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Post by Jeff on Dec 19, 2005 8:38:45 GMT -5
I really don't like Christmas music. If Jeff Buckley's Hallelujah counts as a Christmas song, I guess I really like about three: that one plus Have Yourself a Merry... and Fairytale of New York by the Pogues. The last is my favorite. Anyway, about 20 years ago Mr. Hale told me that I would never be a real composer till I sat down and made myself write a Christmas song. So every year since I was 15 or so, I've sat at the keyboard playing with some chords and ideas for a week or two before Christmas. Of course, after the season actually passed I never worked on the song. And when I did work, I was mostly thinking about other things...the holidays are a busy season, after all. The result is that the song sounds like a song I might have written in high school, back in my Howard Jones and A-ha days. I think I throw a bone to nearly every keyboard influence that I've ever had. So, if you hate it fine. I hate it too. But I am kinda proud of a few of the tricks I pulled off in the piece. Anyway, tell me what you think before it hits your recycle bin. Here is a direct link: www.savefile.com/files/6839792 Jeff PS The vocal is a two take vocal instead of one! That means it sounds slightly less horrible than my usual offerings. |
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Post by Jeff on Dec 19, 2005 8:40:04 GMT -5
The Lyrics to this piece of Yuletide:
Christmas Eve (At Our House)
The silent stars
Told us to keep
Our tiny fires
Above the deep
For anyone who comes
So there’s snow
And mistletoe
And we write
To let you know
You have a place with us
(chorus)
Everyone
Is gathering
On Christmas Eve
At our house, baby
We’re planning on
Having some fun
Despite the war
(To spite the war)
Your little ones
Will be welcome
On Christmas Eve
At our house, baby
And when you’re tired
You can sleep it
Off right here
(Till the New Year)
I know by then we can figure something out
Let this be
The moment now
When all is still
Yet new somehow
Let peace begin with us
You are safe
My sweetest friends
You are safe
And here we stand
Waiting inside
[break]
(chorus with:
O holy night
The stars are brightly shining.
O holy night
O night divine)
See the stars they’re shining bright
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Post by Jeff on Dec 19, 2005 9:02:41 GMT -5
Oh, I like Ella's version of Sleigh Ride, too.
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Post by Betterout on Dec 19, 2005 11:00:15 GMT -5
If Jeff Buckley's Hallelujah counts as a Christmas song... Man, I really can't see how it ever would. The lyrics are biblically inspired, but not suggestive of Christ (listen to his Corpus Christi Carol for something more along those lines), and considering the fact that it's a cover song originally written and recorded by the Jewish singer Leonard Cohen, it seems even doubly difficult to reach that conclusion. But, whatever the case, that song rocks nonetheless, as does your Christmas tune. |
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Post by Jeff on Dec 19, 2005 11:23:46 GMT -5
The reason I’d consider the song a Christmas song, is because it asks us to reevaluate love in a very New Testament kind of way: We know it when we suffer for it. A cold and broken Hallelujah—that’s a Jesus image if there ever was one. Anyway, this is the aspect of the nativity that I would play up at Christmastime: Its poverty and abiding loss, as a partial antidote to all that militant and hollow king of kings stuff. That manger baby needs to be alone, cold, lost and shaking. Let the cows, shepherds, and wise men get off their knees and do what they usually to do the poor: Ignore them, at best, and abuse them, at worst.
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Post by lonniemarie on Dec 20, 2005 8:14:10 GMT -5
I couldn't get the Christmas song to play on my comp...which shouldn't surprise me...*glares at comp*. However, I have a feeling the song doesn't stink and is very good...*grin*.
Fave Christmas song: Little Drummer Boy (The Bing Crosby/David Bowie version) Only holiday song that I can listen to without havin' a urge to take a fork and stab myself repeatedly in the ears...
However, you and Justin have inspired me to change quote to my fave Jeff Buckley song!
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Post by Jeff on Dec 20, 2005 8:29:46 GMT -5
Well, I don't know what went wrong. Hmm. I just uploaded the song to our community yahoo briefcase if anyone wants to get it from there. I will Private Message you, Lonnie, with the account details.
Jeff Buckley was cool. I really liked his CD Grace. But he died young in a drowning accident, if memory serves.
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Post by lonniemarie on Dec 20, 2005 8:37:14 GMT -5
That would be cool, Jeff. And yea...from what I remember he drowned just a few hours after performing live in a small venue...the songs I have heard by him all seem to have this haunting quality, one that sometimes sends chills down my back...which isn't always bad...*grin*...I have a hard time finding music that touches me somehow...but that is a thread for another time...*grin*.
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Post by mj on Dec 20, 2005 9:00:22 GMT -5
Lonnie, I LOVE that song! My co-worker tunes in to a station that plays Christmas carols and other holiday songs every year. I've been waiting for WEEKS for them to play the Bowie/Bing Crosby version of Little Drummer Boy. Finally, finally! yesterday, I heard it. *happy sigh* Jeff, I really liked your stinking Christmas song. (though it stinketh not)  |
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Post by mj on Dec 20, 2005 9:01:19 GMT -5
Oh, and I dig Jeff Buckley a bundle, too..
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Post by Jeff on Dec 20, 2005 9:14:10 GMT -5
But have you guys seen the video to Little Drummer Boy by BingBowie? They used to air it on VH1 back in the day. Do they still?
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Post by mj on Dec 20, 2005 9:50:33 GMT -5
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Post by Jeff on Dec 20, 2005 10:34:33 GMT -5
Hey, that worked! Don't you love the set up story? he he.
1977... even those numbers look strange together.
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Post by lonniemarie on Dec 20, 2005 12:28:03 GMT -5
AH THANK YOU! I went straight for the link as soon as I saw it...it's the 1st time this season I've had a chance to hear the song...I try to avoid Christmas Music like a rat avoiding the plague...or something like that...but for Little Drummer Boy...I always stop and just listen...so thank you for making my day!!!
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