Tinsel Tunes - The Christmas Music Podcast

This month, Duane and Scott look at the history of the 1914 Christmas Truce and songs written about the event.Don't forget to vote for your favorite song of the episode in The Great Tinsel Tunes Song Battle 2025.Songs from the episode:I Saw Three Ships by Fisherman’s FriendsYorkshire Three Ships by Kate Rusby1914 (Christmas Truce) by Elias DummerChristmas in the Trenches by John McCutcheonChristmas Truce by SabatonPipes of Peace by Tim PannellStille Nacht (Silent Night in the original German)Christmas 1914 (No Man’s Land) by Roy BuckleyAll Together Now by The Farm1914 - The Carol of Christmas by Military VoicesSnoopy’s Christmas by The Royal Guardsmen1914 by Mike Harding

This month, Duane and Scott discuss the carol "I Saw Three Ships" with Tim Babb from the "Can't Wait for Christmas" podcast.Don't forget to vote for your favorite song in the Great Tinsel Tunes Song Battle 2025.Songs played in this episode:I Saw Three Ships by the Barenaked Ladies (Tim)I Saw Three Ships by Blackmore’s Night (Duane)I Saw Three Ships by King’s College Choir (Scott)I Saw Three Ships by Nat King Cole (Tim)I Saw Three Ships (Metal Cover) by Forrest Howard (Duane)I Saw Three Ships by The Irish Rovers (Scott)I Saw Three Ships by South Park and the Muppets (Tim)I Saw Three Ships by Fiddler’s Green (Duane)I Saw Three Ships (Sea Shanty Version) by the Harris Siblings (Scott)

This month, Duane and Scott discuss the carol "Away in a Manger" with special guest Lynnora Gilbert.Vote for your favorite song in the Great Tinsel Tunes Song Battle 2025.Songs played during the episode:MuellerCradle SongAway in a Manger by King’s College ChoirAway in a Manger by ChristafariAway in a Manger by Phil WickhamAway in a Manger by Home FreeAway in a Manger by Rob HalfordAway in a Manger by 9-year-old Claire CrosbyAway in a Manger by Nat King ColeAway in a Manger by Vermicide ViolenceAway in a Manger by James Linden Hogg

This month, Scott and Duane celebrate seven years of Tinsel Tunes with our very special guest, Brian Earl from the Christmas Past podcast. They each share some versions of the carol "It Came Upon the Midnight Clear". Here's Brian's "Christmas podcast wish list" video from 2018: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fViebraVgQDon't forget to vote for your favorite song from this episode in the Great Tinsel Tunes Song Battle 2025: https://pollforall.com/pkd99o8nHere are the jazz songs that listener Adam Parker recommended:O Swing All Ye Faithful by Andrew Morgan Smith & the LifetimersGod Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen by Ezra CollectiveJingle Bells by Gabriel Latchin TrioHere are the versions of "It Came Upon the Midnight Clear" that we played during the episode:Anita BryantHall and OatesBlackmore's NightMormon Tabernacle ChoirSixpence None the RicherRobert SoulbergJulie AndrewsJars of ClayLliad Jazz Orchestra

This month, Duane and Scott explore jazz Christmas music.Vote for your favorite song from this episode in the Great Tinsel Tunes Song Battle 2025.Songs played in the episode:Christmastime is Here by Steve HunterRudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer by New York Jazz LoungeFrosty the Snowman by Erik VeldkampGod Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen by Ramsey Lewis TrioDeck the Hall by Southside AcesThe Little Drummer Boy by Marcus MillerO Tannembaum by George Gee Swing OrchestraWinter Wonderland - Spyro GyraSilver Bells by Max AbramsJingle Bells by Diana Krall

This month, Duane and Scott explore the song "Here We Come A-Wassailing" and the tradition of wassail.Here's the link to the Tinsel Tunes Song Battle poll:https://pollforall.com/plqqxw2jSongs played in this episode:Magdalen College ChoirRockabilly version by Under The Streetlamp featuring Michael IngersollCeltic version by Carlyle FraserEnglish folk version by Ian GilesTony MeadeBlackmore's NightCalypso version by ChicagoAlternative? version by PomplamooseGower Wassail by the Oh HellosAcapella version by RockapellaBarbershop version by Bank of Harmony

