Amber knows what's good and man, as a 51 year old Gen Xer that remembers the 80's fondly, we were straight spoiled with new Christmas songs and they were all good.
Same!! The Waitress's were a new wave group of the 80's. What I love about this is its sheer DIFFERENCE!! The writer did it in apparently something like 15 minutes or something. The radio doesn't do this one enough each Christmas. Happy Christmas!!
This is literally one of the top 5 biggest Christmas Songs of the last 50 years. Its an original work not someone’s version. It’s been covered by how many famous artists? Rob doesn’t like the song . That’s fine. The first through 5 times he said that. Fine. What’s not fine is him throwing temper tantrums the whole song. It’s not my business how that disrespected her, but it was disrespectful. This is the most I’ve called him out. The only other time was the B-52’s. It was the other time he repeatedly mocked the song, but I like him but he should be ashamed of his behavior. Repeatedly rolling his eyes and giving exaggerated gestures. He should do a short video and apologize for his behavior.
@@crafty1096 He’s allowed to not like the song…he wasn’t really throwing temper tantrums. I’d rather he was honest and not just saying every song is awesome in case he offends someone, which, clearly given your response, he has…
This is what you get when a Punk/New Wave label asks their artists to do a Christmas album. This may be one of the only tunes from ZE Records album A Christmas Record that gets replayed often. The lead singer is Patty Donahue, the group only had one other song that bounced around the lower reaches of the charts, I Know What Boys Like. A Classic American New Wave song where Patty's flat affect delivery makes the song memorable.
Jay & Amber, you'll love their "I Know What Boys Like"!!!! Thanks for doing my request!! This song and Feliz Navidad/Jose Feliciano make it Christmas Time :)
Amber, you've got great taste!! This song has such a party vibe. The deadpan vocal delivery next to the funky bass playing is just perfect! Punk rock vocals next to a Wham type club tropicana vibe!
@@ZavaXavier Millenials are the only generation that is not a bunch of music snobs. They like music from all generations because social media allowed them access. Gen Xers are as close to boomers as it gets. Still have not met one gen xer that doesn't call someones music shit or trash because they do not like it. All while listening to Korn.
This one of my favorite Christmas songs and I’m so sad that y’all didn’t care for it. 😢 The story is cute and the music is so catchy, in my opinion. Merry Christmas to you and your family. 🎄🎅🏻
@@christianman73 Amber did like the music but I got the impression at the end that her opinion changed when she started listening to the lyrics. She didn’t like the “you mean you forgot cranberries, too” part. I still love the song regardless.
@@pamkessler5381 She was dancing to the song, throughout the video, and talking about how it was "fire" and a "bop." She did say, at the end of the video, that she wanted to go back and listen to the lyrics again to get the whole story that they were telling. She also said that the song was going on her playlist. I took all of that to mean that she liked it quite a bit.
Yesterday I was in Walmart or Costco or something. This song came in. My smile and feet would not stop smiling. It’s like Katrina and the Waves “Walkin on Sunshine” just a happy vibe.I think Jay would have liked it more if you did the actual video. It shows the band. And the horns and stuff.
My niece works at Macy's and I played like the first three seconds of the song to see if she knew it and she was like, "oh my God, shut the hell up, they play this song constantly in our store". 😆
It's funny, I've always hated that Christmas is about the same 5 or 10 songs played over and over, and I always love it when a new song manages to break through. And then there are other people who only ever want to hear those 5 or 10 songs. Personally I think Gen X came correct with this one.
I'm with Amber. This is a great Christmas song. Cute story in the song and Jay missed it. Christmas Wrapping is a rap song from 1981. Still a popular Christmas song today and one my favorites. It wouldn't be Christmas without it.
This song tells a story like a 5 minute Hallmark Christmas movie. The singer is Patty Donohue (RIP), the bassist is session musician extraordinaire Tracy Wormworth and the bangin' sax is Mars Williams who wrote it as well. You should also check out I Know What Boys Like, Square Pegs and No Guilt.
This review made me laugh so hard. Seeing J. suffering through it while Amber was bopping along and smiling ear-to-ear was so funny to me. Thanks guys!
I think Jay took the "[w]rapping" part of "Christmas Wrapping" a little too much to heart. No, the Waitresses weren't pretending to be Run DMC! (If they were, then yeah, that would be pretty embarrassing.) The title was just a cute, ironic play on words and a marketing gimmick, nothing more. But it's true: it did make for a classic RSR moment!
