Fightin' Around The Christmas Tree (obscure 60s soul)

This obscure Motown Christmas classic, "Fightin' Around the Christmas Tree," was recorded in 1967 by forgotten soul singer Big Jimmy Cratchfield. A former boxer-turned-crooner, Jimmy penned the tune after a holiday brawl with his in-laws over burnt turkey and missing gifts. Fueled by eggnog and heartbreak, he stormed into Hitsville USA demanding to record. The result? A soulful, velvet-voiced anthem about festive feuds, complete with sleigh bells and punches. Though it never charted, bootleg vinyls became cult treasures, earning Jimmy the title "The King of Christmas Chaos."

Lyrics:
Fighting around the Christmas tree, the fam’s gone off the rails,
Grandma’s swinging her cane at Uncle Lee, he stepped on her sequined nails.
Cousin Ray brought a date no one’s met, and she’s eating all the ham,
Mama’s yellin’ ‘bout her casserole, while Dad’s just sayin’ “Damn!”

Oh, it’s Christmas, baby, but we can’t agree,
Ain’t no peace on Earth when it comes to this tree.
Tinsel’s flyin’, chairs are, too—
Welcome to the family zoo!

Auntie May’s had too much wine, she’s preachin’ at the kids,
Lil’ Johnny’s stealing all the gifts—don’t know whose they is!
Papa Joe’s at the card table, yellin’ “I’ve been robbed!”
While the dog’s eatin’ turkey bones, like it’s his damn job.

Oh, it’s Christmas, baby, but it’s never serene,
Turn your TV on, watch this Jerry Springer scene.
Santa’s skipping our house, I bet—
Said, “Hell nah, y’all ain’t ready yet!”

Now Sister Sue done flipped her plate,
“Who burned the pie? It tastes like hate!”
Uncle Lou tries to break it up,
But tripped on the rug and spilled his cup.
Now everybody’s slingin’ mashed potatoes,
It’s like a Motown food tornado!

Fighting around the Christmas tree, there’s chaos in the air,
Grandpa's snoring through all the noise, like he doesn’t have a care.
Cousin Pam’s taking selfies, dodging gravy left and right,
While the neighbor’s callin’ the cops again, ‘cause we do this every night!

Oh, it’s Christmas, baby, in this madhouse scene,
The stockings are hung, but they’re mostly obscene.
We’re loud, we’re wild, we’ll never agree,
But damn, that’s just my crazy family.

So if your Christmas is calm and sweet,
Take a moment to thank your street.
‘Cause over here, we’re breaking things free,
Fighting around the Christmas tree!

Pass me that pie, no, not that one!

Who unplugged the damn lights?

Grandpa, wake up, the ham’s on fire!

Oh, hell, not again!

#aimusic #soulmusic #vinyl #christmasmusic #60s