Yeah, I’ve mentioned it before…  I’m a staunch traditionalist when it comes to Christmas music, giving the ol’ BAH HUMBUG to most attempts at holiday tunes done over the past few decades.  Gimme the classics sung by Bing, Sinatra, Andy Williams (my fave), Nat King Cole, or any big band artist from back in the day and I’m a happy camper.  However there are always a few exceptions, with the biggest being my favorite rawk n roll holiday tune you’ll probably never hear on your local “all Christmas all the time” station-  “Father Christmas” by The Kinks.

For those of you that have never heard this song, it’s a bit unlike any other Christmas song you’ve ever heard and that’s the beauty of it-  you start of with a winsome, upbeat piano riff accompanied by sleigh bells but that’s where the resemblance ends because you’ll be knocked out by a hilariously wicked lyric about those that may be less fortunate come the holiday season.  The song is sung from three perspectives…  one, the poor unfortunate department store Santa who gets accosted by a group of young kids (perspective #2) voicing their displeasure about the need for money (and jobs for their unemployed fathers) instead of toys, and the third perspective from the author who reminds us to think of “the kids who got nothin'” as we enjoy the fruits of our labor.

Strong subject matter for a holiday song but it’s the rollicking guitar riff and the spirit and delivery of the vocal that makes it stand out, especially during the cranked up chorus belted by a bunch of hooligans.  It’s upbeat, it rocks, and while there is a hint of cartoon violence about beating up jolly old St. Nick and getting a machine gun to “scare all the kids on the street”, you’re not getting beat over the head with a preachy message.  But you are getting a fantastically memorable Ray Davies lyric that’s glorious, tongue in cheek fun.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!