Tuesday, December 27, 2022

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "No Matter What" (Badfinger)

Welcome to that in-between time of the holidays!  Some go back to work, while others get an extended breather from their everyday routine.  No matter who you are, no matter what you do, and no matter where you go, we hope you take a moment on Tuesdays to read and share Tuesday's Musical Notes with your friends!  Welcome to the Tuesday before the New Year!   We hope you have an adventure in your pathway in 2023 and that The Notes can be a part of that adventure!  Happy New Year!!!


Today's featured song, "No Matter What" was Badfinger's 3rd top ten hit peaking at #8 on Billboard's Hot 100. It was the only single from the No Dice album.  Of the 14 singles released by Badfinger, "No Matter What" joins 4 other songs that Badfinger would release to make the chart.  No matter who you are, 5 of 14 isn't too bad in determining the success of a band.  

Back in October, we introduced you to the band Badfinger.  (You'll have the chance to read this blog a little bit later) The most successful of the acts signed by The Beatles (Tuesday's Musical Notes - The Beatles) to their Apple Records label, the band was immersed in tragedy as they became increasingly involved in litigation about management, royalties, and finances (due to Apple's dissolution at the breakup of The Beatles) which in turn led to the suicide of lead vocalist and composer Pete Ham.  The band continued to release albums to mediocre sales as the surviving members trended towards the bipolar with their relationships.  The tumult would lead to rhythm guitarist and songwriter Tom Evan's suicide in 1983.  Drummer Mike Gibbons succumbed to a brain aneurysm in 2005.  To date only guitarist/songwriter Joey Molland survives from the classic lineup of a band that in its origins had a very successful future ahead. 

Despite the unfortunate history of the band, those singles from Badfinger still make their way onto radio stations today.  It seems that no matter what happens to someone if they have a strong story to tell their legacy can live for a very long time...

“Do to others as you would have them do to you.” (Luke 6:31)

It is the last Tuesday's Musical Note of the year and as it has become our tradition, we would like to take a moment and reflect on which Notes were your favorites.  So welcome to the 2022 countdown of the most read blogs at Tuesday's Musical Notes!!!  The countdown is tabulated from Musical Notes written from the 1st Tuesday in December to the last Tuesday of November.  Google keeps track of the reads throughout the year and this countdown reports the results.  In other words:

We write 'em, you read 'em, and Google keeps track!  So let's get started with a pairing that no other countdown has:  Green Day and Crosby, Stills, Nash, & Young!
#10 

At #10 we have the first of five ties in the countdown.  The bands that wrote these songs hail from different decades which proves that the Musical Notes world is filled with music lovers of all ages...


“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)

Many of Tuesday's Musical Notes come from the decades of yours truly's formative years, the 70s and the 80s.  Such is the case of our #9 most-read blog of the year as it comes from 1971.  Here is the band Bread with our #9 blog of the year:


“But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” (Matthew 5:44)

At #8 we find our 2nd tie.  It comes in the form of 3 blogs based on the songs of 2 bands with much in common, and 1 that is a bit of a departure from the band's normal offerings. We've already mentioned The Beatles and Badfinger so let's add Scorpions to the mix and we get the #8 blogs from 2022.


“I and the Father are one.” (John 10:30)

Here at Tuesday's Musical Notes, we try our best to provide a wide variety of musical types.  2022 was no exception as we see in our countdown songs that have their origins traced back to the 30s.  And while most of the songs on this year's most-read blogs trend towards "classic" rock, you will see some sprinkling of heavy metal and movie soundtracks in the mix.  #7 however, is one of those iconic rock classics that finds its way into commercials and movies every decade or so since its original radio and chart run.  


“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.” (Matthew 6:34)

At #6 is the 3rd of our 5 ties and it does a great job of featuring the musical diversity to which we referred previously.  The first in the tie is the song whose roots trace back to the 30s making it our oldest song on the countdown.  It's not only the oldest written song, but it is the song that was featured earliest in the year.  It debuted in January of this year.  You pair that with a song by the godfather of heavy metal and you get #6 on the 2022 countdown.


“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:37–40)

We won't stop until we get to the top! 

