Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1   Report Post  
Doc
 
Posts: n/a
Default My vote for all-time worst recording of a holiday song

Have Yourself A Merry Christmas by the Pretenders. I don't know when this
was released but I just noticed it this year on our local station that's
playing holiday music 24/7 through Christmas. Good god, this chick couldn't
hit a pitch with a truck, sounds like it was recorded in a karaoke bar. It's
so bad it's hilarious.


  #2   Report Post  
db
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Thank God we've put Christmas Music to bed for another year.

What is the absolute worst taste to me are the Advertisers who take
religious Christmas songs ..like Silent Night, and change the words to
try to sell their ****.
Proving all it takes to be an Advertising Exec. in the USA is an
addiction to a crack pipe, or perhaps their mother's crack.

Dean

  #3   Report Post  
Don Cooper
 
Posts: n/a
Default



Doc wrote:

Have Yourself A Merry Christmas by the Pretenders. I don't know when this
was released but I just noticed it this year on our local station that's
playing holiday music 24/7 through Christmas. Good god, this chick couldn't
hit a pitch with a truck, sounds like it was recorded in a karaoke bar. It's
so bad it's hilarious.



I like it. The first time I ever heard it was on the charity album "A
Very Special Christmas" in 1988 or so.

I heard it on XM earlier today.
  #4   Report Post  
Ben Bradley
 
Posts: n/a
Default

On Sat, 25 Dec 2004 21:34:04 GMT, "Doc"
wrote:

Have Yourself A Merry Christmas by the Pretenders. I don't know when this
was released but I just noticed it this year on our local station that's
playing holiday music 24/7 through Christmas. Good god, this chick couldn't
hit a pitch with a truck, sounds like it was recorded in a karaoke bar. It's
so bad it's hilarious.


How dare you post this right after posting your own mp3! Though
I enjoyed hearing a good and never-before-heard rendition of a
well-worn tune.

There's this song I heard too many times this year, with a female
voice singing "hurry down the chimmney tonight" [trying not to
speculate on the meaning], but it sounds like the same singer and era
as "I want a hippopotamus for Christmas" which I always thought was
cute and amusing, but didn't hear this year.

On to something else, earlier this week I saw a very talented and
experienced singer (exact place, date and names intentionally obscured
to protect the innocent) I had heard before, singing a lovely and
traditional Christmas song, but the horror was that she forgot a
couple of the lines. I felt so bad for her...

As far as your original post, I hear enough popular renditions of
Christmas songs that if I don't immediately like something, I turn the
station or turn it off, so if I ever heard the Pretenders singing
that, I probably wouldn't remember.

OTOH, there's Bob Rivers' Twisted Christmas...

-----
http://mindspring.com/~benbradley
  #5   Report Post  
transmogrifa
 
Posts: n/a
Default


Doc wrote:
Have Yourself A Merry Christmas by the Pretenders. I don't know when

this
was released but I just noticed it this year on our local station

that's
playing holiday music 24/7 through Christmas. Good god, this chick

couldn't
hit a pitch with a truck, sounds like it was recorded in a karaoke

bar. It's
so bad it's hilarious.



She was on some special singing with the Black Boys of Alabama I think
it was yesterday. Man she was really ruining that song. I mean, she
did some good tunes back when, but you gotta know what you can't do.
Mike http://www.mmeproductions.com



  #6   Report Post  
Joe Sensor
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Ben Bradley wrote:

As far as your original post, I hear enough popular renditions of
Christmas songs that if I don't immediately like something, I turn the
station or turn it off, so if I ever heard the Pretenders singing
that, I probably wouldn't remember.


