More Alternative Christmas songs 2012

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas - by Aimee Mann

Christmas (I Don't Want to Fight- by The Ramones

Oi To The World - by No Doubt

Soul Christmas - by Graham Parker and Nona Hendricks

Christmas All Over Again - by Tom Petty

Please Come Home for Christmas- by Jon Bon Jovi

I Saw  Mommy Kissing Santa Claus - by John Mellencamp

Santa Baby - by Madonna

Run Rudolph Run - by Sheryl Crow

I Want You For Christmas - by Cheaptrick

Day of the Dead Songs


This is Halloween - theme from Nightmare Before Christmas - by Danny Elfman

Monster Mash - by Bobby Pickett

Ghostbusters - by Ray Prker

Werewolves of London - Warren Zevon

The Time Warp - Little Nell and others

Scary Monsters, Super Freaks - David Bowie

Strange Brew - Cream

Spooky - Santana

Addams Family theme song - Vic Mizzy

Dead Man's Party - Oingo Boingo (Danny Elfman)

Rockabilly Originals and their famous Covers - Done Modern Rockabilly style

"Brand New Cadillac" done originally by Vince Taylor but known for by The Clash.

"Ubangi Stomp" done originally by Warren Smith but known for by The Blasters.

"Train Kept A Rollin'" done originally by Tiny Bradshaw but known for by Aerosmith.


"Sleepwalk" done originally by Santos and Johnny but known for by Brian Setzer.

"GO GO GO" done originally by Roy Orbison but known for by The Blasters.

"Flat Top Joint" done originally by Sonny Burgess but known for by The Blasters.

"Baby Blue Eyes" done originally by Johnny Burnette but known for by The Stay Cats.

"20 Flight Rock" done originally by Eddie Cochrane but known for by Paul McCartney.

"I Need A Man" done originally by Barbara Pittman but known for by The Red Devils.

"Wild, Wild Young Man" done originally by Rose Maddox but known for by The Red Devils.

This month's blog is dedicated to me and my hubbie's love of Rockabilly music. We even had a Rockabilly band at my 50th birthday party! Who knew that the first time I heard this type of music I hated it and now I can't live without it. All thanks to Steve exposing me to it, I owe it all to you, my rocker hubbie. Note the Gretsch, Rockabilly guitar as my graphic for the month!

"American Music" - The Blasters - This was the first band of Rockabilly music I heard back in 1981. Well the Stray Cats were a close second. This music sounded like country music to me. Now I love it's swinging melodies and cool guitar sound. This band is what made it all happen for me. We've seen them play about 30 times in over 30 years.

"My Baby Blue Eyes" - The Stray Cats - This band exposed a new generation to mainstream Rockabilly that you still can hear on the radio now. Songs like "Rock This Town" and "Stray Cat Strut" can be heard on mainstream radio. They did have a great Rockabilly sound. We were lucky enough to see them only once in the 80's. I love this less popular song "My Baby Blue Eyes," but it's not a love song; it's a mean song.

"Piece of Your Love" - The Lee Rocker Band - Lee Rocker was the stand-up bass player for the Stray Cats. Now doing his own thing with his own band. Our friend Brophy Dale plays a mean guitar in this band. They have a great retro Rockabilly sound. Lee has a great voice and plays a rumbling bass. He's a good songwriter too. We've seen them play a couple dozen times.

"Hold on Tight" - Whisky Pills Fiasco - We discovered this band at a friend's house party. They are known for doing Rockabilly covers of non-Rockabilly songs like Ace of Spades by Motorhead. They are a very fun party band, they also play originals like "Hold on Tight." They played at my recent 50's themed birthday party! So much fun!

"Mayhem" - Imelda May - This Irish lass sure knows how to sing Rockabilly with all the sass she can conjure up. They also have a great booming bass sound. I like her original songs like this one called "Mayhem."

"Miss Take" - Horrorpops - My sister Carla hipped us on this band which borders on Psychobilly. The singer is also the stand-up bass player. She plays a rockin' bass. This song is one of my sister's favorites.

