[Holiday-ish Music] -- In December 2010, in my Prophet or Madman days, I did four straight weeks of music about "Winter Holidays." I have since re-shared the Week 2 post -- dated 12/10/2010 -- on two other occasions (during the second week of December in 2011 and 2014). So, as long as I am currently trying to wrap up assignments before this Fall term ends (have I mentioned I'm in grad school these days?), and because I did not find a December 1981 album for this week, why not re-run that prior Seasons Greetings kind of playlist again? I mean, if you think about it, reruns are kind of what I do with these posts.
To rediscover those stocking stuffers I first shared eleven years ago this week, read and hear more after the break.
Flashback #1: "Walk out to winter, swear I'll be there. | Chill will wake you, high and dry | You'll wonder why. | Walk out to winter, swear I'll be there. | Chance is buried just below the blinding snow."
Scotland's Aztec Camera was pretty much a critic's darling in the 80s. They didn't generate many radio hits outside of college stations, but they did have a devoted fanbase. Our first flashback of the day has never been released as a Christmas single, and it hasn't appeared on any holiday albums, but there is no way you can prove to me that it isn't a Christmas tune. Give a listen, and you'll agree that this young man is singing about the hope of this season, a hope that transcends any one religion's viewpoint.
Flashback #2: "She looks around. | There are snowflakes on the ground. | Here comes another lonely Christmas."
Sometimes, we cannot be with loved ones during the holidays. This causes a dichotomy of being sad, and perhaps lonely, during an otherwise festive time. Few bands from the 80s do sad-but-very-nearly-upbeat better than Erasure. And in 1988, they released Crackers International, featuring their mega-hit "Stop!" as well as our second flashback. This one goes out to all our men and women who in the course of serving their country won't be home for Christmas.
Flashback #3: "A choir of children sing their song. | They've practiced all year long."
Last week, the Flashback featured a John Lennon holiday song (albeit by 80s artists, The Alarm). If he had recorded another one, I would feature it this week (to honor the 30th anniversary of his death). But he didn't. However, his former Beatles writing partner, Paul McCartney, released his own Christmas single eight years after Lennon's "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)". Now, this song was actually released in 1979, and it never charted in the U.S., but during the 80s it garnered enough popularity that it is now a classic that is played year after year. I sincerely hope you are having ... a wonderful Christmas time.
Even during holidays, the rule of three applies when doing Flashbacks. As I've made my three offerings, that's all till next week. Dedicated 80s-philes can find more flashbacks in the Prophet or Madman archives or via Bookended's 80s Flashback tag. As always, your comments are welcome on today's, or any other, flashback post. And if you like what I'm doing here, please share the link with your friends. If, however, you don't like the flashback, feel free to share it with your enemies.
I'll see you in seven!
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