Musical Monday (58): "Love Came Down at Christmas" + "Sleigh Ride"

Every Monday I post whatever song I can't get out of my head or just can't get enough of because Mondays can often be less than marvelous, and music is happy--even when it's sad. If you'd like to join the party, make your own Musical Monday post and leave a comment!

This week's songs are "Love Came Down at Christmas" by Jars of Clay and "Sleigh Ride" by Relient K. I was too busy to pick a song last week, and since this is the last Monday before Christmas, I am posting two songs to make up for lost Christmas music listening time.

I posted both of these songs last year, and I am posting them again because I like them. "Love Came Down at Christmas" is based on a poem by Christina Rossetti, a Victorian poet. Rossetti is perhaps most well-known for her poem "Goblin Market," but she also wrote many devotional poems. I did some research on her this semester, and I believe her brother William Michael Rossetti calls her a "Puritan" among Victorian Anglo-Catholics (meaning a branch of the nineteenth century Anglican church that emphasized tradition and rituals) in his "Memoir" attached to The Poetical Works of Christina Georgina Rossetti. But I don't have the book in front of me. Rossetti's biography aside, the lyrics of this song articulate the meaning of Christmas beautifully, and Jars of Clay sets them to a catchy tune.

As for the second song, "Sleigh Ride" is one of my  favorite Christmas songs. Also, I believe I've mentioned that Relient K is one of my favorite bands. Thus, I really like this song.

Merry (early) Christmas! What are your favorite Christmas songs?

Wishing you a Merry Monday,

Musical Monday (23)

Every Monday I post whatever song I can't get out of my head or just can't get enough of because Mondays can often be less than marvelous, and music is happy--even when it's sad. If you'd like to join the party, just make your own Musical Monday post and leave a comment!

A massive snow storm hit the Midwest over Christmas weekend, cancelling family celebrations and church services for days--I still have two grandparents to visit and many aunts, uncles, and cousins to see. Christmas may be over on the calendar, but it's not over for me, and that means I'm posting one more Christmas song. And I'm making it a cheesy one.

This week's song features House of Heroes covering Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas is You". I've been wanting to post it all month but only just found a Youtube version with clear audio a few days ago. It's bouncy and fun and I hope you enjoy it!

Wishing you an even Merrier Monday than last week,

Musical Monday (22)

Every Monday I post whatever song I can't get out of my head or just can't get enough of because Mondays can often be less than marvelous, and music is happy--even when it's sad. If you'd like to join the party, just make your own Musical Monday post and leave a comment!

I am now on Christmas Break, and it is lovely! I hope you're all enjoying any time you have off, too.

This week's song is "Love Came Down at Christmas" by Jars of Clay, a band you may remember from last week's "Hibernation Day". I chose it because it beautifully articulates what Christmas is all about, and Christmas is on Friday! (You may have heard this song before, but I can guarantee you haven't heard it like this...unless, you know, you've heard this exact arrangement before.)

The words come from a poem written by Christina Rossetti (a name I really hope you associate with the poem "Goblin Market", which she wrote. If you haven't read it yet, get on it. Also, there's a luscious story based on it in Laini Taylor's Lips Touch which was a National Book Award finalist...I haven't gotten around to editing that review yet. But I recommend reading both it and the poem).

Enjoy!



Wishing you a Merry Monday and a joyful holiday season whatever you celebrate,

PS: Barring catastrophic events and freak baking accidents, there will be a review posted today. Yay!

Musical Monday (21)

Every Monday I post whatever song I can't get out of my head or just can't get enough of because Mondays can often be less than marvelous, and music is happy--even when it's sad. If you'd like to join the party, just make your own Musical Monday post and leave a comment!

Finals Week has arrived! *deep breath* There is much studying to do, and I still have a few paintings to wrap up--and I believe I can make it all happen. I promise there will be actual book reviews instead of weekly songs posted on Bookduck soon, after the end-of-semester flurry of studying and activities is over. And how 'bout you? Are you all busy too?

This week's songs are "Silent Night" by Sixpence None the Richer with guest Dan Haseltine from Jars of Clay and--because I can't listen to just one Leigh Nash and Dan Haseltine duet--"Hibernation Day" by Jars of Clay featuring Leigh Nash from Sixpence None the Richer.

Enjoy!





Wishing you a Mnemonic Monday (Get it? It's finals week and mnemonic devices help people remember what they study. Ha ha. It's a groaner, I know.),

Musical Monday (20)

Every Monday I post whatever song I can't get out of my head or just can't get enough of because Mondays can often be less than marvelous, and music is happy--even when it's sad. If you'd like to join the party, just make your own Musical Monday post and leave a comment!

Finals Week is next week, and there's a lot to be done before the semester is over. (SIX paintings are included in the a lot. I think I may take up residence in the Fine Arts Center--there's plenty of space for a sleeping bag in the painting classroom. Also, at times like this the Art Department starts to feel like Project Runway. But that's a mildly funny post for another time.)

This week's songs are "The Grey Man" by Copeland because their music is excellent for things like excessive painting and paper writing (hard rock and screaming is too distracting) and "Sleigh Ride" by Relient K. I once mentioned that I really really like Relient K, and I also really really like most versions of "Sleigh Ride". I'm crazy about this song. The RK version is a bit different from what the Boston Pops plays but still keeps the basic characteristics of the song that most people know and love.

Enjoy!



"The Grey Man" by Copeland from One Small Instrument Pictures on Vimeo.

Relient K "Sleigh Ride" from Gotee Records on Vimeo.

Wishing you a Marvelous Monday (I'm tired, and is anyone really sad about having more than one Marvelous Monday?),

Musical Monday (19)

Every Monday I post whatever song I can't get out of my head or just can't get enough of because Mondays can often be less than marvelous, and music is happy--even when it's sad. If you'd like to join the party, just make your own Musical Monday post and leave a comment!

I've been giving trumpet lessons to a sixth grader this fall and it's a blast. (I play the trumpet. In case your coffee hasn't kicked in yet and you didn't get that.) At the end of every lesson I ask my student if there's anything he wants to play, and he usually shakes his head no. The week of Halloween, however, he looked at me and said "Jingle Bells." So we played "Jingle Bells" unseasonably early and liked it, even though playing Christmas music early always brings a little guilt and fear that someone is going to be annoyed.

Now that Thanksgiving is over (and yesterday was the first Sunday of Advent) I've decided that it's officially okay to listen to Christmas music until my ears fall off in protest. (It's probably going to take awhile.)

In light of that decision there are two songs this week: "Poison and Wine" by The Civil Wars and "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas" by Gayla Peevey--a classic that always gives me a grin. The Civil Wars were featured on Musical Monday (3) in August, and I was excited to hear this single show up on a recent episode of Grey's Anatomy. They sound great. (And if you like what you hear, The Civil Wars are offering a free download of their live album on their website. I recommend it.)

Enjoy!



Wishing you a Mini Monday (cute and manageable like small vehicles and tiny dogs),