Chris Rea “Driving Home for Christmas”

What’s up, dudes? Ever get sideswiped by a song you thought was just a vibe? Chad and Laura Wonsik are with me to talk Dan Fogelberg’s 1980 quietly devastating holiday classic “Same Old Lang Syne”! It’s definitely a Christmas song that sneaks up on you with feelings.Set on a snowy Christmas Eve, the autobiographical song tells the story of a chance encounter between old lovers in a grocery store. There’s small talk, six-packs, and a late-night bar confession where life didn’t quite turn out the way either of them planned. They toast “the innocence we lost,” share one last connection, and then drift back into their separate lives without a Hallmark-esque ending.Musically, it’s deceptively simple. The verses move gently through familiar I–vi–V chords, giving the story a conversational, almost spoken feel. Then the refrain shifts to vi–IV–V, lifting just enough to underline the emotional weight without ever becoming sentimental. It’s soft rock storytelling at its finest: restrained, adult, and painfully human.Grocery store meet-cute? Check. Beer-fueled confession? Yep. Emotional gut punch disguised as background music? Absolutely. So grab your winter coat, hum along quietly, and relive one of the most honest Christmas songs ever written with this episode on Dan Fogelberg’s “Same Old Lang Syne.”Give us a buzz! Send a text, dudes!Check us out on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Totally Rad Christmas Mall & Arcade, Teepublic.com, or TotallyRadChristmas.com! Later, dudes!

What's up, dudes? We here at Totally Rad Christmas are saddened by the passing of Chris Rea. His song “Driving Home for Christmas” is a staple in the UK. It tells of the calm of Christmastide, of driving to see family, and feeling memories flood back. Give us a buzz! Send a text, dudes!Check us out on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Totally Rad Christmas Mall & Arcade, Teepublic.com, or TotallyRadChristmas.com! Later, dudes!

What’s up, dudes? It was a huge upset for Boston, but Knicks fans came out happy! Jeff Loftin from Lost Christmas is with me to talk all about the 1985 Celtics v Knicks Christmas Day game! What began as a rout by the Celtics ended in utter defeat, as their tendency to be complacent showed up. The Boston Celtics had a twenty-five point lead at one point during the game. Starters Bird, Ainge, McHale, and DJ had some off shooting, but nailed most of their free throws. Of course, this creates a commanding lead as Ewing was held to just two points for a long while.Eventually, the Knicks came alive. The end of the third quarter saw them go on a phenomenal run, drastically outscoring Boston. Subsequently, they trounced Boston in the fourth to tie the game and force overtime. In the first, the Celtics held their own and kept it at a tie. The second overtime saw the Knicks defeat their foe 113-104.Larry Bird? Kind of. Kevin McHale? Sort of. Celtics bench? Nowhere to be found! So grab your jersey, head to the court, and play along to this episode on the 1985 Celtics v Knicks Christmas Day game!Lost Christmas PodcastFB: @LostChristmasPodcastTwitter: @LostChristmasP1IG: @lostchristmaspodcastGive us a buzz! Send a text, dudes!Check us out on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Totally Rad Christmas Mall & Arcade, Teepublic.com, or TotallyRadChristmas.com! Later, dudes!

What’s up, dudes? It’s Christmas Eve! Yes, today begins Christmastide. To celebrate, I’ve got Thom Crowe from ‘Tis the Podcast and Art Kilmer from A Cozy Christmas with to talk about the Octavo Kalendas Ianuarii. The Proclamation of the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ is a traditional chant that summarizes salvation history.Originally a part of the office of Prime, the chant was effectively abolished with the reform of Vatican II. That all changed in 1980 when Pope John Paul II re-introduced it prior to the Nativity of The Lord: Mass During the Night. While not in its traditional placement, it still ushered in Christmas grandly. One could even argue, it brought the Proclamation to more prominence.The chant runs through salvation history, beginning from the creation of the world. Then, it catalogues major events of the Judeo-Christian faith: the creation of man, the great flood, the sacrifice of Abraham, the exodus from Egypt. After listing David and Daniel, it segues into secular history with the Olympiad and the reign of Caesar Augustus. It ends on a triumphant note with the actual birth of Christ.Reciting tones? Yep. Historical Cliff’s Notes? Uh huh. Elevated pitch for the mention of Christ’s birth? Only if everyone has to genuflect as well! So grab your missal, put on your cassock and surplice, and pray along to this episode on the Kalenda: The Proclamation of the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ!'Tis the PodcastFB: @tisthepodcastBlueSky: @tisthepodcast.bsky.socialIG: @tisthepodcastFB Group: Tis the Podcast GroupA Cozy ChristmasFB: @cozychristmaspodcastIG: @cozychristmaspodcastBlueSky: @cozychristmas.bsky.socialGive us a buzz! Send a text, dudes!Check us out on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Totally Rad Christmas Mall & Arcade, Teepublic.com, or TotallyRadChristmas.com! Later, dudes!

