Although she doesn't tour nearly as much as she probably could, Austin-based vocalist Barton is one of the finest purveyors of raw, unadulterated roadhouse blues. Like Delbert McClinton, she can belt out a lyric so that she can be heard over a two-guitar band with horns. She is a veteran of thousands of dance hall and club shows all over Texas.
In 1975, she joined up with W.C. Clark to form his W.C. Clark Blues Revue. In late September 1977, Barton joined a new Austin blues group Triple Threat Revue, with Stevie Ray Vaughan and W.C. Clark. It was renamed Double Trouble when Clark left in May 1978, and Barton continued with Double Trouble until November 1979. In the early 1980s, she did a stint with the jump blues band Roomful of Blues. It was there that she was spotted by famed record producer Jerry Wexler.
Although she has a few great recordings out, notably Old Enough (1982, Asylum Records), produced by Jerry Wexler and Glenn Frey, Barton has to be seen live to be fully appreciated. She belts out her lyrics in a twangy voice so full of Texas that you can smell the barbecue sauce. She swaggers confidently about the stage, casually tossing her cigarette to the floor as the band kicks in on its first number. The grace, poise and confidence she projects on stage is part of a long tradition for women blues singers.
Barton has several other excellent albums out on the Austin-based Antone's Records, Read My Lips (1989) and her cooperative effort with fellow Texas blues women Marcia Ball and Angela Strehli, Dreams Come True (1990). Old Enough was reissued on compact disc in 1992 on the Antone's label.
As of 2010, she was touring with Jimmie Vaughan and the Tilt-a-Whirl Band. Through 2018 Barton continued to perform in Austin, and elsewhere, sometimes with Derek O'Brien, Denny Freeman, Scott Nelson, & Jay Moeller, sometimes with Sue Foley.
Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree
Lou Ann Barton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
At the Christmas party hop
Mistletoe hung where you can see
Every couple tries to stop
Rockin around the Christmas tree
Let the Christmas spirit ring
Later we'll have some pumpkin pie
And we'll do some caroling
When you hear
Voices singing "Let's be jolly
Deck the halls with boughs of holly"
Rockin around the Christmas tree
Have a happy holiday
Everyone dancing merrily
In the new old fashioned way
You will get a sentimental feeling
When you hear
Voices singing "Let's be jolly
Deck the halls with boughs of holly"
Rockin around the Christmas tree
Have a happy holiday
Everyone dancing merrily
In the new old fashioned way
Lou Ann Barton’s “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree” is a festive classic that celebrates the joys of the holiday season. The song features a catchy tune and upbeat rhythm that encourages the listener to join in on the Christmas party. The lyrics detail the festivities of a Christmas party, where couples are stopped by mistletoe and everyone is dancing merrily. The song also alludes to the traditional holiday activities, such as enjoying pumpkin pie and caroling. The powerful chorus is undoubtedly the most memorable part of the song, with the voices singing “Let’s be jolly! Deck the halls with boughs of holly!” This is the ultimate party anthem for anyone who wants to make their festivity come alive with the holiday spirit.
Line by Line Meaning
Rockin around the Christmas tree
Dancing cheerfully around the decorated Christmas tree
At the Christmas party hop
At the lively Christmas gathering
Mistletoe hung where you can see
A traditional Christmas decoration visible to all
Every couple tries to stop
Couples pause to kiss under the mistletoe
Let the Christmas spirit ring
Celebrate Christmas joyously
Later we'll have some pumpkin pie
Afterwards, we'll enjoy a popular Christmas dessert
And we'll do some caroling
Also, we'll sing Christmas songs
You will get a sentimental feeling
Emotions will be stirred within you
When you hear, Voices singing 'Let's be jolly, Deck the halls with boughs of holly'
Hearing singing and Christmas greetings invokes happiness
Have a happy holiday
Wish you a joyful Christmas season
Everyone dancing merrily
Everyone is joyfully dancing
In the new old fashioned way
In a traditional, yet renewed and lively way
Writer(s): Johnny Marks
Contributed by Lily O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.