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Tinsel Tunes - The Christmas Music Podcast

Tinsel Tunes - The Christmas Music Podcast

By Tinsel Tunes

The Tinsel Tunes podcast goes into great detail about Christmas music. Full of fun and interesting facts, it will get you into the Christmas Spirit!

Hear about classics, modern songs, songs you love, and even those songs that you dislike. We go deep into the history of Christmas songs, explore the compositions, and play lots of music!
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63: Christmas Songs About Trains

Tinsel Tunes - The Christmas Music PodcastMar 17, 2024

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36:31
63: Christmas Songs About Trains
Mar 17, 202436:31
62: Angels We Have Heard on High

62: Angels We Have Heard on High

This month, Duane and Scott discuss the carol "Angels We Have Heard on High". Versions of the song played on this episode: Angels We Have Heard on High (fingerstyle guitar) Les Anges dans nos Campagnes (version complète) Angels from the Realms of Glory by Matthew Green’s Orchestral Rainbow Angels from the Realms of Glory, David Archuleta and the Tabernacle Choir Angels from the Realms of Glory (1967 version) Gloria (Piano version) by Hymns, Chorales & Classics On Piano Punk version by Reliant K Acapella version by Home Free Metal version by Dan Vasc Ska version by On the Upbeat Rock version by Bayside Country version by Josh Turner Chiptune version by Peter Hunter Instrumental version by the Piano Guys ​​Big Band/Rockabilly version by Brian Setzer Orchestra
Feb 18, 202441:04
61: New Christmas Music for 2023
Dec 14, 202334:50
60: It Came Upon the Midnight Clear

60: It Came Upon the Midnight Clear

This month, Duane and Scott look at the carol "It Came Upon the Midnight Clear".

Songs played in this episode:

Choral version by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Noel version by St Michael's Singers
Orchestral version by The London Symphony Orchestra
Barbershop version by Julien Neel
Acapella by Home Free
Reggae version by CHRISTAFARI
Country version by Highway 101
Hard Rock version by The Beautiful Distortion
Chiptune version by MixSound
Solo guitar instrumental by R.L. Solberg
Duet version by The Hound and the Fox


For copyright reasons, we couldn't play these versions, but you should definitely check them out:

Ella Fitzgerald
Anne Murray
Frank Sinatra
Johnny Mathis
Burl Ives
Josh Groban

Nov 30, 202345:56
59: What's This?

59: What's This?

This month, Duane and Scott review the song "What's This?" from the Nightmare Before Christmas with special guest Jack Ford from the Total Christmas Podcast.
Songs played:

What's This? (Official Soundtrack Version)
"The Simpsons" theme song
“Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy” by Tchaikovsky
Pirates of Penzance
Love Shack by the B-52’s
Danny Elfman sings "What's This?" live at Lincoln Center
Fall Out Boy (from Nightmare Revisited)

Other versions of "What's This?" that were played:

Orchestral version by Orchestre philharmonique de Radio France
Acapella by Voiceplay
Rock by NateWantsToBattle
Solo Piano by Natalya Plays Piano
Ukelele by Thomas Benjamin Wild
Metal by Lauren Babic
Jazz by Disney Dave
Club remix by FThisRemix
Female singer by Caroline Makes Music
Chiptune by Professor Shyguy
Oct 29, 202355:51
58: Miss Fogerty's Christmas Cake

58: Miss Fogerty's Christmas Cake

This month, Duane and Scott do something a little different and talk to Glen Warren from the Seasons Eatings podcast about a food-related song called "Miss Fogerty's Christmas Cake".
Versions played on this episode:


The McNulty Family
The Irish Rovers
William Brady
Wolfetones
Sharon Lois and Bram – Canadian Children’s Entertainers
Rum Ragged – Newfoundland band
Clinton Ford
Fire in the Glen
Ruby Murray – Miss O’Leary’s Irish Fruit Cake
David Jones
Folk songs out of Wisconsin - 1941 - Lewis Moody
Trinity Cake by Allan Mills

Sep 29, 202301:09:10
57: O Little Town of Bethlehem
Aug 30, 202350:46
56: Jingle Bell Rock

56: Jingle Bell Rock

This month, Duane, Scott, and special guest Todd Killian (from Christmas Clatter) discuss the song "Jingle Bell Rock". Versions of the song played on this episode: Bobby Helms (1957 version) Bobby Helms (1970 version) Brenda Lee Thousand Foot Krutch Randy Travis Kenny G Hall & Oates The Ventures Brian Setzer Mister Chicken (rubber chicken style) Trap Music Now (trap) Billy Idol (rock) First to Eleven (hard rock) Eddie Lovette (reggae) The Holophonics (ska) Chiptune & 8bit Planet (chiptune) Skyway Avenue (pop punk) Straight No Chaser (acapella)
Jul 30, 202358:05
55: SingIt Live (Their Christmas Album)
Jul 01, 202301:13:35
54: Santa Baby

