DMX Gave Us All a Big Gift with His Version of "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer"

Last weekend my wife and I went to Memphis. Memphis is our favorite getaway. It is close, there is a ton of cool stuff to do, good food and it is relatively cheap. There are a ton of historical landmarks. On this visit we went to a Grizzlies game, hit up Silky O'Sullivan's, had BBQ and pizza and had a very nice brunch.

In the spirit of the holidays, we did a carriage ride and that is always a good time. We did a longer one this year, an hour, and the driver let us pick the music. He had a bluetooth speaker setup and told us we could play music or have him give us a tour. We have had the tour proper before, so we opted for music. Most of the music being played was Xmas music. My wife loves Xmas music and I find some of it tolerable. There was some hip hop and classic rock in there, but for the most part it was Xmas music.

At one point we listened to DMX, who I have a complicated past with, but I love his music. We did his famous stuff and it was kind of hilarious to listen to this hard core hip hop with a ton of people walking around Beale Street listening to every word. But, like a breath of fresh air, DMX's version of "Rudolph the Rednosed Reindeer" came on.

I had never heard this before. I have heard a ton of hip hop artists do Xmas versions of songs. Run DMC is classic. I have heard a ton of others. But hearing someone like DMX, whose voice was so iconic and unique, do this particular Xmas song was incredible. It was also one of the funniest things I have ever heard. First off, hearing that DMX did this song as a dare essentially is amazing. The fact that someone said it would be funny to hear him do this, and then he did it, that makes me happy. Then, when you hear this version of the song sung by DMX, it is stunning. It is typical DMX. He has that gruff, grinding and hard core edge to his voice. But then the words start to come out of his mouth and it is jarring. When he starts to sing it, hearing him say stuff like, "all of the other reindeer/used to laugh and call him names", or "rudolph the red nosed reindeer/had a very shiny nose/", it is simply amazing. It sounds like one of his songs done by the world's best soundalike. It is all DMX, but there are no swear words. There are no dog barking noises. There is no reference to demean anyone. It is non-existent. It is just DMX doing a clean DMX version of this classic kids Xmas song. I did not stop laughing the whole time. I was literally doubled over when it was playing.

After we left the carriage ride and got back to the Air Bnb, I did a ton of research. I found out a ton about DMX recording this song. I watched videos of him doing this song. I read articles about the recording. I was amazed to see how seriously DMX took this insane situation.

I think this may be my new favorite Xmas song. I have listened to it a ton since we got home. I do not listen to a lot of Xmas music when I am home doing stuff, but this version of this song has shown up on a few of my holiday playlists since Saturday. I implore you all to go check this out. You do not have to be a hip hop fan or a fan of Xmas music to enjoy this whole process. I guarantee you will find something to love about DMX doing this type of song. And you will find something to love about his full process. Just putting this in front of your face or ears will bring the most Grinch like person some kind of joy. Go, go check this out now. I know you will love it.

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast.

Come and support Ty and the podcast on Patreon.

Follow Ty on instagram and twitter.

SeedSing is funded by a group of awesome people. Join them by donating to SeedSing.  

SeedSing Classic: Advent Calendar of Awesome Holiday Television Programs: Day 13 - "Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas!"

ed note: This article was originally published on December 13th, 2016

The pre-Christmas Day season of Advent is upon us. Here at SeedSing we love the chocolaty goodness of getting a piece of candy once a day until we get to open our presents. As our gift to you we are looking back at the great holiday music, movies, television episodes, and food of this great season. Enjoy

Day 13: "Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas!"

Original air date - December 18th, 1966

Opened Doors: One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven, Eight, Nine, Ten, Eleven, Twelve

Sometimes there is something so popular, and for reasons one cannot explain, that thing will drive you insane. Ten years ago Justin Beiber was the big thing, and many people could not stand him. The same phenomenon is going on today with Taylor Swift. It is impossible to like anything from these pop culture sensations if you have invested so much of your heart in hating them. It does not matter if a large group of people like these things, your hatred is blind. The world you live in would be much better if someone took all of these songs and shoved them off of the highest mountain.

In 1966 Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! became an instant holiday classic. The previous year saw the debut of A Charlie Brown Christmas and two years earlier was the premier of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. The mid-1960s was the golden age for holiday television specials. Since 1966, Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! has aired on television every year, winning its timeslot regularly. It has more than earned a spot as part of the holy trinity of must watch holiday specials.