2022 was a very unique year in the life of Tuesday's Musical Notes.  In May we celebrated a full decade (yup, that would mean 520 Tuesday's Musical Notes for your enjoyment!  Here's the shameless archives plug...you can search or just go down the year by month and see if your favorite artist or songs have been twisted in a way that only Tuesday's Musical Notes can!).  We took a break from the storyline we are currently following to celebrate that day and give you the top ten Tuesday's Musical Notes of the first ten years.  You can go read the entire blog at:  Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Ten Years Gone" (Led Zeppelin)  But we thought we'd give you just a taste of that by listing the top 3 Notes of the decade:


And now on with the countdown.

At #5 we find a song that is oddly appropriate for its position in the countdown.  Here is Stealer's Wheel with "Stuck In The Middle With You"!


“If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.” (Matthew 5:39)

#4!

There have been some years where our top spot consisted of a tie.  While we have a record number of ties this year, our #1 and #2 spots are not some of those.  So that means we have a bunch of Tuesday's Musical Notes to share with you in the #4 and #3 spots!  

At #4 is another 3-way tie showing the confluence of styles here at The Notes.  It might even sound like the start of a bad joke...what do you get when you mix a movie soundtrack with an eagle and metal???  The sure answer is the #4 most-read Musical Notes of 2022.  Here is another list you thought you'd never hear, let's welcome Metallica, John Williams, and Don Henley to this year's countdown!


“But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.” (Matthew 19:30)

Before we go on to the top 3 (well 4, because you know...ties) blogs of 2022 we thought we'd give you another insight into the decade by listing the most-featured artists of the decade in Tuesday's Musical Notes world.  We are never bashful about our affinity to certain bands so this list may not be a surprise to you, but we attempt to find the song that lyrically and musically conveys the thought for the week as we twist things around in ways we hope you find interesting.  Here's a recap of the top bands in the first decade of Tuesday's Musical Notes:

#10 - Van Halen, The Moody Blues, Paul McCartney, Bing Crosby (actually there was a tie, all the way up to Vince Guaraldi, but we had to make it fit into our "10" theme right?)
#9 - Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers
#8 - Fleetwood Mac
#7 - Vince Guaraldi
#6 - Pentatonix
#5 - Styx
#4 - Genesis
#3 - Billy Joel
#2 - The Beatles (ok, so they tied for #1, but it's my blog so my #1 is of course...)
#1 - Chicago

#3!

Our final tie comes in the form of two bands who have absolutely nothing in common.  Except that their songs tied at #3 on the 2022 end-of-the-year countdown at Tuesday's Musical Notes.  One is the Fab Four from Liverpool, England, the other is the Southern Rockers from Spartanburg, South Carolina.  Here they are with their commonality:


“Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” (Luke 20:25, ESV).

We've made it to the top 2 spots. Any ideas as to the songs that fill the top spots?  Let's not delay any longer and reveal the song that comes in at #2.


“Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” (John 8:7, ESV).

You may have noticed that Tuesday's Musical Notes attempts to feature relevant songs, twist some of their lyrical meaning around a bit, and combined them with a relatable message.  You may also have noticed the words of Jesus scattered throughout today's countdown.  Take a minute if you will and just read those passages.  They are far more important than anything I have to say about a popular song.  Go ahead.  Just the Scripture.  

This collection comes to us from gotquestions.org.  You can find the article in its entirety here:  https://www.gotquestions.org/famous-sayings-of-Jesus.html  As we embarked on 2022 we continued telling the great stories of the Bible.  The need for Biblical literacy has grown very great in our day and age.  The wisdom, support, examples, and comfort that we can get from God's Word make an immeasurable impact on our lives.  In this journey, we have of late been looking in on portions of Jesus' life.  Perhaps we have even uncovered aspects that you had never considered before. In His story, we continue to find that no matter what you are, no matter where you go, you are never in a place where Jesus isn't.  He waits for you as Holy Spirit calls you to believe in Him.  In His final Words in the Gospel penned by the tax collector, Matthew, Jesus implores those that believe:  "Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to follow all that I commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”  

We will continue with Jesus' life in 2023, as we have some of the most important stories about Him yet to tell.  Please won't you join us?




 


I try to read through the entire Bible in a year and would highly recommend readers of Tuesday's Musical Notes to do so as well.  Need assistance?  I use The Bible Recap plan that is available on the YouVersion Bible app.  