54: Santa Baby

In this episode, Scott and Duane take a deep dive into the song 1953 "Santa Baby".
Songs played in this episode:


Santa Baby by Eartha Kitt (1953 version)
Philip Springer playing and singing his original version
Madonna - Santa Baby (1987)
Eartha Kitt - Santa Baby (1960 version)
Mae West - Santa Baby (1966)
LeAnn Rimes - Santa Baby (2004)
Taylor Swift - Santa Baby (2007)
Kellie Pickler - Santa Baby (2007)
Shakira - from 2009 NBC Special "Christmas in Rockefeller Center"
Kylie Minogue - Santa Baby (2010)
Kelly Clarkson - Santa Baby (2021)
Michael Bublé - Santa Baby (2011)
Everclear - Santa Baby (1997)
Ska version by Ska-J
Rock Version by First to Eleven (2018)
Reggae Version by Deynque
Barbershop Quartet Version by Fiveways Barbershop Quartet
Chiptune Version by Scarlet Lotus
May 31, 202349:30
53: The Christmas Music of Johnny Marks
Apr 29, 202344:50
52: Ska Christmas Music
Mar 12, 202341:25
51: The Christmas Song
Dec 19, 202240:08
Podcast Preview: Christmas Morning (with The Little Drummer Boy song battle)

Podcast Preview: Christmas Morning (with The Little Drummer Boy song battle)

As some of you may know, I host another podcast called "Christmas Morning" with Brandon Gray from "Deck the Hallmark".  Our show is a weekly celebration of Christmas, including news, jokes, days until Christmas countdown, and TV listings.  What may be of interest to Tinsel Tunes listeners is the Christmas music battle we do at the end of each episode where we compete to bring the best version of a given song by an independent artist on BandCamp.com. I'm including one episode of Christmas Morning here in the Tinsel Tunes feed because we'd love to have you over there. (If this isn't your thing, no worries! I won't be including any more of these here) You can find out more information about the show at christmasmorningpodcast.com.  I hope you enjoy it!

Here's the link to vote on the music battle: https://pollforall.com/pkvpm6dx

Dec 16, 202224:47
50: It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year
Nov 22, 202246:50
49: God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen
Jul 31, 202235:46
48: Boogie Woogie Christmas (with Duane!)
Jun 29, 202201:01:14
47: The Little Drummer Boy
May 31, 202250:43
46: The Twelve Days of Christmas

46: The Twelve Days of Christmas

In this month's episode, we discuss the origins and history of the song "The Twelve Days of Christmas". 

Check out this Snopes article that fact checks the theory that there is are secret, coded Christian references in the song.

Versions played in this episode:

  1. Portland Choir and Orchestra
  2. Perry Como
  3. Roger Whittaker
  4. John Denver and the Muppets
  5. Ray Conniff Singers
  6. Straight No Chaser
  7. Pentatonix
  8. Jacob Miller (reggae style) 
  9. Mob Vibe (trap style)
  10. Relient K (pop/punk style)
  11. Sara Evans (country style)
  12. Goldfinger (ska/punk style)

Parody versions played:

  1. Twisted Sister
  2. Bob and Doug McKenzie
  3. Allan Sherman
  4. Bob Rivers (The Twelve Pains of Christmas)
  5. Jeff Foxworthy (The Twelve Redneck Days of Christmas)
May 03, 202244:48
45: Carol of the Bells
Mar 31, 202245:19
44: Jingle Bells
Feb 27, 202249:57
43: Snoopy's Christmas
Jan 27, 202236:26
42 - Silent Night (and a special surprise!)
Dec 07, 202159:10
41 - Oh Come, All Ye Faithful

41 - Oh Come, All Ye Faithful

In this episode we'll look at the song "Oh come, all ye faithful". This is the "missing" episode from October, the audio was recovered from a dodgy recording and came out pretty good. There are lots of listener's versions in this episode.

Nov 20, 202147:33
40 - It's a Country Christmas

40 - It's a Country Christmas

In this episode, we'll look at some favorite Country Christmas Songs from our listeners and some other Christmas Podcast hosts. This episode is filled to the brim with music!

This episode's top 5 list comes from long time listener Liz Asphodel, and we'll find out what her 5 favorite Country Christmas songs are as I'll read out what these songs mean to her.

