Your Christmas Songs and Music - It's A Knockout (Winner: White Christmas)

[Corki]

"It's A Knockout" starts for its second Christmasy theme, using the songs that you chose in the nomination thread.  

 

"It's A Knockout" remains with the longer format this month - and this means there are 16 songs instead of 8! Eleven (11) have been chosen by you, with the remaining five (5) being added by me. So it is now time to find out what DM's favourite Christmas song is!

 

Don't forget to get involved in the Christmas Carol version of this contest. Click here to get involved!

 

 

"It's a Knockout" - Format

For those of you who have not been involved with a "It's A Knockout" thread before, the rules are quite simple. The Band of the Red Hand is DM's travel and music ORG, and "It's a Knockout" is a knock out competition to find out the winner of the chosen category (past categories include Micheal Jackson songs, Classical Music, One Hit Wonders). Each day, 2 bass players will be posted, along with a link so you can listen to some of their bass playing skills if you do not know it, and all you have to do is post who you think is the better bass player of the two. After a day, the votes will be counted, and the winning bass player will progress to the next round, until we only have 1 bass player left as the winner at the end of the competition - who will take their place in the Band's Dream Band. It's very simple, so I look forward to seeing you getting involved!

 

So without further a-do, let the competition begin!

[Corki]

RESULTS

 

Round 1

 

1. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen by Manheim Steamrollers beat Grandma got ran over by a reindeer by Dr. Elmo (4-2)

2. Adeste Fideles by Enya lost to Christmas Eve/Sarajevo by Trans-Siberian Orchestra (3-4)

3. I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day by Wizzard beat A Christmas Duel by The Hives & Cyndi Lauper (4-3)

4. A Spaceman Came Travelling by Chris de Burgh beat Merry Xmas Everybody by Slade (3-2)

5. Carol of the Bells lost to I Believe in Father Chritmas by Greg Lake (1-3)

6. Driving Home for Christmas by Chris Rea beat We need a little Christmas (3-2)

7. Fairytale of New York by The Pogues with Kirsty McColl beat O Holy Night by Josh Groban

8. White Christmas by Bing Crosby beat 12 Days of Christmas by Straight No Chaser

 

2nd Round

 

1. I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day by Wizzard beat I Believe in Father Chritmas by Greg Lake (3-1)

2. A Spaceman Came Travelling by Chris de Burgh lost to Fairytale of New York by The Pogues with Kirsty McColl (1-3)

3. White Christmas by Bing Crosby beat God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen by Manheim Steamrollers (3-1)

4. Driving Home for Christmas by Chris Rea lost to Christmas Eve/Sarajevo by Trans-Siberian Orchestra (1-3)

 

Semi-Final

 

1. Christmas Eve/Sarajevo by Trans-Siberian Orchestra beat Fairytale of New York by The Pogues with Kirsty McColl (3-1)

2. I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day by Wizzard lost to White Christmas by Bing Crosby (1-3)

 

3rd/4th Play-off

 

1. Fairytale of New York by The Pogues with Kirsty McColl beat I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day by Wizzard (3-2)

 

Final

 

1. Christmas Eve/Sarajevo by Trans-Siberian Orchestra lost to White Christmas by Bing Crosby (2-3)

[Corki]

THE CHOSEN SONGS

 

1. Carol of the Bells

A Ukrainian carol, it's one of those in the "not quite the most popular" songs at christmas, but everyone knows it. It's a very simple effective song, and it also sounds a leetle bit tension filled and ooky - although that could just be the Ukrainian style coming through.

 

 

2. We need a little Christmas by The Muppets

I love this song, it helps me to really get into the spirit when I'm feeling anything but Christmasy.  I love the version Angela Lansbury and Lucille Ball sings in Mame, but the ones on YouTube isn't very good when I ran across the Muppetts version.  Who doesn't love the Muppetts?

 

 

3. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen by Manheim Steamrollers

First of all, I love Manheim Steamrollers. They don't usually have words with the song, but they're music is tons of fun to listen to and this is one of my favorites of theirs.

 

 

4. Christmas Eve/Sarajevo by Trans-Siberian Orchestra

The Trans-Siberian Orchestra's best Christmas hit, Christmas Eve/Sarajevo takes the unique style of the orchestra's traditional instruments as well as modern instruments such as electric guitar. The music video also became an instant classic upon its debut.

 

 

5. A Spaceman Came Travelling by Chris de Burgh

It is one of my favourite festive songs. It gives one of the religious aspects of the Christmas story a slight twist, where the angel Gabriel came to give a message to the shepherds, but with a spaceship and a spaceman instead. A very clever song.

 

 

6. O Holy Night by Josh Groban

I love the sweeping music, the tender melodies, the range this song allows the singer, the lyrics are nice and meaningful, and it sounds very wintery.  It always manages to calm me down and get me in the holiday spirit.  Also Josh Groban fulfills everything this song can be; his voice is simply beautiful.