I have seen a lot of videos of you guys listening and dancing to the music you react.....this is FUNNIEST VIDEO I EVER WITNESSED from you guys!!! I am laughing sooooo hard....tears are coming from my eyes!!! Hahaha 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 Hahaha yeah Hahaha the look on J's face looking at you Amber go OFF on this very very Punk sounding song on Christmas 🎄 I can't hold my breath!!! Hahaha lol hahaha 😆 🤣 😅
I hate most Christmas songs but absolutely love this one…jay’s 80’s new wave cred is gonna have to be revoked haha 😂…now check out “2000 miles” by the pretenders
Hilarious! Jay just found his 'Rock Lobster' of Christmas songs! Amber is digging this and Jay is second guessing starting this channel! You just gotta love it! Too funny! Peace & Love 🤣✌❤
Bah Humbug J! I thought you liked the 80's! This is a New Wave Christmas song and was a big hit! I love hearing this song every Christmas! Maybe your girls will like it! Love you guys! ❤️🎄🎅🎁
You guys really need to listen to some SLADE. They are a glam rocking band that had the chart buster Merry Xmas Everybody. It’s such a jumpy happy glitz Rock Christmas song. It held the number one spot on the charts for several weeks in 1973 -74 in England and got wide radio play at Christmas time in the states , but has recently been left off radio play lists . You would love a lot of their other music that was covered by every other hair band in the 80’s They were true showman and pioneers
❤❤❤ IT !! 64 yr old R&R Chick here & Amber made me LMAO & reminded me of a Great Memory !! The 80's were Great for me,( met Lots of Famous By making stage clothes or friends in Bands, A lot through My BFF Trice who is a Singer) Amber gave Me a HUGE Grin when she made the "choreographed " dance comment....One Xmas Trice was singing lead in a band & covered this & We ( Trice ,2 other friends & me) dressed in " Santa" dresses & Elf costumes ( me & friend Eileen were shortest & were elves && the Guys in band put on Santa hats) DID a Choreographed dance to this !! THANKS for the Blast from the Past !!❤❤❤
In fact it was through her had one of my Best R&R experiences... met & became friends with a band called The Hooters through her & in 1983 got to meet Cyndi Lauper in Manayunk ( Philadelphia Pa.) while she & friend Rob Hyman were recording " Time After Time" ,Thanks Guys for reminding Me of Memories && Your Great reactions !! & P.S. Jay, Thanks for being Honest ! Always keep it real!!😁
Oh come on Scrooge Jay! It kicks, and is fun like Christmas is supposed to be! Remember what we're celebrating! Most of us when we first heard it thought of the singers sound a lot like Debbie Harry from Blondie. Even the delivery is similar to hers.
This is not KidsBop… if you listen closely, she’s opting out…”Christmas by myself this year!” Also, you don’t get the play on words here… this is 1980’s Rap… hence the name Christmas Wrapping
Yes! The Waitresses. Yall should have watched the video. This was a new wave/punk band. They also played saxophones like Romeo Void, X-Ray Spex, Oingo Boingo, No Doubt/Gwen Stefani, etc. Similar groups. Check them out, too. We who are now in our 40s and '50s (GenXers) love music like this. lol Especially back in the days! '80s. It's been covered by other punk bands in the '90s, too. The Waitresses had another hit "I Know What Boys Like". Watch the video. They have a black female bass guitarist (Tracy Wormworth) who was excellent. Singer , Patty Donohue (pretty lady), passed away too young in the '90s. barely 40 yrs old. Very sad. Lung cancer (smoker). Also check out more new wave/punk bands like B-52s, Blondie, The Go-Gos, Adam and the Ants, Missing Persons, DEVO, Elastica, Altered Images, Talking Heads. etc. Upbeat dance music. Relax, my man! Amber is right. Its new wave/punk with a little bit of rap. Usually quirky, funny, and fun lol. My daughter loves this song, too.
The Waitresses had three sort of jokey, tongue-in-cheek hits from around 1982, and listening to the lyrics is crucial. These aren't kids' songs. They're wry looks at contemporary, everyday adult life in all its banality, nothing serious but not throwaway kids' tunes either.
I never knew this song was The Waitresses until the Cleveland Plain Dealer featured an article about it. The bass player, Chris Butler wrote this classic song. He used to play in The Numbers Band and then Tin Huey, which were two of the favorite bands that played at The Kove and the Water Street Saloon in Kent, Ohio. This Waitresses song was the new wave sound back in the day.
To really appreciate The Waitresses, which is 80's New Wave, try "I Know What Boys Like." Don't forget to do Paul McCartney's, "Wonderful Christmas Time." ;)
Sadly singer Patty Donahue died at age 40 of lung cancer, you guys are right they were strange kind of a punk/new wave band of the late 70's early 80's. So yes the difference your hearing is real. Tracy Wormworth was known as a Great bass player the bass line is undeniable.
This used to be “that annoying Christmas song” to my Mom. I mean ….😆. This was popular with the cheerleaders and the Twirlers…a lot of holiday routines to this chaos. I feel you ,J.
This was a great song for its time musically. I was in my 20s during the 80s and the songs lyrics are great. A single girl, planning on spending Christmas alone, but then by chance she meets the guy that for some reason all year long, something always happened that kept them from getting together. Through the magic of Christmas, the meet on Christmas Eve and finally get together. It was such a great story and musically, it's not usually my thing as I am a hard rock and blues rock fan, but you cannot help but liking this song back in the day. I still love it..
I think it's hard for people who didn't live through the punk era to understand vocalists who are untrained and who aren't like professional "singers." This was punk's central ethos, the egalitarian DIY spirit of hey, anybody can buy a used guitar or keyboard and form a band. We don't need coaches or auditions or talent shows, we just need mates with an itch to do music. This is the exact polar opposite of today's music industry where you have image consultants, it's all about like crazy acrobatic singing, posturing about how much money and influence you have and what your musical pedigree is. I was just a wee tot during the punk era, but I came of age in the post-punk era of the 80s and I can tell you that there would be no "80's music" if it weren't for punk and the second British invasion it spawned. This was true Music for the Masses and it informed everything that came after, from electronic music to grunge to hiphop. Today's image-obsessed, market-researched music industry seems pretty foreign by comparison. Ok I know I sound old. 😆
YES! This song checks pretty much all the boxes for you guys- 80s new wave dance beat, storytelling, strong female presence (the late, great Patty Donahue), saxophone. Yep, it's all there.
I don’t know if you guys have reacted to it, but how about “Last Christmas” by Wham? Or, another modern classic, David Bowie and Bing Crosby singing “Little Drummer Boy/Peace On Earth”. Another request I’d like to make is absolutely any Christmas song by Bob Rivers. He sings Christmas parodies which are played on the radio every year. Some of them are parodies of actual Christmas carols, like “Walking Around In Women’s Underwear” (a parody of Winter Wonderland), “Teddy The Red Nosed Senator” (a parody of Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer), and “Jingle Hells Bells” (a parody of My Favourite Things). He also does Christmas themed parodies of popular rock, R&B, hip hop, and pop songs. For example he sings “O Little Town Of Bethlehem” to the tune of “House Of The Rising Sun”, “I Am Santa Claus” (a parody of “I Am Iron Man”), “Hollidaze” (a parody of “Purple Haze”), and “Be-Claus I Got High” “a parody of “Because I Got High”). For the parodies of pop/rock/hip-hop songs I would suggest that you react to the original songs first. But I’m sure that you’ve heard enough classic Christmas carols to recognize which songs are being parodied with those.
