Pretty Paper, Precious Presents and Powerslams: For Christmas - Round 5 of my WWF Grudge Match!

Welcome to Round 5

of my

WWF

(Wow What Fun)
Grudge Match!

WWF Grudge Match is inspired by the pro wrestling exhibitions I watched

on television when I was a kid. Today I present, for your entertainment and

edification, original recordings, covers and a song parody, all competing

for your approval. Your mission, Jim, if you decide to accept it, is to

tell me which songs and which versions, if any, you prefer.

LET THE

WWF Grudge Match

BEGIN!

Remember, ladies and gentlemen...

This is only an exhibition...
This is not a competition...
Please... no wagering.

 JIMMY BOYD 

This is a kinder and gentler edition of Grudge Match because it features the uplifting

sounds of the season. The first Christmas song brings a tear to my eye every time

I listen, because it takes me back to my earliest memories of childhood. In fact,

this was the first record I ever owned, given to me by my parents, I was told,

on my second birthday. The song was waxed by 13 year old Jimmy Boyd,

a California singer who, in 1960, lived many a young man's dream by

marrying beautiful model & actress Yvonne Craig who later played

"Batgirl" on the hit TV series Batman. Let's go way back to the

age of innocence, Christmas time 1952, to hear an evergreen

that generations of children know and love. Jimmy Boyd

sings-- "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus." 

 "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" 

 - Jimmy Boyd (Christmas 1952, 

 highest chart pos. #1 BB/#6 Cash Box) 

 THE LENNON SISTERS 

In my previous post, The Lennon Sisters invited us to enjoy the holidays on

"Christmas Island." The sweet sibling songbirds from Lawrence Welk are back

this week to take part in my Grudge Match. Here now are The Lennon Sisters

singing their version of "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus." 

 "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" 

 - The Lennon Sisters (from 1960 album 

 Christmas With The Lennon Sisters) 

 WHAM! 

1984 was a tremendous year for the English pop duo Wham! The act

scored three chart-topping singles in the U.S. with "Wake Me Up Before

You Go-Go," "Careless Whisper" and "Everything She Wants."

The song "Last Christmas," released in the UK and other countries as the double A

side of "Everything She Wants," shot to #1 in three countries and #2 in eight others.

The music video shows Wham! members George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley

along with their girlfriends and other twenty-somethings enjoying the holiday

at a Swiss ski resort. In conjunction with the charity super group Band Aid,

George and Andrew donated all royalties to the mid 80s Ethiopian famine.

 "Last Christmas" - Wham! 

 (Christmas 1984, double A side 

 of "Everything She Wants," 

 highest chart pos. #1 Denmark, 

 Slovenia & Sweden) 

 MEGAN SINGER 

Who can forget Shady Green's contribution to my

New Year's Day, 2019, post - the singing Singer Family

of San Diego, California, and their cool cover of the

Tommy James hit "Draggin' The Line"? Requests

have been pouring in (from my mama) to see

it again, so here goes.

Just when you thought it was safe to stick your hand in the fan, daughter

Megan Singer is back with another cover. Miss Singer proves she's a

zinger with this a delightfully gruesome piece of performance art

entitled-- "Zombie Last Christmas!"

 "Zombie Last Christmas" - Megan Singer 

 (Christmas season 2016) 

 THE LENNON SISTERS 

Please listen to a third song from The Lennon Sisters' 1960 Christmas album.

Here again are 'lil Chanet," Kathy, Peggy and Dianne, The Lennon Sisters,

singing a seasonal song that was written in 1934 and has been popular

ever since and recorded by many artists-- "Winter Wonderland." 

 "Winter Wonderland" - The Lennon Sisters 

 (from 1960 album Christmas With 

 The Lennon Sisters) 

 TONY BENNETT 

In 1968 the ageless wonder Tony Bennett, sometimes nicknamed

Tony Benefit for donating so much of his time to charitable causes,

reached Billboard's special holiday chart with this fine rendition

of "Winter Wonderland." Yule love it! 

 "Winter Wonderland" - Tony Bennett 

 (Christmas 1968, highest chart pos. 

 #87 Billboard US Holiday 100, 

 from 1968 album Snowfall aka 

 The Tony Bennett Christmas Album)  

 I'm wrestling with the idea of

bringing you more volumes of

WWF Grudge Match

Stick around... oh, and by the way...

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

That Was Then - This Is Now, Volume 6: The Jarring Juxtaposition of Female Vocalists Past and Present!

 You've come a long way, baby... 

 and these jarring juxtapositions 

 offer indisputable proof! 

Welcome to Vol. 6 of my series

Jarring Juxtapositions:

That Was Then - This Is Now!