  A companion to the reading plan is The Bible Recap podcast with Tara Leigh Cobble.  I confess that this podcast has caused me to consider the great stories of the Bible differently.  We suggest asking someone to be an accountability partner with you and that you "Take Twenty".  Take twenty minutes of the day where you can read the Bible passage of the day and listen to the podcast. I promise you can do it.  Find a consistent time and place and get started on January 1.  Consider it a resolution or a challenge that will be life-altering.  No matter what else you may have going in your life, this will change you more!  Won't you join me?   
 
As we embark on 2023, Tuesday's Musical Notes will continue to tell the narrative of the Bible.  We will never be shy about the convictions that we hold about who Jesus is.  He is the Savior of those who will accept that He gave His life to irradicate our sins and restore us to God.  He came because God loves every one of us that much.  It could be said that Jesus traveled a long and winding road to redeem us.

And now that we mentioned it:

Here's the most-read blog for 2022 at Tuesday's Musical Notes!


There you have it, friend!  The most-read Tuesday's Musical Notes of 2022 as compiled by blogspot.com and google.  We hope today's countdown has been an encouragement to you but also a challenge.  

From all of us at Cross & Kin productions (Cross & Kin YouTube channel - like, subscribe, click on the notification bell!)), we look forward to seeing where our long and winding road may lead Tuesday's Musical Notes in 2023!  Happy New Year!  Be safe!

"Take Twenty!"  


'Til Tuesday,

Loving HIM by Loving You,
randy
<><

 

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Tuesday, December 20, 2022

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "The Gift" (Jim Brickman featuring Collin Raye and Susan Ashton)

It's the Tuesday before Christmas and here in the office, we've planned like professionals, while merely a novice.  This week will find gifts all waiting for wrapping when the truth of the tale is I'd rather be napping.  But wrap yes I will, while only just 3.  My neighbor so good has done mine for me!  Some gifts nicely snuggled all under the tree, the others too bulky just wait you will see.  They're stashed in our rooms and others elsewhere, to make sure they're found but not in our hair.  


The countdown is on, just 4 days to wait.  The gifts then revealed in their glorious state. We hope you like all, but know that we've missed on one maybe two of your Christ-a-mas gifts.  "The thought is what counts" is what's usually said when shirts they are blue when you asked for a red.  "I like red, wanna trade?" becomes your reply. "I'm not really sure that I needed a tie!"

Precious is time spent opening gifts though the moments with family they go by too swift.  So we'll start with the blog as to use time with thrift today's featured song is Jim Brickman's "The Gift".


Jim Brickman has collaborated with many of music's well-known artists.  Those musicians span the musical genre and provide the partnerships by which Brickman continues to receive great reviews and have a career that has spanned almost 30 years and 53 albums, 20 of which have gone to #1 on the New Age chart. The Gift album was one of those that went to #1 on the New Age chart and stayed there for 3 weeks.  It was Brickman's 4th studio release and solidified his instrumentals as a fan favorite.  (As an aside, don't get too caught up in the label "New Age" with its connotations of fantasy and mythology.  It became a genre in the 90's that many instrumental albums got lumped into, even though they had nothing to do with the practices of New Age adherents.  A better label would have possibly been "modern instrumentals" for Brickman and others like him.)

This seasonal favorite was written by Grammy nominee (Best Instrumental Album, Peace, Best New Age Album, Faith) Brickman and Tom Douglas.  Even with its country bend, it features Collin Raye after all, it pops up around Christmas time because of its appearance as the title track from the album.  That being said, "The Gift" had decent chart performance in the way of a #3 peak on the Adult Contemporary Chart which seems to matter more around the holidays as so many songs don't fit into a specific category other than "Christmas" whose chart doesn't stay around very long.  But for a time, this chart and the songs that are included are indeed a very special gift to music lovers around the world.


We are fast approaching some of the most familiar stories about the life of Jesus whose birth we celebrate at Christmas.  We elaborated more on the Nativity story back in July of this year.  Check it out in the archives in the upper left.  But now we have come to the series of events in the life of Jesus that we typically celebrate in the springtime of the year.  You see friend, Jesus coming to earth in the form of a baby had a very specific purpose.  We hope we have told some of those narratives effectively enough for that purpose to be apparent.  We reach the part of Jesus' journey now that shows a time that isn't a "Precious Moments" figurine that we see in Christmas Nativity scenes.  Today, we embark on the last week or so of His earthly life.