For those living under a rock, the story centers around a lonely creature who has chosen to make residence directly above a group of people he hates. The Grinch is akin to a modern-day prepper. His cave is extremely well stocked with all the necessities. He has scissors, red cloth, a sleigh, anything a creature would need in the who apocalypse.

Yet even in his state of preparedness, The Grinch cannot stand the whos, he especially hates them around Christmas. The whos make an incredible racket, cook non-canned food stuff, and all blindly follow the brain dead joy of Christmas. The Grinch is on edge waiting for the end times, and his hate has become downright irrational. This year is the final straw, the Grinch is going to rob all the whos, and then they will know pain.

The Grinch succeeds in his thievery, but those weirdo whos still get up and have a festive Christmas. This breaks the Grinch's brain, and he decides his years of lonely prepping were pretty pointless. Not only does the Grinch get in the holiday spirit, but he learns that a freshly cooked roast beast is way better than a 10-year-old can of creamed corn. 

Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas!  was not just a perfect adaptation of a classic book, it also had a great look and incredible music. Animation legend Chuck Jones gave the special its look, classic Hollywood Frankenstein Boris Karloff told the story, and awesomely voiced Thurl Ravenscroft sang the iconic song. Of all the great Holiday television specials, Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! is the only one that is perfect.

It is a lonely existence to live in a world where one rejects what everyone else loves. There is no reason to fully embrace that piece of pop culture, but you should not totally dismiss it either. In all of the stuff you hate, there may be a shiny gem that made the journey worth while. If you will not give the popular thing a chance, then you are just a common hipster, or worse, a Grinch.

RD

RD Kulik is the Head Editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast. He was a little under the weather today so he mustered up the strength of ten bloggers, plus two, to get the article written.

SeedSing is funded by a group of awesome people. Join them by donating to SeedSing.

SeedSing Classic: Advent Calendar of Awesome Holiday Television Programs: Day 13 - "Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas!"

ed note: This article was originally published on December 13th, 2016

The pre-Christmas Day season of Advent is upon us. Here at SeedSing we love the chocolaty goodness of getting a piece of candy once a day until we get to open our presents. As our gift to you we are looking back at the great holiday music, movies, television episodes, and food of this great season. Enjoy

Day 13: "Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas!"

Original air date - December 18th, 1966

Opened Doors: One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven, Eight, Nine, Ten, Eleven, Twelve

Sometimes there is something so popular, and for reasons one cannot explain, that thing will drive you insane. Ten years ago Justin Beiber was the big thing, and many people could not stand him. The same phenomenon is going on today with Taylor Swift. It is impossible to like anything from these pop culture sensations if you have invested so much of your heart in hating them. It does not matter if a large group of people like these things, your hatred is blind. The world you live in would be much better if someone took all of these songs and shoved them off of the highest mountain.

In 1966 Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! became an instant holiday classic. The previous year saw the debut of A Charlie Brown Christmas and two years earlier was the premier of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. The mid-1960s was the golden age for holiday television specials. Since 1966, Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! has aired on television every year, winning its timeslot regularly. It has more than earned a spot as part of the holy trinity of must watch holiday specials.

For those living under a rock, the story centers around a lonely creature who has chosen to make residence directly above a group of people he hates. The Grinch is akin to a modern-day prepper. His cave is extremely well stocked with all the necessities. He has scissors, red cloth, a sleigh, anything a creature would need in the who apocalypse.

Yet even in his state of preparedness, The Grinch cannot stand the whos, he especially hates them around Christmas. The whos make an incredible racket, cook non-canned food stuff, and all blindly follow the brain dead joy of Christmas. The Grinch is on edge waiting for the end times, and his hate has become downright irrational. This year is the final straw, the Grinch is going to rob all the whos, and then they will know pain.

The Grinch succeeds in his thievery, but those weirdo whos still get up and have a festive Christmas. This breaks the Grinch's brain, and he decides his years of lonely prepping were pretty pointless. Not only does the Grinch get in the holiday spirit, but he learns that a freshly cooked roast beast is way better than a 10-year-old can of creamed corn. 

Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas!  was not just a perfect adaptation of a classic book, it also had a great look and incredible music. Animation legend Chuck Jones gave the special its look, classic Hollywood Frankenstein Boris Karloff told the story, and awesomely voiced Thurl Ravenscroft sang the iconic song. Of all the great Holiday television specials, Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! is the only one that is perfect.

