Important Albums

• The Edge Of Christmas (1995)

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Essential Songs

• Christmas Is Coming (Payolas, 1983)
• Christmas Wrapping (Waitresses, 1981)  Top 100 Song [-]

  By the early 80's, it was OK to be a nerd (thank you, David Byrne). The Waitresses made something of a career out of exploring the lives of nerds, first with the theme to Square Pegs, a short lived sitcom, then with "I Know What Boys Like," a sneering portrayal of the ultimate nerd (a horny male) as told by a woman (or prick tease, depending on one's perspective). "Christmas Wrapping" fits this theory as well, only this time the insecure party is female and the story turns out well. Employing a charming pseudo-rap style (think Blondie-meets-Tom Tom Club), singer Patty Donahue begins with a resounding "Bah humbug!" After a year of missed romantic opportunities, though, she runs into "that guy I've been chasing all year" while doing some last minute shopping. "That Christmas magic's brought this tale to a very happy ending," she effuses, not unlike those Revenge Of The Nerds movies two decades ago. "Christmas Wrapping" was the most popular song from Ze Record's A Christmas Record, a neat LP that's only been reissued on CD overseas. However, the song often shows up on compilations (Edge Of Christmas) and is included on Best Of The Waitresses.
• December Will Be Magic Again (Kate Bush, 1980)
• A Fairy Tale Of New York (The Pogues with Kirsty MacColl, 1987)
• Merry Christmas (I Don't Want To Fight) (Ramones, 1989)
• Peace On Earth/Little Drummer Boy (David Bowie & Bing Crosby, 1977)
• Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer (Smithereens, 1982)
• Run Rudolph Run (Dave Edmunds, 1982)
• Thank God It's Christmas (Queen, 1984)
• 2000 Miles (Pretenders, 1983)
• Winter Wonderland (Cocteau Twins, 1993)

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Further Listening

• Just Can't Get Enough: New Wave Xmas (various artists, 1996)
• A Christmas Record (varioius artists, 1982)
• Sleighed: The Other Side Of Christmas (various artists, 2000)

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