In John, we see Jesus hanging out with His friend Lazarus whom He had raised to life previously.  Many folks were gathering around to see the risen Lazarus and see what perhaps Jesus might do next.  In reality, Jesus came to Bethany to share a meal with His friends there.  Remember, hospitality and the sharing of a meal at this time were very different as the participants didn't pull up a chair to the table as much as they reclined on a small couch.  For perspective here are a couple of links that explain Jesus' meals as well as how those meals were carried out.  "Meals of Jesus" by Mark E. Moore, December 22, 2018, markmoore.org, "Jesus Reclined To Dine" - earlychurchhistory.org  As you can see, there would have been times when one's feet might have been right in the face or plate of one of the other guests.  Hence the necessity for good hosts to wash the feet of those invited to their homes.  This was a lesson that one pharisee learned the hard way after inviting Jesus to his home:  The Gospel of Jesus according to Luke, a physician, chapter 7, verses 36-50 - NASB/AMP/ESV/KJV

In today's passage, Mary as one of the hosts of the meal began anointing Jesus' feet not only with water in a basin but as in the Luke 7 passage (these were not the same occurrence, 2 different meals, two different ladies), Mary began anointing Jesus with a very special gift.  Mary applied nard (from the spikenard plant), a very expensive perfume to Jesus' feet.  The unmistakable fragrance filled the room and became a topic of conversation as to Jesus' allowing such a luxury.  Judas Iscariot, who held the disciple's money, was one of the first to complain of the extravagant use of such perfume.  In what would seem to be a statement of thrift and generosity, he proclaimed that the aromatic oil could have been sold and the proceeds provided means for the poor.  Remember that John penned this Gospel after Jesus' ascension (stayed tuned!!!) and knew by this time full well the treachery and embezzlement with which Judas had been perpetrating on the disciples' moneybox.  Judas' motives were not as altruistic as they seemed as already the beginning stages of his betrayal of Jesus were forming.  Judas was less concerned about Mary's gift than he was about the fact that he couldn't get his hands on part of it.

Jesus reprimanded Judas and as He had previously eluded Mary's anointing was an act of preparation for His coming death and burial, the ultimate gift of all time, and the fulfillment of Jesus' mission established that first Christmas in Bethlehem.   Mary, as she had done before Luke 10:38-42 NASB/AMP/ESV/KJV,  chooses an act of worship and serves as an example of how we too should revere and give our best for Jesus.  

Not too much time later, Jesus' body would need preparation for burial as He had just given the most precious gift one could ever give, His life.  He did this so our opportunity to be restored to God would be secure if we believe in Him.  

You see friend, all of the gifts that we may give and receive this Christmas pale in comparison to what God gave us through Jesus.  We are right to celebrate Jesus' birth at this time of the year.  But we must also be careful to understand that His birth begins a mission that includes His death, burial, and resurrection, and will one day be completely fulfilled in His return.  

The Bible says that God wanted a pathway for our restoration to Him so badly that He gave His only Son, that whoever would believe in Him (Jesus) would not perish but have everlasting life (with Him (God) emphasis added and paraphrased by me)  I don't know about you, at this time of year and reflecting on where it points, I only have one response, "...I can't find the words to say That I'm thankful everyday For the gift."

'Til Tuesday,

Loving HIM by Loving You,
randy
<><

Tuesday's Musical Notes is a production of Cross & Kin Entertainment.  Cross & Kin is on YouTube!  Check out, like, subscribe, and ring that notification bell for more!

 

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Tuesday, December 13, 2022

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Where Are You Christmas?" (Faith Hill)

Welcome Back!  We're back in the swing of normality, well, at least as normal as you can get in December!  Have you peeked under the tree, or shaken any boxes yet?  Be careful, Santa Clause is watching you!!!  

We are 2 Tuesdays into December! We had a grand start last week as we recapped the top 10 out of our 56 Christmas Tuesday's Musical Notes!  Tuesday's Musical Notes - "12 Days Of Christmas" (Straight No Chaser)  We hope you enjoyed that flashback as much as we did and that it prepared you for what the remainder of December holds as Clarence gets his wings, Fred Gailey proves there is a Santa Claus, and Bing gets the girl of his dreams...twice!


