WHAT’S BEHIND THE MUSIC – FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO GOT THE 2008 CHRISTMAS CD

(For those of you who didn’t, but want it, send me an e-mail at johnyoungren@mac.com)

By JOHN YOUNGREN

I used to do all this stuff in the CD’s packaging. I used to try to keep the songs a “secret” and explain their mystery meanings within the packet. But it’s been 16 years and a lot of people are not attuned to that part of the whole thing. Which is fine.

SPOILER ALERT! SPOILER ALERT! SPOILER ALERT! (Bail now if you don't want to hear more about the songs themselves at this point.)

But there are many who have been on this list (and keep receiving them, or have started receiving them) for years. So I owe it to you folks to try to give you some idea (in most case, no deep meaning) of why I was mixing the songs that I did on this year’s John Youngren’s Christmas 2008 CD. Sometimes, the reasons are just musical or whimsical. Sometimes, one sound leads to another. Sometimes, they “mean” something. In this case:

1. “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town” by Faith Hill. For the past five or six years, I’ve led off the “Christmas” CD with an actual “Christmas” song. This year, Faith made the grade – mostly because she recorded a new Christmas CD and is my ritual to watch every Sunday at 6:15 p.m., when NBC’s “Football Night In America” becomes NBC’s “Sunday Night Football.” Faith in those jeans and those boots? She’s my girl. (Don’t tell Tim. Though I’m sure he’d feel secure.)
2. “(Just Like) Starting Over” by John Lennon. I became obsessed with using this song when I read the new biography of Lennon by Phillip Norman. The “starting” theme worked for both the mix CD and the New Year ahead, which is often what I’m thinking of when I do these Christmas mixes. I like the chimes that start it off. And I wanted Lennon – chosen by 4 of 6 text messagers (with no context) I contacted in a random poll of whether I should “lead off” (after the obligatory Christmas song) the 2008 Christmas CD with either “(Just Like) Starting Over” or the Beatles’ “Come Together.” Either would have worked. The fans spoke.
3. “Honky Tonk Woman” by the Rolling Stones. Nothing more than a good riff, and the sound of the cowbell working to lead off the song right after the Lennon masterpiece. Palmer P. makes it come together, so to speak.
4. “Second Hand News” by Fleetwood Mac. One of my favorite songs of all time, and one of the great “mix” songs of all time – this is one I have used on a number of previous personal CD mixes (but never Christmas!) because of its bounce and viability. Just a good, energetic song to inject into the front of any mix. That’s why it leads off “Rumors,” which is one of the most popular albums of all time.
5. “All Summer Long” by Kid Rock. Never a question. This one is batting clean-up (if you skip past the Christmas song at No. 1) on the disc, mainly because it’s such a Youngren Mix song – encompassing rock, roll, country, classic and feel-good lyrics and themes all at once. This is Mellencamp, Springsteen, Chesney and McCartney rolled into one. This one is the 2008 franchise.
6. “Won’t Go Home Without You” by Maroon 5. I chose this song after seeing the group perform on “Regis & Kelly” a number of months ago. Great song, great performance … pop leads to country.
7. “You Can’t Do That” by The Beatles. I love Beatles songs from this era, and use one nearly every year. This is classic “I’m A Loser”-style Beatles, and a great sing-along I heard at a Columbus Day (Italian League) dinner this year. Had to be in there, following the old “Youngren Christmas Mix” rules. Plus, a song I love and one that could transition the disc into country. Which is where we go now…
8. “Don’t Think I Don’t Think About It” by Darius Rucker. Well, for three or four years nine or 10 years ago, I had Darius Rucker (with his day band, Hootie & The Blowfish) on the Christmas mix nearly every year. Now that’s he’s recorded new music in the country vein, how could I not include him? Plus, he looks like me. Plus, it’s a cool song. And it doesn’t really count as country, critics, because it’s Hootie. Get it?
9. “I Do” by Jewel. I can’t remember the last time I became so attracted to a singer since Jewel went country. She’s such a sassy hot chick in her videos and performances, and she did this song at the “CMA Music Festival” and on Jimmy Kimmel and I went nuts. So, God. So hot in those boots and little dresses. And this song rocks better live than on disc.
10. “Johnny & June” by Heidi Newfield. Heidi’s long been a country favorite – and at the risk of falling for yet another cute country blonde (see above, and below), I included this one simply for its scope and lyrics. “I want to love like Johnny and June.” Well, who the hell wouldn’t? If you don’t get it, go see “Walk The Line.” And keep an eye on Heidi. She used to be with Trick Pony. And she’s been on Youngren Christmas mixes before.