Nothing wrong with it. Chrissie Hynde has a very unique voice which some
find appealing and I am sure some don't. Doesn't mean she can't hold a
tune. At least, unlike most of the new crop of "singers", she sings it,
no autotune or "guide tracks".
  #7   Report Post  
Jim Kollens
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Ben Bradley: There's this song I heard too many times this year, with a
female
voice singing "hurry down the chimmney tonight" [trying not to
speculate on the meaning],


This song is called "Santa Baby" and the most notorious version is by the
notorious Eartha Kitt (the Cat Woman from the Batman series). I used to like
the song until I was at a party and the daughter of a freind of mine, the most
despicable Princess I've ever known, played the song over and over and over
again proclaiming it to be her favorite Xmas song. If you know all the words
to the song, you will know why I now cringe when I hear it!
  #8   Report Post  
DeserTBoB
 
Posts: n/a
Default

On Sun, 26 Dec 2004 02:11:49 GMT, Ben Bradley
wrote:

OTOH, there's Bob Rivers' Twisted Christmas... snip


THE best roasting Tchiakovski ever had!

"Buttcracker Suite":

'See the big bear man go chinka chink...chinka chink...chinka
chink...working on the sink!'

bending way down lowwwww....

'See the big tool belt go slippy slip...slippy slip...slippy
slip...sliding down his hip..."

say it isn't soooooo....

'See the real cleavage go peekaboo...peekaboo...peekaboo...cheeky
sneaking through...'

'See the plumber...whatta bummer...call another...hire someone else!'
  #9   Report Post  
DeserTBoB
 
Posts: n/a
Default

On Sat, 25 Dec 2004 21:34:04 GMT, "Doc"
wrote:

Have Yourself A Merry Christmas by the Pretenders. snip


Chrissie the Hynie?

I don't know when this
was released but I just noticed it this year on our local station that's
playing holiday music 24/7 through Christmas. Good god, this chick couldn't
hit a pitch with a truck, sounds like it was recorded in a karaoke bar. It's
so bad it's hilarious. snip


I've hated the Portenders ever since Flush Limpdick said he liked
them. "Hey...ho....way NOT to go....O--****in' HI---O!"

dB
  #10   Report Post  
John L Rice
 
Posts: n/a
Default


"Doc" wrote in message
nk.net...
Have Yourself A Merry Christmas by the Pretenders. I don't know when this
was released but I just noticed it this year on our local station that's
playing holiday music 24/7 through Christmas. Good god, this chick

couldn't
hit a pitch with a truck, sounds like it was recorded in a karaoke bar.

It's
so bad it's hilarious.


I keep watching this thread and so far I've been pleased that the sort of
death metal version of Jingle Bells my band mate Tim McCarthy put together
( that I listed in another thread ) hasn't been mentioned yet. ;-)

John L Rice






  #11   Report Post  
Doc
 
Posts: n/a
Default


"Jim Kollens" wrote in message
...

I used to like
the song until I was at a party and the daughter of a freind of mine, the

most
despicable Princess I've ever known, played the song over and over and

over
again proclaiming it to be her favorite Xmas song. If you know all the

words
to the song, you will know why I now cringe when I hear it!


This song is the gold-diggers anthem, ain't it? I have some video of Epcot's
American Vybe vocal group doing it, and the girl who sings it is built like
a Barbie Doll. She pulls a guy who's a Santa look-alike out of the audience
and puts a santa hat on him and sings to him. I actually think they scoured
the crowd outside of the American Adventure Rotunda where they performed
back then ahead of time to "recruit" a Santa plant for each set.


  #12   Report Post  
Robin Chandler
 
Posts: n/a
Default

On Sat, 25 Dec 2004 21:34:04 GMT, "Doc"
wrote:

Have Yourself A Merry Christmas by the Pretenders. I don't know when this
was released but I just noticed it this year on our local station that's
playing holiday music 24/7 through Christmas. Good god, this chick couldn't
hit a pitch with a truck, sounds like it was recorded in a karaoke bar. It's
so bad it's hilarious.


She couldn't carry a tune if it was in a basket.
However, the worst holiday song has to be:

That miserable kid that sings " There's Something in the Chimney"
Bob Rivers I think?

I hate that Christmas Shoes song as well (ok it makes me tear up!!).

I like the religious songs but also like the Adam Sander song, (Goldie
Hawn is a fine looking Jew!!!, well at least she was)....

I have to wonder if Billy Gilmann is porking Charlotte Church.....?

