... if you want something done, ask a woman ...

Acme's annual salute to the holidays via Rock and Roll.  First up - Do you hear what I hear?: Female Performers:


River   Joni Mitchell –



The song is about the recent split of a romantic relationship, with the singer needing to escape her immediate surroundings and emotional connections as they are too painful. It is said to be inspired by Joni Mitchell's 1968 to 1970 relationship with fellow artist Graham Nash.


Run Rudolph Run   Norah Jones –



Chuck Berry based this tale on Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer, giving Rudolph a bit of an attitude as he delivers the toys. Unlike Santa, however, Rudolph is copyrighted, and Berry had to give the publishing rights to Johnny Marks, who wrote the original Rudolph. Perhaps if Berry had used "Randolph" (another reindeer he mentions), he could have kept the publishing.


Underneath the Tree   Kelly Clarksons -



Accompanied by various instrumental sounds, the song prominently incorporates a Phil Spector-like Wall of Sound treatment along with sleigh bells and bell chimes to resonate a holiday atmosphere


Snow   Tracy Thorn –



This song is one of many songs Randy Newman wrote in the days before he became a recording artist of his own songs and was writing songs for other artists to record. Another beautiful version of the song was recorded (but never original released) by Harry Nilsson. Newman has never recorded the song himself.


2000 Miles   The Pretenders -



While many people believe the song's title and lyrics refer to two long-distance lovers who miss each other over the holidays, it was actually written for James Honeyman-Scott, the group's original guitarist, who died the year before the song was released.


Silent Night    Annie Lennox -



It is believed that the carol has been translated into over 300 languages around the world, and it is one of the most popular carols of all time.


Merry Christmas Baby   Sheryl Crow -



Although the song is credited to Johnny Moore and Lou Baxter, blues songwriter and singer Charles Brown insisted he was really the song's co-writer, not Moore.


Let It Snow  Lucious Jackson –



This was written by the lyricist Sammy Cahn and the Broadway songwriter Jule Styne in 1945. Although this song is associated with Christmas, there is no mention of the holiday in the lyrics. It's about making the most of a snowy day by spending it with a loved one by the fire.


And of course the holiday favorite - Christmas Wrapping The Waitresses -



When Chris Butler wrote this song, he was not feeling very festive. The Waitresses were signed to ZE Records, whose boss, Michael Zilkha, asked the bands on his roster to each come up with a Christmas song that would go on a holiday compilation issued by the label. The Waitresses were in the middle of a grueling tour, and weren't happy about the task, especially since it was July and they weren't exactly in the Christmas spirit.

Demand Euphoria!