11. “Gone, Gone, Gone (Been Gone So Long)” by Robert Plant and Alison Krauss. Great song with a fun shuffle. Threw it on a personal mix or two earlier this year but needed to use it on The Franchise Christmas mix. Also liked it in honor of my Dad – who met Alison Krauss and liked her.
12. “Just Got Started Loving You” by James Otto. The most quintessential “country” song of this year’s mix, this one came about because Otto is pals with Big & Rich and Gretchen Wilson (two of my “Music Mafia” favorites, none of which appear on the disc this year) and had a good straightforward, memorable song. Nothing more here.
13. “All-American Girl” by Carrie Underwood. I loved this song and video. I felt like I discovered it. I love me a little Carrie. I saw Carrie in concert in Salt Lake City a few weeks ago. With the exception of “All Summer Long,” this song was the most sure thing on this mix. And when I settled on the Presidential Theme that permeates the cover and liner notes, I knew this was locked.
14. “Come On Over” by Jessica Simpson. Well, I’ll just admit: One guilty pleasure. Did you see her in those boots and shorts in this video? Did you? Then stop asking.
15. “Love Story” by Taylor Swift. This was the most controversial song on the CD – and in the end, it aced out The Killers and Coldplay. So I’m sorry, fans of each. I think it’s a really clever song, built on a great conceit by a talented songwriter. Would I have put it on previous discs? My sister insisted “yes” – and talked me into not pandering to the Killers/Coldplay crowd. Me, 43-year-old John, is listening to 18-year-old Taylor? Well, yes. And that’s what the CD has supposedly been all about. Maybe sad. But I'm OK.
16. “Ride My See-Saw” by The Moody Blues. Just a song that’s been bouncing around my head (and potential mix lists) for years. Like "Second Hand News." Great sound, great start, great way to transition back into the pop sounds from the last several country tunes. And we do go country – notice – for the rest of the disc.
17. “Baby Come Back” by Player. I’ve kind of touched on this in the past few years – there was “She’s A Rainbow” by the Rolling Stones (used by Apple a few years ago) and last year’s “Rock Me Gently” (used in that commercial for I think Jeep where the bird flies through the sunroof and is swallowed by the coyote as they all sing like idiots). This year, I was highly amused by the commercials for the duster thing that allows you to replace your mop and broom. And that was “Baby Come Back.” Clever ad campaign. Leads to a Christmas mix. What can I say? It's what I do. For a living.
18. “Just The Same Way” by Journey. I knew I had to do Journey again – it’s in my wheelhouse, and a few of the 20-something kids I know love the Journey the way I loved The Beatles. So, what to do? I’ve used most of the hits. But “Just The Same Way” (while absolutely a hit) is a little off the beaten path; the “Fool On The Hill” (Beatles reference) of the Journey oeuvre. So, enjoy, Dom and Babe.
19. “Slide” by The Goo Goo Dolls. No deep meaning. Just a Goos song I always have liked and found – to my surprise – that I hadn’t used on an official Christmas mix before. So, there you go.
20. “The Kids Are Alright” by Matthew Sweet and Susanna Hoffs. I’ve used this duo and their covers of favorite songs for three years straight now – and why should this year be different? I’ve always loved The Who original; I’ve always loved Matthew Sweet (just ask TC or Kate M) and I’ve loved Susanna Hoffs since “Walk Like An Egyptian.” In this form, it’s pure pop and a great late-mix song.
21. “Home” by Daughtry. This is a modern-day classic, and the second “American Idol” on the disc. Why? Just always liked the song – and it feels like the big “tah-dah!” false ending I was looking for. This would be the Sinatra song in the Christmas mix of a few years ago – is it over yet? No.
22. “Long Trip Alone” by Dierks Bentley. I go back for country one last time, but this is more about the song than the genre. I’m not the president of Dierks Bentley’s fan club, or anything, but I do like his music quite a bit and I loved the “it’s a long trip alone” lyric in this song, which I think is the kind of “life goes on” message I always like to end the Christmas mix on. See “Bitter End” by Dixie Chicks last year. Same thing.

That’s it, fans! Hope you enjoyed the insight. It’s like the audio commentary on a DVD.

For the rest of the gang, see you later. Happy New Year, everyone!

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ON THE DOT: Now back in business (with a modified rating system) the “John Youngren Dot Com” blog (once known as “Pop Stew”) should be updated regularly. And remember, as always, this is just an exhibition; it is not a competition – so please, no wagering. To contact John, e-mail johnyoungren@mac.com