"I Need A Man" - Wanda Jackson - A classic Rockabilly artist from the 50's has so much passion in her voice when she sings about needing a man. Love this song! Who doesn't want someone to hold and kiss them.

"Love Sick Hick" - Chop Tops - The Chop Tops are a local Santa Cruz based Rockabilly band. Their singer "Sinner" is also the stand-up drummer. He's known for dedicating every song to some group. They are fun to listen to.

"Cryin' Over You" - Rosie Flores - This Texan born Rockabilly queen has a great voice. We saw her play many years ago, she rocked it.

"She's Deadly" - Koffin Kats - Another band my sister hipped us to, she had them play at their 40th birthday a few years ago. They also are considered more like Psychobilly, a very fast guitar sound.

"My Heart is Achin' for You" - James Intveld - What a great Rockabilly love song. James is an excellent singer and puts his heart into this song.

Neil Young - In honor of my hubby Steve's birthday in June we are highlighting his favorite Neil cuts.

"Cinnamon Girl" - This song from 1969 is not only one of Steve's favorites but also mine. Our friend John Padilla also has a band that does a cool cover of this song. Here are some rockin' lyrics, "I wanna live with a cinnamon girl, I could be happy the rest of my life With a cinnamon girl." This is such a happy, upbeat and rockin' song.

"Cortez the Killer" - This song from 1975 . Another great Neil song. Here are some lyrics, "And I know she's living there, And she loves me to this day, I still can't remember when, Or how I lost my way."

"Everyone Knows This is Nowhere" - This song is another of his Neil favorites from 1969. Check out these lyrics, "Every time I think about back home, It's cool and breezy, I wish that I could be there, Right now, Just passing time."

"Down by the River" - This song is required listening for Neil fans from 1969. Here are some sad lyrics, "Yeah, she could drag me, over the rainbow, send me away, Down by the river, I shot my baby, Down by the river, Dead, oh, shot her dead."

"The Needle and the Damage Done" - Here's another great one from 1972. Sample some of the words to this song, "I hit the city and I lost my band, I watched the needle, take another man, Gone, gone, the damage done." Just in case you did not know this song is about substance abuse. It is said that his guitarist  had lost his battle with drugs.

"Don't cry No Tears" - Here's more from Neil and his great lyrics from 1975. "Don't cry no tears around me
Don't cry no tears around me, 'Cause when all the water's gone, The feeling lingers on, Old true love, ain't too hard to see, Don't cry no tears around me."

"Out on the Weekend" - Another one from 1972's Harvest, here are some lyrics, "Think I'll pack it in, and buy a pick-up,Take it down to L.A., Find a place to call my own, and try to fix up. Start a brand new day."

"Powderfinger" - This one is from 1979, enjoy these lyrics, "Shelter me from the powder, and the finger, Cover me with the thought. that pulled the trigger, Think of me, as one you'd never figured, Would fade away so young, With so much left undone, Remember me to my love, I know I'll miss her."

"Pocahatas" - This one is also from 1975. Here are some lyrics,"And maybe Marlon Brando, Will be there by the fire, We'll sit and talk of Hollywood, And the good things there for hire, and the first tepee, Marlon Brando, Pocahontas and me."

"Don't Let it Bring You Down" - This touching one is from 1971, also one of my favorites. Check out the lyrics,"Don't let it bring you down, It's only castles burning, Find someone who's turning, And you will come around."

Steve loves it when I say this. So I will. Since it's "my blog" I'm adding one more bonus track.

"Long May You Run" - This final one from 1976 is a great one. A Steve Still collaboration.  Makes me think of relationships. Here's the great lyrics,"We've been through, some things together, With trunks of memories, still to come, We found things to doin stormy weather, Long may you run."

The Alternative Hits of 1985!! The year we got married, in May of that year!

If you want more 1980 songs, read my 1980 posting.

"Voices Carry" - Aimee Mann - This song was kind of haunting and unforgettable Since the MTV video played constantly in our hotel room on our honeymoon. We like her music better now, which is more acoustic based. Here are some lyrics,"I try so hard not to get upset Because I know all the trouble I'll get."

