Snowy Sugartown: 60s Girl Group & Bubblegum Pop Christmas Playlist

Tis the season to get twistin' again, like we did last winter! This playlist is inspired by the Decca and Marylebone Beat Girls, the sweet sugardelic sounds of bubblegum boy bands, and the trippy techniques of psychedelic pop that defined the decade! 

I Want a Beatle For Christmas by Becky Lee Beck 

Whoopee-dee-doo! This swinging and syrupy sweet song by Becky Lee Beck is an ode to wanting one's very own Beatle boyfriend under the tree on Christmas morning, and "only a Beatle will do!" Pure, fun pop from the 60's, this rare track is the first up on the mix!

Merry Twist-mas by The Marcels

"Merry Christmas? No! Merry Twist-mas!" say the Marcels in this twisting track from the height of the 60's dance craze! This keeps the party going all night long... Especially if you are in Pittsburgh, as that is where the Marcels originated. Another song in the genre is Xmas Twist by the Twist Kings.

Gingerbread Man by Tommy James and the Shondells

This fun and freewheeling song is a real sweet treat for fans of Tommy James earlier bubblegum period before he went full psychedelic and religious later in his career. The song has circular effects and tells the tale of running away with a gingerbread man! "Hey girl, if you have lost your way...Reach out and take my hand, I'm a gingerbread man..."

The Lonely Hearts Club Christmas Party by The Love Machine

This track was discovered on compilation cd I Want, Need, Love You! Garage-Beat Nuggets from the Festival Vault. The band, Love Machine (not to be confused with the song by the The Miracles) was a fairly unknown group. The funny song tells the tale of trying to find love during the holidays in a 60's social club for preps and squares.

I'm Gonna Be Warm This Winter by Connie Francis

"It's just like make-believe, each night is New Year's Eve. Each day is Christmas Day, you make me feel that way. It's gonna snow outside, the weather will be cold. But I'm gonna be warm this winter!" Classic teen idol Connie Francis sings this sweet song of holiday romance fit for any soiree that feels like it could take place in December 1963.

The Loneliest Christmas Tree by Lisa Miller

This sad and sweet song is about the lament of the loneliest little Christmas tree on the lot is sung by Australian 60's girl singer Lisa Miller. "I wanna be a Christmas Tree, how come nobody looks at me? I'm just a lonely tree, the wind blows right through me. When will somebody see? I'm gonna be a Christmas tree..."

From Santa to America by Louise Forestier

Throw a little canadian yé-yé music into the mix to finish things off with Louise Forestier's trippy acid-rock track about Santa bombing the country with toys and presents! This piece really ends things on a high note for this mix...

Any suggestions of songs to add, send them my way!