It's that time of year again. I heard this in the supermarket today. I'm too old and tired to hate on Grge Lake anymore, but don't you find this tune just a little too pompous? Even by Greg Lake standards?? Actually, take away the lyrics/vocals and it's not that bad. (see, I told you my heart's not in it) Free Design used Prokofiev to better effect though.....
― gershy, Sunday, 23 December 2007 07:41 (sixteen years ago) link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FqOfXumI18A
― gershy, Sunday, 23 December 2007 07:49 (sixteen years ago) link
I kinda like the grumpy pomposity on it. It's funny in the context of all the other great Xmas songs it inevitably gets compiled with, like nobody's listening to him dissing Santa they're just waiting for the Troika bit to kick in. Prokofiev is pretty sweet, yeah?
― Noodle Vague, Sunday, 23 December 2007 12:05 (sixteen years ago) link
i never hear this on u.s. radio. not like i hear kinks father christmas. or even elp nutrocker!
― scott seward, Sunday, 23 December 2007 14:43 (sixteen years ago) link
Musically, I like it (great melody, the jangle of the 12-string, great insertion of teh Troika). Lyrically, of course...(did he write the lyrics himself or did Pete Sinfield 'contribute' as well?).
I wonder how many different versions there are. I heard one the other day in a store with full orchestral and choir backing (then maybe again, all of 'em are like that), the arrangement was pretty over the top.
― Joe, Sunday, 23 December 2007 19:44 (sixteen years ago) link
Not much of a defense, but I'd rather here it in the store than "Santa Baby", that's fer damn sure.
― Joe, Sunday, 23 December 2007 19:45 (sixteen years ago) link
too pompous? TOO pompous. NOT POMPOUS ENOUGH. GIMME MOAR. if an xmas song isn't overbearingly X then forget about it.
― Alan, Sunday, 23 December 2007 19:57 (sixteen years ago) link
alan white, innit?
speaking of him, what's yer take on "Run With the Fox" by Chris Squire/Alan White - another pete sinfield xmas opus. that one's a lot more joyous than lake's to my ears
― gershy, Sunday, 23 December 2007 20:05 (sixteen years ago) link
run with the fox is beter
― akm, Sunday, 23 December 2007 21:49 (sixteen years ago) link
Classic, including lyrics.
― Sundar, Sunday, 23 December 2007 22:03 (sixteen years ago) link
But, yeah, I never hear it in malls or anything.
― Sundar, Sunday, 23 December 2007 22:16 (sixteen years ago) link
I have never liked sampling, and as such I am not too fond of Greg Lake's use of the Troika here either. I mean, it's a great song in a lot of ways, and sure brings a Christmas feeling, but a talented musician like Greg Lake shouldn't need to base his songs on other people's pre-existing compositions.
― Geir Hongro, Sunday, 23 December 2007 22:18 (sixteen years ago) link
http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/7342/robottd1.jpg
― The blue-green world is drenched with horse gore, Sunday, 23 December 2007 22:29 (sixteen years ago) link
It was actually Keith Emerson's suggestion to insert "Troika" in the song.
― Joe, Sunday, 23 December 2007 23:50 (sixteen years ago) link
This is a classic overblown mode for Greg Lake, of a piece with "Epitaph."
― James Redd and the Blecchs, Sunday, 23 December 2007 23:55 (sixteen years ago) link
epitaph is awesome
― gershy, Monday, 24 December 2007 00:13 (sixteen years ago) link
good thread
― chaki, Monday, 24 December 2007 00:26 (sixteen years ago) link
It's kind of adolescent. Still, atheist Christmas hit = classic! (Actually, I think I heard it in a mall some time after I last posted to this thread.)
― EveningStar (Sund4r), Friday, 24 December 2010 18:12 (thirteen years ago) link
really think this might be greatest Christmas song ever
― you can expect punches, kicks and even worse (frogbs), Friday, 20 April 2012 17:47 (twelve years ago) link
You celebrate Christmas on Weed Day? Do you decorate a six foot tall pot plant?
― Ned Raggett, Friday, 20 April 2012 19:02 (twelve years ago) link
Anyone would believe in Father Christmas if they smoked a plant that big.
― Cheggers Plays Populous (snoball), Friday, 20 April 2012 19:10 (twelve years ago) link
RIP Greg, this has to take the Xmas no.1 spot again now
― heaven parker (anagram), Thursday, 8 December 2016 12:04 (seven years ago) link
Rip.
― Robert Adam Gilmour, Thursday, 8 December 2016 12:10 (seven years ago) link
No way! RIP.
Two thirds of ELP gone in one year.
― Working night & day, I tried to stay awake... (Turrican), Thursday, 8 December 2016 12:16 (seven years ago) link
http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-38251936
RIP, his playing on those Crimson albums is ferocious and timeless
― sleeve, Thursday, 8 December 2016 15:17 (seven years ago) link