This is one of those songs that was panned by the critics and reviewers at the time it was released, but is now viewed as kitchen and tongue in cheek fun, which is what it was always intended to be, a great slice of 80's nostalgia, just like a John Hughes movie, corney but fun.
Exactly.. The Waitresses music is always like that.. never totally serious on the surface.. it has a deeper meaning, like hey, Lighten Up everybody.. it seems Jay enjoys the more traditional Christmas tunes, which everyone loves too. I wonder how he would react to The Dickies cover of "Silent Night"..
@@4tuneagent ah the Dickies Silent Night is awesome as is Stiff Little Fingers cover of White Christmas, I guess Jay wouldn't like The Kinks Father Christmas either.
A one time kiss witnessed by a kid who could immediately put a stop to things and tell on Mommy - compared to a year long buildup, with multiple “almost” situations eventually culminated by going home together on Christmas Eve? No kids were there to stop things after a single kiss.
Jordan, what you need is the Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s “Christmas/Sarajevo 12/24”, y’all will love it. Also, here are two more classic Christmas songs suggestions. Judy Garland’s “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” and Brenda Lee’s “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree”
Yes! Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s “Christmas/Sarajevo 12/24" (aka God Rest You Merry Gentlemen + Carol of the Bells) is the best! If he doesn't like that, I cannot help him expand his Christmas music. LOL. X) Man, this video cracked me up so much! :D
If the Rob Squad is digging into Christmas music, you should check out the Christmas album that Billy Idol made. He actually plays it quite sincerely and covers a number of Classics like Frosty the Snowman, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, I'll Be Home for Christmas, Silver Bells even Run, Run Rudolph. Twisted Sister also has a Christmas album out if you want something more hard rock oriented. The Waitresses were actually a great band they had a number of terrific songs other than this, they're best known song is "I Know what Boys Like" but other great waitresses songs are "Quit" "Wasn't Tomorrow Wonderful?" "Pussy Strut" "Wise Up" " No Guilt"..... they also did the theme song for a short-lived sitcom called "Square Pegs" ( which co-starred a young Sarah Jessica Parker). They are an excellent band if not that well-known. A good choice for *Female Fridays* perhaps?
This is new wave... 1981 Christmas song. I really like this. This is from when I was in junior high. Now listen to their big hit I Know What Boys Like from 1980..awesome song.
I love "Christmas Wrapping"! It reminds me of early MTV, and the fact that there's no music video for this song (that I know of) makes it all the more ironic.
Jordan I’m surprised you didn’t like this…it’s an 80’s Christmas song, it even sounds like the 80’s. I agree with Amber (and not only because it’s one of my favorite Christmas songs) in that neither the voice and lyrics are kids bop lol. Perhaps this would have been the one time where the music video would have helped your perspective. But I get it, I also only have a handful of Christmas songs that I listen to. They’re not really my thing, as most of them (to me) are cheesy lol.
This was a popular style of singing in the 80s for female vocalists. There were other acts with similar vocal styles back then like The Flirts and Romeo Void. This band also had a hit with the theme song for a TV show called "Square Pegs" which was a show about a group of high school freshmen who didn't fit in with the crowd. It starred Sarah Jessica Parker and Jami Gertz. It is on DVD if you want to check it out. My wife got it for the nostalgia as we both were in high school around the time the show was on though I was already a senior then and she was a sophomore. The band's biggest hit is probably a song called "I Know What Boys Want" and believe me that's definitely not a kiddie song.
This is a keen observation regarding that flat affect, as another commenter termed it, being something of a hallmark of the time. Likewise, your comment about their other hit not being for the kiddos! Lastly, I salute your Romeo Void reference! I was lucky enough to see them live and they are still a personal fav.
@@thisnicelady I like that song but I'm pretty sure it would be nails-on-chalkboard level annoying to Jay - just like Rock Lobster was (another song I love)! Maybe someday lol.
Back in the day, all the cool kids loved the waitresses! It was too out there for most of the regular Joes, but so exquisite for those of us longing for something that had not been done before💃
Simply put .... This rocks!!!! Back in the day at every single store they have those two in cranking during the holidays. He probably will not like I know what boys want or square pegs!! Lol
They were a fun punk new wave band! The singer does a lil rap style singing too. They had another good song "I Know What Boys Like". Watch the videos for these songs. They remind me of Missing Persons and Romeo Void. This old alternative music for GenX like us 😆. I was a kid when this was big. My kids like this song too and comes on movies and at WalMart (background music) during the holidays. Hey bro new wave music is silly sometimes. Hell, we were in the middle of the Cold War! Lol. We had to be happy and dance sometimes. The wife seems to like it! Her husband is acting like our Boomer parents tho 😆, seems annoyed.
Oh Rob you're a Scrooge. This song is a rom-com. The girl has lost her Christmas spirit over the previous year, and finally she meets the love of her life and discovers it again! What's not to like? Plus it rocks!
I think new wave/punk can be too goofy for Jay sometimes. Lol! You should see their reactions for DEVO "Whip It". B-52s "Rock Lobster", Talking Heads, etc Amber gigs it though. She's one of us (GenXers) in spirit. lol
Back before kareoke machines, my dad would bang this out on the bass so I could do this for my high school Christmas show circa 84. (He prerecorded the horns and chorus) Best Christmas memory with my dad ever. Jay missed it from not knowing The Waitresses history and viewing through modern dad lens.
