The group gained some notoriety when a single from its first album, Blood and Roses, was included on the soundtrack for and as the theme song of the 1986 Albert Pyun movie Dangerously Close and the video got some moderately heavy rotation on MTV. The group spent some time in its initial semi-celebrity phase defending itself in Rolling Stone against thinly-veiled accusations of sounding too much like The Byrds and The Beatles, pointing out that its Marshall Amplifier-heavy live sound was closer to heavy metal than it was to The Beatles.
Along with a basic Eastern-coast roots-rock sound that owed much to the inspirations of DiNizio, including Buddy Holly, The Who, The Clash, Elvis Costello, and Nick Lowe, the Smithereens deployed a uniquely retro obsession with Mod, the late British Invasion pop of John's Children and The Move, and other artifacts of fifties and sixties culture that lent its music substance and style. The highest position a Smithereens album attained on the Billboard pop charts was in 1990, when 11 peaked at #41 on the strength of the single A Girl Like You (which hit #38). The group is still active and tours frequently, but went for seven years without releasing a new studio album, following God Save the Smithereens in 1999.
In January 2007, the band released a cover of the album Meet the Beatles titled Meet the Smithereens. Bassist Mike Mesaros does not appear on the album, replaced by Severo "The Thrilla" Jornacion . An album of original material was promised for later in the year, but Christmas with The Smithereens, released in October 2007, included only three original songs along with nine covers of Christmas songs.
Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer
The Smithereens Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Prancer and Vixen
Comet and Cupid
Donner and Blitzen
But do you recall
The most famous reindeer of all?
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
And if you ever saw him
You would even say it glows
All of the other reindeer
Used to laugh and call him names
They never let poor Rudolph
Join in any reindeer games
Then one foggy Christmas Eve
Santa came to say
"Rudolph with your nose so bright
Won't you guide my sleigh tonight?"
Then how the reindeer loved him
As they shouted out with glee
"Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
You'll go down in history"
Then one foggy Christmas Eve
Santa came to say
"Hey, Rudolph with your nose so bright
Won't you guide my sleigh tonight?"
Then how the reindeer loved him
As they shouted out with glee
"Hey, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
You'll go down in history"
The Smithereens's rendition of the classic Christmas song Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer begins with the description of the names of all the reindeer that pull Santa's sleigh. Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, and Blitzen are all mentioned. But, the song takes a turn when the lyrics ask if you recall the most famous reindeer of all, Rudolph. The next few lines talk about Rudolph's shiny and glowing nose, which all of the other reindeer used to laugh and call him names for. Rudolph was unable to join in any reindeer games because of the constant teasing and ridicule.
The song then progresses to talk about a particular foggy Christmas eve when Santa came to Rudolph and asked him to guide his sleigh with his bright nose. Rudolph agrees, and the other reindeer who used to make fun of him start to love him and shout with glee. The song ends with the catchy line, 'Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, you'll go down in history,' emphasizing the newfound respect and adoration Rudolph received from his peers.
Overall, The Smithereens's rendition employs a jovial and optimistic tone that uplifts the spirit of Christmas and emphasizes the importance of acceptance and overcoming ridicule.
Line by Line Meaning
You know there's Dasher and Dancer
You are aware of other reindeers like Dasher and Dancer
Prancer and Vixen
Also, there are other reindeers named Prancer and Vixen
Comet and Cupid
There are even more reindeers with names like Comet and Cupid
Donner and Blitzen
Additionally, there are two reindeers named Donner and Blitzen
But do you recall
However, do you remember
The most famous reindeer of all?
The one with the most recognition among all the reindeers?
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
The famous reindeer known as Rudolph who has a red nose
Had a very shiny nose
His nose was very bright and glowing
And if you ever saw him
If you happen to see him
You would even say it glows
You would be able to notice the brightness of his nose
All of the other reindeer
However, all the other reindeer
Used to laugh and call him names
Used to mock and call him offensive names
They never let poor Rudolph
They never allowed Rudolph who was less privileged
Join in any reindeer games
To be a part of any games played among reindeers
Then one foggy Christmas Eve
On a misty Christmas Eve
Santa came to say
Santa approached and said
"Rudolph with your nose so bright
"Rudolph who has a bright nose
Won't you guide my sleigh tonight?"
Will you lead my sleigh tonight?"
Then how the reindeer loved him
Then how the other reindeer admired him
As they shouted out with glee
By yelling happily
"Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
"Rudolph the famous reindeer with a red nose
You'll go down in history"
You will be recorded in history"
Then one foggy Christmas Eve
On a misty Christmas Eve
Santa came to say
Santa approached and said
"Hey, Rudolph with your nose so bright
"Hey, Rudolph who has a bright nose
Won't you guide my sleigh tonight?"
Will you lead my sleigh tonight?"
Then how the reindeer loved him
Then how the other reindeer admired him
As they shouted out with glee
By yelling happily
"Hey, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
"Hey, Rudolph the famous reindeer with a red nose
You'll go down in history"
You will be recorded in history"
Writer(s): Johnny Marks Copyright: Saint-nicholas-music Inc.
Contributed by Brooklyn Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Robert Cochran
on Blood And Roses
The Ulgiest Cool Band in the World
Tony C.
on I Don't Want To Lose You
The lyrics listed on here are for the song "Especially For You", rather than "I Don't Want to Lose You". Ironically, "Especially For You" isn't the title track from their full length debut, it's from their second studio album 'Green Thoughts'.