 I've always said, one of the remarkable things about the world wide web is that it allows freaks to find one another. Of course, that kind of freedom can lead to bad things. Who wants pedophiliacs to form online communities (which they do...)? In my case, though, it's allowed me to fly my freak flag and connect with other people who love Christmas music as much as I do - sometimes more.
These links (most of them blogs rather than formal websites) will connect you to a network of music lovers who tirelessly, obsessively explore this weird, wonderful, surprisingly vast field of study. They continually prove me wrong when I think I've heard everything there is to hear. Visit a few and perhaps you, like me, will exclaim, "I am not alone!" Broken links? Something missing? Drop me a line...
 The Big Three
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FaLaLaLaLa
In part, FaLaLaLaLa (dot com) is a blog like the ones listed below. What sets it apart is their forum, a.k.a. The Fireside. That's where obsessives like me swap stories, spread news, debate the merit of obscure records, and - most importantly - trade MP3 files of rare, out-of-print goodies. ("A Year Without FaLaLaLaLa" has been declared. The future of the website is uncertain, but the forum is still active.) [www.falalalala.com] |
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Mistletunes
Before the advent of the blogosphere, this nicely written website was my first indication that other people like me even existed. He's not as compulsive as I am (lucky guy), but he's a lot more focused on the stuff that got me into this mess in the first place - rock 'n' roll Christmas music. [www.mistletunes.com] |
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Stubby's House Of Christmas
He loves Christmas, music, and cats. What more do you need to know? Seriously, Stubby is a major music fiend, a good friend of this website, and a major contributor over at www.falalalala.com. Technically speaking, he's a blogger, but he posts with such fervor and frequency that he's become a primary destination for me and, I suspect, many other enthusiasts. [www.stubbyschristmas.com] |
The Blogs
Most of the chatter on the web seems to revolve around Christmas music that, while often not very hip, is pretty cool - obscure, odd, weird, and fascinating. These blogs seek out - and often share - these treasures. Most of them peak around the holiday season, but some post new material all year 'round.
American Christmas Songs
This blog (launched in 2012) is a tad more academic than most, focusing not just on Christmas music but its place within the context of American cultural history. And, there's a good reason for that focus - blogger Ronald Lankford has a book on Christmas music coming out in 2013 through the University Press of Florida. [www.americanchristmassongs.com]
Baby It's Cold Outside
This sharity blog is inspired (sort of) by the romantic holiday chestnut written by ace tunesmith Frank Loesser. [baby-its-cold-outside.blogspot.com]
Bells Will Be Ringing!
This blog and it's, companion - Mark's Holiday Mix CD's - are, in some ways, the websites I'd like to have. Except I'm too obsessive. And Compulsive. Sorry about that. Anyway, I know you'll get a kick out of Mark's posts and - if you act quickly - his annual holiday mixes. [bellsrringing.blogspot.com]
Christmas a Go Go
This blog claims to spotlight "the funniest, sweetest, and best Christmas songs ever," but that mission statement has encompassed artists like Shonen Knife, Clarence Carter, and Pizzicato 5, as well as, ahem, Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme. [christmasagogo.blogspot.com]
Christmas Forever - Favorite Christmas Records
Truly obscure, vinyl-only treasures from a lady who believes Christmas is more than just a day in December - Christmas is a way of life. [christmas-christmasforever.blogspot.com]
Christmas Yuleblog
The Yuleblog is our window into the world of CaptainOT, one of the most voracious collectors on the planet and generous provider of images to Amazon. He's been kind enough to credit my website with feeding his addiction. Backatcha, Cap'n. [christmasyuleblog.blogspot.com]
Festive!
