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 (eighteen years ago)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FqOfXumI18A
― gershy, Sunday, 23 December 2007 07:49 (eighteen years ago)
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 (eighteen years ago)
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 (eighteen years ago)
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 (eighteen years ago)
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 (eighteen years ago)
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 (eighteen years ago)
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 (eighteen years ago)
run with the fox is beter
― akm, Sunday, 23 December 2007 21:49 (eighteen years ago)
Classic, including lyrics.
― Sundar, Sunday, 23 December 2007 22:03 (eighteen years ago)
But, yeah, I never hear it in malls or anything.
― Sundar, Sunday, 23 December 2007 22:16 (eighteen years ago)
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 (eighteen years ago)
http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/7342/robottd1.jpg
― The blue-green world is drenched with horse gore, Sunday, 23 December 2007 22:29 (eighteen years ago)
It was actually Keith Emerson's suggestion to insert "Troika" in the song.
― Joe, Sunday, 23 December 2007 23:50 (eighteen years ago)
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 (eighteen years ago)
epitaph is awesome
― gershy, Monday, 24 December 2007 00:13 (eighteen years ago)
good thread
― chaki, Monday, 24 December 2007 00:26 (eighteen years ago)
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 (fifteen years ago)
really think this might be greatest Christmas song ever
― you can expect punches, kicks and even worse (frogbs), Friday, 20 April 2012 17:47 (fourteen years ago)
You celebrate Christmas on Weed Day? Do you decorate a six foot tall pot plant?
― Ned Raggett, Friday, 20 April 2012 19:02 (fourteen years ago)
Anyone would believe in Father Christmas if they smoked a plant that big.
― Cheggers Plays Populous (snoball), Friday, 20 April 2012 19:10 (fourteen years ago)
RIP Greg, this has to take the Xmas no.1 spot again now
― heaven parker (anagram), Thursday, 8 December 2016 12:04 (nine years ago)
Rip.
― Robert Adam Gilmour, Thursday, 8 December 2016 12:10 (nine years ago)
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 (nine years ago)
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 (nine years ago)