December 26 2009

Kerplunk? Kerplooie.

Let me begin by saying thanks to Unnecessary Umlaut for keeping the magic alive with his “Last Christmas” picks from our site’s years of collecting. If you just wanna cut to the chase, head to his site and grab his offerings, they are certainly some of the more top tier covers we’ve featured!

Today we’ve got a good set. I mean that too; I’ve no reason to lie at nearly 450 versions, do I? Well fine, don’t believe me, just listen for yourself!

Oh! AtomsFirst we have indie duo Oh! Atoms trying to entrance with their British charm and stripped down, yet still upbeat take on “Last Christmas.” This back and forth they have going had me thinking for a minute we might have the dual perspective type thing going, but no. I don’t think they’re singing about the same lost love though, they’re just covering the song. That’s it. Let’s not read too much into this people!

Oh! AtomsLast Christmas


Hot on the sweet take heels of Oh! Atoms we have the super produced, radio friendly K-Pop vet 1sagain with Ju Bora. It looks like his first big hit came in 2002, and he is on some kind of comeback, thanks in part to this little ditty I’m sure. If you’re into the Ashley Tisdale, Foxxi MisQ or any of the international rap versions, then give this a listen! It’s kind of a combo platter of those, in spirit anyways.

1sagain feat. Ju BoraLast Christmas
1sagain feat. Ju BoraLast Christmas Instrumental


When we first posted Feeling Left Out back in year one, it was with some regret that we only posted the original version of their Wham! cover. We can now put that regret to rest as here, finally, is the alternate, and ridiculous, Quicksand Jesus version of “Last Christmas.” It’s a reprise of sorts, but mostly some kind of six minute holiday frustration outlet. Don’t say we didn’t warn you!

Feeling Left OutLast Christmas, Quicksand Jesus Version

Feeling Left Out is a now defunct acoustic indie duo led by Joe Wilson who’s still pumping out tunes. Check out the FLO website, which now just redirects to his new work.


Oh Juju! What a cute name. At least to me anyways, that’s what my wife calls our cat Julius. So you can see my fondness for the version based on name alone. Juju the singer is a cute Japanese singer who mixes a bit of reggae and lounge in her cover. This is from her 2007 release, Wish for Snow. Have a listen.

JujuLast Christmas


Lastly, an interestingly named, and sounding, remix of the original…well done sirs…

Wham! – Last Christmas (Rynecologist Christ-Must-Jam Mix)

Yes! The literal version of “Last Christmas!” Thanks Jeff!


tags: dance, indie, instrumental, j-pop, lounge, pop, reggae, remix, translated, video

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December 24 2009

Take the D-Line to Christmas St.

D-Line. What a guy (or girl). He (or she) has put together not one, not two, but FIVE remixes. Hold onto your hats!


2Headz Remix

We put this one on in our office, and instantly our coworkers were talking. “Again??” they pleaded. But then they got into it.


Disco Lovers Christmas

Apparently disco lovers don’t care for verses. This version spends a lot (a LOT) of time just repeating “Last Christmas” over and over. Sometimes it completes the line, but we don’t get much more than that. Maybe the next version will just focus on “once bitten but twice shy” ??


Lightsyler Remix

Nope. No such luck. We might never know how D-Line came up with the names for these remixes, but if you’re unfamiliar with the term “lightsyler” (Sylar?) it’s apparently synonymous with “trance” or “house” or “rave.” Listening to this track makes us imagine a bunch of no-good-kids sniffing peppermint and dancing with red and green glowsticks.


Mike McPower Remix

This version really centers around these awesome laser beam sounds. As though George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley were facing off in some sort of crazy sci-fi arena: “Once friends. Now, bitter rivals.” While they’re shooting at each other with laser guns, they’re exchanging awesome one-liner barbs. “I’ll save you from tears! ZAP!” “Once bitten…. but twice shy! Pew Pew!”


Sonic Alive Remix

After the other remixes we just heard, we were hoping that this one would be a little more… different. But for the most part, it’s a lot like all the other versions only without the “je ne sais quoi.” The beat is sort of interesting, but not anything special. Way to go out on a whimper, D-Line. At least this version is over eight minutes long!


And now it’s time for a little gem from the Arctic Monkeys. The satellite radio at our office plays their Fluorescent Adolescent song about 5 times a day, so it’s nice to finally hear it butted up against another song that we hear incessantly.


tags: dance, disco, house, remix

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December 23 2009

A Mix of Mixes

Younha Tell you what: To make up for the lack of updates lately, we’re going to do a NEW post EVERY DAY until Christmas ’09 (Christmas Day not included). Deal? Deal. Today we bring you an assortment of remixes. Not a mashup of mashups, not a potpourri of potpourri, but a mix of mixes. Let’s get started:


21 year-old Younha is a J-Pop and K-Pop sensation! At least, according to her wikipedia page:

Younha made her debut as an artist at the young age of sixteen. Nicknamed the “Oricon comet” for her success in Japan, she has released eight singles and two albums there with varying degrees of success. Several of her songs have been featured in anime and drama series.