The countdown to the 25th has begun and for children of all ages, excitement levels are rising as it can't seem to get here quickly enough.  It seems that with each passing day, the question on many people's lips is...

and
and

Mariah Carey (who co-wrote the song with James Horner and Will Jennings) was originally slated to record "Where Are You Christmas?" as a single release from the soundtrack of The Grinch starring Jim Carrey. (Not Tuesday's Musical Notes' favorite iteration, remember covers are rarely as good as their originals...Tuesday's Musical Notes - "You're A Mean One, Mr. Grinch" (Thurl Ravenscroft))  The single was recorded, yet never released as Mariah was going through a divorce with Tommy Mottola, then president of Sony Music Entertainment, Mariah's label.  Mariah's recording of "Where Are You Christmas" got caught up as a part of the litigation and has never been released.  The label still wanted the single to go out, and Taylor Momson's (who has since retired from acting and has become the front woman for the band The Pretty Reckless) rendition from the movie was not suitable for wide release.  

As a replacement, the label hired country music star Faith Hill.  Her cover of the song, (the only version anyone has ever heard, so does that make it the original?  Sorry, I digress...)  became a Christmas favorite, even though chart performance would be relegated to the top of some of Billboard's less recognizable recaps. (The song peaked at #10 Adult Contemporary, #26 Hot Country Songs, #40 Adult Pop Songs, #65 Hot 100, and in 2015 it went as high as #15 on the Seasonal Hot 100 Chart)  

Since its release in December of 2000, "Where Are You Christmas?" has been covered several times on recordings released for the Christmas season by a wide variety of artists (not surprising,  The Pretty Reckless has never had a cover...have you seen their discography?).  None of these covers have achieved the acclaim of Hill's rendition of the song.  Perhaps one day Mariah's Queen of Christmas status will prevail and we will hear her version which should soar up the charts.  In the meantime, I guess we can keep asking the question that the song gives us, much like a question some curious folks of old had...


For the last year or so, Tuesday's Musical Notes has been attempting to tell some of the great stories of the Bible.  There seems to be a growing illiteracy to those stories and we wanted to do our part to curtail that by working our way through the Bible telling the stories in only the way that Tuesday's Musical Notes can.  Most recently, we have been telling about the life of Jesus.  There is much to tell about Jesus' life.  We have been providing only glimpses into some of those stories.  In  The Gospel of Jesus according to John, a fisherman, chapter 21, verse 25, NASB/AMP/ESV/KJV the apostle says, "But there are also many other things which Jesus did, which, if they were written in detail, I expect that even the world itself would not contain the books that would be written."  We hope to have provided you with enough of a taste of Jesus' life, that you'll want to begin your study of the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.  Perhaps, you would want to invite a few friends to begin reading about Jesus together.  What a great resolution that would make!  Oh but let us not rush things, we were wondering where are you Christmas?... right?

We have talked about John the Baptist before.  He is the one that Scripture says would be the voice of one crying in the wilderness, prepare you the way of the Lord!  (my paraphrase, here's Isaiah to put it better: Isaiah 40:3-8 NASB/AMP/ESV/KJV) John had been in prison when he began to hear about all the things that Jesus was doing.  While John had encountered Jesus previously and been witness to the miraculous that surrounded Jesus, he still sent some of his remaining disciples to ask Jesus a question of some import.  Where are you Christmas?  Well, John's disciples didn't ask Jesus that, but in some ways, they asked a similar question:  "Are you the coming One or are we to look for someone else?" Maybe the question in our context would be...are you Christmas?

Jesus' reply?  Go and tell John about what you have seen and heard.  The blind can see, the deaf can hear, the immobile can walk, the leper is healed, the dead are raised to life and the poor are hearing the Good News!   In the context of today's blog...Christmas is HERE!   That's the story of Christmas, the Good News of Jesus coming to fulfill the purpose of restoration that mankind needed and only He could provide.  

Where are you Christmas?  In a stable of a small Israelite town.  Where are you Christmas?  Among the sick and downtrodden providing healing and hope.  Where are you Christmas?  On a cross perched on a Jerusalem hillside.  Where are you Christmas?  At the right hand of God being our mediator.  

You see friend, Christmas is not found by looking under a tree, but on a tree.  Christmas is found when restoration to God is made complete through Jesus.  Christmas is found by accepting this ultimate gift of an eternity future spent with God, our Creator.   Christmas is found in investing in others by telling them this story and discipling them.  