It is not my intention to pass judgement. (That's your job. :) This series
merely invites you to compare apples and oranges. Hard as it might be
for you to believe, I enjoy all of the female recording artists you
are about to see and hear. Join me on this jarring journey
back and forth through time as we compare the look,
the sound and the attitude of female singers

then... and now!

THAT WAS THEN

THE LENNON SISTERS

It's a different world, my friend. When I was a boy in the 1950s, girls looked,

sounded and behaved like The Lennon Sisters, the popular sibling singing

group on The Lawrence Welk Show. In 1960 the girls released the holiday

album Christmas With The Lennon Sisters.  Listen as 'lil Chanet," Kathy,

Peggy and Dianne invite us to ditch the cold weather and spend the

holidays basking in the tropics on-- "Christmas Island."

""Christmas Island" - The Lennon Sisters

(from 1960 album Christmas With The Lennon Sisters)

THIS IS NOW

 KITTIE 

Our musical journey takes a jarring turn

and we find ourselves in the zombielike

clutches of Kittie, an all-female metal

band from Ontario, Canada. Formed

in 1996, Kittie names alternative

bands like Nirvana and Alice In

Chains as major influences.

In 2000, Kittie released their debut

album Spit with a dozen songs,

all written by band members

around age 14. As if by the

mysterious process of

spontaneous generation...

"Charlotte" arose from Spit!

"Charlotte" - Kittie

(July 2000, highest chart pos. #60 UK,
single from January 2000 album Spit)

THAT WAS THEN

CILLA BLACK

Her real name was Priscilla White but she called herself Cilla Black.

I regret that I only came to fully appreciate the English sparrow's talent

a year or so before her death in 2015. Until that time the only Cilla Black

song I knew was "You're My World," a single that reached the top 30 in

the U.S. in 1964. Maybe it's because some of Cilla's best recordings

were not released stateside. Here's one of them, a cover of Dionne

Warwick's soulful ballad "Anyone Who Had A Heart." Cilla took

the song, made it her own and eclipsed Dionne's version in the

UK with a single that spent three weeks at the top of the chart!

"Anyone Who Had A Heart" - Cilla Black

(Feb./Mar. 1964, highest chart pos. #1 UK)

THIS IS NOW

 AMARANTHE 

To bring you down from your blissful Cilla Black-induced Brit girl high,

I give you Amaranthe, a Swedish metal band that boasts three lead zingers,

each performing a different style. The band has two clean vocalists, one male

and one female, plus a growling cookie monster who handles the rough stuff.

The beauty among the beasts is Elize Ryd who made Playboy Magazine's

list of "The 14 Hottest Metal Maidens in Face-Melting History." Eliza's

vocals start at the 55 second mark of the song if you can hang on

 through the angry, transgressive rapping that precedes it.

 Feel free to sway, snap your fingers, tap your toes and

zing along as Amaranthe assaults your senses with--

"GG 6!" 

"GG 6" - Amaranthe

(Nov./Dec. 2019 single from Oct. 2018 album Helix) 

THAT WAS THEN

DORIS DAY

"Whatever Will Be, Will Be

(Que Sera, Sera)" was intro-

duced in the 1956 Alfred

Hitchcock film The Man

Who Knew Too Much

starring Jimmy Stewart

and Doris Day. Doris

released the song as a

single. The record spent

27 weeks on the pop

chart and made a

determined run

at the #1 spot.

However Doris's ditty was blocked week after week by

the man who would be King - Elvis Presley - and his

colossal doublesider "Hound Dog," b/w "Don't Be Cruel"

along with another mega-hit,"My Prayer" by The Platters.

"Whatever Will Be, Will Be (Que Sera, Sera)" - Doris Day

(July thru Sept. 1956, highest chart pos. #2, from June 1956
Alfred Hitchcock film The Man Who Knew Too Much)

THIS IS NOW

 IN THIS MOMENT 

Image courtesy of DesignWeapons @ deviantart.com

Nearly identical to Doris Day in appearance and singing style

is fresh faced girl next door Maria Brink, but whereas Doris

sang "Whatever will be, will be," Maria leaves nothing to

 chance, boldly commanding "Adrenalize me." (I'm sure

she's referring to an exciting game of shuffleboard.)

"Adrenalize" is the second single released by Maria

and her menacing male menagerie, the LA-based,

in-your-face metal band In This Moment, from

their 2013 album Blood. Ladies and germs,

if you can believe your eyes and ears...

experience the spectacle, the brutal

multi-sensory blitz, the sound and

the fury-- In This Moment!

