I had stumbled across The Killers' "Please
Don't Shoot Me Santa" a few years ago, and I would periodically play it
because it was kind of fun. I only learned this year that they do a Christmas
song every year, releasing it around December 1st for World AIDS Day and
donating the proceeds to the Product Red campaign that strives to eliminate
AIDS.
This good cause has developed into a great
tradition, now going on ten years. They have brought in other people - some musicians
and some not. Each song stands on its own musically, without any sense of
repetition. They may go back to certain themes, but they do each one
differently. I appreciate that a lot, especially in light of some of the more
recent reviews.
Also, while some songs are serious, in general it
looks like there is a lot of fun. I can't even say that it looks like they are
having fun, because their facial expressions are usually pretty serious, but
there are these glimpses that suggest to me that they are having fun, as well
as it being a reasonably logical conclusion that of course this would be fun;
it looks like a blast!
Here is a quick rundown of each song:
2006 - "A Great Big Sled"
The very first, and probably the most traditional.
The song touches on childhood nostalgia, and the video is fairly
straightforward with the studio process and some celebrating. However, I am
pretty sure that is Ryan Pardey in the Santa suit, and he does at one point
carve a turkey. I can't help but wonder if that image of him wielding the knife
led to the next year's offering.
2007 - "Don't Shoot Me Santa"
Santa is dirty and scary here, and getting ready to
execute lead singer Brandon Flowers who has been a bad boy. Even though Brandon says that he's been
killing just for fun, I can't want him dead, so it is a relief when is crew
comes and rescues him.
(Also, if you're reading the Family books,
you know that's how bands work when I'm writing.)
2008 - "Joseph, Better You Than Me"
This has mainly footage from old movies, but the
subject matter is really touching and often neglected. Probably their most
serious offering.
2009 "Happy Birthday Guadalupe"
There is a bit of Western theme here, but even more
imagery from the Dia de los Muertos. That seems like the wrong holiday, but you
know Dickens wrote a ghost story every Christmas, even if only one is famous,
and it's a time of year when the dead seem close. I say it works. Luke Perry
heads into a church, so they may be near Los Angeles.
2010 "Boots"
A homeless man missing his family is worn down in Los Angeles, but a microphone
brings some hope and a chance to sing out his heart. You don't know if he is
singing well or badly, and maybe it doesn't matter. It brings enough funds to
encourage him to celebrate with his family. Starting with a clip from It's a
Wonderful Life, it correlates well.
ETA: This is set in Las Vegas. I thought he was on the Walk of Fame, but it's the strip.
ETA: This is set in Las Vegas. I thought he was on the Walk of Fame, but it's the strip.
2011 "The Cowboys' Christmas Ball
Shot in an almost lurid color palette that harkens
back to the 50s/60s, this not only references cowboy movies but also space
invasion movies, and it's a lot of fun even before you get to a robot dancing
the robot.
2012 "I Feel It in My Bones"
A sequel to "Don't Shoot Me Santa", this
picks up with Santa angry about the band's rescue of Brandon, and stalking all
of them, which causes them to sleep badly. In this Santa reminds me of the Lone
Biker of the Apocalypse from Raising Arizona, but ingeniously
Christmas-themed. The director was Roboshobo, who also did "Na Na Na"
for My Chemical Romance.
2013 "Christmas in L.A."
Lonely and discouraged Owen Wilson has a really
depressing Christmas that includes getting snubbed by Harry Dean Stanton. It's
even worse than for the guy in "Boots", though they do both wander
into churches. Some is live-action, but there is some gorgeous animation as
well.
2014 "Joel the Lump of Coal"
I love this so much. It is adorable and sweet and correct
about carbon and the environment. Also, while it is not murderous Santa, Santa
is kind of jerk which is kind of a staple of Christmas specials. The aspect of
a Santa giving coal to naughty kids isn't played up that much, but we do have a
Santa canceling Christmas because he has a cold, and rejecting Rudolph, so it's
something to think about. And often the bad ones are sad inside, but there is
beauty there too.
This one is really perfectly done, including the
sweaters and the tear that rolls down Ronnie's cheek and turns into a beautiful
snowflake.
2015 "Dirt Sledding"
The third installment of Ryan Pardey's murderous
Santa has him left burnt out and depressed by his quest. Passing out alone, he
is woken and cheered by a Halloween pumpkin, Thanksgiving turkey, Easter bunny,
and a tooth fairy, only it is really the band in disguise, and when the
disguises come off there is grace and reconciliation for all, plus a new red
car!
"Dirt Sledding" almost feels like a
culmination. Not only does it round out the Deadly Santa trilogy, but it also
connects back to the first song. They have gone from missing their youth
sledding in snow to finding a solution for their environment, sledding in dirt.
I guess this means they could quit, but I hope this
goes on. There's a lot of fun here, and the music is of high quality with lots
of variety. I was pretty fond of The Killers anyway, but I have to love that.
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