Some Holiday Cheer and Whatnot

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas…

Okay, not really. But it’s certainly starting to feel like it outside. I’ve already placed handmade snowflakes in the window of my dorm room. And Starbucks has pulled out their holiday cups, and you know that when Starbucks pulls out the decorations, Christmas is finally here.

Actually, I started listening to Christmas music right after Halloween. Yeah, I’m one of those people.

Ah, yes, I can feel the judgment as I type this.

Hmph, whatever. No shame, no shame.

I’m sure all of you can’t wait to be home with your loved ones and homemade cookies and presents and snow and 25 Days of Christmas (because Christmas movies is one of the best parts of Christmas, uh-huh) and lastly, Christmas music (the absolute best part of Christmas!).

My mind is going blank – must be a symptom from studying too much. Christmas needs no explanation, anyway.

Here are some of my favorite songs that I always looked forward to every Christmas.

……..

So…good luck with finals and have a good break!

Ayolah

Baby, It’s Cold Outside – GLEE

Hate all you want, but this version is really lovely. I mean, come on, who doesn’t love some Klaine? I’m still in tears over their recent breakup.

Let It Snow – Boyz II Men

I love Boyz II Men, but I love this song even more. It’s so sweet.

This Christmas - Donny Hathaway

Self-explanatory.

The Christmas Song – Nat King Cole

Timeless, but I’m sure you know that. I hate it when people remake this song – no one does it quite like Nat does.

White Christmas – Bing Crosby

Santa Baby – Eartha Kitt

Yes, it glorifies the whole gold digger-sugar daddy complex and the whole issue with Christmas losing its true meaning because of presents and blah blah blah. Sultry and sexy, Eartha Kitt does it like no other.

Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town – The Jackson Five

It’s a nice little twist to the usuals, but I love it so it works well.

I feel like you guys are really going to judge me for this, but I’m including a few slow songs for the couples out there. Enjoy (but actually though).

Christmas Eve – Justin Bieber

Well, then. Cute, but it’s still rather suggestive, yeah? I mean, come on, Justin. “You leave some cookies out / Imma eat em all.” Chris Brown should have just put this on his album instead of just writing and producing it. It’s quite obvious Chris was involved with the making of this song.

All I Want for Christmas Is You – Mariah Carey

Santa Claus is Back in Town – Elvis Presley

This last one is strictly for your amusement. Enjoy your holiday!

Lonely Island – Dick In A Box

The Only Reason To Watch Tonight’s Grammy Awards? The Performances!

This time of year is always exciting for music. The 53rd Annual Grammy Awards air tonight on CBS at 8pm, and while I could always write a post about who deserves to win in each of the major categories, I feel like no one actually watches the show to see who wins. Music is more subjective than any other form of the arts, in my opinion, so I find the nominations kind of pointless. However, artists typically go all out for Grammy performances, and THAT sure is something to get excited about.

In recent years, Lady Gaga made a huge impact with her 2009 spectacle that featured a collaboration with Elton John. Playing a medley of “Poker Face,” “Speechless,” and Elton John classic “Your Song,” Gaga crafted a performance to remember. Will tonight’s debut performance of “Born This Way” live up to ridiculous hype? Only time will tell.

The award show has been in rehearsals for several days now, and rumors surrounding tonight’s performances are spreading like crazy.

As far as performers go, Lady Gaga will be joined by Eminem, Dr. Dre, Bob Dylan, Rihanna, Drake, Muse, Katy Perry, Bruno Mars, Cee Lo Green, Justin Bieber, Usher, Barbara Streisand, Mumford and Sons, Arcade Fire, Lady Antebellum, and several other massively successful recording artists on tonight’s telecast. Plus, who knows if the Grammys have any surprise performers up their sleeves. If all those artists performing doesn’t get you hype about the Grammys, I don’t know what will.

BREAKING NEWS (and also a normal blog post)

MUMFORD AND SONS HAS BEEN NOMINATED FOR TWO GRAMMYS.  TWO OF THEM. Our (my, at least) favorite boys from across the pond are going up against Drake, the Bieber, and Florence + The Machine for Best New Artist; “Little Lion Man” (which I posted the other week) is up for Best Rock Song. Okay, back to what I had originally written as the start of this blog post:

It’s been a while, loyal readers! I hope you all enjoyed your Thanksgiving/week-off-of-school festivities and ate plenty of delicious food. I definitely ate at least 2 pounds of sweet potatoes. Now that the pleasantries are out of the way, let’s get down to business*:

What is more culturally relevant this week than Chanukkah? Nothing. So, for this week’s Official Tidbit of Cultural Relevance, it’s a new Chanukkah/Channukah/Chanuka/Hanuka/Hannukah/Hanukkah song! Also, this video of the Yeshiva University Maccabeats (I love a cappella names) has been all over everywhere the past few days. If you haven’t seen it yet, well, here you go. You’re welcome.  And happy (C)han(n)uk(k)a(h) to all my fellow revelers!

 

 

Since I have a midterm on Friday (Yeah. Midterm.  It’s not the middle of the term anymore.) I’m going to give you two things:
The first is a suggestion.  Go to Pandora and make a Mumford and Sons station.  Their eponymous EP has some stuff that isn’t on “Sigh No More”, which will come up on the Pandora station eventually.  However, it seems to be in hiding everywhere else.  I’m working on getting some tracks, and as soon as I do I’ll post them.

The second thing is actually more than one thing, it’s .  Some goodies for you to rock out to (on your headphones) whilst you while away the hours in the library pretending to study. Or in your room while you have a dance party with your roommate (that’s what I’ll be doing).

Of Montreal, “For Our Elegant Caste”:

Kate Nash, “Foundations”:

And not to be all “mainstream” or whatever, but I’m not gonna lie, nothing does it quite like this–”Viva la Vida”, from Coldplay:

Happy listening! Enjoy your weekends!

-Reese

*Kudos to those who get my Mulan reference.