As you may know, Stax Records was the great record label out of Memphis, TN. Motown may have been “The Sound of Young America,” But Stax was “Soulsville U.S.A.”, the title of a tremdous book by Rob Bowman.
For this holiday season, I decided to reprise some songs from the Complete Stax/Volt Soul Singles box sets I have. But I had forgotten that there are THREE box sets of nine CDs each. I only bought the first two. So the third set is new to me, and possibly to you.
Volume 3: 1972-1975
What Do The Lonely Do At Christmas – The Emotions; OK, you don’t hear a lot of sad Christmas songs that make the playlist
Season’s Greetings – Cix Bits; totally unfamiliar with this group
Santa Claus Wants Some Lovin’ – Albert King; what it says
Volume 2: 1968-1971
Who Took The Merry Out Of Christmas – Staple Singers; a downer, social justice song – no airplay for you
Black Christmas – Emotions; the trio returns with a song that won’t make most seasonal playlists
The Mistletoe And Me – Isaac Hayes; I contend that this is a GREAT Christmas song, which I’ve never heard on the radio
Volume 1: 1959-1968
Jingle Bells – Booker T. and the M.G.’s; this actually got to #20 on the Xmas charts in 1966, a special designation that Billboard has had on and off. Of the songs listed here, it’s probably the one you’ve most likely heard in December
Winter Snow – Booker T. and the M.G.’s; I love, LOVE this song. Yes, it is melancholy, but it’s an instrumental
Every Day Will Be Like A Holiday – William Bell; this song, written by Bell and Booker T. Jones, actually made #33 on the R&B charts in 1968. Not strictly a holiday song, it would be a fine addition to a playlist
Everyday will be like a holiday
When my baby, when my baby comes home
Now she’s been gone
for such a long time
ever since she’s been gone,
she been on my mind
I got a letter today,
just about noon
she said, “Don’t worry, I’ll be home soon”
Heard none of these song. I wonder how many holidays song are out there and never real been heard of.