Through the mid-‘60s, Phil Spector was focused on singles, with his definition of an album being “two hits and ten pieces of junk.” He took a different approach, however, when he put together a Christmas album in 1963, where he put a great deal of effort into every track. So please join us at ACME while we listen to The Phil Spector Christmas Album.
The only original song on the album was Darlene Love’s Christmas (Baby Please Come Home), which he wrote with Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich. Spector issued the song as a single when the album came out, but unfortunately this was the same day US president John F. Kennedy was shot and killed. This seriously dampened the holiday mood and the single, as well as the album, were withdrawn.
I know it’s not Christmas in our home unless we hear Darlene Love sing, so please enjoy Darlene Love’s very first Christmas appearance on the David Letterman Show
And here’s her 2014 (and final) appearance on the David Letterman Show:
But fear not –
And she actually sings other holiday songs:
Who Took The Merry Out of Christmas –
Christmas Must Be Tonight –
Christmastime for the Jews –
Our next holiday feature is – Genes, do not a family make (part 2)
Some of the most poisonous people come disguised as friends and family – (the Motown edition)
Today’s Christmas countdown – A Jackson Five Christmas
I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus –
I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus was first recorded in July 1952 by Jimmy Boyd and it aroused controversy. Objections were raised by church groups, who took exception to the saucy lyrics, while radio stations in Boston, influenced by local Catholic Church officials, even banned the song when it came out. Boyd, a skinny, red-headed kid of 12, helped persuade stations to lift the ban, and his version of I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus became a big hit, which led to a successful career in movies and on television variety shows for the Mississippi-born child star.
Christmas Won’t Be The Same This Year –
The song was composed by Pam Sawyer and LaVerne Ware and was produced by The Corporation and Hal Davis.
Little Christmas Tree –
The song was originally intended to be released as a single (written by Artie Wayne and George Clinton), it was instead included on the double album A Motown Christmas. After the 1973 release, Little Christmas Tree fell into relative obscurity until 2003, when it was included on a reissue of the Jackson 5 Christmas Album.
Someday At Christmas –
This is one of the first Christmas songs with a social and political message. This was written by Motown songwriters Ron Miller and Bryan Wells, the team that also wrote Stevie Wonder’s songs A Place in the Sun and Yester-me, Yester-you, Yesterday.
The Christmas Song –
During a 1993 interview after winning an award, Michael Jackson said that his family did not celebrate Christmas or birthdays and that he did not have a normal childhood.
We here at ACME are wishing you time to enjoy the simple pleasures of this holiday season.
And if don’t enjoy yourself, Joe will be coming by to give you the beating of your life.
Demand Euphoria!
The Haus of Dcaligari 