That's Patty Donahue on vocals, the band are from Akron, Ohio. The Waitresses were originally an art project, the songs and lyrics were written by the guitarist Chris Butler. Donahue also worked with Alice Cooper on one song. She's known for setting the style for female vocals of the New Wave period of that era. Eventually she became an A&R Rep at MCA Records until she died of lung cancer in 1996.
There is a genre called "antifolk", which sounds like folk music but the lyrics are either nonsense or the opposite of anything you would expect in folk music (some of it is very good). The early 80s had a rock genre like that, with groups like this and the B52s and Devo and so forth, making allegedly boppy music but with ridiculous lyrics, kind of like a parody of the seriousness of mainstream music. And some of it is very good, just because the music is often very good.
Amber knows what's good and man, as a 51 year old Gen Xer that remembers the 80's fondly, we were straight spoiled with new Christmas songs and they were all good.
Thanks for Christmas by XTC?
51 year old GenXer here; can confirm!
55 and concur! We had the best music; even Christmas music ❤
As another 80s kid I agree and thank you to whoever suggested this.
This Gen-Xer agrees
Totalling on Team Amber over here! This has been one of my favorite Christmas songs since the 80s 😊 Happy Christmas!!
Jay is just like my brothers on this song! Love him, but I'm team Amber too! :D
Same!! The Waitress's were a new wave group of the 80's. What I love about this is its sheer DIFFERENCE!! The writer did it in apparently something like 15 minutes or something. The radio doesn't do this one enough each Christmas. Happy Christmas!!
It was actually done in three days to be included in a Christmas album with other artists required by their label. It was the only hit song from it.
This song was a huge hit! One of the 80's biggest Christmas songs. Kind of has that Go-Go's, valley girl vibe. Love it.
Or reminiscent of Debbie Harry from Blondie! 🙌🏻
Mixed with Chic’s “Good Times”
This is literally one of the top 5 biggest Christmas Songs of the last 50 years. Its an original work not someone’s version. It’s been covered by how many famous artists? Rob doesn’t like the song . That’s fine. The first through 5 times he said that. Fine. What’s not fine is him throwing temper tantrums the whole song. It’s not my business how that disrespected her, but it was disrespectful. This is the most I’ve called him out. The only other time was the B-52’s. It was the other time he repeatedly mocked the song, but I like him but he should be ashamed of his behavior. Repeatedly rolling his eyes and giving exaggerated gestures. He should do a short video and apologize for his behavior.
@@crafty1096 He’s allowed to not like the song…he wasn’t really throwing temper tantrums. I’d rather he was honest and not just saying every song is awesome in case he offends someone, which, clearly given your response, he has…
Valley girls , yes. But the Go-Go's are on a WHOLE other UPPER level.
This is a Christmas song, it's supposed to be upbeat and happy. It even tells a story and has a happy ending. What more can anyone want?
This is what you get when a Punk/New Wave label asks their artists to do a Christmas album. This may be one of the only tunes from ZE Records album A Christmas Record that gets replayed often. The lead singer is Patty Donahue, the group only had one other song that bounced around the lower reaches of the charts, I Know What Boys Like. A Classic American New Wave song where Patty's flat affect delivery makes the song memorable.
Yup
This wasn't a song done for the label doing a Christmas album.
And ‘Square Pegs’. Classic Valley Girl.
Exactly. I feel like half the joy of the song is being a Waitresses fan already.
It's so sad that Patty died of lung cancer in 1986 at the much too young age of 40. 😢
Totally on Team Amber on this one. I feel like Jay was in a mood beforehand. Maybe? C’mon this is a banger. Great story and great song.
I got the same vibe.
Wow. I felt the same way about his vibe.
Damn Jay has a bad attitude on this video. Maybe it was a bad day.
Yeah, Team Amber on this one. Jay needs to chill with some bourbon and a cigar, then listen again.
I still want them to get back to the B-52's and Private Idaho. I want to see his head explode again.
Jay & Amber, you'll love their "I Know What Boys Like"!!!!
Thanks for doing my request!!
This song and Feliz Navidad/Jose Feliciano make it Christmas Time :)
Gene Simmons Bassist for KISS really got creative with the I Know What Boys Want part of the song when KISS was recording their song Love It Loud
Well maybe Amber. Definitely not Jay.
Oh €£%!!! Suggesting I Know What Boys Like! 😂😂
Love The Waitresses!
Jordan won't like it.
Amber, you've got great taste!! This song has such a party vibe. The deadpan vocal delivery next to the funky bass playing is just perfect! Punk rock vocals next to a Wham type club tropicana vibe!
She was literally laughing at it at the end. You dont need weirdo reactors to like what you do. They pander for patreon money.
@@Onthebrink5 Agree we need people who have the same enjoyment like us Gen Xers when it comes to music of the past.
@@ZavaXavier Millenials are the only generation that is not a bunch of music snobs. They like music from all generations because social media allowed them access. Gen Xers are as close to boomers as it gets. Still have not met one gen xer that doesn't call someones music shit or trash because they do not like it. All while listening to Korn.
@@Onthebrink5 I disagree I seen on some of these music reaction channels they definitely acting like snobs they criticize the music and video.
@@ZavaXavier Name them.
From my home state of Ohio, The Waitresses gave us this quirky holiday classic. R.I.P. Patty Donahue, gone too soon...
She was great. She was like the Steven Wright of singers.