Where are you Christmas? From the first pages of Genesis to the closing of the book of the Revelation of Jesus you can find Christmas.  January 1 is coming.  Let's discover Jesus together.  Got a Bible?

'Til Tuesday,

Loving HIM by Loving You,
randy 
<><

 

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Tuesday, December 6, 2022

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "12 Days Of Christmas" (Straight No Chaser)

It's that time of year!  'Tis the season to be jolly!   Sleigh bells ring, are you listenin'?  Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way!  Welcome to a winter wonderland here at Tuesday's Musical Notes.  Have you got your list ready?  We have and on our list are blessings for every one of you!  Besides we aren't sure what a calling bird or a french hen even looks like...

Way before Hallmark decided to start their "Countdown to Christmas", there was this song that enumerates all the gifts that are given by one's true love.  The first publication of "The 12 Days of Christmas" dates back to a 1780 reading recorded in the British children's book Mirth Without Mischief.  Many traditions state that the lyric originated even earlier than that as it was used as a "forfeits" memory game for children.  

Musically, the tune for "12 Days of Christmas" was popularized by Frederic Austin (1872-1952), a music teacher, composer, and baritone who was popular in opera productions in England at the time.  His inspiration was a common tune that dated to the 1790s and found its way to publication in the early 1800s.  Its composition and evolution to our modern-day song (covered by everyone who has ever put out a Christmas album) are given a great narrative at "12 Days of Christmas" - wikipedia.org.  Pay particular attention to the costs associated if you were to give the gifts...Yikes!!!  Check it out if you are naughty or nice...

In keeping with the countdown spirit of today's featured song, we thought we'd give you something special...no it doesn't involve livestock, servants, or bands of gold, and only loosely involves musical instruments.  

Welcome to December and an extraordinary edition of Tuesday's Musical Notes!  Back in May (no it doesn't seem that far back to us either) we celebrated the 10th Anniversary of Tuesday's Musical Notes by recapping the top ten most-read blogs in the history of The Notes.  If you have a few minutes, check it out!  Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Ten Years Gone" (Led Zeppelin)  

In keeping with our celebratory mood and as we launch into the most wonderful time of the year, we have for you today Tuesday's Musical Notes - Top Ten Christmas (Decade Edition) Blogs list.  Over the last ten years, there have been 46 total Christmasy themed Tuesday's Musical Notes (you read that right, we were surprised to find that  6 of the last 10 Decembers have 5 Tuesdays...).  Today we present to you the ten that has been the most viewed, as once again compiled by our friends at Google's blogspot.com.  So welcome, and let's get on with the countdown.


We feature only 1 tie in this countdown and it is at #10.  Coming in at #10 is the perennial favorite sung by true loves since it first came to the record-buying public in 1934.  We chose one of Tuesday's Musical Notes favorites, Pentatonix, as well as a standard recording of the song by Perry Como to be featured in December 2015.  As a Tuesday's Musical Notes extra, according to an ASCAP ranking from 2017, the 1987 version recorded by The Eurythmics has come to be the one most commonly played.  


"Then He began to teach them, saying," - Matthew 5:2 NASB/AMP/ESV/KJV

Also at #10 is another classic seasonal favorite that was originally penned in 1947 by American songwriter, Frank Loesser.  The blog featuring the song has a blend of the old with the new in that it features rocker Rod Stewart with songstress Ella Fitzgerald in a posting from December 2014 as they pose the question:  Tuesday's Musical Notes - "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?" (Rod Stewart and Ella Fitzgerald)

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." - Matthew 5:3 NASB/AMP/ESV/KJV

As you become an avid reader of The Musical Notes you will soon see the impact that The Beatles have had on the world of popular music.  This imprint spills over into Tuesday's Musical Notes.  Many songs in Notesland feature the Lads from Liverpool.  They came in as the #2 act of the decade that is featured at Tuesday's Musical Notes.  (Chicago was #1!)  So it stands to reason that they will also have an impact on our Christmas Countdown from the last decade.  3 of the Fab Four made it to the top ten Christmas list.  We are a little surprised at the one that didn't make it.   Better luck next decade John.  

Ringo Starr and George Harrison are the next featured artists in our 10 years of Christmas at Tuesday Musical Notes countdown.  Up first is Ringo with his ode to wishing he was Santa Claus from December 2020, our 9th most-read Christmas blog from Tuesday's Musical Notes...


"Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." - Matthew 5:4 NASB/AMP/ESV/KJV

And now George's entry into the seasonal celebrations from the 2020 Christmas season that featured each of The Beatle's offerings for the holidays, coming in at #8 is George Harrison and "Ding, Dong, Ding, Dong".


"Blessed are the gentle, for they will inherit the earth." - Matthew 5:5 NASB/AMP/ESV/KJV

Tuesday's Musical Notes archives house the entirety of Notesland's wisdom, wonder, and whimsy.  You can find each of the 46 Christmas Notes there under their year and of course the month of December should you wish to find out what other Christmas classics have been featured on your favorite blog.  It's a season for discovery, so why not check out the archives for your favorite song or artists?  You can find the year-by-year and month-to-month drop-down of each of Tuesday's Musical Notes as well as a search bar at the top left of your screen.  And now on with the countdown!!!

"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied." - Matthew 5:6 NASB/AMP/ESV/KJV

One of the most iconic modern Christmas images is the team-up that comes in at #7.  David Bowie and Bing Crosby, two of our generation's greatest voices, joined forces for a Christmas treat that was featured in the blog in December 2015.  It is a duet that no one dreamed of, yet works extremely well and continues to be a timely wish for our age.  Here's Bowie and Bing with "Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy"!  Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Peace On Earth/Little Drummer Boy" (David Bowie and Bing Crosby)

"Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy." - Matthew 5:7 NASB/AMP/ESV/KJV

Tuesday's Musical Notes finally succumbed to a Christmas monsoon in December 2018.  While we aren't the biggest fans of "The Queen of Christmas", Mariah Carey (not busting on her talent, she obviously has skills, just one of those acts that we've never embraced), we must agree that "All I Want For Christmas Is You" is a good song, not our favorite, but who are we to argue with the $60 million (as reported in 2017) cumulative royalties received by the song.  Nevertheless, this good song comes in at #6 in our Decade of Christmas Notes countdown...baby...


We're halfway to the top and we're not gonna stop til we get to #1!

#5!!!

"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God." - Matthew 5:8 NASB/AMP/ESV/KJV

Tuesday's Musical Notes didn't have Christmas-themed blogs in our very first year, 2012.  We were still attempting to figure out the whole blogosphere and find avenues by which we could reach readers who might be interested in what we had to say.  Most of our followers at that time were email recipients and did not need to click on the link.  But in 2013, we launched our first December where every Tuesday featured a Christmas song, with a couple of exceptions.  One of those is the song that comes in at #5.  

It is a song about giving.  Not just during the holidays, but being consistent with sharing some of yourself with those you encounter.  It's by the band Supertramp and it's called "Give A Little Bit"


Our top 4 Christmas-themed blogs all come from the same year, 2017.  We're not exactly sure what happened but all of a sudden Notes readership grew three sizes that day...maybe not 3 sizes, but the statistics on occasion showed readership growing significantly over a few periods in the last ten years.   Regardless of whether it is a glitch or the actual numbers, we appreciate every click that goes on around here.  With that disclaimer and in that spirit we offer you Tuesday's Musical Notes Christmas top 4.

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God." - Matthew 5:9 NASB/AMP/ESV/KJV

Country music artists have always been at the forefront of celebrating the Christmas season.  Tuesday's Musical Notes spotlighted Country artists' Christmas covers when we felt like they had the best representation of the song.  Such is the case of our #4 entry into the countdown.  A classic that my mom woke us up to beginning every December.   Mom joins Bill Monroe and Sammy Kershaw as they all covered the song and each did it in their special way.  (You had to hear mom's cover to appreciate it, right Wade?) Can ya hear them bells a ringin'?


"Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." - Matthew 5:10 NASB/AMP/ESV/KJV

One of the most treasured Christmas television specials is A Charlie Brown Christmas.  Unfortunately, it will not be broadcast on a major television network for the first time in its 57-year history.  Apple owns the rights to the Peanuts trademarks and has decided to only show it, for free, with a subscription to their service Apple TV +.  It seems they don't know what Christmas is all about Charlie Brown.  What a great argument for bringing back rental DVD!!!  Humbug on you Apple!!!  Sorry, that deteriorated quickly...on with the countdown...