Self-described "Christmas music geek" DJ El Toro posts all kinds of fascinating stuff - most of it about music, some it about knitting (and sex), and all of it pretty darn hip. [festivefanzine.blogspot.com]
Free Christmas Music
The masthead claims, "The best free, legally downloadable Christmas music on the web!" Well, there's a reason why some of this is free, but don't let that stop you. Also maintains a similarly named website. [freechristmasmusic.blogspot.com]
Hi-Fi Holiday
Lovingly restoring lost vinyl treasures for the digital age since 2006. No rock, no soul – just the smooth sounds of the season (and some kiddie tracks, too). [hif-fi-holiday.blogspot.com]
Jul Igen - Christmas Again
Strange and cool Christmas music with a decidedly Swedish slant. Why? Because blogger Anna-Lena Lodenius is from Sweden. Last time I looked, she'd posted Swedish girl groups, Swedish skinheads, and Swedish x-rated novelty records. Ja! [juligen.blogspot.com]
Merry & Bright
Follow the exploits of Der Bingle as he explores Christmas, holidays, books, music, and other mental ephemera. Also an active member of www.falalalala.com. [merryandbright.blogspot.com]
Rotten Christmas
A man after my own heart, Nice Guy Eddie uncovers the mysteries of obscure punk, new wave, power pop, glam, and garage Christmas records - all on vinyl, no less. I mean, I'm really into this stuff, and he digs up stuff I haven't even heard of - curses! [www.rottenxmas.com]
Sanity Clause's Shanty
Very little sanity here, but a whole lotta Christmas music – mostly the sort of impenetrable mysteries that thrill the denizens of www.falalalala.com. The shares go away fast, so act now... [sanityclauseshanty.blogspot.com]
Santas Working Overtime
In 2007, the blogger behind Senses Working Overtime (and several others) dove headlong into the deep end with this all-Christmas, all-the-time forum. [santasworkingovertime.blogspot.com]
77 Santas
Despite appearances, 77 Santas isn't all about Christmas music. Close enough, though, particularly during their frantic, florid holiday postings. Great taste in music. Named after a song by Gayla Peevey, the little brat responsible for "I Want A Hippopotamus For Christmas." [77santas.blogspot.com]
Twelve Months Of Christmas
The Tone King "dares to go where many blogs don't go... to post quality Christmas songs all year long." He began his quest in November 2007, so we'll see. But, he's off to a hell of a start, posting a bunch of stuff I'd never heard off. [twelvemonthsofchristmas.blogspot.com]
The Yule Ghoul
This blog falls into the "you have to see it to believe it" category. Mr. Ghoul presents horror-themed Christmas music - a rare but fascinating subject. Started late in 2009, he posted three items that year. How many more can he dig up? Stay tuned, I suppose. [yuleghoul.wordpress.com]
And More...
Compliments Of The Season
Meet the Blue Carbuncle - he loves Christmas, but he also appreciates the essential weirdness that underpins the season. Most of the time, he talks about music, movies, and TV. Sometimes, he doesn't - and that's when it gets good. [compliments-of-the-season.blogspot.com]
Jeffco Productions
Sort of a blog, kind of a website, not really a corporation. Jeffco shares some really fun stuff about Christmas music (including dozens of wacky downloads) and the holidays in general. After all, their company (sic) slogan is "We're Fun People." [www.jeffco.ca/christmas/]
Jingle Bell Rocks!
Not a website, but a movie – almost. Canadian director Mitchell Kezin is currenty in early production on his documentary about (gulp!) alternative
Christmas music. The film promises to be a hoot, as it will feature such
notable holiday denizens as El Vez, Dr. Demento, and Andy Cirzan, among many others. [www.jinglebellrocks.com]
Last Christmas
A website dedicated to collecting (and sharing) every single cover version of Wham's "Last Christmas." Man, talk about narrowcasting… Last time I looked, they'd corralled 316 versions. Wow! [www.last-christmas.com]
Merry Christmas Baby [www.ne.jp/asahi/mcb/shiga/]
Christmas Song Box [homepage1.nifty.com/ChristmasBox/]
Christmas 1956 [www16.plala.or.jp/christmas1956/]
In many ways, these Japanese fansites are the equal of "the big three" listed above. The only problem is, they are of very limited use to people (like me) who don't speak Japanese... Loads of pictures, though the quality is inconsistent.
The Punk Rock Advent Calendar
Musician Jimmy Severe and his band the Blue Christmas Boys share a tasty musical morsel every day during December. You even get rapped on the knuckles when you open the doors too soon! [www.punk-christmas.com]
YulePlay
I swear to God
there's an angle here I'm missing, but this website appears to offer free Christmas music to all comers - no advertising, no gimmicks - though you'll need to create an account to make your own playlist from thousands of songs and share it via all the usual social suspects (Twitter, Facebook). Could, in fact, there be a Santa Claus? [www.yuleplay.com]
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