As an atheist and resident of Florida, Christmas just hasn’t had quite the same spark for me in the last few years. I’ve tried to seem jolly and enjoy the season, but it just doesn’t live up to what I remember from my childhood. So why am I mentioning this here? Because I realized this year that if I focus on the music, I can recapture some of that spirit. There are tons of songs that I love that I only get a chance to listen to once a year. That’s something worth celebrating, I think. Weird? Well, yeah, probably, but then, if you read this column, you’ve probably figured out by now that I’m not the most normal person in the world.
Oh, and if you’re not subscribed to my podcast, you may have missed a special “hidden” bonus Christmas episode. But you can also check it out here if you’d like.
OK, now let’s celebrate the season with some geeky music! We’ll start with a few not quite Christmas, but definitely related, tracks, then get in to the twenty-five actual Christmas songs.
The Library Bards – “Grammar Got Run Over”
Strictly speaking this isn’t a Christmas song, but it is a parody of one so I felt like this was a good time to feature it. As an English teacher, I approve of this song, especially the title.
Joel Kopischke – “O Festivus”
Joel actually sent me both of his albums (I Got Yule Babe and Ground Control to Santa Claus) way back in January, and I have to say they’re really great. Strictly speaking this isn’t a Christmas song, obviously, but there just aren’t enough Festivus songs out there, so I felt like it needed to be represented, too. You can also check out the title track to Joel’s newest album over on the FuMP.
Lemon Demon – “SAD”
I’m pretty sure that any song that manages to rhyme “disorder” with “Florida” is one I’m automatically going to like. It also reminds me of my dad since he suffers from SAD (I’ll admit that might be a bit weird, but there it is). Their whole EP is also well worth checking out.
Eric Idle – “F**k Christmas” (NSFW)
From Idle’s appearance at Brian Cox and Robin Ince’s Christmas Compendium of Reason, here’s a jolly little number to start off your Christmas playlist.
Alpha Riff – “A Very Harbinger Christmas”
Harbinger poses as Santa, but instead of giving presents, he’s taking them! Can Alpha and MZ stop him? Find out in this awesome track!
Nuclear Bubble Wrap – “The Night Santa Went Crazy”
It’s an NBW cover of a “Weird” Al song. What more do I need to say? Great stuff!
Smashy Claw – “Claustrophobia”
I think this one fits nicely after the last track. Who wouldn’t fear Santa after that Christmas? Smashy Claw also have a very meta (and NSFW) Christmas track over on the FuMP called “Carol of the Meh,” so check it out as well.
The Gekkos – “Christmas in Hyrule”
Well, of course they celebrate Christmas in Hyrule. I mean, doesn’t that make sense? Fun stuff as always from The Gekkos.
Kieran Strange – “Merry Undead Christmas”
I first became aware of Kieran Strange because of her appearance at ONF2015. She put on a really great set, and this track captures her energy quite well. Plus it’s about zombies, and who doesn’t love zombies at Christmas (or any time, really)?
Mr. B the Gentleman Rhymer – “All I Want for Christmas Is an Original Jawa with Vinyl Cape”
Me, too, Mr. B. Me, too! Be sure to check out Mr. B’s entire Christmas album as well. And in case you’re not convinced, he also has a video introduction you can check out to help convince you.
The Doubleclicks – “Happy Holidays, Too”
This is one of those Christmas songs that you can play at any time of year because it’s not strictly about Christmas, just set at that time. Which is a good thing since it’s a track from the Doubleclicks’ fantastic album, President Snakes.
Victor and the Bully – “You Can’t Spell Santa Without Satan”
Well, it’s technically true. Guess who’s helping out a drunk Santa this year? I’ll give you three guesses and the first two don’t count.
My Parents Favorite Music – “Palindromatic”
Steffo raps over a track from Dr. Octoroc’s 8-Bit Jesus (which I somehow have never checked out until this year. Don’t be like me; go give it a listen!). I think she manages to capture what makes Christmas awesome quite nicely. Love it!