It is a lonely existence to live in a world where one rejects what everyone else loves. There is no reason to fully embrace that piece of pop culture, but you should not totally dismiss it either. In all of the stuff you hate, there may be a shiny gem that made the journey worth while. If you will not give the popular thing a chance, then you are just a common hipster, or worse, a Grinch.

RD

RD Kulik is the Head Editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast. He was a little under the weather today so he mustered up the strength of ten bloggers, plus two, to get the article written.

SeedSing is funded by a group of awesome people. Join them by donating to SeedSing.

SeedSing's Advent Calendar of Awesome Holiday Music: Day 17 - Merry Christmas (I Don't Want to Fight Tonight)

ed note: This article was originally published on December 17th, 2015

The pre-Christmas Day season of Advent is upon us. Here at SeedSing we love the chocolaty goodness of getting a piece of candy once a day until we get to open our presents. As our gift to you we will present a new awesome holiday song for every day of Advent. This is the greatest music of the season. Enjoy.

Day 17: Merry Christmas (I Don't Want to Fight Tonight) by the Ramones

Opened doors: One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven, Eight, Nine, Ten, Eleven Twelve, Thirteen, Fourteen, Fifteen, Sixteen

Every Christmas I drive my wife and son to St. Louis so we can visit our family. In some ways I am lucky because my parents and in-laws live in the same metro area. It does seem very convenient that we can spend the holidays at both parents households. In reality it has been stressful at times running between two households. My wife and I have many discussions leading up to our journey about who we will see and on what days. Sometimes these discussions become tense and we give up negotiating with each other. During the joys of the holiday season my wife and I will get into arguments about our plans. We rarely fight, but Christmas has a special power over many loving couples.

"Merry Christmas (I Don't Want to Fight Tonight)" was the final track on The Ramones 1989 album Brain Drain. The song has the typical Ramones sound. Joey Ramones iconic voice, the driving repetitive guitar, the brevity. Like many other holiday songs, "Merry Christmas (I Don't Want to Fight Tonight)" uses iconic Christmas imagery. Rudolph, Santa, snow, sugar plum fairies, and sleeping children all pop up in the tune. Christmas is supposed to be about these ideals, it is not a time to fight.

Society tells us that loving couples never fight. That is incredibly naive. "Merry Christmas (I Don't Want to Fight Tonight)" recognizes that people who love one another will fight. Joey just wants us to remember that it is Christmas, we should not be attacking each other. The Ramones believe the best way to not fight is to think of everything great about the holidays. When the fighting starts, think of Christmas, and we can all calm down.

I am an idiot for having silly arguments with my wife around the holidays, or anytime of the year. We are very lucky to have our parents in the same city. We are very lucky to have loving people around us during the holidays. When I start to get anxious discussing our Christmas schedule with my wife I will hum the catchy tune from the Ramones and think of everything great about the holiday. I will remember to tell my wife Merry Christmas, I don't want to fight tonight.

RD Kulik

RD is the Head Editor for SeedSing and the host of the X Millennial Man podcast. He and his wife rarely argue around Christmas anymore. They save their disagreements about which "Star" franchise is the best. The correct answer is Star Wars. Come tell RD why his view is correct by writing for SeedSing.

SeedSing's Advent Calendar of Awesome Holiday Music: Day 16 - Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer

ed note: This article was originally published on December 16th, 2015

The pre-Christmas Day season of Advent is upon us. Here at SeedSing we love the chocolaty goodness of getting a piece of candy once a day until we get to open our presents. As our gift to you we will present a new awesome holiday song for every day of Advent. This is the greatest music of the season. Enjoy.

Day 16: Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer by The Simpsons

Opened doors: One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven, Eight, Nine, Ten, Eleven Twelve, Thirteen, Fourteen, Fifteen

For the Advent Calendar of Awesome Holiday Music, I'm going to talk about the classic, "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer".

This is a real, authentic holiday song that I actually enjoy. I remember singing this in the school choir an an elementary student. I remember singing it amongst friends all the way through high school. And now, I'm starting to hear my three year old sing it, and it's making me sing along with him. It's a great song about an outsider overcoming adversity and, basically, saving the day.

The song was written in 1949 by Johnny Marks and it's still as popular today as it was when it came out 66 years ago. This is truly a generational song. Many famous performers have recorded versions of this song. People like Bing Crosby, Dean Martin, Paul Anka, Burl Ives, The Jackson 5 and Paul McCartney just to name a few. But, I prefer the 1949 original. This song is so popular, they made a movie entirely based on the tune. The movie is fantastic too. Check out the original one that's an animated/claymation movie, it's really great.

