Apologies for the abrupt end to 2011’s crop, and to be honest, that is not how I wanted to wrap up this silly little site. But a few factors are leading me to call it quits on being the end-all on Last Christmas cover collecting. It has been really pretty great and I want to thank everyone who has been interested and visited every year. Big thanks to the press we received each and every Christmas, it’s quite amazing actually. Thanks especially to all the bands and artists who have contributed to our collection, your willingness to participate was key! Our fan base was small but strong, so I feel bad about closing up shop so suddenly. I just have not been able to give the site the attention it needs (baby on the way, like soon!).

What I will do though is two things: 1) One last new songs post to bring us up to 500, seems appropriate, although the count would undoubtedly exceed that if we continued. And 2) I’ll follow that with a post of my personal selects from our six years of listening to the same song over and over…so you know they’ll be the cream of the crop. I’m not sure when these will get up, but the wait won’t be too long.

Again, thanks to all of you who have been to the site during it’s course. I’m flattered and amazed it has been able to go on for SIX YEARS. You people are ridiculous.

Well isn’t this a treat! The kind and spunky Greta Larson sent us an exclusive sneak peak at her new cover video for Last Christmas, which “officially” is released tomorrow. After you’re done checking it out, head on over to Sonictribe to grab a copy of your very own.

Today is going to be short on words, heavy on tunes. Without further ado…

Let’s start with the one version that has never been done before. No other artist has attempted this genre, nor has anyone previously emailed me about this. I present, the Dead Cat Orchestra, performing Last Christmas done in the style of dead/dying cats, basically a dude wailing meows. (submitted by Jacob Nathan)

Dead Cat Orchestra – Last Christmas

Next we have a great banjo-led version by Stockholm’s The Linedance Fever. Man I really dig this version. I know it sounds like I say that a lot, but anything that doesn’t sound like a mimic of the Wham! version catches my attention. You have to remember, we’re going to break 500 covers of the same song this year. Anything that stands out from a crowd that large deserves some major credit in my book. And The Linedance Fever certainly stand out. If you took the Erlend Oye version from way back when, and then switched it over to a more raucous, foot-stomping version like the Boss Hoss version, you would get this. Really really good. Check out their Myspace page for a pretty rad cover of Wicked Game also.

The Linedance Fever – Last Christmas

Next we have a handful of tips we got from Guuzbourg from Christmas A Go Go, beginning with Colorado’s Emily Knurr. She does a pretty intriguing low key, somewhat lo-fi keyboard version that I quite like. Her non-LC tunes are great as well, no denying it. Girl can sing!

Emily Knurr – Last Christmas

We are Vapour deliver a cool little ditty, that’s close to the original and yet really distinct. It’s hard to describe unless you hear it.

We Are Vapour – Last Christmas

Lastly, Tiger House follows with a good follow up to We Are Vapour. You follow me? It’s great, although I don’t have anything super specific to call out about it. I think you’ll like it.

Tiger House – Last Christmas

Ok so this was still somewhat heavy on words. More from Christmas A Go Go to come later!

We’re starting today with, well, a gummy bear. That sings. In yellow underpants. Gummibär is some kind of international kids singing sensation. Reminiscent of Crazy Frog, but a little less annoying kind of. I am just more perplexed by Gummibär than anything else. Why is he always in underwear? And if it’s for kids, why is he singing “Do you think I’m sexy?” Is this for adults? Maybe, there are a ton of club mixes for his songs…And why did Felix the Cat agree to do a duet with this whippersnapper? His videos have millions of hits but I have never heard of him, I don’t know if that makes me uncool or not.

Gummibär – Last Christmas

Gummibär’s music is available on iTunes and Amazon.

And I’m pleased to present what I believe is our first ever bagpipe version! And while stylistically, it’s close to the original, there is something really interesting going on here. The Munros’ full album is great for you bagpipe lovers out there. They shine more on traditional tracks than pop covers in my opinion, but some of you may enjoy the novelty.

Munros – Last Christmas

The Munros Bagpipes at Christmas album is available on iTunes, Spotify and Amazon.

And finally we’ll let Uschi Blum play us out with this German chilled out pop/dance version. Uschi Blum is the alter ego of Hape Kerkeling, a German comedian and actor. I’m not sure how this character, who first appeared in 1993’s Kein Pardon has a life outside of the movie. I guess Hape does appearances as Uschi? Or all his characters I guess. Who knows, but Hape make for a very unattractive woman.

Uschi Blum – Weihnachten Ist Mir Doch Egal

You can grab Hape’s full Christmas album with songs by all of his other character’s over at Amazon.

If you were seeking answers regarding Gummibär, this video will not help.