Customer Reviews

Vh1: Big 80's Christmas

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This is a collection of Christmas songs by performers who are associated with the 1980s, although a few of them are more associated with the '70s in my mind. Not all of these songs were actually recorded during the '80s. Most of the songs are good, including classics and near classics by Billy Squire, the Waitresses, Queen, the Pretenders, Squeeze and the Ramones. But I don't really care for the song by Kate Bush. Overall, though, this is a pretty good collection.

"VH-1: The Big 80's Christmas" brings together 15 holiday songs, most of which you probably heard at some point during that decade, including the classic David Bowie and Bing Crosby duet of "Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy." If you do not have this particular track in your collection then this album is one way of picking it up. The other keepers are the Waitresses doing the ultimate Christmas rap, "Christmas Wrapping," the Ramones ripping through "Merry Christmas (I Don't Wanna Fight Tonight)," and the cover of John Lennon's "Happy Christmas (War Is Over)" by the Alarm. After that it is a question of what speaks to your tastes, which means enjoying a couple of songs by performers I like that I do not remember hearing way back when, Pat Benatar's "Please Come Home for Christmas" and Kate Bush's "December Will Be Magic Again." Then you have to make up your mind about Los Lobos's interesting take on "Rudolph the Manic Reindeer" and it is a good thing that the "Twelve Days of Christmas" as rendered by Bob and Doug McKenzie (eh) is the last track on this album because there is just nowhere to go after that one.

I think that this CD is definitely worth adding to your Christmas collection. It does lack a few songs that I would have liked to have, but it is definitely worth owning. (especially if you can get it for less than $10)

This, in my opinion, is a fabulous Christmas collection. It may be missing a few notables, including, as a few (picky) reviewers have stated, "Do They Know It's Christmas". But don't let that be a deciding factor against buying this. Plenty of quality is available with this album.

Those looking for "Do They Know It's Christmas" should keep in mind that "Big 80s Christmas" appears, for the most part, to feature the obscurity, fun and silliness of 80s Christmas music. One could argue that "Merry Christmas, War is Over" by the Alarm or Queen's "Thank God It's Christmas" run contradictory to this intent, but "Do They Know" certainly doesn't fit either. They apparently could only include so many songs here.

Keep in mind as well that producers of these types of CDs often have to get clearance from the appropriate parties to include songs in their collections. If you're so inclined, you can spend the money to buy "Now That's What I Call Christmas", a 2-CD compilation featuring "Do They Know..." and several other classics. I also own and highly recommend it. If that's too inconvenient, well, hey, if you want the song that badly, it's just one of many options you do have to get it. Who knows, maybe VH1 will even release a Volume 2 of this set in the future.

Now then, to get back to this collection, you'll find a number of great cuts including the ever-elusive "Jingle Bell Rock" by Hall & Oates. Billy Squier's "Christmas is the Time to say I Love You" is included, along with music from Squeeze, the Waitresses, Pat Benatar, and David Bowie/Bing Crosby. The final selection is "12 Days of Christmas" by Bob & Doug McKenzie. What more needs to be said? Happy Holidays!

While if find most of the songs on this CD are great and from the 80"s (they) forgot a few. One of them being Sting's "Gabriels Message" and how on earth could (they) forget the most memorable 80's Christmas song..."Do they know it's Christmas time" by Band-Aid. That WAS the 80's! (...)

All of the songs on this CD have been released over and over again on various compilations over the years. Most of them are on Edge of Christmas. Come on VH1, get with it. I won't be buying this one.

80's music fans, this is a must have for your music collection. I love to listen to this music every year during the Christmas holiday. Good times!

I know that other reviewers have pointed out that these songs are also featured on other compilations, but if you don't already own those and are looking for a good compilation of songs by pop artists from the 80's, then look no further. My favorite song is "Christmas Wrapping" by the Waitresses, however there are a lot of other great songs on this album that are sometimes hard to find otherwise. Since it's out of print, you can pick up a used copy on Amazon for a few bucks. It's definitely worth the money if you haven't got duplicates of these songs on other albums already.

Ok, so when you're tired of traditional Christmas songs, this CD is a fun change. Having grown up in the 80's my husband and I just love this CD. Our kids even sing to it :)

where is Do They Know Its Christmas Time? by Band Aid, that is one of my favorite christmas songs, along wiht many of ny friends. Yet its not on many cds.. this really isnt a complete 80's christmas cd.