SpongeBob's first holiday song is released

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 5 (UPI) -- "Don't Be a Jerk (It's Christmas)," SpongeBob SquarePants' first holiday song, was released this week in the United States.

"It's a plea for a minimal diminishment of jerk-oriented activities and attitudes for a mere 24-hour period; in other words, 'Don't Be a Jerk (It's Christmas)," Tom Kenny, the comic actor who has voiced SpongeBob on the TV series, as well as in specials and films, said in a statement.

"Humankind seems to be entering a whole new era of 'jerkism' with politicians screaming at each other, sports figures throwing tantrums, self-indulgent entertainers making fools of themselves, and fame-seeking parents exploiting their kids -- one or eight at a time," Kenny, who co-wrote the song with pop music veteran Andy Paley, said. "The song addresses and decries that lack of civility in large and small ways. Logic says that -- with apologies to Charles Dickens -- if we have a ghost of a chance to succeed, it's going to be at this time of year. The idea is to start with Christmas and then, maybe, go on to deal with 'jerkitude' the other 364 days of the year."

"Don't Be a Jerk (It's Christmas)" is one of five songs on the recently released "SpongeBob's Greatest Hits" album Kenny co-wrote with Paley. "My Tighty Whiteys," "Employee of the Month," "The Best Day Ever" and "Where's Gary?" along with "Don't Be a Jerk (It's Christmas)" are all part of the album and were produced by Paley. He also serves as the musical director of SpongeBob & the Hi-Seas, a live rock band fronted by Kenny.

"Don't Be a Jerk (It's Christmas)" is expected to hit radio stations soon.