PART 1: We Need a Little Christmas – The New Christy Minstrels; Hurray for Santa Claus – The Fleshtones; What Christmas Means to Me – Stevie Wonder; Feliz Navidad – Jose Feliciano; Feliz Navidad – El Vez; José Van Haliano – Ain’t Talkin’ ‘bout Feliz Navidad (José Feliciano vs. Van Halen) – Bill McClintock; Jingle Bells – Dolph Chaney; Santa’s Got a Brand New Bag – Bob Seger & the Last Heard; Space Christmas – Shonen Knife; Nothin’ for Christmas – The Reducers; Santa’s Gonna Shut ‘Em Down – The Untamed Youth; The Christians and the Pagans – Dar Williams; Ring Out, Solstice Bells (1978 version) – Jethro Tull; Rock’n’Roll Winter – Wizzard; Wintertime – The Belmonts; Christmas Bop – Marc Bolan; There’s No Place Like Home for the Holidays – Perry Como; Jingle Bells – Patti Page; Christmas Kisses – Ray Anthony; Christmas on Riverside Drive – August Darnell; Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town – Alan Jackson
PART 2: Festivus – Jerry Stiller; The Hanukkah Song – Adam Sandler; How do You Spell Hanukkah? – The LeeVees; Latke Clan – The LeeVees; Applesauce vs. Sour Cream – The LeeVees; Effin’ Dreidel Song – Jay Allen and the Archcriminals; All I Want for Chanukah Is a Ukelele – Alison Faith Levy; Festival of Lights (Hanukkah Song) – The Minus 5 Feat. Mike Mills; 8 Days (of Hanukkah) – Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings; Christmas of Love – Little Isidore & the Inquisitors; Doo-Wop Christmas – Kenny Vance & the Planotones; String Lights and Hold On – Blake Jones & the Trike Shop; The Nutcracker Suite – Les Brown & His Band of Renown; Christmas at the Airport – Nick Lowe; Christmas Makes Me Sad – Rodney Crowell; She’s Coming Home – The Wailers; Santa Does – The Mavericks; Santa Claus Is Coming to Town – The Harmony Grits
PART 3: Manger 6 – Bob Rivers & Twisted Radio; What Christmas Is All About – Charlie Brown & Linus; The Christmas Guest – Johnny Cash; God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen – NRBQ; O Come, All Ye Faithful – Jackie Wilson; O Holy Night – Tiny Tim; New Born King – Doc Watson; Peace in the Valley – Doc Watson; God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen – Chet Atkins; Silent Night – Eva Cassidy; O Holy Night – Lou Christie & the University of Pittsburgh Men’s Glee Club; Jesus Christ – Big Star; Little Drummer Boy/Peace on Earth (long version) – Bing Crosby & David Bowie; Greensleeves – Jeff Beck; Merry Christmas Baby – The Poets; Merry Christmas Baby – Otis Redding; It’s Christmas Time – The Qualities; The Snowflake Song – Diplomat Records; Mary Christmas – Diplomat Records; Papa Noel – Brenda Lee; Christmas Day – Ral Donner; Snoopy’s Christmas – The Royal Guardsmen; The Man With the Bag – Kay Starr; Hooray for Santy Claus – Milton deLugg & the Little Eskimos
PART 4: Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer/Have a Holly Jolly Christmas – Burl Ives; Silver and Gold (From Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer) – Burl Ives; We’re a Couple of Misfits – From Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer; The Most Wonderful Day of the Year – From Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer; Trim up the Tree – From How the Grinch Stole Christmas; Welcome Christmas – From How the Grinch Stole Christmas; The Lord’s Bright Blessing – From Mr. Magoo’s Christmas Carol; Silver Bells – Booker T. & the MGs; It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas – Bing Crosby; Merry Something to You – Devo; I Believe in Father Christmas – Emerson, Lake & Palmer; Merry Christmas From the Family – Robert Earl Keen; ‘Zat You, Santa Claus? – Louis Armstrong; Shake Hands With Santa Claus – Louis Prima; Merry Christmas Darling – The Carpenters; Hey Santa – Wilson Phillips; Santa Teach Me to Dance – Debbie & the Darnels; Marshmallow World – Dean Martin & Frank Sinatra; Christmas Wish – NRBQ; You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch – Thurl The Tryfles,Ravenscroft; White Christmas – Bing Crosby; The Bells of St. Mary – Bob B. Soxx & the Blue Jeans
PART 5: Fairytale of New York – The Pogues w/Kirsty MacColl; Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane) – Elvis Presley; Gloria (in Excelsis Deo) – The Tryfles; Mr. Santa Claus – Nathaniel Mayer; I Wish You a Merry Christmas – Little Eva & Big Dee Irwin; Christmas All Over Again – Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers; Groovy Xmas – The Linda Lindas; Christmas Day With Me – Laura Vale & the Vipertones; Swiss Colony Beef Log – Eric Cartman; On Comet – The Point; Hark! The Herald Angels Sing – Fab Four; Nutrocker – Emerson, Lake & Palmer; Step Into Christmas – Elton John; DJ Play a Christmas Song – Cher; Hey Skinny Santa! – JD McPherson; Santa Claus – The Sonics; Thanks for Christmas – The Three Wise Men (XTC); Gee Whiz, It’s Christmas – Carla Thomas; It’s Christmas Time – Marvin & Johnny; Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) – Darlene Love
… is the hostess of Franorama 2.0, most Thursdays from 1-5 p.m. Eastern Time on Cygnus Radio. So what’s a genre? I just throw everything against a wall and see what sticks. Rock’n’roll, garage, punk, soul (especially Northern), rockabilly, real country, cheesy goofball stuff – no matter what generation, if it has a heart and soul, it has a home here.