Most of us welcome hearing a favorite holiday recording, whether it’s sung by Ella Fitzgerald or Adam Sandler or Josh Groban. But then there are the perennial parade of artists who eggnog it up with cringe-inducing results (the Spice Girls’ 1998 cover of “Christmas Wrapping” comes to mind — lumps of coal all around for that one!), causing an early onset Fa-la-la Fatigue. Well, here’s my gift for the geek in everyone: a most excellent Xmas tune that isn’t about angels or Santa or pine trees. Call it a sci-fi Christmas carol.
The dark, hilarious lyrics of Jonathan Coulton’s "Chiron Beta Prime" (click here for a listen, or check out an embedded, fan-made video after the jump) can only be described as a holiday-newsletter-meets-cry-for-help, sung by a man enslaved on an asteroid by robot overlords ("Did I say overlords? I meant protectors.") I genuinely mean it when I say the 2006 recording, which sounds as if androids with synth skills are providing the menacing accompaniment, charms me every time I play it. And I can’t stop playing it!
JoCo, as fans call the singer-songwriter, is beloved in the blogosphere for "Code Monkey," his oddly sweet rocker about life as a lovelorn software programmer (the tune is the theme song for the G4 channel’s animated series Code Monkeys.) Coulton is also actively involved in the movement known as Creative Commons, in which artists forgo traditional copyrights to retain more freedom in sharing their work. (Coulton’s site makes it easy, but not mandatory, to donate a few bucks if you decide to listen to his work. I’d recommend "Millionaire Girlfriend," for a mellow chuckle, "Tom Cruise Crazy" for a snarky laugh, the rock-out ode "Curl" for fans of the winter Olympics and/or frostbite, and the absurdist folk cover of "Baby Got Back" for fans of Sir Mix-a-lot and/or the banjo.)
So, will one little ditty about meanie robots make your whole season bright? I hope so! Meanwhile, I’d like to know how many PopWatchers are reveling in all the Yuletide music wafting through the air right now — and how many can’t wait until January? And by all means, if you have a favorite (or least favorite) holiday-themed recording, chime in!
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Nevermind Christmas … Coulter’s “Re: Your Brains” was my favorite Halloween music find this year. The guy’s a genius.
This is also the guy that did the song at the end of Portal, which is probably what is most famous for at the moment. Boy EW, you are slipping.
I am someone who can’t get enough of Christmas music; Gene Autry’s ‘Here Comes Santa Claus is playing as I write this. It’s my fave time of year. If you want a bit of an unusual twist on the theme, however, try Dwight Yoakim’s ‘Santa Can’t Stay.’You’ll smile then.
Christmas at the Zoo by the Flaming Lips!!
And I am a sucker for any version of O Come All Ye Faithful.
Isn’t he the same guy that did “Skullcrusher Mountain”? I love that song!
Jonathan came to the Second City in Chicago last year with John Hodgeman, (The PC from the Apple Commercials) for a book reading. I believe they were friends from College. He is great live and a very nice guy.
I am partial to “brookline” and “old furry lobsters.”
Three months from now you’ll tell us how cool Portal is.
Not everyone played Portal. Like me. Because my computer is unable to run it. Ergo, I never heard of this guy.
And “Christmas at the Zoo” is my fave Christmas song too. With “Fairytale of New York” a close second.
He does sing “Skullcrusher Mountain”. I’m seeing him tomorrow night in Chicago and I am SO excited!!
portal has nothing to do with christmas (does it?) so who cares. this song barely does either, from what i can tell the song is all about martians! i don’t think it will be a classic but i wanna to tell my choir director we should sing it. the concert we’re practicing for would be lot less boring FOR SURE. i thought the words in the song were funny especially the more you listen. and i like dudes with the beard action, nice!
Favorite Christmas music: Charlie Brown Christmas by the Vince Guaraldi Trio.
Favorite inappropriate Christmas ditty? Ding fries are done (google it)
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