Gosh i didnt know. Even as a retro DJ i didnt stay up with all the artists. My career started in the late 80s with the Cure
Poor Patty died of lung cancer - just 40 years old. 😢
@@altanthony2697She was a heavy smoker, that’s to be expected if you smoke
This one of my favorite Christmas songs and I’m so sad that y’all didn’t care for it. 😢 The story is cute and the music is so catchy, in my opinion. Merry Christmas to you and your family. 🎄🎅🏻
Amber loved it! 🙂 Jay didn't like it, but Amber was digging it, and I agree with her 100%.
Yes indeed!
@@christianman73 Amber did like the music but I got the impression at the end that her opinion changed when she started listening to the lyrics. She didn’t like the “you mean you forgot cranberries, too” part. I still love the song regardless.
Fred Claus….case closed this is fire 🔥
@@pamkessler5381 She was dancing to the song, throughout the video, and talking about how it was "fire" and a "bop." She did say, at the end of the video, that she wanted to go back and listen to the lyrics again to get the whole story that they were telling. She also said that the song was going on her playlist. I took all of that to mean that she liked it quite a bit.
I LOVE The Waitresses!!!! This is a Christmas classic!!
Checkout out "I Know What Boys Like"!
Amber seems to understand the subtlety of this classic holiday tale from the early M-TV days. Christmas Wrapping is for those who enjoy modern art.
There isn’t a single icon/artist on the wall behind you that wouldn’t think that was bomb. It’s ska/punk/valley 80s. Fusion. It’s brilliant.
Yesterday I was in Walmart or Costco or something. This song came in. My smile and feet would not stop smiling. It’s like Katrina and the Waves “Walkin on Sunshine” just a happy vibe.I think Jay would have liked it more if you did the actual video. It shows the band. And the horns and stuff.
I rethink Jay will find himself singing along when he hears the song in public.
I heard it in Walmart the other day and the biggest grin came over my face and I realized I was singing along, kinda loudly! Haha!
The video is so great.
My niece works at Macy's and I played like the first three seconds of the song to see if she knew it and she was like, "oh my God, shut the hell up, they play this song constantly in our store". 😆
It's funny, I've always hated that Christmas is about the same 5 or 10 songs played over and over, and I always love it when a new song manages to break through. And then there are other people who only ever want to hear those 5 or 10 songs. Personally I think Gen X came correct with this one.
I'm with Amber. This is a great Christmas song. Cute story in the song and Jay missed it. Christmas Wrapping is a rap song from 1981. Still a popular Christmas song today and one my favorites. It wouldn't be Christmas without it.
yes it would!!!
The guy is a Scrooge. What a fun song.
This is one of the few modern Christmas songs I like. Mostly, I go back to the 60s and earlier, but this one always makes me happy.
@@joshhencik1849 I agree. Great song!
Patty Donohue's cynical style of vocalization isn't for everyone. I think it's great.
Such a great song!! Thanks guys!
Btw, Amber's a keeper... her reaction was priceless!
If Amber had been an 80's teen, we would've been besties! Love her! =)
Definitely with Amber on this one. As a teenager in the 80's, this one brings back good times.
Amber knows what's up you dropped the ball with this one Jay
Sorry agree with Jay
He doesn’t get indie at all
Yeah Jay is wrong. Very wrong.
Yeah it's a fun tune and he's going all analytic here. lol enjoy it in the spirit for which it was intended.
@@garyarnett1220 so do I sounds like a little kids song and it's very annoying I didn't know we were team anything but then I guess I am team Jay
This song tells a story like a 5 minute Hallmark Christmas movie. The singer is Patty Donohue (RIP), the bassist is session musician extraordinaire Tracy Wormworth and the bangin' sax is Mars Williams who wrote it as well. You should also check out I Know What Boys Like, Square Pegs and No Guilt.
This is a classic from my HS days. Jay needs to honor the waitresses!
This is definitely one of my favorite modern Christmas songs.
this is a favorite xmas tune. such an amazing bass line, how did you miss it?
One of the most underrated bass lines of the era.
Same - all I need is this and the Bowie/Bing version of Little Drummer Boy and my holiday season is set.
This review made me laugh so hard. Seeing J. suffering through it while Amber was bopping along and smiling ear-to-ear was so funny to me. Thanks guys!
This has to be classic reaction. Amber bopping to the music and Jay looking put out.
Too adorable! :D
I think Jay took the "[w]rapping" part of "Christmas Wrapping" a little too much to heart. No, the Waitresses weren't pretending to be Run DMC! (If they were, then yeah, that would be pretty embarrassing.) The title was just a cute, ironic play on words and a marketing gimmick, nothing more. But it's true: it did make for a classic RSR moment!
Oh goodness is right!😀 this song always makes me so happy! The Waitresses remind me of Square Pegs tv show lol
Merry Christmas fam!♥️✌
OMG, I loved that show! Totally awesome, I’m sure! 😉😄
Totally different head....totally!
Fer shure, totally!
One of my favorite pop Christmas songs. Love the lyrics!
LOVE LOVE LOVE The Waitresses. Such a great band!
Wow, who let Scrooge sit in on this one?! 😂
Total banger this one. The Spice Girls did a cover of this in the 90s too.
I have seen a lot of videos of you guys listening and dancing to the music you react.....this is FUNNIEST VIDEO I EVER WITNESSED from you guys!!! I am laughing sooooo hard....tears are coming from my eyes!!! Hahaha 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 Hahaha yeah Hahaha the look on J's face looking at you Amber go OFF on this very very Punk sounding song on Christmas 🎄 I can't hold my breath!!! Hahaha lol hahaha 😆 🤣 😅
At the time, everyone knew who the Waitresses were and loved this quirky little Christmss song.
NEW WAVE BABY!
I totally want to dance with Amber to this song. Jay, just sit quietly in the corner, lol
I hate most Christmas songs but absolutely love this one…jay’s 80’s new wave cred is gonna have to be revoked haha 😂…now check out “2000 miles” by the pretenders
Definitely check out their song “i know what boys like”!! Very 80s!!