Maybe that's why his xmas's are warm -n- fuzzy?

Nobody can sing White Xmas like Bing.
Nobody can sing The Xmas Song (Chestnuts) like Nat. (Karen Carpenter
close second)
Nobody can sing Frosty the Snowman like Durantee.
Karen Carpenter sings like a bird, she needed better material and more
food.
Amy Grant is sweet.
Andre Kostolonetz (sp?) is the Sleigh Ride king....
Why do James Taylor's songs all sound the same?
Brian Setzer plays in weird keys, but I like his stuff!!!

Whoever told Gloria Estefan she could sing?
Great band though!

Barbara Streisand?
I keep hearing "Sam ya made the pants too long"!!!

Barry Manilow?
That "Skate on a River Song" sounds just like another song he wrote
right down to the chord changes....Yuk....
I do like "Another New Years Eve" though, the live version circa
1977....
Manhattan Transfer?
Great vocals....Stay away from xmas though!
The production on their Xmas CD is so bad I have to dive for the
treble control so my teeth stay in my mouth.
The engineer must have spent 20 years listening to NS-10's and blew
his hearing out.
Awful....
Screw my awful spelling!
Time for another beer......................





  #13   Report Post  
Particle Salad
 
Posts: n/a
Default



"Doc" wrote in message
nk.net...
Have Yourself A Merry Christmas by the Pretenders. I don't know when this
was released but I just noticed it this year on our local station that's
playing holiday music 24/7 through Christmas. Good god, this chick

couldn't
hit a pitch with a truck, sounds like it was recorded in a karaoke bar.

It's
so bad it's hilarious.



Welllll.... yea, her pitch is not great. I don't care. I really enjoy the
song. I am happy it was recorded pre autotune where some idiot would have
"fixed" everything and turned it into Celene Dion.

That said, I'm not really a fan of her... I don't like all that many of her
tunes. I think that song is one of her best moments.


  #14   Report Post  
Doc
 
Posts: n/a
Default


"Robin Chandler" wrote in message
...

Nobody can sing White Xmas like Bing.


Thank god. Crosby and Sinatra were two of the most over-rated singers of all
time and that recording deserves none of the popularity it's enjoyed.
Sinatra's chops were mediocre at best and folded completely by 1955. He
croaked his way through the rest of his career. I've *never* liked Crosby's
voice -distinctive timbre but not much style or musicality. He either
scooped up to notes till he finally stumbled into the pitch center or
hammered them on the head with absolutely no finesse - nor did I care for
his persona. I always thought he came across as cold and stiff on his
Christmas specials. Didn't surprise me a bit to find out he was an abusive
asshole to his family.

Nobody can sing The Xmas Song (Chestnuts) like Nat. (Karen Carpenter
close second)


Let's not forget Mel Torme', who co-wrote the song.

Barry Manilow?


Saw an odd interview with him by Tom Snyder about 10 years ago. Manilow had
a weird reaction when Snyder said "Ya know who I think was one of the
greatest piano players of all time?...(pause) Liberace!"

To which Manilow replied stiffly and unenthusiastically "really..." with
this deer in the headlights look.

I wondered what that was all about. A friend who had seen it also thought
Manilow's reaction was strange. Maybe he and "Lee" had a thing once upon a
time and he was wondering if Snyder was going to out him on national T.V.?
Dunno.


  #15   Report Post  
hank alrich
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Robin Chandler wrote:

Karen Carpenter sings like a bird, she needed better material and more
food.


Amen.

--
ha


  #16   Report Post  
Joe Sensor
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Doc wrote:
Thank god. Crosby and Sinatra were two of the most over-rated singers
of all

Seeing as you are on such a critic's rampage, I hope you won't mind me
saying your karaoke horn blowin' ain't exactly to die for. I'll do you a
favor and abstain from commenting on the vocal.
  #17   Report Post  
Doc
 
Posts: n/a
Default


"Joe Sensor" wrote in message
...
Doc wrote:
Thank god. Crosby and Sinatra were two of the most over-rated singers
of all

Seeing as you are on such a critic's rampage, I hope you won't mind me
saying your karaoke horn blowin' ain't exactly to die for. I'll do you a
favor and abstain from commenting on the vocal.