"Adrenalize" - In This Moment

(Feb./Mar. 2013, highest chart pos. #18 Active Rock,

#20 Mainstream Rock, from Aug 2012 album Blood)

When I was young, I fell in love

I asked my sweetheart what lies ahead

Will we have rainbows, day after day

Here's what my sweetheart said.

"You're joking... right?"

Have a Shady day!

Today in History: One Small Step for a Man.....

...one giant leap for blogging.

That's right, dear friend. It was 50 years ago today

that man first set foot on the moon, 20 years ago

today Sergeant Pepper taught the band to play,

and 11 years ago today, on July 20, 2008, that I,

Roseanne Roseannadanna  Shady Del Knight,

became a blogger. Hard to believe, but here

I am eleven years later still practicing the

art of blogging... and I am determined

to keep practicing until I get it right.

To salivate (correct usage) my 11 year

blogiversary, I am throwing a party...

a party to end all parties (until the

next one comes along).

The gang's all here - The Shady Bunch - my staff of veteran DJs.
They brought stacks-o-wax to spin for your listening,
dancing, hugging and smooching pleasure.

To get this thang underway, I am happy to introduce
the first of my boss jocks, Shady Green, The Dean of Keen.

Hey, thank you Shady Del Knight
and congratulations on reaching the
eleven year blogging milestone!

Ready for a mind bending, mood altering, otherworldly experience? Hop aboard my
Wayback Machine as it takes us to 1968.
That year The Lennon Sisters, those
singing sibs of Lawrence Welk Show
fame, released an LP of flower power,
bubblegum and sunshine pop covers
that includes "Green Tambourine" the
psychedelic song originally recorded
by The Lemon Pipers, a single that
topped the pop chart that year.

CLICK TO START THE VIDEO NOW!

On this special remix, The Lennon Sisters track was slowed down to

match the tempo of the Lemon Pipers' original, creating a surreal effect.

Mr. Welk would never approve, but Shady Green, The Dean of Keen,

  thinks it's serene. Listen as Dianne, Janet, Peggy and Kathy turn on,

tune in and drop out with-- "Green Tambourine!"

"Green Tambourine" - The Lennon Sisters

(from 1968 album The Lennon Sisters Today!!)

The Lennon Sisters proving they're cool with a more than
capable cover of the psychedelic pop hit "Green Tambourine." 

In the summer of '85, Canadian rocker

Bryan Adams reached the top 5 in the

U.S. with the single "Summer Of '69."

As we observe the 50th anniversary

of that great summer when we were

young and restless, I am proud to

bring you an exciting new cover

unveiled on YouTube just days ago.

CLICK TO START
THE VIDEO NOW!

It's a collaboration between the young

Romanian guitar virtuoso Andrei Cerbu

and singer Beatrice Maria Florea. Watch

and listen as Andrei and Beatrice take

us back to the-- "Summer Of '69."

"Summer Of '69" - (July 2019 Bryan Adams

cover by Andrei Cerbu & Beatrice Maria Florea,

orig. Aug. 1985, highest chart pos. #5 Hot 100/#7 Cash Box)

From Romania with love, that was the fabulous cover of the 1985 Bryan Adams hit
"Summer Of '69" uploaded one week ago by YouTube sensation Andrei Cerbu and
his partner, singer Beatrice Maria Florea. Now its my pleasure to toss the ball to my
good friend and fellow member of The Shady Bunch - Hy Lit. Hyski, take it away!

Thank you, Shady Green. Hyski here, Hy Lit,
your pal on the radio, and we're taking to the
sky on a Natural Hy with a golden goody
from one of Philly's phavorite girl groups.
It's a string of cool covers rolled into one,
a medley of songs penned by the great
New York based songwriter, arranger
and producer Mr. Teddy Randazzo.
The medley includes  "It's Gonna
Take A Miracle," a hit in the 60s
for The Royalettes and a hit in the
80s for Deniece Williams, plus three
songs made famous by Little Anthony
& The Imperials: "I'm On The Outside

(Looking In)," "Hurt So Bad" and
"Goin' Out of My Head."

START THE VIDEO NOW!

Two of these ladies went on to form the hit disco group The Ritchie Family.

Back in '71 they called themselves Honey And The Bees, and this

is their super soul medley-- "Gonna Take A Miracle!"

"It's Gonna Take A Miracle" (Medley)"

 Honey & The Bees (Aug. 1971)

"It's Gonna Take a Miracle" - the ice cool medley sung by Philly's phinest,

Honey And The Bees. Now I'm gonna pass the mic to my Philly phriend,

The Geator With the Heater, Mr. Jerry Blavat. Jerry...?

