JohnGreenFan & The Walrus - The Reveal

JohnGreenFan

Welcome to the reveal of JohnGreenFan's Walrus!!

Tonight (at approx 8:15pm due to technical difficulties) we will kick things off with Round 1!

Our categories are...

1. We Need A Little (New School) Christmas
(Yes it's November, but my tree is assembled in the sitting room awaiting lights and decorations, and when the judging time comes around it'll be December so no complaining!)
Send me your favourite new Christmas song! I'll allow anything from the last 10 years - preferably not a cover of an older song.

2. Karaoke Classics
Christmas nights out were always dangerous for these sort of songs... none of that this year! Send me your go to song when someobody hands you a microphone.

3. First Dance Songs
I'm in the midst of wedding planning so I want to hear your favourite first dance songs - alternative, pop, old school, I want them all!

4. A Little Bit of This, A Little Bit of That...
I love hearing songs and thinking hey, I've heard this before, and searching out the sample that's being used. Send me a song that samples another song in it!

5. A Song That Reminds You of Home
Everyone has one or two songs (or 10) that they associate with their family and being at home - send me yours!

6. A Song You've Currently Got On Repeat
Let's see what everyone is loving at the moment - send me a song that you've got on repeat.

7. Who Runs The World? GIRLS
Beakerjoe recently had a category for boyband songs, so let's show the girlbands some love! Send me your favourite girlband song.

8. Working From Home Instrumentals
I adore listening to music while I work, especially instrumental music so I don't get distracted by the words send me your banging instrumental tracks to brighten up my work from home office.

A reminder of our entrants for this contest:

1. Necro
2. Trigger
3. Also Starring LeVar Burton
4. Irish Aris
5. Green&Red
6. Deja Boo
7. Sawduck
8. ShaneU
9. Homer J. Fong
10. BandMember
11. Kolido
12. thepurpletin
13. JP Liz V1
14. Mustang shelly
15. Osh
16. phatkev
17. FixXxer
18. Rikand
19. Arghus
20. beakerjoe
21. Electric Nitwit

See you all in 10 minutes!

Electric Nitwit

Advent calendar updated, and I'm ready for this!
I hope there's zombies

JohnGreenFan

We had some excellent entries in this round, some I was familiar with, some I wasn't... and some I am glad I know of them so that I can avoid them for the rest of my life.

Some of my own personal new Christmas favourites:

Meghan Trainor - My Kind of Present

Taylor Swift - Christmas Tree Farm

Ariana Grande - Santa Tell Me

(Can you tell I love pop songs?? Is that obvious yet?)

Necro

Looking forward to this

the purple tin

Necro wrote: »

Looking forward to this

Boards has gone cat-mad tonight

JohnGreenFan

We'll kick things off!

In 11th place with 11 points is -

Also Starring LeVar Burton

Sia - Underneath The Mistletoe

Have I listened to this artist before? Yes
Have I listened to this song before? No

I liked it but I don't think it's one of her better songs - I prefer a more upbeat Christmas track, but it's nice to have something a little different. I did enjoy the bridge! It started lower in the rankings but I enjoyed it more with repeat listening.

beakerjoe

I fully expect to rank last. My least favourite round.

Christmas songs arent supposed to be modern.

the purple tin

beakerjoe wrote: »

I fully expect to rank last. My least favourite round.

Christmas songs arent supposed to be modern.

You said a mouthful Beaker. There hasn't been a classic Christmas song since the 90s.

JohnGreenFan

In 12th place with 10 points:

Rikand

Carol of the Bells - Bobby D'Ambrosio

Have I listened to this artist before? No
Have I listened to this song before? No

I quite liked this but jesus, it's just too long. The length absolutely killed it.
Started a bit higher and seemed to drop a place with every listen. It was great for playing in the background while I worked, a good bop to it, but not something I'd be adding to my Christmas playlists.

ShaneU

How can songs be classic if they're modern? :pac:

JohnGreenFan

In 10th place with 12 points:

osh

Low - Just Like Christmas

Have I listened to this artist before? No
Have I listened to this song before? No

I have to admit, when they asked could they submit something slightly older, I was hesitant, but I love this. Really warm song, just lovely. Definitely one I'll be adding to a playlist. Would have placed higher only for the fact that's outside the year limit, having been released in 2004.

JohnGreenFan

ShaneU wrote: »

How can songs be classic if they're modern? :pac:

I'm not sure I ever mentioned wanting classic Christmas songs - that was what I was trying to avoid! How old does a song need to be for it to be considered a classic I wonder...