"Kiss Me on the Bus" - The Replacements - My sister Carla helped us discover this fun, never made it to the big time band, like they should have. They had a lot of critical acclaim. Their music was super pop-y and had snappy lyrics. Here are some lyrics, "Kiss me on the bus If you knew how I felt now, You wouldn't act so adult now."

"Driver 8" - R.E.M. - R.E.M was a college radio darling. I fell for their unique sound. Here are some lyrics, "And the train conductor says "Take a break Driver 8, Driver 8 take a break, We've been on this shift too long."

"Boys of Summer" - Don Henley - This song had a very high rotation video on MTV at the time with volleyball players in it. Here are some lyrics, "You got your hair combed back and your sunglasses on, baby And I can tell you my love for you will still be strong after the boys of summer have gone."

"View to a Kill" - Duran Duran - Another song associated with a great video, this one of the Eiffel Tower. Makes me think of this year so much. Here are some lyrics, "That fatal kiss is all we need, Dance into the fire, To fatal sounds of broken dreams."

"Love is the Seventh Wave" - Sting - Sting now on this own away from The Police, he makes magically music. Here is a sampling of his great lyrics, " Every ripple on the ocean, Every leaf on every tree, Every sand dune in the desert, Every power we never see, There is a deeper wave than this, Swelling in the world, There is a deeper wave than this, Listen to me girl." Wow!

"How Soon is Now" - Smiths - My husband Steve got me into The Smiths, very 1985. Here are some of their lyrics, "I am the son and the heir, Of a shyness that is criminally vulgar, I am the son and heir, Of nothing in particular."

"Don't You Forget about Me" - Simple Minds - This song put The Simple Minds and Jim Kerr (once married to Chrissie Hynde) on the musical map. This song is known for being in the movie Breakfast Club. Here are some lyrics, "Will you recognize me? Call my name or walk on by, Rain keeps falling, rain keeps falling, Down, down, down, down... Don't you forget about me."

"Burning House of Love" - X - Again, one of our favorite bands. I always thought this song had a different meaning, not so destructive. I still love this song anyway. Here are the lyrics, "Well I can still remember, A couple of years ago, When the smoke and flame called my name, It was a burning house of love.

"Help You Dream" - Blasters - This song was played at our wedding reception. We fell in love to this band and to their Rockabilly flavor. Here are some lyrics,"Cause you're the prettiest woman I think I've ever seen, and tonight if you let me I'd like to help you dream." How sweet is that?

The New Music Decade of the 80's - Alternative Hits from 1980- Do all 80's bands have to have the word "The" in it?

"Los Angeles" - X (the band) - This band was one of our 80-90's faves we probably seen them the most, maybe 30 times. One of their biggest hits ever for an L.A. punk scene band. Here are the cleaner lyrics, "She found it hard to say good bye to her own best friend, She bought a clock on Hollywood Boulevard the day she left, She had to leave Los Angeles."

"London Calling" - The Clash - This band is one of my hubby's favorites and he made me a fan too. He claims that their better songs were pre-1980. I like this song and was lucky enough to see them in concert twice. Here are some of their powerful lyrics, "The ice age is coming, the sun is zooming in, Engines stop running and the wheat is growing thin, A nuclear error, but I have no fear, London is drowning. And I live by the river."

"Now" - The Plimsouls - This great L.A. band had some great lyrics. Here you go, "Right now, I need your love tonight, I can't wait any longer, and I need you now." This band was big with the college crowd, which was me at the time.

"Turning Japanese" - The Vapors - I had to throw is one in, only because it's so 80's sounding and the song title's subject matter. Just in case you had not heard, it is about shhhh masturbation. Here are some lyrics, "I've got a picture of me and you. You wrote "I love you," I wrote "me too." Turning Japanese, I really think so." Funny how this is a very catchy, innocent and pop-y sounding song.

"What I like About You" - The Romantics - I must have hear this song at every bar, college gathering or house party. Even my favorite cover band, my boyfriend's band played it. Here are some of their great lyrics, "What I like about you, You hold me tight, Tell me I'm the only one, Wanna come over tonight." If you were a girl and in love in the 80's, you probably loved this song.

