OK, sure, I'm biased. But I'm also insanely dedicated to curating these lists since 2015. Two choices. Endless hours. Just press play. But first, the origin story.
I love these lists so much. I just imported your latest Merry Christmas, baby. update to Apple Music since I am not a Spotify subscriber right now and the ads were getting to me.
I'm in such a better place this year than last year, both physically with a move to Richmond and mentally. I am actually enjoying the season a bit!
So, one-season shows that should have gone longer ... I'd say a sitcom called "Four Kings," but that would be wrong on many levels. See, I worked on that show and wanted it to go several seasons for my own totally understandable if undeniably selfish reasons, but when the showrunners decided to sue the network that produced our show -- and at what point did THAT sound like a good idea? -- the rug was jerked out from under our feet and we were kicked into the street. Ah well, so it goes in Hollywoood ... and truth be told, it wasn't a very good show. Honesty hurts, but as my sainted mother used to say, "It's the best policy."
For real, though, "Terriers" certainly deserved another season or three, but life is nothing if not cruel in Tinsel Town, so down it went.
As for discovering older shows, yeah -- I've been watching "The Larry Sanders Show" and loving it. Same goes for "Curb Your Enthusiasm," although I have to space those episodes out to maybe one a month. Larry David's extremely grating screen character outlives his welcome rather quickly. I finally decided to try "The Handmaid's Tale" after years of thinking "No, it's too grim and I already know how it goes and it's probably a didactic preach-a-thon," but I was wrong. Yes, it's very grim, but no, I did not know how it went, and the world of Gilead as portrayed in the show seems all too plausible given the political tides these days. It's one hell of a show -- looks great, the acting is fabulous, and the story compelling if, yes, grim. Not fun, but great. I'm into season two now, and proceeding -- as with "Curbed," albeit for very different reasons -- with slow deliberation. No effing WAY would I binge this show.
Muscle relaxers, huh? Interesting. I get my share of stiff-neck, clenched-jaw headaches too - like a couple or three each week - and just might have to try some of those meds. If you have any recommendations, do tell.
Have yourself, and your family, a Merry Little Christmas!
Hey Tim — any way to get Apple Music links to these playlists from Jason? I found him on Apple Music but not your Playlists. I like to use it on my TV and stereo setup. Thanks!
I love your Christmas playlists! I distinctly remember during the pandemic, going out to walk on a nice day on or about Christmas Day, and just listening and looking at Christmas decorations. It was such a great vibe!
OMG I totally identify with you on "it must be played in order" and then after a while it's like, fuck it, just shuffle the damned thing.
I will say that if you suffer from the holiday blues, I recommend Paul McCartney's Wonderful Christmas Time. Now hear me out. This song is possibly the worst Christmas song ever written. And how it's performed is so annoying. But it's ... funny, if you think about it. And it gives me a feeling that is the opposite of nostalgia. So it made me laugh, and I didn't feel as sad. I also recommend bad Hallmark Christmas movies as well. GOOD Christmas movies make me sad. And after the death of my mother, I embraced schmaltz, and got through my first Christmas without her that way.
I’m always playing Dolly Parton or Kelly Clarkson. I like Seth MacFarlane’s songs as well. Sia had a good album of originals. The one song that tickles me and annoys others is I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas by Gayle Peevey. The Puppini Sisters are enjoyable.
Well, I guess I have my music to listen to for the next month. Thanks Tim. Not sure if it’s on your lists but Michael Stanley’s Just Another NewYears Eve and Brian Howe’s Christmas are two of my favorite originals.
Nov 27, 2022·edited Nov 28, 2022Liked by Tim Goodman
I've got a 30 hour playlist called "Big Xmas" in my iTunes that I've been adding to since the early Oughts. Here are a few gems that are in it
It ain't Christmas without Johnny Preston's I Want a Rock 'n' Roll Guitar (and Hans Gruber falls off Nakatomi Tower—with the damned watch).
I like the version of Merry Christmas, Baby that Charles Brown did as a duet with Bonnie Raitt even better than his classic version.
The Sex Pistols A Punk Rock Christmas, Twisted Sister's Heavy Metal Christmas (The Twelve Days of Christmas),The Ramones Merry Christmas (I Don't Wanna Fight Tonight), Run-DMC;s Christmas in Hollis, Yellowman's Yellowman is Coming to Town, The (Very) Reverend Horton Heat's version of Santa Looked a Lot Like Daddy, The Enchanters Mambo Santa Mambo, Dwight Yoakum's Santa Can't Stay, Clarence Carter's Back Door Santa, Eartha Kitt's immortal version of Santa Baby, The Dropkick Murphys The Season's Upon Us and, of course, Spinal Tap's Christmas With the Devil are all required listening for the season...
Obviously, some people will need Chunukuh music so I've added in Adam Sandler's Hannukuh Song (the original and best version), Barenaked Ladies I Have a Little Dreidel and Jon Stewart & Stephen Colbert's lovely Can I Interest You In Hannukah?
...but when I really need to want to cry for Christmas, nothing beats The Pogues & Kirsty MacColl's Fairytale of New York.
Curse you, Tim Goodman! Every year I bitch and moan about xmas, and every year you pop up with your love of xmas and xmas songs. Your Spotify lists haunt me every year.
Since it's always important to have at least one pick that irritates people, I'll note that I actually prefer the version of Joni Mitchell's "River" sung by Robert Downey, Jr. on Ally McBeal (obligatory TV reference). It's appropriate more than ever now that Joni's music is unavailable on Spotify.
And in the Obsessive Brothers of Music Lists department, I have one Spotify playlist with 3,240 songs.
I love these lists so much. I just imported your latest Merry Christmas, baby. update to Apple Music since I am not a Spotify subscriber right now and the ads were getting to me.
