Finnginn's Festive Countdown: Number 8

Confession time: I love Xmas music. I’m not ashamed to say that the first 7” single I ever owned was Cliff Richard’s Mistletoe and Wine and that at least 50% of the theme of that chorus-line plays an important part in my Xmas celebrations to this day. 

I have two ideas that I think would improve the whole Xmas music experience for everyone.

1. Xmas music should only be played during Advent and on Xmas Day itself.
2. We should all deviate from the standard playlist a bit more - let’s hear more Xmas deep cuts.

For those who love Xmas music as much as me, and for all the grinches who wish they could avoid stepping into last Christmas everyday, I present Finnginn’s Festive Countdown.

Number 8: It’s Always Christmas Time for Visa by The Austin Lounge Lizards. 

There can be few genres more divisive than comedy gospel bluegrass. Let’s just say it’s not for everyone. 

I first heard the Austin lounge Lizards when I was working as a campboy in the United States in the late 90s. A Texan guitar slinger called Uh…Clem used to sing a cover of their song Monkey on My Back (And It Looks Like You) round the campfire at the Cotopaxi Smokehouse. When I returned to England, he gave me as a parting gift a cassette tape that had their album Employee of the Month on one side and a live album by the Asylum Street Spankers on the other.   

In the years since, I have tracked down some other records of theirs. Not much of their back catalogue has made it to the digital era. Only about half of their 10 or so albums are on YouTube Music.

Luckily one of them includes this catchy seasonal reminder that the credit card companies are out to exploit you…

Altogether now:

It’s always Christmas time for Visa!

Mastercard gets presents every day!

Our interest rate just went

To 29 per cent

Even though we’ve never failed to pay.

I'm always looking to expand my Christmas playlist, please share your favourites in the comments below or on Facebook.