I’m on holiday music overload these days. With young kids in the house, it’s all holiday music all the time. Not really a bad thing (some would argue otherwise).

But like a little ginger after a spicy sushi roll cleanses the palette, sometimes you need to put Bing Crosby’s “White Christmas” and Jose Feliciano’s “Feliz Navidad” on hold and get a little rootsy. That’s when I pull out RUN D.M.C.’s classic “Christmas in Hollis” and everything is right again in this commercialized, Christmasy music scene.

Happy holidays to you too.

Watch the “Christmas in Hollis” video by RUN D.M.C.

“Christmas in Hollis” lyrics

[Run]
It was December 24th on Hollis Ave in the dark
When I see a man chilling with his dog in the park
I approached very slowly with my heart full of fear
Looked at his dog, oh my God, an ill reindeer
But then I was illin because the man had a beard
And a bag full of goodies, 12 o’clock had neared
So I turned my head a second and the man had gone
But he left and dropped his wallet smack dead on the lawn
I picket the wallet up then I took a pause
Took out the license and it cold said “Santa Claus”
A million dollars in it, cold hundreds of G’s
Enough to buy a boat and matching car with ease
But I’d never steal from Santa, cause that ain’t right
So I’m going home to mail it back to him that night
But when I got home I bugged, cause under the tree
Was a letter from Santa and all the dough was for me

[D.M.C.]
It’s Christmas time in Hollis Queens
Mom’s cooking chicken and collard greens
Rice and stuffing, macaroni and cheese
And Santa put gifts under Christmas trees
Decorate the house with lights at night
Snow’s on the ground, snow white so bright
In the fireplace is the yule log
Beneath the mistle toe as we drink egg nog
The rhymes you hear are the rhymes of Darryl’s
But each and every year we bust Chrsitmas carrols
(Christmas melodies)

[Run-D.M.C.]
Rhymes so loud and prod you hear it
It’s Christmas time and we got the spirit
Jack Frost chillin, the hawk is out
And that’s what Christmas is all about
The time is now, the place is here
And the whole wide world is filled with cheer

[D.M.C.]
My name’s D.M.C. with the mic in my hand
And I’m chilling and coolin just like a snowman
So open your eyes, lend us an ear
We want to say Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!