Shake, Rattle, and Roll

“Shake, Rattle, and Roll,” written by Jesse Stone (as Charles F. Calhoun), recorded by Joe Turner and His Blues Kings, 1954. The orginal recording of this song. Joe Turner (vocal), Van Walls (piano), Wilbur DeParis (trumpet), Haywood Henry (baritone sax), Sam Taylor (tenor saxophone),  Mickey Baker (guitar), Connie Kay (drums). Writer Jesse Stone and producers Ahmet Ertegun and Jerry Wexler help shout the chorus.

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New Years Resolution

“New Years Resolution,” written by Stax Records staffers Randle Catron, Willie Dean “Deanie” Parker Catron, and Mary Frierson, recorded by Otis Redding and Carla Thomas in 1967.

Related:

Stax Museum website

“Rudyard Kipling’s Little-Known Poem on New Year’s Resolutions,” Ellen C. Caldwell, JSTOR Daily

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What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?

“What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?”was written in 1947 by Frank Loesser, and became a hit R&B record for The Orioles two years later.

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Xmas Done Got Funky

“Xmas Done Got Funky,” by Jimmy Jules (Charley C. Julien) & Nuclear Soul System, with Jackie Spencer.

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Hey Santa Claus

“Hey Santa Claus,” written by Harvey Fuqua and recorded in 1953 by his group, The Moonglows. Their manager, DJ Alan Freed, is given co-writer credit on the label, as was the practice (payola). The sax soloist is Red Holloway.

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Ain’t No Chimneys In The Projects

“Ain’t No Chimneys In The Projects,” written by Sharon Jones and Bosco Mann (Gabriel Roth), performed by Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings, released as the Daptone Records 2009 Christmas 45 (DAP-1048). The video was animated and directed by Ryan Louie.

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Santa Claus, Go Straight To The Ghetto

“Santa Claus, Go Straight To The Ghetto,” written by Alfred Ellis, Hank Ballard, and James Brown. Performed by Mr. Brown and his ensemble.

Official NORAD Santa Tracker

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Gee Whiz, It’s Christmas

“Gee Whiz, It’s Christmas,” written by Carla Thomas, Steve Cropper, and Vincent Trauth, recorded by Carla Thomas in 1963. The title alludes to the hit record Ms. Thomas recorded when she was 16, “Gee Whiz (Look at His Eyes).”

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I Want to Come Home for Christmas

“I Want to Come Home for Christmas,” written by Forrest Hairston and Marvin Gaye, recorded and produced by Mr. Gaye in 1972. While there were other R&B Christmas songs about the Vietnam conflict, this may be the only one written from the POW point-of -view. The recording was not released until after Marvin Gaye’s death.

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Come Over Here

“Come Over Here,” written by James Brown, recorded by James Brown and the Famous Flames, released 1962.

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