One little bit of news, it looks like Taylor Swift’s “Last Christmas” is #2 behind Mariah Carey on the iTunes holiday music top songs. Way to go Taylor!

Ok, so if someone were to say to you, “Besides The Beatles, who else would you want to play ‘Last Christmas?’” You would probably answer Guns n’ Roses. But I bet your second choice would be AC/DC, right? Well today’s your lucky day! We don’t have a cover from AC/DC but they’re the next best thing the Aussie rockers, German band Riff Raff, who perform in the style of AC/DC! It’s pretty fantastic and there’s a whole album of songs done as if Brian Johnson and the boys laid waste to baby Jesus hymns. Buy it here.

Riff Raff – Last Christmas


Recently signed Augusta GA band, Say Vandelay, bring us a pop punk-ish version that starts off with hints of late ’90s keyboard rock, like Ozma, and finishes up with what I’ll call post-emo vocals, like Brand New might do. If that didn’t make any sense, then just listen to the song already, wouldja?

This comes from the annnual release “12 Bands of Christmas” produced locally in Augusta. Check it out here.

Say Vandelay – Last Christmas


Next we have two live versions for you, that couldn’t be more different. Alkbottle is a rock band from Vienna, while Caught in the Act were a Dutch boy band. Alkbottle still cause trouble all over Austria while Caught in the Act split up in 1998 after only 3 years of success. I think these two polar opposite groups really show the appeal of “Last Christmas” across musical borders.

Alkbottle – Last Christmas

Caught in the Act – Last Christmas

When you get to their site, the Beautiful Losers immediately tell you what to think of them: “Electro Acoustic Indian Alternative Folk Rock.” Well there you have it. This is what that sounds like—slow and sad, the way George Michael would’ve wanted it. Put this one on, sit in a circle, dim the lights, get cozy with friends, and just see where the song takes you…

This is the opening track on their holiday album Peace, Love, & Xmas which you can find on itunes.


The Beautiful Losers – Last Christmas


This is peculiar. Little Voices are like a Kidz Bop group with contemporary jazz music. But the most peculiar thing is that on the Christmas CD this version comes from, you’ll also find a version of “The Loco-Motion.” I don’t get it. I can’t seem to find a website for the group, but Little Voices Sing Christmas Songs is available on itunes along with their many other albums.


Little Voices – Last Christmas


This is another version recorded this year, coming from New Jersey’s the Finals. They’re labelmates with Hot Rod Circuit and 30 Seconds to Mars, so that should give you a general idea of their sound. Of the punk versions we’ve posted, this is one of my favorites.

This comes from A Santa Cause II: It’s a Punk Rock Christmas which you can get directly from Immortal Records, and you can find the Finals’ new release, “Plan Your Getaway” also on Immortal Records, or itunes.


The Finals – Last Christmas


Multi-Talentdz and a Half sound like kids with a midi file and a dream. I can’t quite discern their level of sincerity in wanting to be musicians, but I imagine the recording session may have looked like our video of the day…


Multi-Talentdz and a Half – Last Christmas

One thing I’ve learned from this project is that there is always hope for even the poorest of musical ideas. I was pretty indifferent to “Last Christmas” before all this began. I didn’t think it was a terrible song, but I certainly didn’t think it was the best song in the world, either. If I’d had to rate the song on a scale from 1 to 10, I probably would have given it a 5 (mainly thanks to its kitschiness). But in having the song re-imagined by so many different artists, we’ve had a unique opportunity to hear grand and minute variations on the original. Granted, there are some versions that are a lot worse than the original, but there are also some versions that are way better. There is a version for everyone—even the most persnickety Christmas-tune-seekers—whether they’re searching for reggae, electronica, farting, or vulgar squirrels. Hooray!

Wow. This one is a really great dancey version that uses Mr. Michael’s original lyrics. Not to fear—the sound is all their own; a keyboard part at the end is the only other remnant from the Wham! recording. That’s why we’re presenting Le Sport, Montt Mardié & Mr Suitcase with today’s Magical Snowflake Award. We’re also giving them Santa dolphins.


Le Sport, Montt Mardié & Mr Suitcase – Last Christmas

If Blink-182 were to have recorded this song, this is how it would’ve turned out, NA NA NA NA’s and all. Pretty straight forward late ’90s punk version.


Nicotine – Last Christmas