"Brass in Pocket" - The Pretenders - I did something dumb when I received a copy of this Pretender's album for my birthday, I returned it without listening to it. Later I would love them. Here are some of their sassy lyrics, "Cause I'm going make you see-- there's nobody else here, No one like me. I'm special, so special." What a cool band, their sound and look.

"Beaten to the Punch" - Elvis Costello - This artist was the first big concert I went to with my then boyfriend Steve and the opening act was Squeeze (next on this blog entry). They were both at their peaks. How cool! I remember hearing this song. Here are some of the lyrics, "Your body speaks much louder than your voice, You let it do the talking, So I don't have any choice... Almost beaten to the punch."

"Another Nail for My Heart" - Squeeze - A favorite band of mine, great pop-y sound and wonderful lyrics. Here's a sampling,"So play me the song, That makes it so tough, Another nail for my heart, Then play me that song...Another nail for my heart."

"Bombs Away" - The Police - This song was actually written by the drummer Steward Copeland. Move over Sting, for one second! Here are some lyrics,"The general scratches his belly and thinks, His pay is good but his company stinks, Bombs away, But we're okay." The Police were a great band, totally sad when they broke up. They have timeless sounding music with a Reggae, ska slant to them.

"Everything Works If You Let It" - Cheaptrick - This band is more of a 70's sounding Power Pop band, but they were able to still have a hit in 1980. I loved this band a lot in high school and Robin Zander wasn't too hard on the eyes either. Here's some of their always catchy lyrics, "But don't stop the dream, He can fix it, I know he can fix it, He's good, he's great at the work he does... Everything will work out if you let it, Let it in your heart. Love the last line!

Irish Bands or Artists in Honor of St Paddy's Day

"The Streets Have No Name" by U2 - One of my favorite bands Irish or not. This song has such an energy to it. It raises and falls. Here's some lyrics " I want to feel sunshine on my face, I see the dust cloud disappear."

"Teenage Kicks" by The Undertones - This song is from Steve's suggestion. Here are some lyrics,"I wanna hold her wanna hold her tight, got teenage kicks right through the night."

"Brown-Eyed Girl by Van Morrison" - Everyone has heard this song, it's a standard. What a fun, pop-y song. Here's some lyrics, "With the transistor radio, standing in the sunlight laughing, my brown-eyed girl."

"Nothing Compares to You" by Sinead O'Connor - I didn't know this but this song was written after her son died. Now the song makes more sense to me. Here's some lyrics, "I said nothing can take away the blues cause nothing compares, nothing compares to you."

"The Boys are Back in Town" by Thin Lizzy - This great rockin' 70's Irish band had a huge hit with this 1976 song. Rock out to these lyrics, " You know the chick that used to dance a lot, every night she'd be on the floor shaking what she's got."

"Dirty Old Town" by The Pogues - This is actually an English band but they play cool rockin' Irish music. Here's some lyrics, "I met my love, by the gas works wall, Dreamed a dream, by the old canal, I kissed a girl." This song makes you want to do a jig.

"I Don't like Mondays" by the Boomtown Rats - This song was a big hit in 1979 with lead singer Bob Geldof. Here's some lyrics, "The silicon chip inside her head, gets switched to overload. And nobody's gonna go to school today. She's gonna make them stay at home.

"In A Lifetime" by Clannad and Bono - This is a beautiful song with Clannad and Bono. Here are some lyrics, "And as the rain it falls, Begin again Heavy in my heart, As the storm breaks through, Believe the light in you. Very pretty lyrics too.

"Stars Go Blue" by The Coors and Bono again - This is a pretty song that is actually written by Ryan Adams. Here are some lyrics, "Laughing with your pretty mouth, Laughing with your broken eyes. I'll follow you, when the stars go blue."

"I Know My Love" by The Chieftians - Some more Celtic music to enjoy. Here's some lyrics, "I know my love by his way of walking...by his way of talking."

Love Songs You'll Love

"I'm Shakin'" - by The Blasters, This 1982 song reminds me of my sweet dating years in the 80's with my then boyfriend turned hubbie Steve. It was like our theme song. Here's some vital lyrics, "When you touch my hand and you talk sweet talk. I get a knocking in my knees and a wobble in my walk." Now that's what I call love.