Let's look at the song. As I said, it's about an outsider that's needed in a desperate time of need. But, it starts off looking grim for Rudolph. First of all, the reindeer has an abnormality. All the other reindeer look similar, but Rudolph, he has a shiny red nosed. The song even claims that "you could even say it glows". Damn, that must be a really bright red nose. Then, poor Rudolph gets picked on by the other reindeer. They, "used to laugh and call him names". That's brutal. Poor Rudolph. They wouldn't even let him play games with them. What a bunch of dicks. But, then it's starting to look grim outside on Christmas Eve. Santa doesn't like the look of the weather that he will be flying through. This is when Santa steps up his game, acts like an adult, finally, and speaks up for Rudolph. As the song says, "then one foggy Christmas Eve, Santa came to say, Rudolph with your nose so bright, won't you glide my sleigh tonight". Way to step up Santa. I like your tactics. He doesn't bad mouth the other reindeer for picking on Rudolph, no, he just politely asks Rudolph, in front of all the other reindeer, if he wants to be a leader. I love it. Rudolph jumps at the chance to lead and he does a kick ass job. He does such a good job, the other reindeer stop picking on him and as the song goes, "then how the reindeer loved him, as they shouted out with glee. Rudolph the red nosed reindeer, you'll go down in history". They like him so much now, they say that he will be remembered for all of time as a hero. Children and other reindeer will look up to Rudolph. He's not an outcast anymore, he's the hero.

This is such a good song. It has everything you could want. There's a conflict, an older, wiser adult steps in and the one that was picked on, saves the day. Does it get any better than that? And this is a great time of year to have this song. The holidays can sometimes be a bummer, so why not have a song about overcoming adversity and triumphing. It's phenomenal. There's other versions, I remember singing added lyrics after original verses. Stuff like after "you could even say it glows", we'd say, "like a lightbulb!" Or "wouldn't let him join in any reindeer games", we'd say, "like Monopoly!". Everybody knows the version I'm talking about. "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" is a perfect holiday song. I love it, my wife loves it and my kids love it. I'm sure about 99 percent of the people out there love this song. Go listen to all iterations of it, but if you want the best, listen to the original. And during this holiday, if you're feeling stressed, put yourself in Rudolph's shoes. He overcame teasing and being secluded to become a hero.

Rudolph is a true inspiration.

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial  Man podcast. He was picked on when he was little because all the other kids could not deal with how handsome Ty was. Get caught up in Ty's good looks by following him on twitter. @tykulik.

SeedSing's Advent Calendar of Awesome Holiday Television Programs: Day 13 - "Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas!"

The pre-Christmas Day season of Advent is upon us. Here at SeedSing we love the chocolaty goodness of getting a piece of candy once a day until we get to open our presents. As our gift to you we will present a new awesome holiday television program for every day of Advent. This is the greatest tv of the season. Enjoy.

Day 13: "Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas!"

Original air date - December 18th, 1966

Opened Doors: One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven, Eight, Nine, Ten, Eleven, Twelve

Sometimes there is something so popular, and for reasons one cannot explain, that thing will drive you insane. Ten years ago Justin Beiber was the big thing, and many people could not stand him. The same phenomenon is going on today with Taylor Swift. It is impossible to like anything from these pop culture sensations if you have invested so much of your heart in hating them. It does not matter if a large group of people like these things, your hatred is blind. The world you live in would be much better if someone took all of these songs and shoved them off of the highest mountain.

In 1966 Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! became an instant holiday classic. The previous year saw the debut of A Charlie Brown Christmas and two years earlier was the premier of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. The mid-1960s was the golden age for holiday television specials. Since 1966, Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! has aired on television every year, winning its timeslot regularly. It has more than earned a spot as part of the holy trinity of must watch holiday specials.

For those living under a rock, the story centers around a lonely creature who has chosen to make residence directly above a group of people he hates. The Grinch is akin to a modern-day prepper. His cave is extremely well stocked with all the necessities. He has scissors, red cloth, a sleigh, anything a creature would need in the who apocalypse.

Yet even in his state of preparedness, The Grinch cannot stand the whos, he especially hates them around Christmas. The whos make an incredible racket, cook non-canned food stuff, and all blindly follow the brain dead joy of Christmas. The Grinch is on edge waiting for the end times, and his hate has become downright irrational. This year is the final straw, the Grinch is going to rob all the whos, and then they will know pain.

