Unusual Rock and Roll Christmas Songs (3)

Our third unusual Christmas rock song is one of the first I recall hearing that wasn't by Bing Crosby, Dean Martin or Elvis or some such artist. Little Saint Nick by the Beach Boys was released in 1963 at the height of their popularity, when I was 11 years old. I thought it was pretty cool. Written by Brian Wilson and Mike Love, the song borrows heavily from their hit Little Deuce Coupe.

The song was re-recorded in 1964 for release on The Beach Boys Christmas Album.

Oooooooo
Merry Christmas Saint Nick
Christmas comes this time each year
Oooooooo oooooooo
Well, way up north where the air gets cold
There's a tale about Christmas that you've all been told
And a real famous cat all dressed up in red
And he spends the whole year workin' out on his sled
It's the little Saint Nick
Ooooo, little Saint Nick
It's the little Saint Nick
Ooooo, little Saint Nick
Just a little bobsled we call it old Saint Nick
But she'll walk a toboggan with a four speed stick
She's candy-apple red with a ski for a wheel
And when Santa hits the gas, man, just watch her peel
It's the little Saint Nick
Ooooo, little Saint Nick
It's the little Saint Nick
Ooooo, little Saint Nick
Run run reindeer
Run run reindeer
Whoaa
Run run reindeer
Run run reindeer
He don't miss no one
And haulin' through the snow at a frightenin' speed
With a half a dozen deer with Rudy to lead
He's gotta wear his goggles 'cause the snow really flies
And he's cruisin' every pad with a little surprise
It's the little Saint Nick
Ooooo, little Saint Nick
It's the little Saint Nick
Ooooo, little Saint Nick
Ahhhhhh
Oooooooo
Merry Christmas Saint Nick
Christmas comes this time each year
Ahhhhhh
Oooooooo
Merry Christmas Saint Nick
Christmas comes this time each year
Ahhhhhh
Oooooooo
Merry Christmas Saint Nick
Christmas comes this time each year

Off Beat: Papa-Oom-Mow-Mow

In 1962 the novelty song Papa-Oom-Mow-Mow by the Rivingtons was a huge hit. The song capitalized on the doo-wop phenomena of the time but the lyrics, if lyrics you could call them, made absolutely no sense. The song was The Rivington's first and biggest hit. Papa-Oom-Mow-Mow was the basis for last week's off beat song Surfin' Bird. The song's been covered by several groups. Here's a performance from the Beach Boys in 1964, who having performed it in concert decided to include it on their Beach Boys Party album. The clip includes a bonus performance of Hawaii...

Happy Birthday Brian

He's been called "one of the few undisputed geniuses in popular music" and today he turns 67. The life of Brian Wilson, his brothers and bandmates reads like a rock and roll soap opera: a domineering father as a manger, alcoholism, narcotics, neuroses, mental illness and death. The Wilsons and their extended family suffered it all.

But there were good times too, at least for their fans, as their complicated harmony-laden hits attest. The Beach Boys were big. But they would have been bigger were it not for the British invasion and the Beatles.

"God Only Knows" has got to be one of my all time favourite Brian Wilson/Beach Boys tunes. It was one of the many highlights from the classic Pet Sounds album. Here's a performance from Brian in 2003.