Advent Calendar 2022: Day 2 ⛄️

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Welcome back. Or, if this is your first time here, hello. I thought I’d begin Day 2 of my Advent Calendar with another of my regular choices, and then follow that up with one I haven’t played before. So, at the risk of being obvious, here is the long time favourite:

I think I have played this one every year that I have been doing this, going way back before the current format. There are loads of versions of this song but for me this is still the best, the most iconic of them all. I’ve never had the pleasure of going to one of Bruce’s shows but I understand that this one gets played whatever time of year it happens to be – it is that much a part of his catalogue! If you’ve seen it here before, I hope you don’t mind seeing it again: for me, it epitomises what I think music should be about – fun.

Today’s second tune is by a band who have really made a name for themselves on YouTube as a covers band. I played them for the first time last year, with their version of Wham’s Last Christmas, and they were so well received that I gave you a second helping later on, with their cover of Let It Snow. They have made many covers of Christmas songs, and here’s another I like:

As you can see from the video, that is First To Eleven. They currently have over 1.48m YouTube subscribers: I’d call that successful, wouldn’t you? They released this one, originally by Brenda Lee, in 2019 and it has over 1m views. They add a rock dimension to their song treatments, which I really like: they are all talented musicians, and vocalist Audra Miller has a great voice, whilst being as cute as they come. I know some of you became fans of theirs after I played them last year, and I hope more of you will this year too. You may well be seeing them here again later in the month. Oh alright, scrub ‘may’ and insert ‘will.’

I mentioned yesterday that some companies have spent huge amounts of money on their Christmas tv ads. Here in the UK the gold standard for these was set by the John Lewis Partnership, who run department stores and the Waitrose supermarket chain. Some of their previous ads have become classics, with a blend of gentle humour and a sensitive message. Their past couple haven’t been all that great, to be honest, but I think they are right back on top of their game with this year’s. They are showing this on tv in edited versions – I’m guessing 30 seconds, though I haven’t put a stopwatch on them – but they first launched the ad in its full glory. See what you think:

I’d put money on you having started watching that and thinking, as I did the first time I saw it, that there wasn’t a Christmas connection. And then they hit you with the message. It is beautifully done, and makes such an important point that we should all remember, especially at this time of year. The background music is a slowed down version of Blink 182’s All The Small Things, which is done at 100mph in the original. This version is by Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox, and if you’d like to see their version in full you’ll find it here.

That just leaves my image for the day to share with you. Again, trying to keep it vaguely tasteful, I give you:

See you again tomorrow, I trust 🧸

30 thoughts on “Advent Calendar 2022: Day 2 ⛄️”

  1. I immensely enjoyed the Springsteen video/song! He gets better with age. The next one … it was okay, but I think I still prefer Brenda Lee’s version. The John Lewis ad … now THAT one actually brought a tear to my eye. Beautifully and tastefully done. Thanks for sharing that one! And I LOVED the ‘toon! Don’t worry about keeping them ‘tasteful’ … we’re all adults here! I think I’m gonna enjoy your month of advent posts!

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    • Bruce always goes well here, and First to Eleven have developed a following after I first played them last year. I like the way they add a rock feel to the songs they cover. There are loads of covers of that one, though.

      I have a huge collection of Christmas cartoons and memes, but there are a lot I wouldn’t dare put on the blog 🤣

      Hopefully you’ll continue to enjoy the series.

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  2. A great start to Dec 2…You can’t beat Springsteen…Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree is a classic, but First to Eleven did it proud..I love the Christmas Ads and this one is a beauty..love the message behind it xxx

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  3. Goalllll! That’s my attempt at letting you know you scored big today with these three choices. The ad was incredibly touching. Yes, humor and a powerful message are a great combination. I’m never going to say no to Springsteen. This is one the regular First to Eleven songs that has been getting a lot of listening time in the Springer household. I don’t always like rock with Christmas music, but they pull it off every time.

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  4. what can I say, you started off with my favorite Christmas tune. I think that is the first time I’ve seen that version, and it was great. But then I went out and watched two other versions, they are all great.

    and Rockin’ Around the Tree is a classic, but First to Eleven did an excellent job with it; I thought it was just as good, if not better than the original.

    and I agree that John Lewis is back on top of their game – a wonderful ad…

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    • Wanna know a secret? That’s the same version I played last year! He just makes that song his own, doesn’t he.

      I’m glad you enjoyed First To Eleven. Their treatments of songs don’t always come off, but I think this one is a Christmas cracker.

      I’m also pleased you liked the John Lewis ad. I think it is simple but very effective, and a company that shows a social conscience is always good to see.

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  6. Love this series and of course Springsteen too…my wife and I saw his one-person show on Broadway in New York – more than two hours of songs and stories, just him on stage…his wife joined him near the end and they sang together…we were told no photos during the show but that Bruce and Patti would pose on stage afterwards and they did…an incredible night…

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  10. That is a great version of Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree. And Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas with Bruce Springsteen’s Santa Clause is Coming to Town! I love that version too. Bring out the tissues for the John Lewis ad.

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