Feliz Navidad”  by Jose Feliciano Puerto Rican musician Jose Feliciano wrote this in 1970. He recorded it in Los Angeles while feeling homesick at Christmas as his extended family was in New York.  “Feliz Navidad” means “Merry Christmas” in Spanish. 

“It's Gonna Be a Punk Rock Christmas” by the Ravers Wayne brings us a bit of PUNK for the Christmas season.  The Ravers released this back in 1977.  

“It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” by Andy Williams We decided to include more “non-rock singles” in this episode, and this classic holiday tune originated in 1963 on Williams' first Christmas album.  It tells of all the activities that surrounds the Christmas season.

“Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow!” by Dean Martin Sammy Cahn and  Jule Styne wrote this in the summer of 1945 during a heat wave in Hollywood, California.  Dean Martin released a version in 1959, and re-recorded it in 1966.

“Blue Christmas” by Seymour Swine and the Squealers This novelty song was recorded in 1984 for a North Carolina radio station morning show.  Denny Brownlee is the comedian and impressionist who brought Seymour Swine to life - primarily to avoid copyright issues associated with ©Porky Pig.

“O Come All Ye Grateful Dead Heads” by Bob Rivers Comedian Bob Rivers had this parody on his “Twisted Christmas” album in 1987.

We hope y'all have a very Merry Christmas and a happy New Year!

Thanks for listening to “What the Riff?!?”

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