Here she teams up with Kim Jo Han for a brilliant, soulful live performance of everyone’s favorite Christmas classic.

Younha & Kim Jo HanLast Christmas

But then she teams up with Korean hip-hoppers Dynamic Duo for a remix which doesn’t sound a damn thing like the gem we all know and love. That is, until about 3 minutes in. Then that tinkley piano comes in and you know it’s about to get real. I don’t think I’d ever heard Korean rap before, but it’s kinda awesome. Sounds a lot like English rap.

YounhaLast Christmas Remix

Younha has 3 different sites (here’s the 3rd one), at 3 different labels, in 2 different languages – neither of which I speak. So I don’t know what she’s up to, but it looks like she’s got an album coming out called 3rd album part B which is a pretty awesome name.


Output Jack (brother of Kangaroo Jack???) put together this trance remix of Jimmy Eat World’s version. It’s pretty much what you’d expect: DA BOM!

Jimmy Eat WorldLast Christmas Output Jack Trance Remix


Well troops, just like Vanessa Williams, we like to save the best for last. Audio maniacs Mixcutz have put together this Allstars Remix, which sounds like it’s taken the original version, the Crazy Frog version and 2 minutes of some crazy German guy giving a speech, and mixed them all together. There are other versions in there, but beats me trying to figure out who they are. Who knows? You’d need a tricorder to sort it all out.

Mixcutz – Last Christmas Allstar Remix

Because of its sheer boldness, we’re giving this one the coveted Magical Snowflake Award. Remember those?


tags: dance, hip-hop, house, j-pop, live, medley, pop, remix

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December 9 2009

Micatone, Malene, and Mixups

MicatoneYou know how much a band loves a song by the number of times they cover it. Much like Corporate Solace before them, Micatone do not one, but two versions of “Last Christmas!” The great part is both are distinct and awesome! First, Micatone sing the Soulfood version aka the ’50s high school dance version. It’s definitely a sweet nostalgic take on the song. Second, we have the Back to Nashville version, has a bit more twang, but dare I say it has copious amounts more soul than the Soulfood version! I think I just feel it in her voice more, ya know?

MicatoneLast Christmas (Soulfood Version)
MicatoneLast Christmas (Back to Nashville Version)



Danish singer Malene Mortensen doesn’t attempt to break any creativity bounds in her jazzy piano version, but what she does do is conjure up visions of Jessica Rabbit slinking all over a piano, spreading, ahem, holiday cheer. At least that’s how I like to imagine it.

Malene MortensenLast Christmas

You can find the whole MP3 album on “…To All of You” on Amazon.



Is this truly a remix? Sounds mostly like beats over the original than anything else. Info on this version is pretty scarce, but it’s kind of a weird mix anyways. I can’t say I dislike it, but it’s a just little odd is all.

Wham! – Last Christmas (Lifelike Snowopolis Remix)



If there’s anything we love more than “Last Christmas,” it’s “Last Christmas” mash ups. This one however, comes with no info! Which is not something we love. The name says it all, and it works as well as it could considering it’s made from fully mixed songs, so there’s a little distortion grain in there, but it’s still way fun and would be a nice surprise on your next holiday mix.

Wham! vs The Police – Every Last Christmas You Take



Who is better? VOTE!


tags: jazz, pop, r&b, remix, video

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about
What?
Artists That Have Covered "Last Christmas"
Artists That Have Not Covered "Last Christmas"

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resources
Last Christmas on Wikipedia
Wham!
George Michael
Andrew Ridgeley

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where we've been spotted
The Walrus
MTV News / VH1 News
Retro Remixes
Stereogum
Philebrity
The Toronto Star
The Guardian
Buzzsugar
Fader Magazine
Metro Chicago
USA Today's Pop Candy / 2
Pretentious Prattle
Indie Novel
Yewknee
Magic 102.1 FM
Flashcube
Ramble Strip
die Stagediven
Synapsensalat
Blunderpop
De Standaard
Sweeping the Nation

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Official Count

445

tracks
31:18:11

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featured version


Last Christmas by Magnus Djurberg

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These songs are posted for evaluation purposes only. If you own the copyright to one of the versions and would like your song removed, please let us know. If you have recorded a version of "Last Christmas" you would like to include, or would like to participate otherwise, email us and let us know!

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