I'm in such a better place this year than last year, both physically with a move to Richmond and mentally. I am actually enjoying the season a bit!
FWIT, here's my favorite Christmas tune: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P37xPiRz1sg
So, one-season shows that should have gone longer ... I'd say a sitcom called "Four Kings," but that would be wrong on many levels. See, I worked on that show and wanted it to go several seasons for my own totally understandable if undeniably selfish reasons, but when the showrunners decided to sue the network that produced our show -- and at what point did THAT sound like a good idea? -- the rug was jerked out from under our feet and we were kicked into the street. Ah well, so it goes in Hollywoood ... and truth be told, it wasn't a very good show. Honesty hurts, but as my sainted mother used to say, "It's the best policy."
For real, though, "Terriers" certainly deserved another season or three, but life is nothing if not cruel in Tinsel Town, so down it went.
As for discovering older shows, yeah -- I've been watching "The Larry Sanders Show" and loving it. Same goes for "Curb Your Enthusiasm," although I have to space those episodes out to maybe one a month. Larry David's extremely grating screen character outlives his welcome rather quickly. I finally decided to try "The Handmaid's Tale" after years of thinking "No, it's too grim and I already know how it goes and it's probably a didactic preach-a-thon," but I was wrong. Yes, it's very grim, but no, I did not know how it went, and the world of Gilead as portrayed in the show seems all too plausible given the political tides these days. It's one hell of a show -- looks great, the acting is fabulous, and the story compelling if, yes, grim. Not fun, but great. I'm into season two now, and proceeding -- as with "Curbed," albeit for very different reasons -- with slow deliberation. No effing WAY would I binge this show.
Muscle relaxers, huh? Interesting. I get my share of stiff-neck, clenched-jaw headaches too - like a couple or three each week - and just might have to try some of those meds. If you have any recommendations, do tell.
Have yourself, and your family, a Merry Little Christmas!
Hey Tim — any way to get Apple Music links to these playlists from Jason? I found him on Apple Music but not your Playlists. I like to use it on my TV and stereo setup. Thanks!
Can anyone tell me how I, a current subscriber, can take advantage of the 17% off rate? No such option as "change my plan to the cheaper rate"...
Y'know, the holiday sound I'd really love to hear...
...a new TVTM!!!
I love your Christmas playlists! I distinctly remember during the pandemic, going out to walk on a nice day on or about Christmas Day, and just listening and looking at Christmas decorations. It was such a great vibe!
OMG I totally identify with you on "it must be played in order" and then after a while it's like, fuck it, just shuffle the damned thing.
I will say that if you suffer from the holiday blues, I recommend Paul McCartney's Wonderful Christmas Time. Now hear me out. This song is possibly the worst Christmas song ever written. And how it's performed is so annoying. But it's ... funny, if you think about it. And it gives me a feeling that is the opposite of nostalgia. So it made me laugh, and I didn't feel as sad. I also recommend bad Hallmark Christmas movies as well. GOOD Christmas movies make me sad. And after the death of my mother, I embraced schmaltz, and got through my first Christmas without her that way.
I’m always playing Dolly Parton or Kelly Clarkson. I like Seth MacFarlane’s songs as well. Sia had a good album of originals. The one song that tickles me and annoys others is I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas by Gayle Peevey. The Puppini Sisters are enjoyable.
Delightful!
Yeah, I know - you didn't ask. But here it is, anyway:
https://soundcloud.com/stevebage/sets/silent-night-w-voltage
Well, I guess I have my music to listen to for the next month. Thanks Tim. Not sure if it’s on your lists but Michael Stanley’s Just Another NewYears Eve and Brian Howe’s Christmas are two of my favorite originals.
also love Christmas in LA, The Killers
I've got a 30 hour playlist called "Big Xmas" in my iTunes that I've been adding to since the early Oughts. Here are a few gems that are in it
It ain't Christmas without Johnny Preston's I Want a Rock 'n' Roll Guitar (and Hans Gruber falls off Nakatomi Tower—with the damned watch).
I like the version of Merry Christmas, Baby that Charles Brown did as a duet with Bonnie Raitt even better than his classic version.
The Sex Pistols A Punk Rock Christmas, Twisted Sister's Heavy Metal Christmas (The Twelve Days of Christmas),The Ramones Merry Christmas (I Don't Wanna Fight Tonight), Run-DMC;s Christmas in Hollis, Yellowman's Yellowman is Coming to Town, The (Very) Reverend Horton Heat's version of Santa Looked a Lot Like Daddy, The Enchanters Mambo Santa Mambo, Dwight Yoakum's Santa Can't Stay, Clarence Carter's Back Door Santa, Eartha Kitt's immortal version of Santa Baby, The Dropkick Murphys The Season's Upon Us and, of course, Spinal Tap's Christmas With the Devil are all required listening for the season...
Obviously, some people will need Chunukuh music so I've added in Adam Sandler's Hannukuh Song (the original and best version), Barenaked Ladies I Have a Little Dreidel and Jon Stewart & Stephen Colbert's lovely Can I Interest You In Hannukah?
...but when I really need to want to cry for Christmas, nothing beats The Pogues & Kirsty MacColl's Fairytale of New York.
Curse you, Tim Goodman! Every year I bitch and moan about xmas, and every year you pop up with your love of xmas and xmas songs. Your Spotify lists haunt me every year.
Since it's always important to have at least one pick that irritates people, I'll note that I actually prefer the version of Joni Mitchell's "River" sung by Robert Downey, Jr. on Ally McBeal (obligatory TV reference). It's appropriate more than ever now that Joni's music is unavailable on Spotify.
And in the Obsessive Brothers of Music Lists department, I have one Spotify playlist with 3,240 songs.