Hey kids. Hope your week has been smooth sailing.
The company I work days for will be closed Friday- but not Monday (you know, when everyone else is closed?). I'm looking forward to it anyway, though. A day off is a day off, ya know?
With the holiday being Christmas, well I started thinking about Christmas songs. Run DMC's 'Christmas in Hollis' is probably still my favorite- it's just fun (though I'll admit- the "elf" in the video is a creepy fucker).
For sentiment, though, give me David Bowie and Bing Crosby's 'Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy' from Bing's 'Bing Crosby's Merrie Olde Christmas' TV special that ran on CBS in 1977- shortly after Crosby's death.
On further reflection, though- is it just me or is 'The 12 Days of Christmas' just weird?
The poem itself was published in 1780 in England, though it's believed to have originated in France. The music we associate with it was written by English composer Frederic Austin in 1909 and based on a traditional folk melody.
On the first day of Christmas my true love sent to me, a Partridge in a Pear Tree.
On the second day of Christmas my true love sent to me, Two Turtle Doves and a Partridge in a Pear Tree.
On the third day of Christmas my true love sent to me, Three French Hens, Two Turtle Doves,
and a Partridge in a Pear Tree.
On the fourth day of Christmas my true love sent to me, Four Calling Birds, Three French Hens
Two Turtle Doves, and a Partridge in a Pear Tree.
On the fifth day of Christmas my true love sent to me, Five Golden Rings, Four Calling Birds, Three French Hens, Two Turtle Doves, and a Partridge in a Pear Tree.
On the sixth day of Christmas my true love sent to me, Six Geese a Laying, Five Golden Rings, Four Calling Birds, Three French Hens, Two Turtle Doves, and a Partridge in a Pear Tree.
On the seventh day of Christmas my true love sent to me, Seven Swans a Swimming,
Six Geese a Laying, Five Golden Rings,
Four Calling Birds, Three French Hens, Two Turtle Doves, and a Partridge in a Pear Tree.
 |
| This. Times three. It's an orgy. |
On the eighth day of Christmas my true love sent to me, Eight Maids a Milking, Seven Swans a Swimming, Six Geese a Laying, Five Golden Rings, Four Calling Birds, Three French Hens, Two Turtle Doves, and a Partridge in a Pear Tree.
On the ninth day of Christmas my true love sent to me, Nine Ladies Dancing, Eight Maids a Milking, Seven Swans a Swimming, Six Geese a Laying, Five Golden Rings, Four Calling Birds, Three French Hens, Two Turtle Doves, and a Partridge in a Pear Tree.
On the tenth day of Christmas my true love sent to me, Ten Lords a Leaping, Nine Ladies Dancing, Eight Maids a Milking, Seven Swans a Swimming, Six Geese a Laying, Five Golden Rings, Four Calling Birds, Three French Hens, Two Turtle Doves, and a Partridge in a Pear Tree.
 |
| So I'm one short. So what? |
On the eleventh day of Christmas my true love sent to me, Eleven Pipers Piping, Ten Lords a Leaping, Nine Ladies Dancing, Eight Maids a Milking, Seven Swans a Swimming, Six Geese a Laying, Five Golden Rings, Four Calling Birds, Three French Hens, Two Turtle Doves, and a Partridge in a Pear Tree.
On the twelfth day of Christmas my true love sent to me, Twelve Drummers Drumming, Eleven Pipers Piping, Ten Lords a Leaping, Nine Ladies Dancing, Eight Maids a Milking, Seven Swans a Swimming, Six Geese a Laying, Five Golden Rings, Four Calling Birds, Three French Hens, Two Turtle Doves, and a Partridge in a Pear Tree.
According to PNC Bank, the prices for those items are:
A Partridge in a Pear Tree: $209.99
Two Turtle Doves: $375
Three French Hens: $181.50
Four Calling Birds: $599.96
Five Golden Rings: $750
Six Geese: $360
Seven Swans: $13,125
Eight Maids: $58 (based on US minimum wage)
Nine Ladies Dancing: $7552.84
Ten Lords: $5508.70
Eleven Pipers: $2708.40
Twelve Drummers Drumming: $2934.10
Grand Total: $34,363.49
When you consider the song's written, though- the gifts are repeated every day. That means there's actually 12 Drummers, 22 Pipers, 30 Lords, 36 Ladies, 40 Maids, 42 Swans, 42 Geese, 40 Gold Rings, 36 French Hens, 22 Turtle Doves, 12 Partridges and 12 Pear Trees, bumping that price tag up to a staggering $156,507.88
Just weird. Of course, I'm the one who spent the time to look that up.
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame announced its 2017 inductees in the performers category today.
Next year's honorees are Yes, Electric Light Orchestra, Journey, Pearl Jam, Joan Baez, and Tupac Shakur.
Chic guitarist and producer/songwriter Nile Rodgers will be inducted into the Hall an given the award for musical excellence. Meanwhile, Chic continues to be overlooked- having been nominated in the performers category 11 times.
And there lies the rub (to me, anyway).
Look, I have no problem with Tupac being inducted. Or Joan Baez. Despite the fact that in no way would I consider them "rock and roll" performers. Because rock and roll has always been about revolution against the "norm" and the evolution of music. Baez and Shakur fit the bill.
The problem, though, is that the Hall's criteria (if it actually has any) is suspect. Why isn't an innovative band like the Cars in, but the fucking Righteous Brothers are?
Don't get me wrong, I enjoy Bobby Hatfield and Bill Medley's singing- they just never did anything particularly groundbreaking, and I'd make the same argument about many of the members.
Okay, that's about enough for today. Birthdays include: Chris Robinson of The Black Crowes; Anita Ward; Alan Parsons; Peter Criss of Kiss; Bobby Colomby of Blood, Sweat & Tears. #MusicalBirthdays
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.