"Wonderwall" - by Oasis, This 1995 song is so sweet and a major hit for this band. Here's some sweet lyrics, " I don't believe that anyone feels the way I do, about you now." Noel Gallagher kept it sweet and simple.

"Your Song" - by Sir Elton John, This great love song from 1970 is perfectly adoring. Probably one of my first favorite songs growing up. Check out some lyrics, "I hope you don't mind that I put it down in words. How wonderful life is while you are in this world. Your eyes are the sweetest eyes I've ever seen." There's some timeless lyrics.

"Elephant Ride" - by Squeeze, This obscure Squeeze love song from 1982 has a great melody and amazing lyrics. Here's some for you, "That protected seal of love, broken by the flame of fun. In the arms of lover's trust."

"Deacon Blues" - by Steely Dan, This mega hit in 1977 for Steely Dan is so romantic even hearing it now I feel the same way about this song when I first heard it on Aja, a favorite album of mine in '77. Here's some lyrics, " The essence of true romance. Sharing the things we know and love with those of my kind."

"Heart of Gold" - by Neil Young, Another huge hit but in 1970  for Neil, one of my hubbie's favorites. His great lyrics and melody chime through. Sample some lyrics, "I've crossed an ocean for a heart of gold. Keep me searching for a heart of gold." It's a long way to go for a heart of gold. It's worth it though.

"Sweet Child O' Mine" - by Guns N' Roses, This 1987 song helped Gn' R get to number 1 that year. Another major hit for the 80's. The lyrics say it all for this metal band's power ballad. "Now and then when I see her face, she takes me away to that special place...Oh sweet child O' mine"

"Isn't it Time" - by The Baby's, This sweet song came out in 1977 and it has memorable lyrics, "I feel a warmth in my heart, this love affair gives me strength, and my soul that I never knew."

"Wild Horses" - by The Rolling Stones, This love song came out in 1971, it's my husband's favorite band and they made a special song. Here's some lyrics, " You know I can't let you slide through my hands. Wild horses couldn't drag me away.

"Maybe, I'm Amazed" - by Sir Paul McCarthy, Beatles are known for their love songs, this 1970 one is included. "I'm amazed at the way you love me all the time...I really need you." It's the way this song is sung and delivered that makes it amazing.

Best Cover Songs by Your Favorite Artists

Just a note, guess what the most covered song is? "Yesterday" by The Beatles, of course it's a Beatles song!

"Big Yellow Taxi" - by The Counting Crows (originally by Joni Mitchell) This is a smooth, fun cover interpetted by the Counting Crows.

"Sexual Healing" - by Soul Asylum (originally by Marvin Gaye) It's hard to beat a soulful version of this song but our Minneapolis fan favorites, Soul Asylum makes a modern, pop-y version of this cool, sexual song.

"Two of Us" - by Aimee Mann (originally by The Beatles) Aimee's duet with Michael Penn is stellar. Their voices blend so nicely together. And being married doesn't hurt the sweetness of the song. Wished they had worked together more musically.

"Mrs. Robinson" - by The Lemonheads (orginally by Simon and Garfunkel) A pop-y and crunchy version of this 60's song.

"Ring of Fire" - by Social Distortion (orginally by Johnny Cash) A Rockabilly slant to this country standard. I love Mike Ness's vocal style in this song.

"Tears of a Clown" - by The English Beat (orginally by Smokey Robinson) This Smokey song never had it so good with a ska beat to it.


"Dancing Barefoot" - by U2 (orginally by Patti Smith) This version has a totally different feel to it that only Bono and U2 could put on it.


"I Fought the Law"  - by The Clash (orginally by Bobby Fuller) I actually did not know this was a cover version, but The Clash kind of own this one now. I like the way The Clash made this song their own.


"Wild Horses" - by The Sundays (originally by The Rolling Stones) This is a sweet cover of a great Stones song. At first it feels weird hearing a female voice. But the delivery is so good, it does not matter that it's a female voice.

"Hazy Shade of Winter" - by The Bangles (orginally by Simon and Garfunkel) This version is as fresh and fun as any Bangles song.