The Grinch succeeds in his thievery, but those weirdo whos still get up and have a festive Christmas. This breaks the Grinch's brain, and he decides his years of lonely prepping were pretty pointless. Not only does the Grinch get in the holiday spirit, but he learns that a freshly cooked roast beast is way better than a 10-year-old can of creamed corn. 

Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas!  was not just a perfect adaptation of a classic book, it also had a great look and incredible music. Animation legend Chuck Jones gave the special its look, classic Hollywood Frankenstein Boris Karloff told the story, and awesomely voiced Thurl Ravenscroft sang the iconic song. Of all the great Holiday television specials, Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! is the only one that is perfect.

It is a lonely existence to live in a world where one rejects what everyone else loves. There is no reason to fully embrace that piece of pop culture, but you should not totally dismiss it either. In all of the stuff you hate, there may be a shiny gem that made the journey worth while. If you will not give the popular thing a chance, then you are just a common hipster, or worse, a Grinch.

RD

RD Kulik is the Head Editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast. He was a little under the weather today so he mustered up the strength of ten bloggers, plus two, to get the article written.

SeedSing is funded by a group of awesome people. Join them by donating to SeedSing.

SeedSing's Advent Calendar of Awesome Holiday Television Programs: Day 5 - "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer"

The pre-Christmas Day season of Advent is upon us. Here at SeedSing we love the chocolaty goodness of getting a piece of candy once a day until we get to open our presents. As our gift to you we will present a new awesome holiday television program for every day of Advent. This is the greatest tv of the season. Enjoy.

Day 5: "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer"

Original air date, December 6th, 1964

Opened Doors: One, Two, Three, Four

Let's talk about Rudolph.

Usually I will talk about how our modern holiday struggles / joys relate to the television special I am writing about. Not today. Why? Well, "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer has no connection to what we see during our 21st-century pursuit of the perfect December. It is frankly an outdated story, with a message that is detrimental to the growth of society at large. "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" should be an embarrassing relic of a confused time long ago, yet there is still so much charm to the television special. That charm is why we return every year to the tale of a mutant freak who one time saved Christmas.

"Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" premiered on December 6th, 1964. It was already a well-known commodity due to the popular song that was based on a famous poem from 1939. The famous animated talents of Rankin and Bass gave Rudolph and his friends their iconic, beloved, look. The hour-long special holds the distinction of being the longest continuing broadcast Christmas special in the history of television. Multiple generations of kids and adults have been subjugated to the great look, and terrible lessons, of "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer."

The story of the Rudolph is filled with red flags. We have the father, Donner, telling his young son to hide his differences. We have the kids, and the gym teacher, laughing and excluding Rudolph. We have the benevolent dictator that is Santa Claus being angry and disappointed in Donner for creating a non-acceptable specimen for his sleigh engine. Hermey the elf not having a choice in life, he must be a toy making slave. The island of misfit toys being an excuse to discard anything not normal. The victory for the Island of junky toys is for kids around the world to be gifted defective gifts. "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is an hour of terrible lessons to teach children. 

Yet, "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" has become must watch in many families homes during the holiday season. The animation is awesome, and iconic, so that may be the reason. The song is catchy and part of our culture, that could be the ticket. I think the reason Rudolph persevere is because of it's archaic nature. Not accepting people is from a time we have gladly left behind. In 1964 Donner and Santa may have seemed normal, today they are downright comical. If Hermey wants to try something else, we celebrate that. The U.S.A. has long past the time of racist, uncaring, blowhards being the leaders we look to for guidance (ed. note: We wrote this sentence on November 7th of 2016.) We watch Rudolph because we know the red nosed reindeer, and his wanna be dentist buddy, will win at the end. They represent the society we evolved into away from. We rejected the idiots of Donner and Santa. Rudolph is our victory trophy.

"Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" will always be a part of my holiday viewing pleasure. I am old enough to see the terrible lessons, but still love the music. Children everywhere will watch it for the first time, and question the behavior of their beloved Santa, but they will fall in love the iconic imagery. "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" is like an Ayn Rand novel, something filled with awesome imagery and terrible lessons. It is part of our holidays, for better or worse. Plus, Yukon Cornelius is all kinds of awesome.

RD

RD Kulik is the Head Editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast. This holiday season he only wishes for silver and gold. Want to help out? You can.

SeedSing is funded by a group of awesome people. Join them by donating to SeedSing.