 

 

7. Fairytale of New York by The Pogues with Kirsty McColl

This isn't a Christmas song at all, really. In fact, it's not even a happy song... it's terribly depressing. BUT, it is a brilliant, brilliant song that doesn't get played at any other time of year. Shane McGowen is a genius songwriter who captures the failed hopes and relationship of a couple on the edge of society. And, for many younger Irish people, Christmas doesn't start until they hear this song for the first time. It's usually sung at drunken sing-songs, but the lyrics and melody can bring a sneaky tear to the eye if you're not careful.

 

 

8. I Believe in Father Chritmas by Greg Lake

I actually find this song quite sad. A lost childhood, when you realise the world isn't so magical as you had been told. The tune is nice and cheery but the actual words are quite cynical. And yes I still believe in Father Christmas  :P

 

 

9. A Christmas Duel by The Hives & Cyndi Lauper

Draws on the same christmas spirit as Fairytale Of New York, with Howlin' Pelle managing a sneer that Joey Ramone would have been proud of, and Cyndi Lauper is pure awesome.

 

 

10. Grandma got ran over by a reindeer by Dr. Elmo

Just listen and you'll know.  This song rock for all the gods of rock would rock with in the rocking for!!!!!!!!   8)

 

 

11. 12 Days of Christmas by Straight No Chaser

The first time I heard this....I laughed my a$$ off.  They take a old and overdone song, and make it fun.  My favorite part is the final 12 day countdown(to Toto).   ;D

 

 

12. I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day by Wizzard

This popular song was released in 1973, reaching number 4 in the UK charts, being beaten by Slade's Merry Xmas Everyone. It was written and sung by Roy Wood, and is what a great Christmas song should be about! It's a shame they don't make them like this anymore!

 

 

13. Driving Home for Christmas by Chris Rea

Not a huge chart success in its two previous outings, maybe it will be 3rd time lucky this Christmas? It has a nice feel good feeling about it as you head home for Christmas. A nice simple tune.

 

 

14. White Christmas by Bing Crosby

White Christmas is an Irving Berlin song reminiscing about an old-fashioned Christmas setting, and Bing Crosby's version is quite likely to be the best selling single of all time. Crosby first performed the song back in 1941. The song also appeared in the film Holiday Inn. It also featured in the 1954 musical, White Christmas.

 

 

15. Merry Xmas Everybody by Slade

This was the band's 6th UK number one, when it topped the charts in 1973. It was still number 1 by mid-January, and still in the charts come February. It written by guitarist Noddy Holder and bassist Jim Leaw. The aim of the song was to create a feel good feeling after the economic woes of the time.

 

 

16. Adeste Fideles by Enya

There are several great versions of this classic tune, so it was hard to pick one. It is the hymn, O Come All Ye Faithful, but sung in Latin. It holds a special place in my heart, since I am a Classicist, and we sung this at our school Christmas carol concert every year. I have picked Enya's version, the Irish singer who has sold over 80 million albums worldwide.

[Corki]

Round 1, Tie 1

 

 

 

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen by Manheim Steamrollers

First of all, I love Manheim Steamrollers. They don't usually have words with the song, but they're music is tons of fun to listen to and this is one of my favorites of theirs.

 

 

vs.

 

 

Grandma got ran over by a reindeer by Dr. Elmo

Just listen and you'll know.  This song rock for all the gods of rock would rock with in the rocking for!!!!!!!!   8)

Dr. Elmo's version

 

 

Voting ends Saturday 12th December 2009 at 11pm (GMT)

[Corki]

Banders, Please Note:

 

Voting in "It's A Knockout" threads counts towards posting in an activity thread for points gained through the roll call. However, in order for that to qualify, you need to post and vote at least 4 times.

 

Corki

Marshal-General

ORG Leader

[Corki]

Voting is underway!

[Jeannaisais]

Manheim Steamrollers

[Majsju]

Dr Elmo. I usually really like the other song, but for me it is something supposed to be done by a choir, not some half-competent college orchestra.

[Talya]

Manheim Steamrollers

[Krakalakachkn]

GRYMG  Hands down.

 

Are we voting on the song or the artist?  I thought it was the song.

[Farcrie]

Steamrollers

[Corki]

GRYMG  Hands down.

 

Are we voting on the song or the artist?  I thought it was the song.

 

Song by the artist - i.e. the GRYMG version by the Steamrollers.

 

And I know it is a vote for a losing cause, but I am voting for Grandma got run over by a Reindeer. The Steamrollers version of God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman did nothing for me.

[Corki]

And I make that a 4-2 victory for the Manheim Steamrollers.

 

Time for the 2nd and 3rd ties of the 1st Round.