Great song, great vocals One of the greatest female lead vocalists from the 80s. RIP, Patty Donahue.
Hilarious! Jay just found his 'Rock Lobster' of Christmas songs! Amber is digging this and Jay is second guessing starting this channel! You just gotta love it! Too funny! Peace & Love 🤣✌❤
I think you would really love Annie Lennox singing Winter Wonderland. She has such an incredible voice
This is total punk. 1 of the original punk rock/new wave bands
Bah Humbug J! I thought you liked the 80's! This is a New Wave Christmas song and was a big hit! I love hearing this song every Christmas! Maybe your girls will like it! Love you guys! ❤️🎄🎅🎁
You guys really need to listen to some SLADE. They are a glam rocking band that had the chart buster Merry Xmas Everybody. It’s such a jumpy happy glitz Rock Christmas song. It held the number one spot on the charts for several weeks in 1973 -74 in England and got wide radio play at Christmas time in the states , but has recently been left off radio play lists . You would love a lot of their other music that was covered by every other hair band in the 80’s They were true showman and pioneers
❤❤❤ IT !! 64 yr old R&R Chick here & Amber made me LMAO & reminded me of a Great Memory !! The 80's were Great for me,( met Lots of Famous By making stage clothes or friends in Bands, A lot through My BFF Trice who is a Singer) Amber gave Me a HUGE Grin when she made the "choreographed " dance comment....One Xmas Trice was singing lead in a band & covered this & We ( Trice ,2 other friends & me) dressed in " Santa" dresses & Elf costumes ( me & friend Eileen were shortest & were elves && the Guys in band put on Santa hats) DID a Choreographed dance to this !! THANKS for the Blast from the Past !!❤❤❤
In fact it was through her had one of my Best R&R experiences... met & became friends with a band called The Hooters through her & in 1983 got to meet Cyndi Lauper in Manayunk ( Philadelphia Pa.) while she & friend Rob Hyman were recording " Time After Time" ,Thanks Guys for reminding Me of Memories && Your Great reactions !! & P.S. Jay, Thanks for being Honest ! Always keep it real!!😁
Oh come on Scrooge Jay! It kicks, and is fun like Christmas is supposed to be! Remember what we're celebrating! Most of us when we first heard it thought of the singers sound a lot like Debbie Harry from Blondie. Even the delivery is similar to hers.
I don't like Christmas music, but I love this song.
Agreed. I will actually play this song - on purpose - when it isn't even Christmas.
This and ‘Father Christmas’ from the Kinks are my faves
This is not KidsBop… if you listen closely, she’s opting out…”Christmas by myself this year!”
Also, you don’t get the play on words here… this is 1980’s Rap… hence the name Christmas Wrapping
This is one of my favorite Christmas songs. It reminds me of the early 90’s working at the Limited Express in the mall.
RIP to Terry Hall of The Specials and Fun Boy Three 😢
Was going to say the same, timing is crazy.
@@alhollywood6486 If you need a good way to explain who is there is a great live video form Belgian TV in 1979 on you tube.
Brings back memories of Valley Girl, Fast Times, Less Than Zero and Square Pegs….new wave punk. Next up U2 “Christmas, (Baby Please Come Home)’.
Tell him Amber!! It’s Christmas!! Tell the Scrooge to enjoy
Yes! The Waitresses. Yall should have watched the video. This was a new wave/punk band. They also played saxophones like Romeo Void, X-Ray Spex, Oingo Boingo, No Doubt/Gwen Stefani, etc. Similar groups. Check them out, too.
We who are now in our 40s and '50s (GenXers) love music like this. lol Especially back in the days! '80s. It's been covered by other punk bands in the '90s, too.
The Waitresses had another hit "I Know What Boys Like". Watch the video. They have a black female bass guitarist (Tracy Wormworth) who was excellent. Singer , Patty Donohue (pretty lady), passed away too young in the '90s. barely 40 yrs old. Very sad. Lung cancer (smoker).
Also check out more new wave/punk bands like B-52s, Blondie, The Go-Gos, Adam and the Ants, Missing Persons, DEVO, Elastica, Altered Images, Talking Heads. etc. Upbeat dance music. Relax, my man! Amber is right. Its new wave/punk with a little bit of rap. Usually quirky, funny, and fun lol. My daughter loves this song, too.
The Waitresses had three sort of jokey, tongue-in-cheek hits from around 1982, and listening to the lyrics is crucial. These aren't kids' songs. They're wry looks at contemporary, everyday adult life in all its banality, nothing serious but not throwaway kids' tunes either.
I guess you're talking about this one, I Know What Boys Like, but what's the other one?
I never knew this song was The Waitresses until the Cleveland Plain Dealer featured an article about it. The bass player, Chris Butler wrote this classic song. He used to play in The Numbers Band and then Tin Huey, which were two of the favorite bands that played at The Kove and the Water Street Saloon in Kent, Ohio. This Waitresses song was the new wave sound back in the day.
This is a Christmas classic!!
To really appreciate The Waitresses, which is 80's New Wave, try "I Know What Boys Like." Don't forget to do Paul McCartney's, "Wonderful Christmas Time." ;)
Sadly singer Patty Donahue died at age 40 of lung cancer, you guys are right they were strange kind of a punk/new wave band of the late 70's early 80's. So yes the difference your hearing is real. Tracy Wormworth was known as a Great bass player the bass line is undeniable.
This used to be “that annoying Christmas song” to my Mom. I mean ….😆. This was popular with the cheerleaders and the Twirlers…a lot of holiday routines to this chaos. I feel you ,J.
new wave classic. one of the bestest christmas records
This was a great song for its time musically. I was in my 20s during the 80s and the songs lyrics are great. A single girl, planning on spending Christmas alone, but then by chance she meets the guy that for some reason all year long, something always happened that kept them from getting together. Through the magic of Christmas, the meet on Christmas Eve and finally get together. It was such a great story and musically, it's not usually my thing as I am a hard rock and blues rock fan, but you cannot help but liking this song back in the day. I still love it..
