“Up On the House Top” - Jackson 5

I’ve put together a holiday playlist of alternative tunes, or fun versions of traditional songs.

I can only post one a day (Tumblr rule), so it’ll be like a musical advent calendar. Here’s the link to the few from last year, and where this year’s will all go: http://maximumalexbain.com/tagged/☃♬

Mr. Heat Miser, by Big Bad Voodoo Daddy

I like their big band, swing style take on this classic. I know just enough about swing that this makes me wanna grab Lisa and spin her around when it comes on.

“Christmas is Going to the Dogs” - Eels

This is a silly, but enjoyable song off the surprisingly good Have a Very Merry Chrismukkah album from the old TV show “The OC”.

Another Christmas tune by Satchmo.

Everyone sings “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” the same way, except these guys…

Louis Armstrong - “Zat You, Santa Claus?”

Here’s another holiday song I love, but that many folks may not have heard.

I haven’t had a chance to play this around kids, but I’d betcha this is one kiddies would get a big kick out of.

I don’t have much Louis Armstrong in my iTunes library, but a tune like this makes me think I should go get more.

“Merry Christmas, Baby” - Otis Redding

Here’s another holiday tune from my all-time favorite singer (hands down), Otis Redding.

I don’t know why this doesn’t sit firmly in the middle of the classic holiday rotation of tunes, but my guess is that it’s because it’s so uniquely Otis that no one can cover it, and Christmas is all about covers.

There’s no way you click play and don’t have a big, beaming smile on your face within 20 seconds.

“Christmas Will Really Be Christmas” - Lou Rawls

I have a handful of favorite Christmas songs that I want to post, because I don’t think they get played enough. I’ll do one a day for the next few days, because Tumblr won’t let me post more than one.

I like the way Lou makes singing about Christmas a badass thing to do. It’s slightly darker than a normal holiday song, but not to a point that’s distracting.