This month, Duane and Scott reveal the history of the hymn "Joy to the World".Versions played in this episode:Celtic WomenThe Altar Billies (Rockabilly)Brian Setzer Orchestra (Big Band)Orion’s Reign feat. Minniva(Heavy Metal)Gabriel Trumpet Ensemble & The Tabernacle ChoirLift Up Your Heads (Handel)Lindsey Stirling (Modern Violin)The Petersens (Bluegrass)Christafari (Reggae)Randy Travis (Country)Mannheim Steamroller (Synth Rock)No Doubt - Oi to the world (Ska)To participate in The Great Tinsel Tunes Music Battle 2025, vote using this link: https://pollforall.com/pkvj4eyo

This month, Duane and Scott explore the history of “Good King Wenceslas”.Versions played in the episode:Blackmore’s NightThe Irish RoversChris HendricksTori AmosReggae All-StarsStan Kenton Jazz OrchestraMatthew Green’s Orchestral RainbowMannheim SteamrollerOdynHere's the link to the poll to vote for your favorite song from this episode:https://pollforall.com/p346dormHere’s the clip from “Love Actually”:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4-35TN6AmwThis is the 13th century spring carol “Tempus dest Floridum” that gave us the melody for Good King Wenceslas:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zv8PgukSLX0From listener Bob in Utah, here’s the link to the Majestica album “A Christmas Carol”:https://youtu.be/nq5No8qsowA?si=Y37SJX4F5g4w5cE4From listener Steve Banks, here’s a the reggae playlist “Reggae Christmas Parade”:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2ZH6rGilSmg9p4VxF2ubkU?si=IMf_S2cuSGyMYHqwDxPp7Q&pi=AO2eqAlHT0SeM&nd=1&dlsi=5cc261712ab14247

This month, Duane and Scott discuss the history of “Auld Lang Syne”.Here’s the poll to vote for your favorite song from this episode:https://pollforall.com/plz67252When Harry met Sally quote:https://www.youtube.com/shorts/auaVllEHehQRod Stewart:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Al7ONqrdscYBoney M:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DlZRXFuh5_EHome Free (Acapella):https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFcSfqYqHs4Youtuber Amy Lee:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IALSCIyUPXIGuy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians (Big Band):https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ik7ktS3PqEsHighland Saga (Celtic):https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xX47kd9L6ocFiddler’s Green (Folk Rock):https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5jd3wjBJfQReel Big Fish (Ska):https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJEP16sH3I0The Holophonics (Ska):https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICbkmUHAKkMThe Herald’s Hymnal (Metal):https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yK35pHIzVPIA Twist of Metal (Guitar Instrumental):https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SOkp81P4Mj8Die Toten Hosen (Punk):https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5egd2VF5UsCooper Alan’s “Plead the fifth” (Parody):https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2uwxYkaH9ts

This month, Duane and Scott dive into the surprising history of "Deck the Halls". Songs played in this episode: Nos Galan Nos Galan (instrumental) Deck the Hall by Cambridge Singers New Year's Night by Haydn Deck the Halls by Red Hot Chili Peppers Deck the Halls by SHeDAISY Deck the Halls/War Pigs Mashup by Aaron Gage Genre versions played in this episode: Orion’s Reign (Heavy Metal) Rob Halford (Judas Priest) Relient K (Pop/Punk) Christafari (Reggae) Chiptune Celtic Women The Myrrhderers (Ska/Punk) Sonny Vande Putte (Acapella) George Strait (Country)

This month, Scott and Duane discuss the iconic song “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch.” Versions played in this episode: Thurl Ravenscroft Voice Play (Acapella) Small Town Titans (Rock) Brittany Smith (Contemporary Christafariband (Reggae) Famous for a Century (Metal) Matt Forbes (Jazz/Crooner) Darius Rucker (Country) Matrtrixx (Trap) Greg Kerr (Pop Punk) The Holophonics (Ska)

This month, Duane and Scott dive deep into the history of "O Come, All Ye Faithful". Songs played in this episode: Freddie McGregor (Reggae) For King and Country (Acoustic) Brett Eldredge (Country) Twisted Sister (Heavy Rock) Matthew Green's Orchestral Rainbow (Rock Opera) Luther Vandross (R&B/Soul) Jigsound (Chiptune) Bad Religion (Punk Rock) Strada9 (Ska) City High (Hip Hop) We didn't play this one, but Duane wanted to include Olivia Newton John's "reimagined" version.

Scott and Duane are joined by Adam Parker from the Merry Britsmas podcast to listen to the 2018 album "Christmas with The Fizz".