Amber was on the ball with this one
Amazing bass line by the great Tracy Wormworth.
I think it's hard for people who didn't live through the punk era to understand vocalists who are untrained and who aren't like professional "singers." This was punk's central ethos, the egalitarian DIY spirit of hey, anybody can buy a used guitar or keyboard and form a band. We don't need coaches or auditions or talent shows, we just need mates with an itch to do music. This is the exact polar opposite of today's music industry where you have image consultants, it's all about like crazy acrobatic singing, posturing about how much money and influence you have and what your musical pedigree is.
I was just a wee tot during the punk era, but I came of age in the post-punk era of the 80s and I can tell you that there would be no "80's music" if it weren't for punk and the second British invasion it spawned. This was true Music for the Masses and it informed everything that came after, from electronic music to grunge to hiphop. Today's image-obsessed, market-researched music industry seems pretty foreign by comparison.
Ok I know I sound old. 😆
You right, though
YES! This song checks pretty much all the boxes for you guys- 80s new wave dance beat, storytelling, strong female presence (the late, great Patty Donahue), saxophone.
Yep, it's all there.
I don’t know if you guys have reacted to it, but how about “Last Christmas” by Wham?
Or, another modern classic, David Bowie and Bing Crosby singing “Little Drummer Boy/Peace On Earth”.
Another request I’d like to make is absolutely any Christmas song by Bob Rivers. He sings Christmas parodies which are played on the radio every year. Some of them are parodies of actual Christmas carols, like “Walking Around In Women’s Underwear” (a parody of Winter Wonderland), “Teddy The Red Nosed Senator” (a parody of Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer), and “Jingle Hells Bells” (a parody of My Favourite Things). He also does Christmas themed parodies of popular rock, R&B, hip hop, and pop songs. For example he sings “O Little Town Of Bethlehem” to the tune of “House Of The Rising Sun”, “I Am Santa Claus” (a parody of “I Am Iron Man”), “Hollidaze” (a parody of “Purple Haze”), and “Be-Claus I Got High” “a parody of “Because I Got High”). For the parodies of pop/rock/hip-hop songs I would suggest that you react to the original songs first. But I’m sure that you’ve heard enough classic Christmas carols to recognize which songs are being parodied with those.
The Waitresses had another hit song "I Know What Boys Like".
This is one of those songs that was panned by the critics and reviewers at the time it was released, but is now viewed as kitchen and tongue in cheek fun, which is what it was always intended to be, a great slice of 80's nostalgia, just like a John Hughes movie, corney but fun.
Exactly.. The Waitresses music is always like that.. never totally serious on the surface.. it has a deeper meaning, like hey, Lighten Up everybody.. it seems Jay enjoys the more traditional Christmas tunes, which everyone loves too.
I wonder how he would react to The Dickies cover of "Silent Night"..
@@4tuneagent ah the Dickies Silent Night is awesome as is Stiff Little Fingers cover of White Christmas, I guess Jay wouldn't like The Kinks Father Christmas either.
@@4tuneagent Exactly, and I can't wait to hear what he thinks of The Kinks' "Father Christmas" or Blink 182's "Won't Be Home for Christmas".
Stop fighting it Jay ,you know this song is now in your Christmas Playlist rotation. Merry Christmas to you and your family.
LOL. Yep! It's coming for his list of favorites whether he knows it or not.
Flashback of the reaction to B-52's 'Rock Lobster'... : )
LOL love it ! At 64 laughter is a great medicine I just about fell out of my chair! Thank ya'll and merry Christmas LOL
NOOOO IT DOESN’T SOUND LIKE THAT! ITS AN ABSOLUTE JAM! GREAT LYRICS! I LOVE LOVE THIS SONG!!! 🎄♥️🎄♥️! ✌🏻☀️
One of my favorite Christmas songs.
I think about this song every time I see “cranberry”. And I love this song when I hear it at the grocery store. An 80s classic right here.
Huge ‘80s hit but as an ‘80s metal/rocker, I could not handle listening to this! 🤘🏼
I friggin' LOVE this song!!!
One of my favorite holiday songs! Fun music, fun story, awesome baseline!
If this is a season of joy, Amber is feeling the season!
The best Christmas Hook-Up song of All Time!
I don't know, I saw mommy kissing Santa Claus is a pretty epic hook up 😆
A one time kiss witnessed by a kid who could immediately put a stop to things and tell on Mommy - compared to a year long buildup, with multiple “almost” situations eventually culminated by going home together on Christmas Eve?
No kids were there to stop things after a single kiss.
Jordan, what you need is the Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s “Christmas/Sarajevo 12/24”, y’all will love it. Also, here are two more classic Christmas songs suggestions. Judy Garland’s “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” and Brenda Lee’s “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree”
Amen! I saw TSO live (for the 3rd time) 4 days ago. Their show isn't just a concert - it's an experience!
Agree 100 percent
Old City Bar and She’s Coming Home This Christmas Day.
Yes! Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s “Christmas/Sarajevo 12/24" (aka God Rest You Merry Gentlemen + Carol of the Bells) is the best! If he doesn't like that, I cannot help him expand his Christmas music. LOL. X) Man, this video cracked me up so much! :D
"Christmas Dreams" is my favorite Christmas song from TSO
If the Rob Squad is digging into Christmas music, you should check out the Christmas album that Billy Idol made. He actually plays it quite sincerely and covers a number of Classics like Frosty the Snowman, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, I'll Be Home for Christmas, Silver Bells even Run, Run Rudolph.