What’s up, dudes? Red Skelton wasn’t just Father Time! He had many characters. Sean Sotka from the Christmas Podcasts Podcast and I talk one of Red’s most beloved in “Freddy the Freeloader’s Christmas Dinner!” Yes, the lovable clown spreads Christmas cheer!Freddie the Freeloader returns a rich lady’s runaway dog. He’s excited because he saved enough money to enjoy a Christmas dinner with his equally poverty-stricken friend Professor Humperdo at one of New York's fancy restaurants. After running into Molly, he gives her some money to help her celebrate Christmas.Along the way, he visits a hospital and entertains some sick children. They’re enthralled by his pantomime and magic routines. Subsequently, he proceeds to the police station to spring the Professor from the drunk tank. At the restaurant, they realize they’ve given all their money away. Luckily, the rich lady with the dog sees them and pays for their dinner.Sick children? Check. Street urchins? Got ‘em. Pompous dyspeptic millionaires? Only with kind wives who buy dinner! So grab your sock wallet, put on your face paint, and clown around to this episode on “Freddy the Freeloader’s Christmas Dinner!”Christmas Podcasts PodcastFB: @christmaspods IG: @christmaspods Twitter: @ChristmasPods Give us a buzz! Send a text, dudes!Check us out on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Totally Rad Christmas Mall & Arcade, Teepublic.com, or TotallyRadChristmas.com! Later, dudes!

What’s up, dudes? It’s the comic strip about a typical family, and they made a special about it! Scott Leopold from Holly Jolly X'masu, Matt Wheeler from Resurrection Metal Radio, and I talk For Better or For Worse “The Bestest Present!”Willy Patterson takes her son Michael and daughter Lizzie Christmas shopping at Philpott’s. Unfortunately, during the experience, Lizzie loses her favorite stuffed bunny. Seeing his daughter distraught, John goes back and searches high and low for it. He can’t find it, though the night watchman does.Consequently, Michael asks if he can put an ad in the paper to see if anyone has found it. The night watchman reads the ad and mails the bunny back to the Pattersons on Christmas Eve. Lizzie is so ecstatic, she invites the watchman Mr. Lederhaus over for Christmas dinner. Michael had promised a reward, so he offers his meager savings. Mr. Lederhaus feels grateful just to be with people on Christmas.A snowman? Check. A homemade bunny? Uh huh. A moldy orange? Only if it’s offered to a friend! So grab your bunny and go shopping to this episode on For Better or For Worse “The Bestest Present!”Holly Jolly X'masuFB: @HollyJollyXmasuTwitter: @HollyJollyXmasuIG: @hollyjollyxmasuGive us a buzz! Send a text, dudes!Check us out on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Totally Rad Christmas Mall & Arcade, Teepublic.com, or TotallyRadChristmas.com! Later, dudes!

What’s up, dudes? ‘Tis the season to be shopping! Hopefully you found the toys for which you were looking. We definitely wouldn’t want a Jingle All the Way situation.On Monday, December 12, 1983, Carol Ann Campbell, staff writer for the York Daily Record, published an article. In “The Quest for a Very Dashing Hulk of Plastic,” she interviews several retail store owners. They enumerate the problem of low orders and large sales booms. Poor sales the previous two holiday seasons resulted in manufacturer overproduction and post-Christmas toy surpluses. Consequently, parents are scouring their communities and nearby cities to find the one gift their children each want. From He-Man to My Little Pony, from Cabbage Patch Kids to Knight Rider, toys are selling out faster than stores can stock them. Some parents, however, are turning toward perennial board game favorites like Battleship. Kiddie Town? Check. K&K Toys? Got it. Toys ‘R’ Us? Only in my memories… So grab your keys and drive all over town to this episode on ”The Quest for a Very Dashing Hulk of Plastic!”Give us a buzz! Send a text, dudes!Check us out on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Totally Rad Christmas Mall & Arcade, Teepublic.com, or TotallyRadChristmas.com! Later, dudes!