This month, Gerry Davila from The Totally Rad Christmas Podcast joins Duane and Scott to discuss Christmas albums from 1980s cartoon character properties. Songs/Albums played: Strawberry Shortcake - Christmas Album, KidStuff Records, 1981 A Pink Panther Christmas, KidStuff Records, 1981 Pac-Man Christmas Album, KidStuff Records, 1982 A Care Bears Christmas, KidStuff Records, 1982 Merry Christmas With The Smurfs, Polygram Records, 1983 A Cabbage Patch Christmas, Parker Brothers Music, 1984 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLreHEyGJh3_MdLrm-K9dqWAiy_JrO0TTc Christmas With The California Raisins, Priority Records, 1988

This month, Duane and Scott review metal and heavy rock Christmas songs with special guest, listener Matt Wheeler. Matt’s Songs Jingle Bells by Austrian Death Machine Joy to the World (Cover by Minniva feat. Orion's Reign) All I Want For Christmas Is You by Leo Moracchioli Christmas Truce by Sabaton Deck the Joy by Theocracy The Chronicles of Jacob Marley by Order of Nine Duane’s Songs Another Rock-n-Roll Christmas by Paul Di’Anno O Holy Night by Floor Jenson We Three Kings by Rob Halford Carol of the Bells (symphonic heavy metal version) by Orion’s Reign God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen by Charlie Parra Del Riego Listener Songs Little Drummer Boy by Marcelo Camela

This month, Scott and Duane listen to Christmas songs about summer and warm weather. Songs played during the episode: Summer Wonderland by Ronan Keating from Dec 2016 Christmas in Summer by Itty Bitty Beats and Suzy Cato from Nov 2019 Te Harinui - New Zealand Christmas carol, written by Willow Macky, performed by David Lyle Morris, from Nov 2013 Christmas in the Summertime by The Funky Monkeys Christmas In Summer by Teeny Tiny Stevies Christmas on the Beach by BERA from 2023 (C’mon a) Surfin’ Christmas Holiday by the Hollyberries All I Want for Christmas is a Real Good Tan by Paul Overstreet (Kenny Chesney cover) Christmas Day (I Wish I was Surfing) by Emmy the Great & Tim Wheeler Aloha Christmas by The Dukes of Surf  The Aussie Christmas Song by Batesy

This month, Duane and Scott listen to funny, silly, and parody Christmas songs that were submitted by listeners. (and Duane!) Here's the playlist of all the songs played on the episode: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCpPixJu91TQsSsv_w_-rPlslc_2gsjGP&jct=T_PnZ3PnNZJ0R2Eh8tFxUZJf0ggoHw

This month, Duane and Scott listen to the First to Eleven album “A Very First to Eleven Christmas” Songs played: The Most Wonderful time of the year  All I want for christmas is you Feliz Navidad Underneath the tree Santa tell me Christmas C’mon This Season Rockin’ around the Christmas Tree Santa Baby Last Christmas Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas YouTube playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_nsU4GMbxY8_UnN59fMO5NBD8CsC0HOgvI

This month, Duane and Scott listen to Christmas songs about trains. Article on the History of trains and Christmas Songs played on this episode: Tom Hanks and the children cast - The Polar Express Theme Blake Shelton - Santa's Got a Choo Choo Train Sarah Connor - Christmas Train (Destination Hope) Patty Loveless - Santa Train James Coffey - Magical Christmas Train Roger Miller - Old Toy Trains Carey Bell - Christmas Train 1996 Brett Dennen - Christmas Train The Tractors - Santa Claus Is Coming (In a Boogie-Woogie Choo-Choo Train) Bet Smith and the Currie Brothers - That Christmas Train Paul Kelly and Vika Bull - Christmas Train

This month, Duane and Scott discuss the carol "Angels We Have Heard on High". Versions of the song played on this episode: Angels We Have Heard on High (fingerstyle guitar) Les Anges dans nos Campagnes (version complète) Angels from the Realms of Glory by Matthew Green’s Orchestral Rainbow Angels from the Realms of Glory, David Archuleta and the Tabernacle Choir Angels from the Realms of Glory (1967 version) Gloria (Piano version) by Hymns, Chorales & Classics On Piano Punk version by Reliant K Acapella version by Home Free Metal version by Dan Vasc Ska version by On the Upbeat Rock version by Bayside Country version by Josh Turner Chiptune version by Peter Hunter Instrumental version by the Piano Guys ​​Big Band/Rockabilly version by Brian Setzer Orchestra