~
front cover 45 RPM single -1984
Even before Halloween was over I was beginning to hear Christmas carols! How disgusting! I wanted to scream but that's the way it is.
I wanted to observe the holidays but just couldn't bear to use some old standard music to do it so I settled on this little gem.
I've got 10 days to work it out of my system; who knows? I just might come up with some great old standard gem by Christmas.
back cover 45 RPM single -1984
back cover photographer unknown
The song is actually pretty good; it's slow hard rock with no hysterics one would expect from a band like this. Of course the lyrics make your hair stand on end (link below).
45 RPM single -1984
back cover detail
45 RPM single -1984
back cover detail
The band first appeared on a 1979
ABC television sketch comedy pilot called
The T.V. Show, starring
Rob Reiner.
The sketch, actually a mock promotional video for the song
Rock and
Roll Nightmare, was written by Reiner and the band, and included
songwriter/performer
Loudon Wainwright III on keyboards. Later the band became the fictional subject of the 1984
rockumentary/
mockumentary film
This Is Spinal Tap.
45 RPM single -1984
back cover detail
back cover photographer unknown
Also in 1979, Guest and McKean were members of
Lenny and the Squigtones, a band that was fronted by characters from the hit television series
Laverne and Shirley. Guest, on guitar and clarinet, was credited as "Nigel Tufnel", the name he would eventually use as a member of
Spinal Tap.
45 RPM single -1984
side 1
45 RPM single -1984
side 2
Tracklist:
A Christmas With The Devil
B Christmas With The Devil (Scratch Mix)
Companies, etc.
Published By – Coney Island Whitefish Music
Published By – Dog On The Beach Music
Marketed By – Enigma Records (3)
Licensed Through – Enigma Records (3)
Copyright (c) – Tap Lives!
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Tap Lives!
Credits:
Coordinator [Production Coordinator] – Robert Bauer (3)
Producer, Written-By – Guest*, Shearer*, McKean*
Recorded By, Mixed By – Patrick McDonald
Notes:
Picture sleeve version.
Came with a merchandise order form.
Special thanks to Ric Parnell
(C)(P) 1984 Tap Lives!
Printed in the U.S.A.
Barcode and Other Identifiers
Matrix / Runout (Side A): E-1143-A R-9381
Matrix / Runout (Side B): E-1143-B R-9382
Other (Side A): "TAP LIVES"
Rights Society: ASCAP
Spın̈al Tap* – Christmas With The Devil
Label: Enigma Records (3) – ENIGMA E-1143
Format: Vinyl, 7", 45 RPM, Single
Country: US
Released: 1984
Genre: Rock
Style: Arena Rock, Classic Rock, Parody
Viewfinder link:
Christmas With The Devil lyrics
Net links:
The Classic Rock Album-By-Album Podcast ~
Episode 0027 - Christmas With The Devil
Jukebox Delirium ~ 25 Days of Christmas Records ~ Day 16
RollingStone ~ 15 Metal Christmas Songs for Unsilent, Unholy Nights
spinaltapfan ~ Christmas with the Devil
YouTube links:
Spinal Tap - Christmas with the Devil
Christmas With The Devil (Scratch Mix)
Bah! Bug Hum!
Styrous® ~ Sunday, December 15, 2019