Necro

JohnGreenFan wrote: »

I'm not sure I ever mentioned wanting classic Christmas songs - that was what I was trying to avoid! How old does a song need to be for it to be considered a classic I wonder...

Google says it must be at least 21 years old

JP Liz V1

Did Sia do a Christmas album, I see she has done a film now written and directed by her and starring her muse mini Maddie

Electric Nitwit

Necro wrote: »

Google says it must be at least 21 years old

No way! For example, Mr Brightside is definitely a classic now, that's "only" 16yrs old

JohnGreenFan

In 13th place with 9 points:

Electric Nitwit

Emmy The Great & Tim Wheeler - Zombie Christmas

Have I listened to this artist before? No
Have I listened to this song before? No

This was just gas but it was not at all what I expected in a Christmas song category. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it! Not really all that Christmassy though, even if it does mention angels. The video is hilarious though - worth a listen for the video
I also wasn't really gone on her voice and it suffered in the rankings because of that.

ShaneU

Electric Nitwit wrote: »

No way! For example, Mr Brightside is definitely a classic now, that's "only" 16yrs old

Gangnam Style is only 8 years old too, theory out the window

Necro

Electric Nitwit wrote: »

No way! For example, Mr Brightside is definitely a classic now, that's "only" 16yrs old

Don't blame me blame Dave White

https://www.liveabout.com/classic-rock-101-747979#:~:text=If%20it%20was%20within%20the,of%20a%20hit%20was%20it%3F

JohnGreenFan

In 9th place with 13 points

Irish Aris

Train - Shake Up Christmas

Have I listened to this artist before? Yes
Have I listened to this song before? Yes

I love this song! I was such a huge Train fan when they released it and I was obsessed. Not to mention it featured in the Coca-Cola ads at the time. I love his voice, and it's such a feel good tune, great for a bop around the kitchen.

JohnGreenFan

I'm only realising now that my 'analysis' of songs tends to be whether or not I can bop around the house to it. Maybe I need more in depth reviews

JohnGreenFan

In 14th place with 8 points:

Trigger

Pearl Jam - Someday at Christmas

Have I listened to this artist before? Yes
Have I listened to this song before? No

I didn't know Pearl Jam did Christmas music, and the song was nothing like what I expected... and then I realised it was a cover of Stevie Wonder's song and it made slightly more sense.
This song actually started much lower but it was one of the songs that got stuck in my head and I found myself humming it away to myself at work. Repeated listens moved it a little further up the table, but I'm still not mad about it. Better songs on offer in this round.

the purple tin

JohnGreenFan wrote: »

I'm only realising now that my 'analysis' of songs tends to be whether or not I can bop around the house to it. Maybe I need more in depth reviews

Mark them 1 to 10 on the Bop-ometer :cool:

Necro

JohnGreenFan wrote: »

I'm only realising now that my 'analysis' of songs tends to be whether or not I can bop around the house to it. Maybe I need more in depth reviews

They're gonna bop bop bop

Bop to the top

JohnGreenFan

In 8th place with 14 points:

Band Member

Smith & Burrows - When The Thames Froze

Have I listened to this artist before? No
Have I listened to this song before? No

Wasn't sold on this on the first listen but really enjoyed it with further listens. His voice is quite comforting and the end chorus is just lovely. 'The years go by so fast, let's hope the next beats the last' stuck out for me too, with the way 2020 has gone I think we all hope next year is better!!

JohnGreenFan

the purple tin wrote: »

Mark them 1 to 10 on the Bop-ometer :cool:

that's my next walrus plan: JGF's Bop-O-Meter

JohnGreenFan

Necro wrote: »

They're gonna bop bop bop

Bop to the top

that song would score well in any category for being an absolute BOP

Electric Nitwit

JohnGreenFan wrote: »

In 13th place with 9 points:

Electric Nitwit

Emmy The Great & Tim Wheeler - Zombie Christmas

Have I listened to this artist before? No
Have I listened to this song before? No

This was just gas but it was not at all what I expected in a Christmas song category. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it! Not really all that Christmassy though, even if it does mention angels. The video is hilarious though - worth a listen for the video
I also wasn't really gone on her voice and it suffered in the rankings because of that.

Ah well, I wouldn't really be into Christmas songs so this was the best I could do, I'll take my medicine!

They were a couple when they made a Christmas album, then booked a tour, then split up but still did the tour together...

JohnGreenFan

In 15th place with 7 points:

Deleted User

Little Green Cars - Reindeer with a Broken Leg

Have I listened to this artist before? Yes
Have I listened to this song before? No

I really like Little Green Cars so I expected a lot from this one and it just didn't meet those expectations. I really wanted to like it but just couldn't warm to it at all.

