I love love love Christmas music. I usually start pulling out my CD's by the end of October. On XM radio it is on full time at the beginning of November, and after Thanksgiving it is on a couple FM stations around the clock till Christmas day arrives. Don't you love it? My craving for the beautiful music is filled by the time Christmas finally gets here. And then after Christmas is over, I'm all done till next October.
Music is a funny thing. It can bring back memories and emotions to the front of your mind in vivid detail. It always amazes me. So when it comes to Christmas music I have some pretty strong opinions. I'm guessing you are totally dying to know what they are. Well, today is your lucky day. I want to talk music. So far I've narrowed them into three categories.
1. Some songs just really really bug. I really don't care for The Little Drummer Boy. Even as a kid I remember thinking, change it, hurry, this songs gives me a headache! Layne told me he loves this song. To each his own, I guess. I don't get the whole 'pa, rum pum pum pum' line. And it isn't just a line. It is like 18 lines. It is pretty much 90% of the song. I understand that he's worried that he doesn't have a gift to give, but I don't know why the ox & the lamb were keeping time (or that they even could keep time) and by the time it is over I've medicated myself with Advil.
Next on my chopping block is Last Christmas. Um, did Wham get confused and make a Valentine's Day song into a Christmas song? I just don't get it. Why would you give your heart away to someone who just tossed it the very next day? I think if your relationship went sour that fast, you'd have some sort of indication, before you went ahead and gave it away, that it might not work out. Just sayin'.
Has anyone even heard of Dominick the Donkey? I wish I wouldn't have. And by the way, I don't hate hippopotamus', but I sure don't want one for Christmas!
There are two songs I tend to change the channel on the second I hear their arrival. The Twelve Days of Christmas and Mr. Grinch. There are only so many hours in a day, and I'm not willing to give up 15 of them for those two songs.
2. Then there are the secular Christmas themed songs that I really do enjoy. Whenever I hear Silver Bells I can see myself at a very young age, sitting in front of our console record player/stereo. (Yes, it was awesome. It had an 8 track player and everything.) Mom had a couple different Christmas albums and one of them had Silver Bells on it and I loved it. The other was Christmas Don't Be Late, by Alvin and the Chipmunks. There is something really awesome about listening to music from a record.
Who doesn't love Christmas Time is Here, from our dear friend Charlie Brown (or rather Vince Guaraldi Trio, but you know what I mean)? It is good with or without lyrics. Everyone has a good memory with the Peanuts Gang involved.
One song that gets me choked up every single time I hear it is I'll Be Home for Christmas. I don't remember thinking too much about this song, and maybe not even noticing what the message was behind it, but after Layne and I moved 2000 miles away 19 Christmas' ago, and couldn't always be with our families for the holidays, it really took on a new meaning for me. So yes, there is a secular song that makes me cry.
I love the good oldie ones; Jingle Bells, Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer, Winter Wonderland, White Christmas, and Let it Snow.
There are some songs that I kind of need to be in the mood for. All I Want for Christmas, for example is awesome if I'm the one singing with a ukulele in hand (thank you very much, Mr. Barzee for that musical moment). Here Comes Suzy Snowflake is kind of fun to hum. Baby It's Cold Outside is a fun duet, but if you start really listening to the words it gets a little creepy.
Some songs are just kind of sad, but still make me giggle, like Grandma Got Ran Over by a Reindeer.
Then there are the ones that we know every single word without even trying, and you're not sure why. Have a Holly Jolly Christmas, for instance. And, Rockin Around the Christmas Tree, and Here Comes Santa Claus, and I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus, and Santa Baby, and Jingle Bell Rock, and Santa Claus is Coming To Town.
The Carpenters did it right with Merry Christmas Darling.
My Favorite Things, is one of my favorite songs. I'm not sure how this became a Christmas song. Perhaps someone out there can tell me, but I sing this song all the time, all year long.
3. Then there are the Christian Christmas songs that never get old. Away in the Manger, in any variation, is always on my list of loves.
Pachelbel's Canon in D Major. LOVE FOREVER AND EVER.
I noticed that when I had small babies Silent Night was very often used as a lullaby. I love to sing the harmony when I sing it. What a beautiful song this is. It is also one that will choke me up.
My number one Christmas song is O Holy Night. This song makes me sit down and enjoy every note, every time. Lyrics or not, it is perfect.
Some songs just make me want to belt it out, when we sing them. O, Come, All Ye Faithful, Joy to the World, Carol of the Bells, Hark the Herald Angels Sing, and The First Noel, Angels We Have Heard on High to name a few.
Well, this post has gotten pretty long. I've only made a dent in my lists, and I didn't even start with certain artists that can make any song turn into something glorious (Michael Buble') and those that can ruin even the best of them (Willie Nelson. Yes, I finally admitted it to the public. Listening to him is like finger nails on a chalk board for me. No hate mail, this is my opinion!)
But maybe I'll be in the mood for that topic another time.
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (another great one).
What are your most favorite (or most hated) Christmas songs? I'd love to know.
