Merry Christmas (I don’t want to fight tonight), The Ramones




Keep it simple.

It’s hard to believe that a band could build an entire career on the numbers 1, 2, 3 and 4. Or in The Ramones case, “One-Chew-Tree-Faw!”, their famous intro to almost each one of their songs.

I say almost, as this rallying cry is absent to their Christmas song. Yet, that in itself is an oddity.

The Ramones? Christmas? Didn’t they sing, “They KKK Took My Baby Away” and “I Wanna Be Sedated” and “Teenage Lobotomy” and “Sheena is a Punk Rocker” and…you get the picture.

Yet here they are having a go at Christmas. And it’s very good.

Now most years, a CD is released of punk or metal covers of Christmas songs. Twisted Sister, Alice Cooper, KoRn, Austrian Death Machine (yes, such a band exists) and others shred through an assortment of carols.

It’s funny for about a song.

Thankfully, The Ramones don’t mock but have a go at writing a Christmas song. And in true Ramones style, it’s simple structure is catchy, clever and over in two minutes.

And along the way, you might just learn something…

All the children are tucked in their beds
Sugar-plum fairies dancing in their heads
Snowball fighting, it's so exciting, baby

If kids are looking forward to this time of the year, so should we. Christmas is not just for the kids…

I love you and you love me
And that's the way it's got to be
I loved you from the start
'Cause Christmas ain't the time for breaking each other's hearts

This year, don’t dig up that old wound. Let it lie.
Don’t be a stranger, invite others in.
Don’t be stingy. Give.
Put on that silly hat. Enjoy that awful joke from the cracker.
Do your pressie shopping at Vinnies or the Salvos.
Spend less money. Spend more time with others.
Gather around people.
Forgive and have fun.

Just like The Ramones, keep it simple this Christmas.


PS: The video below is of a band I join every year, at this time of the year. We cover a Christmas song. Here's our take of The Ramones tune. Enjoy the Star Wars conga line. And Jar Jar being shot. You'll see what I mean...



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