JohnGreenFan

In 7th place with 15 points:

ShaneU

Sia - Candy Cane Lane

Have I listened to this artist before? Yes
Have I listened to this song before? No

Loved this, great bop potential, upbeat and cheery. I love Sia's voice so this was always going to score well - very different to her other song featured in this round! CANDAY CAAAAaaaaaaAAAANES

beakerjoe

JohnGreenFan wrote: »

In 14th place with 8 points:

Trigger

Pearl Jam - Someday at Christmas

Have I listened to this artist before? Yes
Have I listened to this song before? No

I didn't know Pearl Jam did Christmas music, and the song was nothing like what I expected... and then I realised it was a cover of Stevie Wonder's song and it made slightly more sense.
This song actually started much lower but it was one of the songs that got stuck in my head and I found myself humming it away to myself at work. Repeated listens moved it a little further up the table, but I'm still not mad about it. Better songs on offer in this round.

This round has already been worth its weight in gold. This is a winner.

JohnGreenFan

In 16th place with 6 points:

FixXxer

Rob Halford - Donner & Blitzen

Have I listened to this artist before? No
Have I listened to this song before? No

He's just shouting. Why does he need sound angry? It's a Christmas song, Rob!!!
Visions of auld fellas roaring this in the pub couldn't get into it, and probably would have scored lower if I wasn't so allergic to some of the upcoming songs...

ShaneU

JohnGreenFan wrote: »

He's just shouting. Why does he need sound angry? It's a Christmas song, Rob!!!
Visions of auld fellas roaring this in the pub couldn't get into it, and probably would have scored lower if I wasn't so allergic to some of the upcoming songs...

Necro

JohnGreenFan wrote: »

Visions of auld fellas roaring this in the pub couldn't get into it, and probably would have scored lower if I wasn't so allergic to some of the upcoming songs...

JohnGreenFan

In 6th place with 16 points:

Deja Boo

Keith Urban - I'll Be Your Santa Tonight

Have I listened to this artist before? Yes
Have I listened to this song before? No

I said in my opening post: country songs won't do well here. That advice was ignored, and it has served them well - this is just lovely, and I enjoyed it more and more with every listen! Unlucky to not place higher.
His voice is actually quite nice to listen to, not really a bop but still a nice one for a little Christmas dance in the living room all the same.

Sawduck

JohnGreenFan wrote: »

In 7th place with 15 points:

ShaneU

Sia - Candy Cane Lane

Have I listened to this artist before? Yes
Have I listened to this song before? No

Loved this, great bop potential, upbeat and cheery. I love Sia's voice so this was always going to score well - very different to her other song featured in this round! CANDAY CAAAAaaaaaaAAAANES

Almost went with this myself, nice choice

JohnGreenFan

JohnGreenFan wrote: »

In 15th place with 7 points:

Deleted User

Little Green Cars - Reindeer with a Broken Leg

Was fully expecting last place here, especially when you mentioned the 'bop-ometer', so this has already gone much better than expected! But even if it did come last, I'd not have regretted it! :pac:

I think the song is very much tongue-in-cheek, they made it really depressing on purpose to go with their general aesthetic. It gels well with my sense of humour. Stevie Appleby is a delightfully odd fellow.

JohnGreenFan

In 17th place with 5 points:

beakerjoe

Gwen Stefani - Jingle Bells

Have I listened to this artist before? Yes
Have I listened to this song before? No

I love Gwen right, so I really wanted to like this. It's grand like. I don't know there is anything particularly special about it as a cover of Jingle Bells. It's also the exact thign I was hoping to avoid - pop covers of classics so that shoved it down the rankings. I'm also not sure I'd have known it was Gwen Stefani either - not one of her best in my opinion.

JohnGreenFan

In 5th place with 17 points:

Green&Red

Have I listened to this artist before? Yes
Have I listened to this song before? No

I'm not going to lie lads. I bawled when I listened to this song. With everything going on this year, I haven't been able to get home and see my family (like everyone else), so this song really hit me in the gut thinking about getting home this year. It might not have palced as well any other year but it was a great choice - I love Meghan Trainor and it wouldn't be my favourite of hers but great all the same.

JohnGreenFan

In 18th place with 4 points:

phatkev

Run The Jewels - A Christmas F**king Miracle

Have I listened to this artist before? No
Have I listened to this song before? No

I hated this from the first word and that never changed. Lyrically I felt it was quite poor - a bit about planned parenthood planning miscarraiges was a particular horrific highlight - and the music in the background also didn't interest me. One I had to try not to force myself to skip over in the later listens!!

JohnGreenFan

In 4th place with 18 points:

Sawduck

The Killers - Christmas in L.A.