Twisted Sister also has a Christmas album out if you want something more hard rock oriented.
The Waitresses were actually a great band they had a number of terrific songs other than this, they're best known song is "I Know what Boys Like" but other great waitresses songs are "Quit" "Wasn't Tomorrow Wonderful?" "Pussy Strut" "Wise Up" " No Guilt"..... they also did the theme song for a short-lived sitcom called "Square Pegs" ( which co-starred a young Sarah Jessica Parker). They are an excellent band if not that well-known. A good choice for *Female Fridays* perhaps?
Such a cool song! Still after 40 years ❤
A classic Christmas song. Go Amber!
I can’t believe you’ve never heard this song 🤣👀 it’s an absolute classic and the spice girls covered it too 🎄
Bruce Springsteen doing Santa Clause is Coming to Town; Live at CW Post College. Is a true Christmas Classic
This is new wave... 1981 Christmas song. I really like this. This is from when I was in junior high. Now listen to their big hit I Know What Boys Like from 1980..awesome song.
I love "Christmas Wrapping"! It reminds me of early MTV, and the fact that there's no music video for this song (that I know of) makes it all the more ironic.
That bassline RIPS!!!
One of my absolute favorites of the season.
Jordan I’m surprised you didn’t like this…it’s an 80’s Christmas song, it even sounds like the 80’s. I agree with Amber (and not only because it’s one of my favorite Christmas songs) in that neither the voice and lyrics are kids bop lol. Perhaps this would have been the one time where the music video would have helped your perspective. But I get it, I also only have a handful of Christmas songs that I listen to. They’re not really my thing, as most of them (to me) are cheesy lol.
Patty Donahue was the lead singer. She passed away way to young. RIP
This was a popular style of singing in the 80s for female vocalists. There were other acts with similar vocal styles back then like The Flirts and Romeo Void. This band also had a hit with the theme song for a TV show called "Square Pegs" which was a show about a group of high school freshmen who didn't fit in with the crowd. It starred Sarah Jessica Parker and Jami Gertz. It is on DVD if you want to check it out. My wife got it for the nostalgia as we both were in high school around the time the show was on though I was already a senior then and she was a sophomore. The band's biggest hit is probably a song called "I Know What Boys Want" and believe me that's definitely not a kiddie song.
This is a keen observation regarding that flat affect, as another commenter termed it, being something of a hallmark of the time. Likewise, your comment about their other hit not being for the kiddos! Lastly, I salute your Romeo Void reference! I was lucky enough to see them live and they are still a personal fav.
A definite staple song around here! Bah humbug jay. Chill!
Wait, have they not done "I Know What Boys Like" yet?
@@thisnicelady I like that song but I'm pretty sure it would be nails-on-chalkboard level annoying to Jay - just like Rock Lobster was (another song I love)! Maybe someday lol.
@@rbash will NEVER get over his reaction to Rock Lobster!💀
Canadian Born in 87. This is still my top 5 Christmas tunes ever.
Back in the day, all the cool kids loved the waitresses! It was too out there for most of the regular Joes, but so exquisite for those of us longing for something that had not been done before💃
Simply put .... This rocks!!!! Back in the day at every single store they have those two in cranking during the holidays. He probably will not like I know what boys want or square pegs!! Lol
They were a fun punk new wave band! The singer does a lil rap style singing too. They had another good song "I Know What Boys Like". Watch the videos for these songs. They remind me of Missing Persons and Romeo Void. This old alternative music for GenX like us 😆. I was a kid when this was big. My kids like this song too and comes on movies and at WalMart (background music) during the holidays. Hey bro new wave music is silly sometimes. Hell, we were in the middle of the Cold War! Lol. We had to be happy and dance sometimes.
The wife seems to like it! Her husband is acting like our Boomer parents tho 😆, seems annoyed.
Oh Rob you're a Scrooge. This song is a rom-com. The girl has lost her Christmas spirit over the previous year, and finally she meets the love of her life and discovers it again! What's not to like? Plus it rocks!
On the funky side of Christmas Jay & Amber, you have to check out Christmas Rappin' by Kurtis Blow. Jay will definitely like it.
The bass on this song is phenomenal
hahahahahhaahahaha what a funny reaction. Amber loves it and Jay just ain't havin it.
I think new wave/punk can be too goofy for Jay sometimes. Lol! You should see their reactions for DEVO "Whip It". B-52s "Rock Lobster", Talking Heads, etc
Amber gigs it though. She's one of us (GenXers) in spirit. lol
My brother introduced this to me on a tape he made for me in around 1982 when I was 12 ;-)
I can’t believe Jordan, self professed 80s new wave aficionado couldn’t appreciate the one great new wave Christmas song!
Back before kareoke machines, my dad would bang this out on the bass so I could do this for my high school Christmas show circa 84.
(He prerecorded the horns and chorus) Best Christmas memory with my dad ever.
Jay missed it from not knowing The Waitresses history and viewing through modern dad lens.
That's Patty Donahue on vocals, the band are from Akron, Ohio. The Waitresses were originally an art project, the songs and lyrics were written by the guitarist Chris Butler. Donahue also worked with Alice Cooper on one song. She's known for setting the style for female vocals of the New Wave period of that era. Eventually she became an A&R Rep at MCA Records until she died of lung cancer in 1996.
Too fun watchin' y'all havin' fun with it. Hahahaha, Thanx for the laugh. Peace
There is a genre called "antifolk", which sounds like folk music but the lyrics are either nonsense or the opposite of anything you would expect in folk music (some of it is very good). The early 80s had a rock genre like that, with groups like this and the B52s and Devo and so forth, making allegedly boppy music but with ridiculous lyrics, kind of like a parody of the seriousness of mainstream music. And some of it is very good, just because the music is often very good.