The Lighter Side Of Christmas: 10 Yuletide Tunes With A Twist

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Christmas lists are everywhere ... and I'm not just talking about presents. Folks love to chat about their favorite (or least favorite) Christmas tunes. Along those same lines, I'd like to present yet another grouping of holiday ditties. This time around, we look at the lighter side of Christmas music - those songs of the season that make you laugh, think, shake your tailfeather, or are - shall we say - just a wee bit off. In no particular order, these are my personal Top Ten of the moment from those categories. Enjoy!

Jingle Bells (Laughing All The Way) - St. Nick

It is uncertain what prompted St. Nick (a.k.a. The Just For Laughs Players) to record a version of the this timeless carol consisting entirely of laughter - but, given a choice, I think I'd much rather hear the song performed this way, than by barking dogs.

Sock It To Me Santa - Bob Seger and The Last Heard

Before there was a Silver Bullet Band, there was The Last Heard - the band that backed up Detroit rock veteran Bob Seger in the mid-60s. This gem represents the very fortunate collision of James Brown, Mitch Ryder, and 'Deck The Halls'.

Christmas In Hollis - Run-D.M.C.

Chicken, collard greens, rice, stuffing, macaroni and cheese, and eggnog? I'm in. I'll be there in an hour and a half - see you on the BQE!

Monster's Holiday - Lon Chaney Jr.

Halloween spills over into Christmas, as vintage horror film icon Lon Chaney Jr. takes on this 'Monster Mash' spinoff (also recorded by Bobby Boris Pickett of the original 'Monster Mash' fame).

Green Christmas - Stan Freberg

The brilliant voice actor and comedian takes his classic swipe at the advertising industry and the over-commercialization of Christmas.

The Twelve Days Of Christmas - Bob & Doug McKenzie

Let's face it - there are countless renditions of this holiday staple, from Ray Conniff, to Bob Rivers, to Jeff Foxworthy, to the Muppets, and so on, and so on ... but, for my money, nothing breaks up the "five golden rings" monotony quite like this version from the famed SCTV duo of Thomas and Moranis. Put on your Christmas tuque, crack open an ice-cold Molson, fry up some back bacon, kick back and reminisce.

I Yust Go Nuts At Christmas - Yogi Yorgesson

This Yuletide classic, released in the late 40s, is presented here as it was originally intended to be heard - played from a scratchy old 78 RPM record!

Christmas In The Caribbean - Jimmy Buffett

The sun is shining, the palm trees are swaying in the gentle island breeze, you've got an ice cold adult boat drink in your hand ... sure does put you in the mood to trim the tree, open presents and sing a few carols by the fire, right? The Margaritaville Man himself reminds us here that December 25 will come, regardless of where you are, or what the weather is like.

Present Face - Garfunkel and Oates

This very clever folk duo from the West Coast describes an otherwise indescribable feeling that many of us experience all too often at this time of the year.