Sometimes family is the place where we find the deepest heartache.
Happy families are all alike ... even kids abused by their domineering father - (the Motown edition)
Today's second Christmas theme - A Jackson Five Christmas
Santa Claus Is Comin To Town -
The song was written in 1932 by Haven Gillespie and J. Fred Coots. The song was initially met with skepticism, as it was considered too childish to be commercially successful. Many music publishers were not interested in producing it, as it was thought to be a novelty song that wouldn't appeal to a wide audience. However, the song's fortunes changed dramatically in 1934 when famous entertainer Eddie Cantor sang it on his popular radio show, and the song became an instant hit.
Little Drummer Boy -
The Little Drummer Boy (originally known as Carol of the Drum) was written by the American classical music composer Katherine Kennicott Davis in 1941 and was based upon a traditional Czech song. Though Davis composed the song in 1941, it was first recorded and popularized by the Trapp Family Singers (of The Sound of Music fame) in 1951. The version most people are familiar with today, however, is the 1958 recording by the Harry Simeone Chorale. This version helped cement the song's place in Christmas music tradition.
I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus -
When this songs was released in 1953, some people thought it was a little too risqué, the thought of a married woman, possibly having an affair. A closer listen implies that Santa Claus is actually the child's father, but this didn't stop radio stations in some cities, including Boston, from banning it when it came out. Columbia Records appealed to the Council of Churches to clear the song where it was banned, sending it's original singer, the 13 year old Jimmy Boyd to plea with them personally. The tactic worked, and it became a Christmas favorite.
Christmas Won't Be the Same This Year -
The song was written by Pam Sawyer and LaVerne Ware and was produced by The Corporation and Hal Davis. The song features the signature sound of The Jackson 5, combining soulful melodies with festive Christmas themes. It expresses a sense of longing and melancholy, as the narrator reflects on how Christmas feels different without a loved one. The combination of the heartfelt lyrics and the group's harmonies makes it a standout track on their holiday album.
Little Christmas Tree -
The song stands out in the realm of holiday music due to its unique, poignant theme. While most Christmas carols are filled with joy, togetherness, and festive cheer, Little Christmas Tree takes a more somber approach, addressing feelings of loneliness and heartbreak.
We here at ACME are wishing you time to enjoy the simple pleasures of this holiday season.
And if don't enjoy yourself, Joe will be coming by to give you the beating of your life.
The second half of our presentation: It’s the holiday season, so let’s get lit - Christmas Light Shows:
According to recent surveys, approximately 85–90% of Americans celebrate Christmas in some form, includes both religious and secular observances, such as family gatherings, gift exchanges, and holiday traditions that are not necessarily tied to Christian beliefs. This means there are approximately 109 to 115 million households households in the United States that celebrate the holiday. While not every home in the U.S. that celebrates Christmas decorates with extravagant lighting, many of them do.
Electricity use in the United States in 2023 was more than 12 times greater than electricity use in 1950. The amount of electricity used by holiday lights is determined by the type of light used. The most common include 100-light mini lights. These lights use 0.039 kWh of electricity per hour, which is around 0.95 kWh per day. Ceramic C7 lights are also widely used. A 100-light strand uses 130 watts, which is around 0.13 kWh per hour, resulting in a daily use of around 3.15 kWh.
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the average cost for electricity in the United States is about 16 cents per kWh, in 2023. Based on that cost and the known wattage for typical bulbs, you can do the math to determine how much it costs to power a standard 100-bulb strand. The bigger the bulb, the more juice it takes to make it sparkle. For those big old-school C9 bulbs that are used most often for outdoor displays (and popularized by Clark Griswold, you can plan on paying for 175 watts of power for a single 25-bulb strand. Run that strand 12 hours a day for a 45-day period, and you’ll pay around $15.12 per strand over the holiday season. Prefer mini lights instead? A 100-light strand of incandescent minis runs around $15 per season. Some extreme household decorators can spend an extra $2,000 to light their displays!
It’s nice to see that the public is helping support the public utilities. You know that they are barely eking out a living.
Demand Euphoria!
No comments:
Post a Comment