arachnekallisti: (Default)
Not all of these are obscene, but probably best not to listen at work without headphones. I am fond of the sort of song that you might happily be tapping your foot to until you realise "Good heavens... was that what it was about?!"

As a handy example:

1. Fascinating Aida - Dogging
It's a song about... exactly what it says on the tin. Filthy, hilarious, and sung in a wonderfully motherly way by Dillie Keane.

2. Tom Lehrer - Poisoning Pigeons in the Park
An absolute classic. Prior to the recording, the pianist had seen the sheet music, but without the lyrics or title. He recognised the style ("Oh, it's a waltz") and seemed perfectly happy about this. However, when the conductor announced the title ("Poisoning Pigeons in the Park, take one") the pianist shouted "WHAT?" and fell off his bench. Lehrer merely commented "I had never seen anything like that".

3. Half Man Half Biscuit - Lord Hereford's Knob
An affectionate parody of innuendo-ridden folk songs, and the Welsh mountain also known less hilariously as Twmpa.

4. Jonathan Coulton - Re: Your Brains
Possibly the funniest song ever written about a zombie apocalypse. Middle management become the walking dead. Would anybody notice?

5. The Darkness - English Country Garden
A hurricane of puns and knob jokes. This is the point where the Darkness veer from quasi-parodic rock god status right into open comedy.

6. Voltaire - The USS Make Shit Up
I love Trek, but I will admit that Voltaire sort of has a point here. An incredibly earwormy tribute to the joy of technobabble.

7. Mitch Benn - I'm Proud Of The BBC
Difficult to pick one of his songs; he's so damned good at topical musical satire. This is catchy, affectionate and a sentiment I thoroughly endorse.

8. The Darkest of the Hillside Thickets - 20 Minutes of Oxygen
A darkly funny short sci-fi story. The video is even funnier than the song alone. Very Red Dwarf.

9. Professor Elemental - Cup of Brown Joy
A chap-hop tribute to the joys of a good cuppa.

10. Lemon Demon - The Ultimate Showdown of Ultimate Destiny
Another classic. Points for sheer, joyous absurdist invention.

Videos under the cut )
arachnekallisti: (Default)
I'm actually rather looking forward to the festive period this year. Time off work, chance to catch up with friends and relatives I don't see much of, an excuse to give people I like some nice things, and some parties. Sounds good to me.

Anyway, Obscure Christmassy Songs That Are Not Completely Naff. Some exist, and here they are. (The absence of Pogues is not because I don't like "The Fairytale Of New York" - far from it - it's because I'm assuming you know about it already.)

1. Half Man Half Biscuit - "It's Cliched To Be Cynical At Christmas"
A sweet, dreamy melody that sounds a bit Cocteau Twins, and kids singing carols. Offbeat even for HMHB, but a defiant celebration of having fun even if it isn't very cool. The video is filmed in and around the Wirral, and I shall stop before I go off on another Northern Pride kick.
2. Kate Bush - "December Will Be Magic Again"
It's Kate Bush being all sort of perky and otherworldly. Like one of Santa's elves as reimagined by Brian Froud and Tim Burton.
3. St Etienne featuring Tim Burgess - "I Was Born On Christmas Day"
Bright, euphoric synthpop with just enough in the way of bells to sound festive without being syrupy. Invigorating like a clear and frosty morning.
4. Zombina and the Skeletones - "A Chainsaw for Christmas"
The eternal problem of the well-intentioned but utterly unsuitable Christmas present gets a psychobilly/bubblegum pop/B-movie treatment. Squick and gore warnings as regards the video. Very festive.
5. Jonathan Coulton - "Chiron Beta Prime"
A Christmas circular from a family enslaved by robots in deep space, to an incredibly perky tune. Probably the best Christmas song about a dystopian future ever.
6. Goldfrapp - "Winter Wonderland"
A gorgeous, sparkly, ethereal synthpop cover. Perfect for the Dr Who Christmas fanvid :)
7. The Kinks - "Father Christmas"
A department store Father Christmas gets mugged by a teenage gang. Christmas with a side of class war.
8. The Vandals - "Oi To The World"
A ska-flavoured punk appeal for tolerance, forgiveness and a bit less bloody racism this Christmas. Are you listening, Daily Mail?
9. All About Eve - "Last Christmas"
A sweet, wistful version, all mist and snow. Pleasantly melancholy.
10. The Darkness - "Christmas Time (Don't Let The Bells End)"
Justin Hawkins does his quasi-parodic rock god thing to great, and transcendently silly, effect here. The obligatory bells and childrens' choir blended with the Darkness' trademark falsetto vocals, swooping guitars, lycra and knob jokes. I can't go through Christmas without listening to this.

Videos under the cut )

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