Category: the Ramones

I’d like to make the world a holiday mixtape…

Post author By imaginary liz
Post date December 3, 2018

Santa John Roderick. Photo credit: Laura Duffy

Remember when the “news” made claim that a Christmas song by the Shins had overtaken Mariah Carey’s holiday anthem as the “the most played holiday song?”

Although I love the Shins, their version of a Paul McCartney holiday song, and the idea of it being the #1 holiday song, I’ve always been a tad suspect.

If we are living in a world in which the Shins can have the #1 holiday song, then I’d like to make the world a holiday mixtape… with these amazing holiday songs (in no particular order) in hopes these will make the #1 list someday.

{Here’s our playlist of the songs available on youtube}

Do you have any we should add to this list?

Princess Superstar – “Xmas Swagger” (youtube)
Emmy The Great & Tim Wheeler – “Home For The Holidays” (youtube)
Eux Autres – “Another Christmas At Home” (youtube)
Darren Hanlon – “Spend Christmas Day With Me” (youtube)
Billy Squier – “Christmas Is The Time To Say I Love You” (youtube)
Old 97’s – Love The Holidays (youtube)
The Wedding Present – “Step Into Christmas” (youtube)
Math and Physics Club – “It Must Be Christmas” (youtube)
Six Cents and Natalie – “Secret Santa (You Could Be The One)” (youtube)
The Dandy Warhols – “Little Drummer Boy” (youtube)
The Kinks – “Father Christmas” (youtube)
The Ramones – “Merry Christmas (I Don’t Want To Fight Tonight)” (youtube)
Allo Darlin’ – “Will You Please Spend New Years With Me?” (bandcamp)
Sunturns – “The Sun Turns” (bandcamp)
Belle & Sebastian – Santa Claus (The Sonics cover) (youtube)
The Beths – “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas”(bandcamp)
Exohxo – “Snoopy’s Christmas (featuring Colin McBride)” (soundcloud)
Bright Eyes – Blue Christmas (youtube)
ballboy – “Merry Christmas to the Drunks, Merry Christmas to the Lovers” (bandcamp)
Bears – “Merry Christmas Have a Happy New Year” (bandcamp)
xnerdyspicex – “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” (bandcamp)
Wham! – “Last Christmas” (youtube)

Want some more Christmas-song joy? Imaginary Liz has a radio show – here’s the 2020 holiday episode:

Here are some videos to watch on repeat:

This one wins for best video:

A favorite – spot the John Roderick Santa!

SO CUTE!

I feel like he’s saying “Merry Christmas” right to me!

There should be some sort of trophy for “Best Christmas Song Dance Moves”

And in case you haven’t heard the Shin’s version of “Wonderful Christmastime” – enjoy!

Top photo: Santa John Roderick. Photo credit: Laura Duffy

Tags Christmas, holiday, holiday music, mixtape, new years, video

Culture Club Guns N Roses Imaginary Scoop MC Solaar Oingo Boingo Pavement Run DMC Sir Mix Alot Sisters of Mercy the Ramones

Crocodile Rock- a rainy Thursday afternoon diversion

Post author By Imaginary Mimi
Post date April 2, 2009

In celebration of the Croc reopening, for some reason, I spent more time than I probably should have this morning thinking about my favorite songs about reptiles. Please note- "Crocodile Rock" by Elton John was a deliberate omission, both for being obvious and trite and for the fact that I hate that high pitched laaaaaaaa-lalalala. Ugh, it's like a drillbit in my ear canal. Yes, I'm sure this makes me a heathen and perhaps, dare I say, a "Cold Hearted Snake" (ooh, ah, ooh, ahhhhhh…)?

What are your favorite songs about rockin reptiles? Here are a few of mine…

"Reptiles and Samurai" – Oingo Boingo: Good Lord, what the HELL is going on inside Danny Elfman's head? I want to wear his eyes like binoculars to see. I kind of get the feeling it would be like part Pee-Wee's Playhouse, part Halloween, and all rad.
"Welcome to the Jungle" – Guns n' Roses: "My-mm-my-my-my serpetine…" Axl also dances like a snake, so double points… He's a snake who wears t-shirts with Charlie Manson on it, a plaid kilt, and swims with dolphins after jumping off an oil tanker. That's a real special kind of snake. Not even Steve Irwin (RIP) would poke that with a stick.
"Baby Got Back" – Sir Mix Alot: I think this line kinda says it all: "But Fonda ain't got a motor in the back of her Honda, my anaconda, don't want none, unless you got buns, hon!"
"Serpentine Pad" – Pavement: Nuff said.
"Burn" – Sisters of Mercy: For some reason, I always think of this song when I go to the zoo into the reptile area. Because, really, how does that NOT make sense- "Hey look, a boa constrictor…and early 80's dark wave synth…"
"At the Clear Fountain" – MC Solaar: A rapper from Chad, who raps in French! Ooh la la! One of the best lines ever: "Tout se passe comme par passe-passe [everything happens by mere sleight of hand] pour le philantrope du pop [for the philantropic man of pop (music)]"
"Substitute" – The Ramones: One of their best. It's actually about something besides being mentally ill.
"Karma Chamelion" – Culture Club: I love this song. I feel shame. I am a sucker for anything that you can clap / snap / shake a tambourine to.
"Halfsharkalligatorhalfman" – Dr. Octagon: The GREATEST. SONG. EVER. WRITTEN. WITH. REPTILES. IN. IT. Observe: "Walking down Hollywood Boulevard with a credit card. Three alligators behind me, feel my skin is hard. Transvestites, and people watch space parasites…" What? Exactly! Genius!
"Kick the Frama Lama" – Run DMC: One of the more vicious raps these guys ever spat. Kinda love it.

Tags Top of the Croc

iPod Roulette the Ramones

"Sheena Is A Punk Rocker" by The Ramones

Post author By imaginary ash
Post date January 4, 2008

IgAsh here, pinch hitting for Erik who had to be sidelined last minute. Took the spin and came up with "Sheena Is A Punk Rocker," and all I can say is it has to be a sign to igDana. Since imaginary baby is due to join us in this world outside the womb TODAY, mama Dana, I think The Ramones have a baby name suggestion for you. I mean, how cool would your life be if your name was Sheena and you were, in fact, a punk rocker? And I can't imagine that anyone spawned by Dana and her handsome fella would be anything but. Ok maybe not totally punk, but indie is the new punk anyway, right? Well, no, not really, it isn't. But I still think there's some sort of kismet at work here. Sheena Rocket Danger B. Yes. Baby has been named. You're welcome, Dana & fam.

Or maybe you're supposed to name her Riff Randall. My kismet translator isn't always 100% accurate.

P.S.: If anyone can translate the illustration I found, I'll give you 5,000 points.

Albert Hammond Jr Art Brut Black Box Recorder Darlene Love Fountains of Wayne Harvey Danger Imaginary Scoop James Brown Kelly Clarkson Kylie Minogue Run DMC The Beach Boys The Beatles the Black Arts the Ramones The Raveonettes The Ronettes The White Stripes

What Christmas songs are you enjoying right now?

Post author By ChrisB
Post date December 24, 2007

If you're not already sick of Christmas music (and who could blame you if you were?), are there any songs this holiday that you are especially enjoying?

Here are 15 videos that are making my holiday season just a little bit more tolerable, in no particular order:

Harvey Danger – Sometimes You Have to Work on Christmas (Sometimes) (because I actually do)