Thought for sure I had what could be considered a correct response with “Do They Know It’s Chritmas” by Band Aid. Sure, it’s been released several times, but always by Band Aid. And granted, Band Aid consists of different members each time, but is it technically a cover version if it’s rereleased by the same band?
Anyway, doesn’t matter because apparently a band called Slade released a cover version in 1985, just one year after the first Band Aid’s original.
Huh. I actually thought the Irish Rovers version was the better known one. It actually made the charts in Canada if you can believe it.
I just remembered a pretty terrible song that came out a few years ago and was a minor hit in metro Detroit: Christmas Eve on Woodward Avenue.
Sung by Karen Newman, the Red Wings’ official anthem singer. Pretty sure no one’s ever covered this Christmas song.
Also Mavis Staples’ song “Christmas Vacation” from the movie of same name seems to have no other versions recorded
I guess it’s a national pride thing; the Rovers are from Toronto. That and theirs is the only version I’ve heard that’s actually worth listening to.
I guess I never had in my head that they were primarily a Canadian band, so for me it’s not so much a national pride thing. They were all from Ireland and I honestly never knew they formed the band in Toronto.
How about “I’ll be your Santa Baby” by Rufus Thomas?
That’ll teach me not to skim. I saw “John McSomething”, and my mind filled in the rest.
I was going to say there’s never been a cover of The Beatles’ ditty “Everywhere It’s Christmas”, but I was wrong. Cover by the Suncourt Ramblers
I can’t imagine Rihanna or Katy Perry doing a cover of "Little Becky’s Christmas Wish".
A Christmas Song by the Dot Wiggin Band (The Shaggs).
Click at your own risk.
Has anyone covered “Green Christmas” by Barenaked Ladies?
There’s a version by The Four Aces.
Wow, that’s positively harmonious for the Shaggs!
Or for that matter, “Green Christmas” by Stan Freberg?
Bad Religion and Cheap Trick have both covered it.
How about “White Wine in the Sun” by Tim Minchin?
I was going to suggest Santa Lost a Ho by the Christmas Jug Band, but then I found the WhiskeyBelles’ cover. (And I’m glad I did, because now I know about the WhiskeyBelles!)
I don’t think anyone’s covered “There Ain’t No Sanity Clause” by The Damned (which sort of surprises me), “Stuff the Turkey” by Alien Sex Fiend, “Red Over White” by Siouxsie and the Banshees and “Inanity Over Christmas” by Madness. And, I’m not sure if this would count as a Christmas song or as the exact opposite, but Sparks’ “Thank God It’s Not Christmas” has no cover versions that I can find.
I can’t find a cover of “Leroy the Redneck Reindeer” by Joe Diffie. I can’t say that’s a bad thing.