Ambush Vin – “Silence Night”
Vin wishes his fam, the SciFanatics, a Merry Christmas in his inimitable style. A great addition to any geeky Christmas playlist.
Björk – “The Icelandic Christmas Cat (Jólakötturinn – The Yule Cat)”
Is Björk geeky? Actually, ya know what? I discovered it over on the Nerdist web site so that’s good enough for me. I’m pretty sure the Yule Cat was invented by clever parents who were tired of their kids complaining about getting socks for Christmas.
Chris Hardwick and James Corden – “The Star Wars Song”
Speaking of the Nerdist, here’s the man himself with James Corden regaling us with a new version of “The Christmas Song.” I’m so, so glad that the movie turned out to be as great as it is!
Bonecage – “Egg Nog” (NSFW)
This sounds like a perfect way to spend Christmas. Well, no, actually it doesn’t… What would you expect from Bonecage?
Kirby Krackle – “Whole Foods Santa”
I tend to prefer Fresh Market Santa, but that’s probably just because there isn’t a Whole Foods near me while Fresh Market is within walking distance. Then again, I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t want anyone to get me kale for Christmas…
Mr. Gee – “I Want to Be a Dentist”
Ya know, for the longest time I didn’t realize that the elf’s name was “Hermey” and not “Herbie.” And what’s up with the version where he doesn’t just pull out one of the Bumble’s teeth, but all of them? WTF, Hermey?
Rock, Paper, Cynic – “Nuclear Winter Wonderland”
It’s no surprise that Rock, Paper, Cynic would team up with Mr. Gee and Bonecage for a track about Christmas in the Wasteland. I especially love the “video game” that he plays. Oh, and be sure to give a listen to “This Christmas Everybody Gets the Gout” as well. Because that’s something everybody loves, right?
Fable Cry – “Kidnap the Sandy Claws”
A Fable Cry cover of the track from The Nightmare Before Christmas. Yeah, I know it’s technically a Halloween movie, but that’s actually perfect for a Fable Cry Christmas.
Victor Sierra – “The Xmas Case”
Every Christmas playlist needs at least one steampunk track. Probably more than one, actually, but, hey, let’s not get too greedy here. It’s Christmas time, after all.
Psychostick – “Oh Tannenbaum”
OK, I really need to explore more Psychostick music. This version of “Oh Tannenbaum” in the style of Rammstein is just awesome! And the video is absolutely hysterical, too.
The PDX Broadsides – “Santa’s Got a TARDIS”
Of course that’s how he does it! It all makes sense! Oh, and be sure to check out the PDX Broadsides other holiday(-ish) track, “Sorry, Wrong Star.”
Leo Moracchioli – “Last Christmas”
I actually have no idea if Leo is at all geeky (well, he’s definitely a geek about musical instruments), but this cover is just freakin’ awesome! I absolutely love all of his stuff, even his covers of songs I don’t normally like. Once you check this out, be sure to go down the rabbit hole of his channel; if you’re a metal fan, you won’t be disappointed! Heck, my wife, who isn’t a metal fan, even loves his music!
Mega Ran x Bag of Tricks Cat – “Christmas Business”
I love the cartoon versions of Mega Ran and Bag of Tricks Cat in this video. And though I may not be feeling the desire to get back to work while I’m on break just yet, I’m sure I will be toward the end of next week. OK, that’s probably not actually true, but I was trying to identify with the song…
I Fight Dragons – “Alien for Christmas”
I discovered this cover of Fountains of Wayne via a pretty great YouTube playlist that showed up as a recommendation. I’m not surprised that this flew under my radar since it came out before I started writing about geek music, but I’m glad I found it.
Steve Goodie – “War on Christmas Is Over”
I’ve always thought the whole “war on Christmas” thing was completely ridiculous. Glad to have a song about it set to the tune of one of my favorite Christmas songs.
