Music

Some final words from the Christmas Music Desk

Let’s finish up Christmas music-related news before we put the whole genre to bed for another year, shall we?

Brenda Lee had a good season and made millions on her Christmas song

For the first time since its release in 1958, Brenda Lee’s “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” hit number one on the singles charts. This wasn’t a fluke; there was a genuine push by her, her label, and her music publisher to get the song to #1. Last year, the song brought in about US$4 million. It’ll probably do just as well this year.

Kelly Clarkson is having a good century when it comes to Christmas music

ASCAP, one of the American performing rights organizations, says that Kelly’s “Underneath the Tree” (co-written with Dave Grohl’s buddy, Greg Kurstin) is the most successful Christmas song released this century. Billboard categorized it as the “#1 New Classic.”

The Philippines started celebrating Christmas in September

Yep. The Christmas season traditionally runs for a third of the year in the Philippines. Songwriters of Christmas songs made a ton of dosh from that country.

This is the fastest footwork I’ve ever seen with “Jingle Bells”

Yes, “pulling out the stops.”

This dog has the Christmas blues

Kinda cute, no?

That’s a lot of Nutcracker drones

About 1,500 of them, in fact.

And finally, some Christmas guaranteed to get the guests to leave

Enough, everyone. Go home or I’ll play the full album.

Alan Cross

is an internationally known broadcaster, interviewer, writer, consultant, blogger and speaker. In his 40+ years in the music business, Alan has interviewed the biggest names in rock, from David Bowie and U2 to Pearl Jam and the Foo Fighters. He’s also known as a musicologist and documentarian through programs like The Ongoing History of New Music.

Alan Cross has 39188 posts and counting. See all posts by Alan Cross

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