WE DON'T LIVE IN THIS COURTROOM:  In honor of Denzel Washington's 60th birthday this Sunday, The Root lists his top ten movies, but since it doesn't include Devil in a Blue Dress it is wrong.

I CAN SEE A BETTER TIME WHEN ALL OUR DREAMS COME TRUE: How "Fairytale of New York" came to be.

[This year's UK Christmas #1: Yet Another X-Factor Winner, with Bruno Mars/Mark Ronson's pretty completely fantastic "Uptown Funk" in second.]

UP WHERE HE BELONGS:  R.I.P. Joe Cocker, whose soulful voice remains unforgettable.

SO BABY PLEEAAAAASE:  This adorable video of a bunch of people waiting for the Tube singing Erasure's "Respect" led to TPE wondering: what songs would inspire that kind of mass singing at an American subway stop?

[I think we're looking for the Venn diagram of "well-known," "not too wordy," and "has some interesting harmonies or high notes that people will want to attempt," I think.]

A few early suggestions:

• "You've Lost That Loving Feeling"
• "Lean On Me"
• "I Want It That Way"
• Most of the Grease soundtrack, but especially "You're the One That I Want"
• "Take On Me"

DON'T KNOW WHERE, DON'T KNOW WHEN:  Vox has gif'd all the cameos in Stephen Colbert's last big musical number. Below the fold, my friend Anthony Wright catalogs a fuller list of names:

NO, "WATCHING THE BOTTLES GATHER RAIN" IS NOT AN ACCEPTABLE BILLING ENTRY:  Former Blind Melon guitarist Rogers Stevens is now a labor associate at a law firm in Philly.

NOW PLAYING IN THE LOUNGE TONIGHT (AND EVERY NIGHT)--BUCKNER & GARCIA: Level 257, a Pac-Man-themed restaurant, will be opening in Schaumburg, Ill., early next year. Hopefully the menu will consist of more than just cherries, strawberries, and peaches.