After that we'll hear no less than 12 songs that listeners, hosts, and I like. We'll close out the episode with another chapter of "The Christmas Carol" recorded from vinyl.

Liz's list:

5. It Must Have Been the Mistletoe (Barbara Mandrell 1983)
4. Blue Christmas Lights (Buck Owens and His Buckaroos 1965)
3. Happier Holidays (Sarah Morris 2018)
2. If We Make it Through December (Merle Haggard 1973)
1. Honky Tonk Christmas (Alan Jackson 1993)
Honorable Mention: Please, Daddy, Don't Get Drunk This Christmas (John Denver 1975)

Other Songs Featured:

Scott Leopold, Holly Jolly X'masu podcast:
Red Sovine - Billy's Christmas Wish (Faith In Santa)
B2 (Christmas With Red Sovine)

Gerry Davilla, Totally Rad Christmas podcast:
Willie Nelson - Pretty Paper
Kenny and Dolly - Winter Wonderland

Tim Babb, Can’t wait for Christmas podcast:
Kenny Rogers - Children, Go Where I Send Thee (feat. Home Free)

Alonso Duralde, author of Have yourself a movie little Christmas:
Tennessee Ernie Ford

Listener Brian McGlin:
Christmas in Dixie by Alabama

Todd Killian from Christmas Clatter podcast:
Merry Christmas From The Family by Montgomery Gentry

Sep 27, 202144:23
39 - Once in Royal David's City
Aug 26, 202124:18
38 - Up on the House Top

38 - Up on the House Top

Welcome to July's episode! In this episode, I'll talk about the song "Up on the House Top". We'll take a quick listen to a listener's suggestion from last month's song, "The Friendly Beasts". We touch on an idea for next month's 3rd birthday episode. We close the episode out with another snippet of The Christmas Carol as recorded from vinyl.

Jul 24, 202122:36
37 - The Friendly Beasts

37 - The Friendly Beasts

Hi listeners! Just a short episode this month. In this episode, we'll look at one of the oldest Christmas songs, "The Friendly Beasts". We'll also listen to chapter two of the "A Christmas Carol" record from my collection.

May 24, 202119:12
35 - Cliff Richard's Number 1 Christmas Songs

35 - Cliff Richard's Number 1 Christmas Songs

Welcome back to Tinsel tunes with our first episode of 2021. It's great to be back!

This month I look at the two Number 1 Christmas songs from Cliff Richard, "Mistletoe" and "Wind and Saviour's Day".

ChristmasClatter.com - The Merry Axemas: A Guitar Christmas episode with Scott and Jay of the Jingle Jank podcast.


Links to audio on listen to on Youtube:

Dennis Waterman - I Could Be So Good For You https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRR-x9JZ_Oo

Val Doonican - The Christmas Song https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmzl9M0KbsA


Other versions of these songs:

Carola Søgaard and Christer Sjögren - Juletid https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BlikaadsqFo

Michael Ball and Alfie Boe Mistletoe and Wine https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVjLSoug-X0

Gregorian Chant - Mistletoe and Wine https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUAD3V9Zqjw

Just in Case - Mistletoe and Wine https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3aiKRsvzi0

Cliff Richard - Saviour's Day Official Video Cliff Richard - Saviour's Day (Official Video) - YouTube

Chris Eaton - Saviour's Day https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ei_btOzgWrA

Mar 23, 202126:43
34 - Frosty the Snowman
Feb 27, 202128:48
32 - Nightmare before Christmas

32 - Nightmare before Christmas

Feb 27, 202101:00:43
31 - Hark the Herald Angels Sing
Feb 27, 202120:45
30 - Winter Wonderland & Second Birthday
Feb 27, 202131:50
29 - Feliz Navidad
Feb 27, 202134:57
28 - Tarja Turunen: From Spirits and Ghosts

28 - Tarja Turunen: From Spirits and Ghosts

This month we go dark and look at the 20017 album "From Spirits and Ghosts (Score for a Dark Christmas)" from ex-Nightwish singer Tarja Turunen. We also have a short listen to three obscure songs brought to us from a listener.

Jun 26, 202027:24
27 - The Beatles Part 3: Ding Dong, Ding Dong & I Wanna be Santa Claus

27 - The Beatles Part 3: Ding Dong, Ding Dong & I Wanna be Santa Claus

Welcome back to the third and final episode in the Beatles in May series. In this episode I look at the Christmas offerings from George Harrison and Ringo Starr. George Harrison has the single :Ding Dong, Ding Dong", while Ringo Starr released a whole Christmas album titled "I Wanna be Santa Claus". We also hear some listener shared versions of John Lennon's Happy Christmas (War is Over).