Nope, don't mind a bit. What my hobbyist website sounds like doesn't alter
that Crosby and Sinatra were overrated hacks with less than favorable
tendencies as human beings.

:-)


  #19   Report Post  
William Sommerwerck
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Crosby and Sinatra were two of the most over-rated singers of all
time and that recording deserves none of the popularity it's enjoyed.
Sinatra's chops were mediocre at best and folded completely by 1955.


Nobody ever had to _tell_ me what a great singer Frank Sinatra was. He reached
his peak in the '50s and early '60s, after which he went into an obvious
decline, his voice losing much of its beauty and control.

No one -- NO ONE -- has ever interpreted popular song as well as Sinatra.

Next you'll be telling us Fred Astaire was an over-rated dancer.

PS: Regardless of what you think of Bing Crosby, he had a profound influence on
the popular songs were sung.

  #20   Report Post  
hank alrich
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Doc wrote:

Nope, don't mind a bit. What my hobbyist website sounds like doesn't alter
that Crosby and Sinatra were overrated hacks with less than favorable
tendencies as human beings.


Easy kinda **** to say, while I wonder if you could tie their singin'
shoes even if they offered Velcro laces. When you can hear Sinatra's
control of phrasing you will start to have functional ears.

--
ha


  #21   Report Post  
hank alrich
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Mike Rivers wrote:

slinky_silkworm writes:


Nobody can sing White Xmas like Bing.


Ernest Tubb (who recorded it before Bing)


Whatever Ernest sang, nobody could sing it like him. g

--
ha
  #23   Report Post  
Doc
 
Posts: n/a
Default


"William Sommerwerck" wrote in message
...
..

No one -- NO ONE -- has ever interpreted popular song as well as Sinatra.


Well, that must be it. Now we all know that Sinatra was the pinnacle, the
end-all, be-all of all history when it comes to popular song.

Can you say misguided hyperbole boys and girls?

His fellow Rat-Packer Sammy Davis had more singing talent in his glass eye
than Sinatra ever dreamed of. No doubt you're going to come back with some
quote from Sammy about how "Sinatra taught me everything I know" or some
similar politically motivated statement he might have made, that didn't
actually happen to be true.

Next you'll be telling us Fred Astaire was an over-rated dancer.


Dunno about that but I think he was overrated as a singer.

Sorry, I've never gotten excited about Sinatra, even in his so-called prime.
Anything after about the mid 50's I find unlistenable. He was the most
slickly packaged singer of his era but far from the most talented. Ray
Eberle, Ed Ames, Dick Haymes, Dino, Billy Eckstine, Jack Jones, Sammy Davis,
Vaughn Monroe, the young Tony Bennett before his pipes turned to leather,
among others were all far better singers. As is always the case, I have no
doubt there were legions of unheralded coulda-beens that never garnered
great fame who were also better. Sinatra had at best a passable timbre
without much power when he was very young and when that was gone, he had
nothing left but mob connections, good marketing, hype and excellent bands
full of musicians he was mostly qualified to serve coffee to, to keep his
name alive.

Well, let me modify that. I do think he had talent as an actor. I enjoy him
far more in movies than as a singer.


  #24   Report Post  
William Sommerwerck
 
Posts: n/a
Default

No one -- NO ONE -- has ever interpreted popular song as well as Sinatra.

Well, that must be it. Now we all know that Sinatra was the pinnacle,
the end-all, be-all of all history when it comes to popular song.


Can you say misguided hyperbole boys and girls?


My opinion is based simply on listening to Sinatra. No one else -- except
perhaps Ella Fitzgerald -- has ever gotten "inside" a lyric the way he did. What
can I say if you don't hear this? It should be "obvious" to anyone. (Shouldn't
it?)


Next you'll be telling us Fred Astaire was an over-rated dancer.


Dunno about that, but I think he was overrated as a singer.