[Corki]

Round 1, Tie 2

 

 

 

Adeste Fideles by Enya

There are several great versions of this classic tune, so it was hard to pick one. It is the hymn, O Come All Ye Faithful, but sung in Latin. It holds a special place in my heart, since I am a Classicist, and we sung this at our school Christmas carol concert every year. I have picked Enya's version, the Irish singer who has sold over 80 million albums worldwide.

 

 

vs.

 

 

Christmas Eve/Sarajevo by Trans-Siberian Orchestra

The Trans-Siberian Orchestra's best Christmas hit, Christmas Eve/Sarajevo takes the unique style of the orchestra's traditional instruments as well as modern instruments such as electric guitar. The music video also became an instant classic upon its debut.

Music Video

 

 

Voting ends Monday 14th December 2009 at 11pm (GMT)

[Corki]

Round 1, Tie 3

 

 

 

I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day by Wizzard

This popular song was released in 1973, reaching number 4 in the UK charts, being beaten by Slade's Merry Xmas Everyone. It was written and sung by Roy Wood, and is what a great Christmas song should be about! It's a shame they don't make them like this anymore!

 

 

vs.

 

 

A Christmas Duel by The Hives & Cyndi Lauper

Draws on the same christmas spirit as Fairytale Of New York, with Howlin' Pelle managing a sneer that Joey Ramone would have been proud of, and Cyndi Lauper is pure awesome.

 

 

Voting ends Monday 14th December 2009 at 11pm (GMT)

[Krakalakachkn]

Trans-Siberian Orchestra

 

I love, love, love Enya, but the TSO song embodies Christmas more for me.  Such a cool song too.

 

 

Corki, the link to the Wizzard song isn't available in the US.

 

This link works: 

 

The Hives & Cyndi Lauper

[Corki]

Link has been changed!

 

Trans-Siberian Orchestra - that was pretty awesome. I think I should listen to more of their stuff.

 

And Wizzard wins hands down. Didn't like the other song at all.

[Jeannaisais]

Trans Syberian Orchestra and Wizzard

[Stevros]

Adeste Fideles by Enya & I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day by Wizzard

[el Nynaeve]

Enya and the Hives & Cyndi Lauper

 

Love Enya and hate, hate, hate The Wizzards, particularly that song.

[Majsju]

Enya & The Hives.

 

Usually not a fan of Enya, but this is an exception, very beautiful.

[Corki]

Time to close these two ties. And both are ties, and have been running for enough time for someone else to vote. As a result, I get to decide the winners.

 

In the second tie, my additional vote goes to Trans-Siberian Orchestra, which wins by 4 votes to 3.

 

And in the 3rd tie, Wizzard gets my extra vote, and takes a 4-3 victory.

 

Time to get the remaining 5 ties up.

[Corki]

Round 1, Tie 4

 

 

 

A Spaceman Came Travelling by Chris de Burgh

It is one of my favourite festive songs. It gives one of the religious aspects of the Christmas story a slight twist, where the angel Gabriel came to give a message to the shepherds, but with a spaceship and a spaceman instead. A very clever song.

A Spaceman Came Travelling by Chris de Burgh

 

 

vs.

 

 

Merry Xmas Everybody by Slade

This was the band's 6th UK number one, when it topped the charts in 1973. It was still number 1 by mid-January, and still in the charts come February. It written by guitarist Noddy Holder and bassist Jim Leaw. The aim of the song was to create a feel good feeling after the economic woes of the time.

Merry Xmas Everybody by Slade

 

 

Voting ends Sunday 20th December 2009 at 11pm (GMT)

[Corki]

Round 1, Tie 5

 

 

Carol of the Bells

A Ukrainian carol, it's one of those in the "not quite the most popular" songs at christmas, but everyone knows it. It's a very simple effective song, and it also sounds a leetle bit tension filled and ooky - although that could just be the Ukrainian style coming through.

The Bell Orchestra version

 

 

vs.

 

 

I Believe in Father Chritmas by Greg Lake

I actually find this song quite sad. A lost childhood, when you realise the world isn't so magical as you had been told. The tune is nice and cheery but the actual words are quite cynical. And yes I still believe in Father Christmas  :P

I Believe in Father Chritmas by Greg Lake

 

 

Voting ends Sunday 20th December 2009 at 11pm (GMT)

[Corki]

Round 1, Tie 6

 

 

 

Driving Home for Christmas by Chris Rea

Not a huge chart success in its two previous outings, maybe it will be 3rd time lucky this Christmas? It has a nice feel good feeling about it as you head home for Christmas. A nice simple tune.

 

 

vs.

 

 

We need a little Christmas by the Muppets

I love this song, it helps me to really get into the spirit when I'm feeling anything but Christmasy.  I love the version Angela Lansbury and Lucille Ball sings in Mame, but the ones on YouTube isn't very good when I ran across the Muppetts version.  Who doesn't love the Muppetts?

 

 

Voting ends Sunday 20th December 2009 at 11pm (GMT)