My Advent Calendar reaches Christmas Eve, and it’s starting to look a bit like Christmas. A lockdown, Tier 4, shout and wave at your daughters from a distance kind of Christmas. It’s weird, but hopefully next year will be better. Maybe that’s why there is an air of sentimentality about today’s songs?
My first song is one that I have shared every year on this day since I started doing this (this is year 6 of these). Am I a creature of habit, or just plain old boring? You be the judge – or maybe not! You’ll soon spot why I couldn’t share this one on any other day:
Mindy Smith may well be new for you. She has been making records since 2003, although her most recent release was as far back as 2013: the EP Snowed In, from which this track comes. She has made some occasional appearances since then, and I’m hoping that she will be releasing some new music soon: the signs have been there on her social media pages. In her main period she released five albums between 2004 and 2012, all of which reached the Billboard Heat chart, and one of them – Stupid Love – actually topped that chart. But mainstream success has so far eluded her. To me, that’s a shame, as she writes and performs lovely songs: this one expresses what so many parents have experienced on Christmas Eve as they try to calm the excitable little ones. Mindy played an online show a few days ago. I missed it, as it was in the middle of the night UK time, but I’ve seen a photo of her set list and this one was on it. Maybe one day it will be on YouTube!
It probably doesn’t do my street cred much good to admit that I’ve always been a fan of Def Leppard, but I’ve said it now! Amongst the heavier rocking stuff they have always been good at rock ballads, and they released this one as a single in 2018:
I said I was getting a little sentimental, didn’t I, but if a bunch of gnarly old rockers can come up with a video like that, then why not? That one hasn’t been on any of the band’s albums, though it did feature as a bonus vinyl disc for their Record Day promo in 2019. It’s a simple song, but it really gets to the heart of the season, and is perhaps needed now more than ever:
“So here’s to you, and all you do
Let’s raise a glass to all that’s past, and to the future long may it last
Ohh let it last
And may the light shine on you, and trust your hopes to see it through
Forever after let it be true, for me and you”
I was going to leave it there for today, but a new animated video was released yesterday by a couple of the greatest country artists of my time, so I just had to add to today’s sentimentality overload by sharing it with you:
That is a Willie Nelson song, written in 1963 and originally a hit for Roy Orbison that year, though it has since been recorded by many others. This duet version with Willie is from Dolly Parton’s recently released album, A Holly Dolly Christmas, which has so far peaked at #16 in both the UK and US album charts. I think we all need a hankie after that, and today’s other songs!
In case I haven’t already given you enough reminders, today is Christmas Eve when, in normal times, Fred would be starting his Christmas shopping:
And for those getting impatient for the big day, this one’s for you:
I’ll be here tomorrow with a bumper final Advent Calendar window. Hope to see you then 🎅🦌
I didn’t know Mindy Smith, Clive, she has a lovely voice and I enjoyed this song of hers. I love that joke of the man hiding from his wife behind the chimney. That could be me hiding from my mom who loves shopping. I am not a big fan.
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She has, and deserves to be much better known, I think. Glad you enjoyed the cartoon too. I’m not a great one for shopping either!
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Love the Mindy Smith tune! I’m positive that I’ve never heard this beautiful song before.
Forget street cred, Clive. Music is such a personal choice. I don’t think any music critic should be telling other people what they should like. I’ve always been a Def Leppard fan going all the way back to Pyromania in 1983. I make no apologies for that, and I’ve never understood why they get so much grief. Justin Bieber isn’t for me, but plenty of other people love his music. To each their own.
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It is lovely, isn’t it. She has gone under most people’s radar, I think, but hopefully if new music is on the way she’ll get some recognition: she has a lot of friends in the business judging from the likes she gets on her Instagram posts.
I’ve never understood that either. They just seem like a good bunch of people who enjoy being friends and doing what they do best. Good to know you’re a long time fan too!
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I was not familiar with any of these songs, but they were all wonderful. Loved the video for the Willie and Dolly song.
Merry Christmas, Clive: here’s to you, and all you do…
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Glad you enjoyed them! That video is rather sweet, isn’t it – YouTube recommendations strike again!
Merry Christmas to you too, Jim, and I return that compliment 🎅
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hope you are enjoying the day!
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It’s strange and quiet, but as long as I have the tv and chocolate I’m fine. Hope yours is good too 😊
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we’ve been watching a lot of The West Wing, with cookies 🙂
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Sounds good to me 👍
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Happy Christmas, Clive 3 great song choices…:) x
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Thank you, Carol, glad you liked them. Happy Christmas to you too 🎅 x
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Love Def Leppard’s song. Have a Merry and safe Christmas!
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Thanks, Paul. To be honest that one had passed me by until it popped up in a YouTube recommendation. I love that video. You have a Happy Christmas too – if you’re bored or in need of respite there will be a final set of tunes tomorrow 😊
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Merry Christmas, happy holidays. The world needs beautiful days ahead.
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Thank you. I’m hoping those days come soon!
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Amen.🎄🌺
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Happy Christmas Eve. Loved the Def Leppard song Thanks!
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Happy Christmas to you too, Darlene. Have a lovely time!
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