“Don’t Drop Out,” written by James Cason and and Bobby Russell, recorded by Dolly Parton (really) in1966.
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“American Girl,” written and performed by Bonnie McKee. Ms. McKee, who has written songs for (and with) Katy Perry, Britney Spears, Kesha, Kelly Clarkson and others, has a fine grasp of contemporary American culture.
Celeb karaoke version here
Bonnie McKee official website
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“They Don’t Know,” written by Kirsty MacColl, recorded by Tracey Ullman, 1983, with Kirsty MacColl singing backup.
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“Corrido de Auld Lang Syne” by Little Bobby Rey and his Band, an early LA Chicano pop band (also called “The Masked Phantom Band”) in about 1960. “Corrido” here means the music is in a galloping rhythm. Mr. Rey learned the saxophone from Earl Bostic.
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“Driving Home For Christmas,” written and performed by Chris Rea. Another version is here. Despite 24 albums and 72 hit singles in the UK, the British artist is not well-known in the USA.
2020 note: Stay the hell home this Christmas. COVID-19 is not an appropriate yuletide gift.
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“Christmas is Coming,” written by Paul Hyde and Bob Rock, performed by their Vancouver group, The Payola$.
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“My Boyfriend’s Coming Home For Christmas,” written and performed by Toni Wine, a prodigious Brill Building songwriter and uncredited session backup singer on many rock and pop hits. She wrote and recorded this holiday tune in 1963, when she was 16 years old. Ms. Wine later left New York for Memphis, where she worked with (and married) record producer Chips Moman.
2020 note: Tell your boyfriend to stay put this Christmas. COVID-19 is not an appropriate yuletide gift. If you love him, Zoom him.
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“I Want You To Be My Baby,” written by Jon Hendricks, recorded by Billie Davis, 1968. Back-up singers are said to be Madeline Bell, Kiki Dee, and Doris Troy. Originally recorded by Louis Jordan in 1953, but this version is similar to the 1967 cover by Ellie Greenwich, with the Spencer Davis Group-derived rhythm figure.
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“Shy,” written by James Bryan McCollum, Martin Terefe, and Rita Ora, performed by Stacey Solomon, 2015.
Stacey Solomon website
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“Take Good Care Of My Baby,” written by Carole King and Gerry Goffin, recorded by The Beatles, 1962. Yes, the Beatles covered Bobby Vee’s 1961 hit in this demo for Decca. They didn’t get the contract.
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