Jun 01, 202027:18
26 - The Beatles, Part 2: Happy Christmas (War is over)

26 - The Beatles, Part 2: Happy Christmas (War is over)

Welcome back to our second installment of the Beatles in May! This time we look at "Happy Christmas (War is Over)" as sung by John Lennon. I also introduce you to two new Christmas podcast  and a new song by Harper Denhard.

May 25, 202025:02
25 - The Beatles Part 1: Wonderful Christmastime

25 - The Beatles Part 1: Wonderful Christmastime

Welcome to another episode of Tinsel Tunes! This episode is part 1 of a 3-part series on the Christmas offerings from the members of the Beatles. In this episode we look at Paul McCartney's "Wonderful Christmastime". I'll show you 6 other versions you may like.

And I'll touch on some changes being made to the format of Tinsel Tunes for the 2020 season. They're all good, I promise.

May 16, 202015:26
24 - Where is the Oi I gave the World?
Mar 22, 202018:56
23 - Battle Royal Winner Announced & News for Next Year

23 - Battle Royal Winner Announced & News for Next Year

In this episode, we find out who the winner is for The Great Tinsel Tunes Battle Royal 2019. I also bring you some news about the upcoming year for Tinsel Tunes.

Dec 25, 201906:56
22 - A reading of 'Twas the Night Before Christmas

22 - A reading of 'Twas the Night Before Christmas

Enjoy this bonus episode where I read the poem, ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas. Merry Christmas Everyone!

Dec 23, 201903:56
21 - Reyha Stevens, Robbie Williams, Finals of the Great Battle Royale 2019
Dec 17, 201931:08
20 - All I Want For Christmas is You

20 - All I Want For Christmas is You

In this episode, We look at Mariah Carry’s Classic Christmas offering "All I Want For Christmas is You". I’ll show you other versions that have been submitted by listeners through social media that may appeal to you, perhaps.

The chord that makes Christmas music sound so Christmassy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xm4LO22-cyY

We’ll showcase two artists this month:
Harper Denard – Mary’s song
https://www.harperdenhard.com/

The Predicates – Midnight Christmas Lullaby
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lw7XwGuVb0A&feature=youtu.be 

And Round Ten of The Great tinsel Tunes Battle Royale 2019 and get ready to vote in the Semi-Finals.

I stuffed up the listener’s choice entries dates and episodes, so here’s the rundown below:

Nov 25, 201933:13
19 - New Music for the 2019 Season

19 - New Music for the 2019 Season

In this episode. I'll highlight some seasonal Christmas podcasts that have started releasing episodes for the 2019 season.

Oct 28, 201938:46
18 - The Music from The Santa Clause

18 - The Music from The Santa Clause

In this late episode, we go into the music from the ever-popular movie "The Santa Clause". We also look at who won round eight of The great Tinsel Tunes Battle Royale 2019 and introduce the contenders for round nine.

Sep 30, 201927:40
17 - First Anniversary Q&A Episode

17 - First Anniversary Q&A Episode

In this episode, we celebrate our 1st birthday. I’ve been doing this podcast for 1 whole year? My, how time flies!

I asked my loyal listeners to send in some questions, for a Q&A session and you did just that. We also find out what my top favorite Christmas songs are. We find round seven's Battle Royale winner and see who the contenders are for round eight.

Aug 26, 201926:10
16 - The First Noel

16 - The First Noel

In this month’s episode, we look at the song "The First Noel" Find out what my top 5 versions this song are and learn about round 7 of The Great Tinsel Tunes Battle Royale 2019.

Jul 24, 201917:04
14 - Top Five Worst Christmas Songs

14 - Top Five Worst Christmas Songs

In this episode, I’ll show you the top five worst Christmas songs as voted by our listeners on our social media pages.

Jun 25, 201916:45
13 - The Holly and The Ivy & Doris Day

13 - The Holly and The Ivy & Doris Day

In this episode, we'll find out how one of the oldest Christmas songs, "The Holly and the Ivy," came to be. As usual, we'll have a top 5 list. The world lost the great Doris Day this month, so we'll learn some interesting information about her Christmas album titled "The Doris Day Christmas Album". I'll also let you about another Christmas podcast you should listen to, the Christmas Clatter Podcast.

May 26, 201922:44
12 - The Music Of Bing Crosby

12 - The Music Of Bing Crosby

In this episode, we go into some detail about the voice of Christmas - Bing Crosby! We also find out my favorite top 5 Bing Crosby Christmas cover versions of other Christmas songs. We'll also learn who won April's round of 'The Great Tinsel Tunes Battle Royal 2019' and list the contenders for May.

Apr 25, 201925:15