Have I listened to this artist before? Yes
Have I listened to this song before? No

THIS IS SO GOOD. Big fan of the Killers in my youth but haven't listened to much of their recent stuff but this was great. Very different Christmas song but I really enjoyed it all the same and there's a good bit of relatability in the lyrics! Video well worth a watch too.

JohnGreenFan

That brings us to our final 6... who will bop to the top and who will be left at the bottom?

The remaining contestants:
Necro
Arghus
JP Liz V1
Mustang shelly
Kolido
The purple tin

Necro

JohnGreenFan wrote: »

That brings us to our final 6... who will bop to the top and who will be left at the bottom?

The remaining contestants:
Necro
Arghus
JP Liz V1
Mustang shelly
Kolido
The purple tin

JohnGreenFan

In 19th place with 3 points:

The Purple Tin

Loretta Lynn - Country Christmas

Have I listened to this artist before? No
Have I listened to this song before? No

This is an example of a country song I didn't want to see coming in the entries - I disliked everything about it - the music, the lyrics, the singer's voice - which also just seems to be shouting. Not a winner for me and after about two lsitens I couldn't cope anymore. It was last in the list for quite some time until the next two came along!

JP Liz V1

JohnGreenFan wrote: »

That brings us to our final 6... who will bop to the top and who will be left at the bottom?

The remaining contestants:
Necro
Arghus
JP Liz V1
Mustang shelly
Kolido
The purple tin

I think I have last taken

Electric Nitwit

JohnGreenFan wrote: »

In 18th place with 4 points:

phatkev

Run The Jewels - A Christmas F**king Miracle

I hated this from the first word and that never changed...

...yet it beat three other songs :eek:

JohnGreenFan

In JOINT 3rd place with 19 points each:

Necro

&

Kolido

Have I listened to this artist before? Yes
Have I listened to this song before? Yes

THE BOPS ARE BACK. This one is so good with Gwen Stefani that I can overlook Blake Shelton being a little too country for my liking. Definite 10 out of 10 on the Bop-O-Meter for this one, and good sing-a-long qualities
I WANT TO THANK YOU BAAAABBAAAYY

the purple tin

JohnGreenFan wrote: »

In 4th place with 18 points:

Sawduck

The Killers - Christmas in L.A.

Have I listened to this artist before? Yes
Have I listened to this song before? No



THIS IS SO GOOD. Big fan of the Killers in my youth but haven't listened to much of their recent stuff but this was great. Very different Christmas song but I really enjoyed it all the same and there's a good bit of relatability in the lyrics! Video well worth a watch too.

Nice Springsteen vibe to this.

JohnGreenFan

In 20th place with 2 points:

Arghus

Low - Silent Night

Have I listened to this artist before? Yes
Have I listened to this song before? No

I was really looking forward to this one, given how much I enjoyed Just Like Christmas but this is a big NO for me. Didn't enjoy it one bit - but I also don't particularly enjoy Silent Night as a song anyway so it started off badly. Really boring cover I thought, doesn't bring anythign exciting to the song and didn't really think the voices were all that great either?? Wasn't for me.

Trigger

JohnGreenFan wrote: »

In 14th place with 8 points:

Trigger

Pearl Jam - Someday at Christmas

Have I listened to this artist before? Yes
Have I listened to this song before? No

I didn't know Pearl Jam did Christmas music, and the song was nothing like what I expected... and then I realised it was a cover of Stevie Wonder's song and it made slightly more sense.
This song actually started much lower but it was one of the songs that got stuck in my head and I found myself humming it away to myself at work. Repeated listens moved it a little further up the table, but I'm still not mad about it. Better songs on offer in this round.

I'll take it.. and run..

In fairness they do plenty of Christmas songs, they even have this cracker

https://open.spotify.com/track/3u6WZbcnpcCNesWUN8DtMS?si=MWwup2a1QLOMstgVDf0VEw

Necro

Kolido copying my notes :P

Yeah when you mentioned the Bop-O-Meter I was hopeful.

Blake Shelton is awesome btw, you should give some of his own stuff a whirl

JohnGreenFan

In 21st place and bringing up the rear:

JP Liz V1

Have I listened to this artist before? Yes
Have I listened to this song before? No

Aw lads. This was exactly what I didn't want. I do enjoy Michael Buble but I genuinely think this is one of the worst covers of any song ever. The original is so boppy and upbeat and joyful and this takes all the good from the original, bins it, and replaces it with the most generic slow christmas effort you could attempt. I often think it sounds like one of those royalty free songs you hear in shops who are too cheap to pay for a music licence. This one went straight to the bottom and never moved.