#TickleMeTuesday Christmas edition with a #DarleneLove & #StevenVanZandta #BoTB showdown
I wasn’t sure how I wanted to go with today’s showdown. What I wanted was to use another Darlene Love song with two cover artists but I couldn’t find anything. Snooping around for possibilities I came across All Alone On Christmas from the 1992 blockbuster film, Home Alone 2: Lost in New York City.
What I found interesting about Darlene’s song is the author. Do you care to guess who penned the lyrics? Yep, that’s right Steven Van Zandt! It wasn’t until we watched the Netflix TV series Lilyhammer that I learned he is or was one of Bruce Springsteen’s guitarists. He’s a multi-talented fellow – mewsician, producer, actor, and singer. Here’s Little Steven & The Disciple of Soul singing, Merry Christmas (I Don’t Want To Fight Tonight)!
You’ll find more awesome battles underway at some of these blog listed below and if you’d like to be included in the fun, then contact Stephen requesting to be added to the list.
- ailovemusic (Amy)
- Cherdo on the Flipside
- The Doglady’s Den (Debbie)
- Jingle Jangle Jungle (Mary)
- Mike’s Ramblings
- Storms & Stardust (Kim)
- STMcC Presents BoTB (Stephen, BoTB Manager)
- The Sound of One Hand Typing (John)
- Tossing It Out (Lee)
Polls close noon (EST) on Monday, Dec. 21st
Who gets your vote Darlene or Steven?
Next week, I’ll be back to announce the winner in this round, so be sure to swing by to see if your favorite artist wins in this showdown.
Grab your coffee cup and follow me over to a few more fun parties going on with Stacy for Random Tuesday Thoughts and Happy Tuesday with Sandee. You’re invited to join me tomorrow for my #WildWednesdays linky party where just about anything goes! X💋X💋, Cathy
26 Comments
Stephen T. McCarthy
CAThy! It’s That You?
Interesting to see several of Bruce Springsteen’s bandmates featured in the Darlene Love video. And I believe Springsteen’s drummer also appeared in the Little Steven video.
I had never heard either of these two songs before, although I certainly knew who Little Steven was. (I saw Springsteen live in Los Angeles at least three times back in the early 1980s.)
In this case, I’m-a have to give my BOTB bote to DARLENE LOVE. The Little Steven song was OK, but I genuinely enjoyed the song & sentiment of the Darlene Love song (written by Li’l Steven).
Good Battle! Both songs had a similar kinda R&B style (horns an’ all), and I like that I can rely on you to do BOTB Christmas songs at Christmastime.
Get a goot juan, my saved (by Christ) friend!
~ Li’l Stephen (T. McCarthy)
DogGtor of Alcohology &
King of Inebriation Nation
Cathy Kennedy
Stephen,
I think Darlene’s overall package is why she’s running away with this showdown. I couldn’t resist featuring Steven because of how quirky he looked dressed as an elf. The video and song went beautifully with his wardrobe. Darlene is tearing up little Steven. Jesus is the reason for the season. Have a very Merry Christmas,too!
Arlee Bird
Gotta admit that second video was pretty weird. Didn’t care for the vocals all that much either.
Give my vote to the legendary Darlene Love. Liked her song better too.
Arlee Bird
Tossing It Out
Cathy Kennedy
Lee,
Stephen’s video is a bit off beat but I thought it was kind of fun. He looks so goofy as an elf that it makes you smile. I thought the song’s sound suited the mood of the video. Boy is he getting clobbered by Darlene!
-Eugenia
Wowsa, Cathy! You picked some great Christmas songs! My vote goes to Darlene! I hope you are having a fantastic staycation! 🎅🎄
Cathy Kennedy
Eugenia,
We’re spending a quite staycation at home for the most part. We finally got our Christmas shopping done online and sent to directly to our family. I’ve We managed to drive around town to enjoy the lights the other night and we hope to drive the Cherohala Parkway tomorrow. It doesn’t matter what we’re doing just so we’re doing it together. Gotcha down for Darlene Love, my dear!
Natasha
Four Calling Birds is hilarious. I saved that one. ;))
Happy Yule, sweety.
Cathy Kennedy
😁
Birgit
I had to listen to the first one twice because I got mesmerised by the very funny and excellent video by Steven Van Zandt but, although I did enjoy his song, I would rather listen to the first one again but watch the video over and over. Darlene has a great voice so she gets my vote. Now speaking about the video, you know Steven loves old films and has a special love for George Melies as do I. Those are all the mythical looking silent films with going to the moon, being eaten by the whale and he was one of the first pioneers to create a story on film. I love the ending of Lon Chaney as the Hunchback of Notre Dame.