What’s up, dudes? It was the show that taught us how the 1% lived! Bob Baker from Festive Foreign Film Fans and William Bruce West from Remember That Show? and West Week Ever join me to talk Dynasty “That Holiday Spirit!”Blake and Crystal visit their premie in the NICU and see that their prize horse up for sale. Meanwhile, Alexis and Dex fly to London for their wedding, along with Amanda. Things are awkward due to Dex and Amanda’s intimate encounter. Jeff is pining over Fallon and refuses to engage in a treasure hunt.During all this, Daniel Reece offers Blake the prize horse (his ulterior motive still hidden). Claudia reveals her infidelity to Steven who takes it poorly. Also, Dominique lays claim to the Carrington bloodline despite Blake’s refusal to believe. Subsequently, at the Christmas party, she storms out as Blake shares that he is Amanda’s father. Alexis barges in and demands Amanda back.Poofy dresses? Check. Melodrama? Of course! Slaps? Only one?!?! So grab your tux, listen to the carolers, and live like the Carringtons with this episode on Dynasty “That Holiday Spirit!”Festive Foreign Film FansFB: @ForeignFestiveFilmFansTwitter: @FestiveFilmFans Give us a buzz! Send a text, dudes!Check us out on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Totally Rad Christmas Mall & Arcade, Teepublic.com, or TotallyRadChristmas.com! Later, dudes!

What’s up, dudes? Is it BAB-ar or BaBAR? Michael May from After Lunch, Crestwood House, and Hellbent for Letterbox and I try to figure it out. Yes, we’re talking about “Babar and Father Christmas!”Arthur, Pom, Flora, and Alexander, the royal elephant children, are playing with their monkey pal, Zephir. Soon he tells them that in man’s world, Father Christmas delivers presents to good boys and girls on Christmas Eve! After their amazement subsides, they write Father Christmas a wish list letter, but are disappointed when they don't get a reply. Ultimately, this leads to Babar's realization that the Elephants' Country needs to be included in Santa's regular route.The King goes to heroic lengths to make his children's' wishes come true. First, he goes to the city and befriends an artist’s model. From there, he meets a geography professor with a map to Santa’s workshop. Babar makes the trek up north, and he and Father Christmas become fast friends. Father Christmas even gets to take a much needed rest in the tropical climate of Babar's country. He also gifts Babar a magical flying suit to distribute presents on Christmas Eve.Saxophone-playing Rhino antagonists? Check. Barbarian Babar? In a joke. Elves who’ve never seen a flamingo? Only if they look like gnomes! So grab your crown, hop on a train to the city, and check your maps to this episode on “Babar and Father Christmas!”After LunchGive us a buzz! Send a text, dudes!Check us out on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Totally Rad Christmas Mall & Arcade, Teepublic.com, or TotallyRadChristmas.com! Later, dudes!

What’s up, dudes? Motown! The sound defined the ‘60s, the acts brought joy to everyone. Ken Kessler from Sounds of Christmas and I dive into the wonderfully odd “Motown Merry Christmas!” From the Temptations to Smokey Robinson, this one celebrates Christmas the Motown way…with several non-Motown acts?!Hosted by Miami Vice’s Philip Michael Thomas, the special begins with a version of “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas.” The Temptations then sell it hard with a rendition of “White Christmas” à la The Drifters. After the Pointer Sisters nail “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town,” Santa Redd Foxx and elf Marsha Warfield provide some comedy. Following that, Ronnie Spector and Darlene Love sing a Christmas medley with awkward transitions between each song. They kill it so hard, though! Great stuff!Desiree Coleman, Smokey Robinson, and Natalie Cole wow the audience with soulful carols. Of course, the Temptations sing “Silent Night.” There’s more comedy bits with Foxx and Warfield, then Run DMC and Stephanie Mills get turns to provide holiday music. Carrie McDowell, Ronnie, Darlene, and the whole crew sing us out!Tubbs? Check. Roz? Of course. Fred Sanford? Only if he can be Santa! So spin your records, put on your tux, and jive to this episode on “Motown Merry Christmas!”Sounds of ChristmasFB: @SOCMusicTwitter: @SOCMusicIG: @socmusicGive us a buzz! Send a text, dudes!Check us out on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Totally Rad Christmas Mall & Arcade, Teepublic.com, or TotallyRadChristmas.com! Later, dudes!