camanda:

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band - “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town”

There are two definitive popular versions of this song, as far as I’m concerned. One is the Jackson 5 version from The Jackson 5 Christmas Album (which they play to death at Macy’s, along with “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” — my preferred Jackson 5 Christmas song, “Up on the Housetop,” is, of course, ignored). The other is this one.

Much like Jimmy Smith re-created “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen” in his own weird image, Bruce and Friends did up “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town” the way only Bruce and Friends can. It’s still recognizably a Christmas song, with sleigh bells and everything, but it rocks — Jersey style.

Best part of the song? Clarence Clemons tearing it up around the 2:15 mark. No contest. He doesn’t stray too far from the melody, and he doesn’t go crazy with his range. But he kicks the shit out of it. Jam, Clarence, jam.

This is my favorite version for sure. I hear it and it instantly feels like Christmas.

Its a Swell Season kind of day.

I know, I am on a Swell Season kick today but you have to hear this song. Especially the Traditional Irish song they go into at the end. They did this song when we saw them a few months ago in DC and wasn’t able to find it anywhere until now. It is so beautiful. I have listened to it like 5 times today.

This is some great music. Very beutiful and creative. If you are a fan of Sigur Ros or Explosions in the sky, you must check these guys out.

Also you can listen to some of the songs on their Myspace.

You know what I really miss these days? Punk Rock

Not because the music was great or that the lyrics were that creative. The reason I miss it is because I could completely relate with it. The lyrics were so dead-on accurate for that time of life that the songs became way more than just songs, they became a soundtrack, a musical outlet for everything that I was feeling at the time. They were loud and were so passionate that they just completely resonated with me.

I can’t find music that does that for me right now. I am trying, I am looking everywhere but its all just too polished and perfected and emotionless. I long for that connection with music again.

I don’t want punk anymore. I am beyond that. But I want something that speaks to me the way punk did.

Does anyone else feel that way?

That Couple // That Couple

Me and Courtney put this little rap ditty together tonight. Let me know what you think.

It’s called “That Couple”