Cathy Kennedy
Birgit,
Steven’s video is so goofy funny. I’m glad you enjoyed it. Darlene Love really shines like always. Its hard to not go with her, so I understand why you picked her. I appreciated reading the tidbit on Steven’s fondness for old movies. 🙂
messymimi's meanderings
Darlene has my vote.
Cathy Kennedy
Mimi,
No surprise here another vote for Darlene. This is turning into a run-away battle!
15andmeowing
Love that song, I have the Home Alone 1 and 2 soundtacks on cd. Steven Van Zandt was great in that show and on The Sopranos. XO
Cathy Kennedy
Ellen,
I barely remember Steven in The Sopranos but if you have Netflix and you haven’t watched it yet check out Lillyhammer that he’s in. It’s a good series. I’m unsure if you’re voting for Darlene in this round but if you are then let me know, other wise I won’t mark this for Darlene just yet.
cwmartin13
Well, had it not been for Shady- which IS surprising- it would be a clean sweep so far for DL. She gets my vote!
Cathy Kennedy
Patrick,
It sure is looking that way but it’s things can change still. Thanks for voting for Darlene, my friend.
Sandee
Love the funnies and it’s tough to pick a winner on the showdown. I love them both, but I’m going with All Alone on Christmas.
I hope you had a great birthday yesterday.
Thank you for joining the Happy Tuesday Blog Hop.
Have a fabulous Happy Tuesday. Love and hugs. ♥
Cathy Kennedy
Sandee,
It looks like this battle Darlene is taking a quick lead. I wonder if this showdown will be repeat of my last one. Thanks for joining the fun, my friend!
Mike
Happy Holidays Darlene Love gets my vote!
Cathy Kennedy
Mike,
Another vote for Darlene! Merry Christmas to you, my friend!
Nicole/DVArtist
Wow I learned a lot here today, especially about Steven Van Zandt and then reading Tom’s comment. Very nice post indeed. For me, I don’t mind Macaulay Culkin although the movie is not my style at all. I have to vote for #1. Have a very nice day.
Cathy Kennedy
Nicole,
Thanks for joining me in this BoTB round. Tom is a great source for mewsic tidbits. He’s always schooling me on something. 🙂 I’ll put you down for Darlene Love, my dear!
Brian
Those silly calling birds! We all liked the Darlene lady.
Cathy Kennedy
Brian,
Calling birds as pets not a good idea. Calling birds in a call center is idea now. Thanks for voting for Darlene Love, furriend!
Thomas Anderson
Hi, Cathy!
Happy Tickle Me Tuesday and BOTB Day, dear friend! I hope you and your family are well and in good spirits.
For this mid December band battle, you picked two winning Christmas songs. I like the rockin’ arrangements on both, and both artists have soul. In the early and mid 60s, Darlene and her session singing girl group The Blossoms lent their voices to dozens of popular Spectorian singles, and it is Darlene’s voice you hear singing lead on “He’s A Rebel,” the smash hit credited to The Crystals. Given that I prefer female vocalists, you would think that Darlene would get my vote in your contest, but I like the second song even more. Released (quite rightly) on Wicked Cool Records at Christmas 2017, Little Steven’s song has an even groovier groove tempo and a better selection of instruments on the track, plus Steven is backed on the song and video by the Divas of Soul, making their recording “Merry Christmas (I Don’t Want To Fight Tonight)” a greater rush than Darlene’s. I realize the videos themselves should not enter into the voting decision, but it is hard not to watch them as the songs play. I get turned off whenever I see Home Alone brat Macaulay Culkin, so that didn’t help me warm to Darlene’s video. In contrast I liked everything I saw in Little Steven’s fun-filled production especially the above mentioned Divas of Soul. They’re super cute! To sum it up, Darlene Love’s holiday song is great, but the def ditty by Little Steven And The Disciples of Soul is a party from start to finish and even more enjoyable. Therefore Steven Van Zandt and his group get my vote!
Enjoy the rest of your week, dear friend Cathy!
Cathy Kennedy
Tom,
I enjoy the Home Alone movies. True Macaulay’s bratty character is hard to handle initially but it’s the hope the kid sees his selfish ways and makes amends to his family which he does. He’s still selfish in the second film but nearly as bad as the first but like the first he helps someone in need. I always wondered if his acting personality was a reflection of who he really was in life. It seems he’s fallen out of the spotlight which causes me to wonder if it’s a good thing or not. Going from a child star to an ordinary person is a tough break if that’s what happened with him but I’m clueless.
Your vote took me by surprise. I thought for sure you’d go with Darlene. I’ll put you down for Steven Van Zandt for his funkier groove and costume. lol