Alright...thank you, Hy Lit, and greetings and
salutations to all my yon teenagers out there!
I am the Geator With the Heater. I am the
Boss with the Big Hot Sauce, and congrats
to my main man, Mr. Shady Del Knight,
on keeping us entertained for the last
 eleven years, first at SDMM and now
here at SPMM. I was just standing by
the punch bowl at Shady's anniversary
bash looking for the eats when I found
a tasty treat. Fiction and Fact from
The Geator's Almanac: In 1963 the
rock 'n' roll band The Dartells took
the song "(Do The) Mashed Potatoes,"
made famous in 1960 by Nat Kendrick
& The Swans, reworked it, and came up
with a hit of their own. Chew on this
for a while-- "Hot Pastrami!"

CLICK TO START THE VIDEO NOW!

"Hot Pastrami" - The Dartells

(Apr./May 1963, highest chart pos. #11)

The Dartells with their biggest hit, "Hot Pastrami," a single that brushed

the top 10 in the spring of '63. Now, I am happy to turn things over to my

good friend Dell Rat Tom, host of Jukebox Giants. Take it away, Mr. Tom!

Thank you very much, Jerry, and congratulations to
Shady on 11 years of blogging! On Jukebox Giants
I bring you the greatest hits of the Shady Dell.
This one takes us back to 1967, a pivotal
year in the Dell dance hall.  

START VIDEO NOW!

If there was any lingering doubt that the times
were changing and West Coast rock was gaining
a powerful foothold in the dance hall jukebox,
it was erased for good in The Summer of Love
by this band, Jim Morrison and The Doors.

Here they are doing their second single...
the chart-topping smash "Light My Fire!"

"Light My Fire" - The Doors

(July/Aug. 1967, highest chart pos. #1)

The Doors with their signature song "Light My Fire," one of the biggest
rock hits ever to play on the dance hall jukebox at the Shady Dell.
Now it's time for me to vacate the announcer's booth and let
another member of The Shady Bunch take over.
Shady Blue... how-do-you-do?

I'm all shook up, Tommy Boy, excited to be
part of this 11th anniversary extravaganza.
Hi, everybody!  You're Stuck Like Glue
On Shady Blue here on S-P-M-M... the
station that's #1 for music and fun.
By now you know that I love this
guy - Elvis "The Pelvis" Presley.

CLICK TO START
THE VIDEO NOW!

Here now is the hip-swiveling King
performing one of my favorites in the
1962 movie Girls! Girls! Girls!--
"Return To Sender!"

"Return To Sender" - Elvis Presley

(Nov./Dec. 1962, highest chart pos. #2 Hot 100/#1 Cash Box,

from OST of Nov. 1962 film Girls! Girls! Girls!)

"Return To Sender" from Girls! Girls! Girls!... a movie in which Elvis

was caught in a love triangle with Stella Stevens and Laurel Goodwin.

I could think of a worse fate. It's time to wrap up Shady's anniversary

dance party, and we're going out with a bang and a bark. Here to

introduce the last dance is Shady Del Knight's deejay dog,

S-P-M-M's All Night Satellite-- Toto Moto!

Heidi ho, and thank you, Shady Blue!

This is Toto Moto, The Hound of Sound, your

Hi-Fi Fido, your Rocker Spaniel, The Pooch
with the Hooch. I'm not ashamed to admit
that I piddled on the rug with excitement
when I found out Shady Del Knight has
been blogging for eleven whole years.
That's more than 60 of my dog years!

Congratulations to you, my human pet!

To bring the anniversary bash to a close,
let's tumble through my Top Tunes
Time Tunnel to the fall of 1964 at the
height of the British Invasion hoopla.
Here's the English R&B rock band
Manfred Mann with their first and
biggest U.S. hit, a #1 charting cover
of a song originally recorded by the
American R&B group The Exciters.

CLICK TO START THE VIDEO NOW!

It's a doggone ditty that I think is mighty pretty-- "Do Wah Diddy Diddy!"

"Do Wah Diddy Diddy" - Manfred Mann

(Sept./Oct. 1964, highest chart pos. #1)

Brit band Manfred Mann with a hit single that shot to #1 on both sides of the pond,

"Do Wah Diddy Diddy." Hey, I gotta poop, so I'm saying goodbye and scooting

through the studio's doggie door. Back to you, Shady Del Knight!

A friend is someone who gives you total

freedom to be yourself." - Jim Morrison

Thank you, Toto, and thanks to the rest of The Shady Bunch for bringing

their A sides to the anniversary bash. I also thank you, dear reader,

for joining the party. It doesn't matter if you have been following

me for eleven days or all eleven years. I am grateful. Thank you

very much, my friend, for spending some time in the Shady.

 I promise to do my best to keep you entertained

throughout year number twelve.

Have a Shady day!