I was originally planning to feature Elton John’s Christmas themed B-side, ‘Ho! Ho! Ho! (Who’d Be A Turkey At Christmas)’, and feature this story, written by my 6 year old daughter about our family vacation.
Almost every time I went out of the cabin I saw chickens! My sister always gets bitten by something on the last day we are there. Two holidays ago she was bitten by a turkey and last week she got bitten by a donkey!
But the song isn’t one of John’s best, so instead I’m widening the definition of ‘B-side’ a little this week. I know that it technically means a song on a flip side of the single, but I think it’s fair that it also encompasses other non-album material, like bonus tracks on expanded editions of albums or songs tucked away on various artist compilations.
In 1991, Shoes’ Jeff Murphy organised a compilation of Christmas songs from alternative rock acts. Despite a couple of big names like Matthew Sweet and Butch Vig’s Spooner, most of the acts on Yuletunes are relatively obscure.
Shoes had been active since the mid 1970s, a power pop band from Zion, Illinois. Despite being best known for their 1977 album Black Vinyl Shoes, the group soldiered on into the 1990s. ‘This Christmas’ isn’t the most profound Christmas song ever written – it’s simply a pretty tune with a sweet lead vocal and nice harmonies. Which is preferable to hearing ‘Snoopy’s Christmas’ or ‘Santa Baby’ for the thousandth time.
Things’ll get better
Doesn’t seem like it now
But they always do
I hope you find yourself someone this Christmas
The heart is a river
It carries you up as it takes you down
I hope you find yourself someone this Christmas
How often we’re lonely
In need of a place to leave the pain
When Christmas surrounds us
We see the snow replace the rain
Love is so brittle
Like a new toy that’s ruined
It gets thrown away
I hope you find yourself someone this Christmas
How often we’re only
In need of a place to leave the pain
We’re anxious for Christmas
But without love it’s not the same
Things’ll get better
Doesn’t seem like it now
But they always do
I hope you find yourself someone this Christmas
I hope you find yourself someone this Christmas
I hope you get just what you want this Christmas
I hope you find yourself, I hope you find yourself
I hope you get just what you want this Christmas
I hope you find yourself someone this Christmas
I hope you get just what you want this Christmas
I hope you find yourself someone this Christmas
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Read about the discographies of musical acts from the 1960s to the present day. Browse this site's review archives or enjoy these random selections:
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I don’t think I’ve ever heard Snoopy’s Christmas.
Then it’s your lucky day!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-hWZGIWe_U
I liked it when I was a kid, but it’s been played a lot since.
I’ve never heard of the Yuletunes collection before. You’ve certainly piqued my curiosity with your post and no better time to listen. Happy Christmas
I haven’t heard the whole thing – did you check it out?
Not the whole album yet. I like the Shoes song, the drumming is very 80s in how sounds like mini explosions: Really underrated Christmas song
A suggestion: Castles in the Air by Don McLean. Originally the B side of Vincent, later released in its own right. Fabulous song about a man looking for a non-trendy woman who is happy to live with him in the country. He’s had enough of the hip city types. “Save me from all the trouble and the pain: I know i’m weak but I can’t face that girl again”
Cool – I’ll put it on my list – great b-sides is going to be on hiatus this week as I’m on vacation.