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