The opening song to A Charlie Brown Christmas is the Vince Guaraldi Trio's jazzy "Christmas Time Is Here".  It sets the stage for the rest of the story of Charlie Brown, Linus, Lucy, and of course Snoopy and Woodstock as they attempt to discover what Christmas is all about.  It also comes in at #3 on our Christmasy Musical Notes Countdown.


"Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me" - Matthew 5:11 NASB/AMP/ESV/KJV

Hold on!  We only count 2 Beatles so far.  Well, while he isn't number one, Paul McCartney places pretty high on our Christmas Countdown list. Sir Paul has the distinction of having the only Christmas song to make both our Christmas Countdown and the Top Ten Blogs of the Decade list.  It's a song you either like or don't but either way it comes in at #2 here is Mr. McCartney with "Wonderful Christmastime"


"Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in this same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you." - Matthew 5:12 NASB/AMP/ESV/KJV

Before regaling you with the splendor of the #1 Christmas Blog, we want to tell you about a couple of things. 

First, Tuesday's Musical Notes is a blog brought to you by Cross & Kin Productions.  (We're working on the Inc. part!) We recently branched into the world of YouTube by producing a channel that is all about books, music, movies, and whatever my daughter Kristen, (the Kin part) writes for us to discuss.  It is a channel unlike any you may see whereby we want your feedback as we stretch our imaginations, develop dream scenarios, and for the most part have fun discussing things that make no difference in the scope of world events.  We hope you'll join us.  Episodes 1 & 2 are currently available and we hope to have episode 3 ready to go this week.  You can find us at Cross & Kin - The YouTube Channel.  Please like and subscribe for future episodes.  And let us know what you think. (Please refer to episode two for a few guidelines regarding feedback...)

Secondly, there is a point to anything that Cross & Kin productions puts before you whether through the YouTube channel or Tuesday's Musical Notes Blog.  Sometimes that point is more overt than others, but it is still there.  That point is the sermon we have interspersed all through the Christmas Countdown.  It is the beginning passage from Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, found in Matthew 5-7 NASB/AMP/ESV/KJV.  As you can see from the above Scripture, there are some very specific ways to be blessed in Jesus' upside-down kingdom.  For a more in-depth breakdown of each of The Beatitudes check out this article:  What are the Beatitudes in the Bible? Jesus' Scripture Quotes and Meaning - Brannon Deibert, June 7, 2021 - christianity.com.

The Notes has also referenced the opening passages, referred to as The Beatitudes, from the Sermon on the Mount in a previous blog.  (Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Smoke On The Water" (Deep Purple))  

The actions given to us in The Beatitudes describe an opposite view of what the world at His time AND the world at our time expect for folks to behave to be blessed.  As we enter into a season of blessing, both giving and receiving, let's take the time and follow a few of the guidelines that Jesus placed before us.  His Word should resound in our hearts, even in some of the difficult teachings, as we remember He is the focus of why we celebrate during this season.

And now on with the countdown...

The most-read December blog over the past 10 years isn't even a Christmas song!  Seems like we've been here before...  As we wind down each year, we reflect on the blogs that receive the most views of that year and create an end-of-the-year recap of your favorite blogs.  This countdown has vacillated between the first Tuesday in January and the last Tuesday in December.  Most recently, we've settled into the December slot for our end-of-the-year review.  Be watching towards the end of the month to discover what blogs made it to 2022's top ten!  You can also go and check out the previous year's countdowns in the archives!

One of those countdowns is the #1 December Tuesday's Musical Notes blog of the last decade.  Coming to us as the annual review of 2017, here is Leon Thomas III and the Cast of VicTORIous with the aptly titled, "Countdown".


And there you have it.  The Top Ten Christmasy Blogs of Tuesday's Musical Notes' last Decade.  We hope you have enjoyed the review, or encountered some of these blogs for the first time.  And we look forward to discovering together what this and every year's top tens will be.  

Most importantly, we hope you encounter Jesus as you read Tuesday's Musical Notes.  The music trivia is fun and we hope you are engaged with the way that we combine it with the Message for the ages, but most importantly we want you to know Jesus as your Savior and Lord.  His sacrifice provides the way for us to have a restored relationship with God and is the ultimate reason we celebrate the season.  If we can ever answer any question you may have about getting to know Jesus, or partner with you in praying over a specific need, please email us at rawacr@gmail.com.  

Welcome to December and Christmas at Tuesday's Musical Notes!!!


'Til Tuesday,

Loving HIM by Loving You,
randy
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