Not by the people who wrote his songs. Despite his having an untrained and
slightly "croaky" voice, they loved the way he delivered them.


Sorry, I've never gotten excited about Sinatra, even in his so-called prime.
Anything after about the mid 50's I find unlistenable. He was the most
slickly packaged singer of his era but far from the most talented. Ray
Eberle, Ed Ames, Dick Haymes, Dino, Billy Eckstine, Jack Jones, Sammy
Davis, Vaughn Monroe, the young Tony Bennett before his pipes turned to

leather,

Vaughn Monroe? Robert Goulet's godfather? "Watch as I drop this RCA radio in its
shatterproof case from the top of this ladder..."


among others were all far better singers. As is always the case, I have no
doubt there were legions of unheralded coulda-beens that never garnered
great fame who were also better. Sinatra had at best a passable timbre
without much power when he was very young and when that was gone,
he had nothing left but mob connections, good marketing, hype and
excellent bands full of musicians he was mostly qualified to serve coffee to,
to keep his name alive.


I think your problem is that you don't like Sinatra as a person, and I can't
blame you for that.


Well, let me modify that. I do think he had talent as an actor. I enjoy him
far more in movies than as a singer.


No argument. At his best he was a highly convincing actor.

  #30   Report Post  
Doc
 
Posts: n/a
Default


"William Sommerwerck" wrote in message
...

Dunno about that, but I think he was overrated as a singer.


Not by the people who wrote his songs. Despite his having an untrained and
slightly "croaky" voice, they loved the way he delivered them.


The cynic in me strongly suspects their enthusiasm was largely due to the
fact that he was huge star and whatever he sang got tremendous publicity.

Vaughn Monroe? Robert Goulet's godfather?


Thanks for reminding me of another singer I should have put on the list.
Yeah, Goulet recorded a lot of schlock and I've heard could be a horse's
ass, but he had a formidable vocal instrument. "If Ever I Would Leave You"
was a gem. Haven't heard him in a long time, don't know what kind of shape
his pipes are in these days.


I think your problem is that you don't like Sinatra as a person, and I

can't
blame you for that.


Well, honestly I just don't think much of his voice. I'd say "he was an
asshole but he could sing" if I believed that. I could listen to Sammy
Davis, Goulet or Ed Ames all day. You'd have to pay me to listen to Sinatra
for any length of time. Well, I might tolerate him to hear those fantastic
Nelson Riddle arrangements. Btw, I've always heard that Sinatra's career
stalled after parting ways with Riddle and picked up again when he started
using him again.

No argument. At his best he was a highly convincing actor.


Recently saw a Sinatra movie that I'd never heard of before - "Kings Go
Forth" I think it was from '58. Sinatra, Tony Curtis, Natalie Wood.
Interesting movie that apparently never got much notice despite the big
names. The subject matter of interracial marriage I'm sure was highly
controversial at the time. Also featured a cameo by trumpet great Pete
Candoli who also provided the playing to Tony Curtis' faking.




  #31   Report Post  
Tommy B
 
Posts: n/a
Default

I think the highlight of that type of singing, is the Nelson Riddle albums,
if Sinatra sounded like a frog,
they would still be great!
Fred Astaire was not a singer, and he could deliver a song! I love Ella for
her pitch, but not as much for her delivery, and then there's Billy Holiday.
Oh yeah, I forgot, no punch-ins allowed!
And then there's Rod Stewart..........lol.
Tom






"William Sommerwerck" wrote in message
...
No one -- NO ONE -- has ever interpreted popular song as well as

Sinatra.

Well, that must be it. Now we all know that Sinatra was the pinnacle,
the end-all, be-all of all history when it comes to popular song.


Can you say misguided hyperbole boys and girls?


My opinion is based simply on listening to Sinatra. No one else -- except
perhaps Ella Fitzgerald -- has ever gotten "inside" a lyric the way he

did. What
can I say if you don't hear this? It should be "obvious" to anyone.

(Shouldn't
it?)


Next you'll be telling us Fred Astaire was an over-rated dancer.


Dunno about that, but I think he was overrated as a singer.


