St. Louis Music Blog

Christmas music is inherently sentimental and sappy -- which just makes videos for some of its most famous songs unintentionally hilarious. Here are five that are particularly awkward/charming.

David Bowie and Bing Crosby, "Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy" This was from Bing Crosby's Merrie Olde Christmas, a 1977 TV special that aired a month and a half after Crosby died. If Bowie looking sedate wasn't weird enough -- this was in the midst of his Berlin Trilogy era which produced "Heroes," Low and Lodger -- the fake-introduction banter and holiday small-talk is priceless. "Oh, hello. I'm David Bowie. I live down the block." Like Bing, bless his heart, wouldn't know who he is. Gotta love contrived TV specials.

Hall & Oates, "Jingle Bell Rock." This rockabilly-tinged classic gets the nod first and foremost for the duo's clothing. John Oates' lime-green cardigan is so ugly Mr. Rogers wouldn't wear it, and Daryl Hall's light-green, high-waisted parachute pants/red plaid shirt combo makes me wish I was colorblind. Let's not even talk about the exaggerated movements, fake instrument-playing and goofy cast of characters sharing the holiday cheer with the duo. Someone spiked the eggnog with more than rum, methinks.

Wham!, "Last Christmas" Here's a great idea: Go to a remote mountainous ski resort in a big group of people -- a group of people that includes a recent ex. But wait! Each of you are with someone else. I'm sure it'll be fine. There won't be any, say, meaningful looks, or lingering feelings or sultry looks over wine. Nope. Not at all.

Max Headroom, "Merry Christmas Santa Claus" The appeal of this computerized, disembodied floating head is lost on me now (along with Spuds McKenzie, the Noid, the California Raisins), and this clip demonstrates why. As angelic choirs and sappy music twitters along in the background, Max croons like a drunk lounge singer and stutters like a thirteen-year-old seeing boobs for the first time. He also "plays" the piano, which we know because his televised head is at a bench. A cherubic choir and a decidedly homoerotic bridge -- where Max professes his love for Santa -- ups the ick factor.

 

Paul McCartney, "Wonderful Christmastime" Judging by the alien-like turquoise computer animations springing forth from the band's hands -- and the same blobs floating above the house -- the ex-Beatle's party is an absinthe/space cakes shindig. This is also confirmed by the end of the clip, which features a gigantic gift crash-landing in a front yard to reveal -- McCartney and band!

-- Annie Zaleski