Not by the people who wrote his songs. Despite his having an untrained and
slightly "croaky" voice, they loved the way he delivered them.


Sorry, I've never gotten excited about Sinatra, even in his so-called

prime.
Anything after about the mid 50's I find unlistenable. He was the most
slickly packaged singer of his era but far from the most talented. Ray
Eberle, Ed Ames, Dick Haymes, Dino, Billy Eckstine, Jack Jones, Sammy
Davis, Vaughn Monroe, the young Tony Bennett before his pipes turned to

leather,

Vaughn Monroe? Robert Goulet's godfather? "Watch as I drop this RCA radio

in its
shatterproof case from the top of this ladder..."


among others were all far better singers. As is always the case, I have

no
doubt there were legions of unheralded coulda-beens that never garnered
great fame who were also better. Sinatra had at best a passable timbre
without much power when he was very young and when that was gone,
he had nothing left but mob connections, good marketing, hype and
excellent bands full of musicians he was mostly qualified to serve

coffee to,
to keep his name alive.


I think your problem is that you don't like Sinatra as a person, and I

can't
blame you for that.


Well, let me modify that. I do think he had talent as an actor. I enjoy

him
far more in movies than as a singer.


No argument. At his best he was a highly convincing actor.



  #32   Report Post  
Jim Kollens
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Doc: (about Fred Astaire) Dunno about that, but I think he was overrated
as a singer.

Not by the people who wrote his songs. Despite his having an untrained and
slightly "croaky" voice, they loved the way he delivered them.


The cynic in me strongly suspects their enthusiasm was largely due to the


For whatever reason, there were more songs that became standards written for
Fred Astaire than for any other singer in the 20th century. And Mr. Astaire
remains popular to this day with many CD compilations of his performances. I
like him immensely; you certainly are not required to. It's somewhat absurd
to argue about likes and dislikes.



  #33   Report Post  
Doc
 
Posts: n/a
Default


"Jim Kollens" wrote in message
...
It's somewhat absurd
to argue about likes and dislikes.


Perhaps, but Siskel & Ebert/Ebert & Roper would be out of work if everyone
subscribed to that. ;-)

I take it you agree with the quote "Arguing on the internet is like
competing in Special Olympics. Even if you win, you're still retarded..."

..snicker


  #34   Report Post  
Doc
 
Posts: n/a
Default


"Tommy B" wrote in message
.net...

And then there's Rod Stewart..........lol.


Okay, there's someone I prefer Sinatra to. Isn't there some law against
doing what Stewart did to the standards?


  #35   Report Post  
Joe Sensor
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Doc wrote:

Okay, there's someone I prefer Sinatra to. Isn't there some law against
doing what Stewart did to the standards?



Nah. As long as they be payin', he be singin'.


  #38   Report Post  
Jim Kollens
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Doc: I take it you agree with the quote "Arguing on the internet is like
competing in Special Olympics. Even if you win, you're still retarded..."

I've learned that the hard way, as people with memories in this group can
attest.
  #39   Report Post  
hank alrich
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Doc wrote:

Yeah, Goulet recorded a lot of schlock and I've heard could be a horse's
ass, but he had a formidable vocal instrument. "If Ever I Would Leave You"
was a gem. Haven't heard him in a long time, don't know what kind of shape
his pipes are in these days.


He could not swing his way into a wet paper shopping bag. You seem
oblivious to the implications of phrasing.

--
ha
  #40   Report Post  
 
Posts: n/a
Default

I like this one:

Our Unabashed Dictionary defines "Fanny: in the U.S. to be the
hindmost part. In England, however, it's the part most Hynde."

Reply
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules

Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
common mode rejection vs. crosstalk xy Pro Audio 385 December 29th 04 12:00 AM
Artists cut out the record biz [email protected] Pro Audio 64 July 9th 04 10:02 PM


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 06:11 AM.

Powered by: vBulletin
Copyright ©2000 - 2025, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright ©2004-2025 AudioBanter.com.
The comments are property of their posters.
 

About Us

"It's about Audio and hi-fi"