I know I complain about Christmas music, a lot. It drives me nuts. It makes me want to kick puppies.
More often than not, it’s not about the message or even the composition itself: I tend to take issue with the treatment. The traditional Christmas music we tend to overplay is bombastic and uncreative, and it drives me up the wall. I dislike patriotic music for similar reasons, but you don’t hear America The Beautiful and My Country Tis Of Thee in malls, banks, and grocery stores for the month and a half leading up to 4th of July.
I also don’t like the sound of sleigh bells. That’s just a knee-jerk aversion and I have no particular reasoning behind it.
There have been suggestions to write completely original Christmas stuff in response. I’m on Team Thanksgiving, so this is a bad idea to begin with. But original Christmas songs, as good as their intentions may be, have the potential to go really sour.
(Yeah, I hid the video. They’re songs! If you really want to watch the visual, click the fullscreen button.)Barry Manilow
Britney Spears
Brady Bunch??? (probably not real, but too precious not to share)
Carrie Fisher
A few have also said, “You should cover some Christmas songs, and fix them!” and I’ve thought about it. Really, I have. And I did cover a Christmas song once, but it was a Tom Lehrer song, and I didn’t cover it because I thought it needed improving, but rather because it was one of those songs I heard and thought Oof! I wish I’d written that!
I feel like my covering Christmas music would only contribute to the problem. Nobody who produces a cover of a Christmas song goes into it thinking “I’m going to just artlessly hammer this out and it’s probably going to suck.” They go into it thinking it’s going to be good, or at least people are going to like it enough to buy it. Nobody creates crappy Christmas music on purpose (except maybe the guy behind Jingle Cats), and yet it keeps happening.
Some covers of Christmas songs are just awesome. But this is a rare occurrence.
I have assembled a playlist of Christmas music that I personally find agreeable, within the limitations of Project Playlist.
You have Eartha Kitt’s Santa Baby on there… so it’s all good.
The Christmas songs that are being released now make me want to throw up. Untalented artists make Christmas albums. Decent artists have alternatives. ‘Nuff said.
Oh, and I’m sure my name is a pun that was buried in a shallow grave decades ago, but I used it anyways. Finals week! heyoooo!
I think Celine Dions’ version of “Oh Holy Night” is amazing. Nat King Cole’s “The Christmas Song” is great. I like Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas Is You”. And what about John Lennon’s “Happy Christmas (War is Over)? I also like Sarah McLachlan’s versions of “What Child Is This”,”Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” and “Silent Night”. I thought that David Choi and Wade Johnson did a nice version of “Silent Night” as well.
I LOLed at your “Team Thanksgiving” comment. If the thought of writing or performing better Christmas music doesn’t motivate you, then maybe next year you could write a Thanksgiving song? As a holiday, it seems musically slighted.
Oh, and didn’t you cover another Christmas song once?
I mention that in the entry, don’t I?
Tsk tsk. Your attentiveness is slipping
(sent from iPhone)
You mentioned covering Tom Lehrer, but not Sufjan Stevens. That’s what I meant by “another Christmas song.”
That was on someone else’s channel so I don’t really count that. I sang backup.
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I think your life is missing a little Santa Jaws.
Though it may not be available on Project Playlist, my heart cries a little to see a non-traditional Christmas carol list without “Fairytale of New York” — either the Pogues or No Use for A Name cover. But then, I’m just some overgrown punk kid, your mileage may vary. Very happy with what’s there, though.
I second Fairytale Of New York. I’ve only heard the Pogues version though. That, and the Kinks “Father Christmas” are my two favorite Christmas songs. And by “favorite” I mean “they do not make me want to stab my eardrums out”.
As far as “traditional” Christmas songs go I really only like “Carol Of The Bells”. Trans-Siberian Orchestra has an awesome version IMHO.
I’m a Christmas music hater because it’s so overplayed (malls, on-hold music, elevators, bathrooms…. nothing worse than being a captive audience), but to top it off… there’s never any Hannukah music for us Jews. Adam Sandler made a song (and a remake or 3 of his own song), and it was cute & funny… but no one’s going to play that at the mall…. and if they did play it so much, I’d probably get ill of that song too. I think malls should switch to ambient techno versions of christmas music… less sleigh bells, and it makes you less sleepy. No offense to Frank Sinatra. If it’s the same lyrics played right now all over, it makes the song annoying no matter who sings it. Personally though, I’m not a fan of the holiday season in general… partially because of the music, partially because of the expectations, and it feels pretty superficial… I don’t think anyone really cares.. it’s just about commercialism.
I think you should start a new holiday, with rocking music that doesn’t get old.
@CouchSurfingOri: I Have a Little Dreidel, Oh Chanukah, Ma’oz Tzur, Mi Yemalel. That’s four songs, off the top of my head, not counting Adam Sandler’s. Pesach gets all the good songs, IMHO.
Maybe we could request a Festivus song?
I find that a tune I could call a good, new Christmas song only comes along once every 2-3 years. The most recent one that springs to my mind is Kenny Chesney’s “All I Want For Christmas Is A Real Good Tan” — the titular song from said album. I’m no expert, but I believe it’s got ukelele in it, too!
I don’t wanna mess up your comments with inept hyperlink attempts, so I’ll just mention that it’s on YouTube if you get curious.
Over the years I’ve been more or only moderately annoyed by overplay of Christmas music. But no matter what, the interweaving melodies of “Charol of the Bells” always makes me smile.
By the way, Molly, how’d the concerts in August go?
OK, so I realize that they’re probably not on Playlist, but I’m personally OK with “Way Too Early Christmas Song” and “Chiron Beta Prime”.
I saw John Gorka play the other night and he did a cover of “Christmas Bells” (same lyrics, original melody) that suddenly made the song feel fresh and relevant and haunting to me. So sometimes the right cover and make a Christmas song amazing.
Also, Ze Frank’s Santa Ain’t Fat and Santa Must Have Been Drinking are both very worthy.
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The Raveonette’s “Christmas Song” is also eminently listenable.
Of course, I’m Jewish so what do I know from Christmas music.
Hey, when Neil Diamond is covering Adam Sandler’s song, it’s officially a classic.
Why the title, though? I don’t associate “Baby It’s Cold Outside” with Christmas. It’s just a cute romantic winter song…
In Britain they’re a lot more adventurous with their xmas songs… this one for example, was a big hit a few years ago (actual song starts at 2:50).
Ever heard David Bowie and Bing Crosby (!) doing “Little Drummer Boy”, including a great funky (70′s white-guy funky, that is) bridge that seems unique to their version?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKTHvW2JcAA
Yup. Bing had no idea who Bowie was; his kid’s idea. The “Peace on Earth” counterpoint was written especially for the TV special because Bowie hated “Drummer Boy”.
Hawksley Workman’s “Almost A Full Moon” is my favorite Christmas Album because it’s a rock album which centers its concept around the holidays, and because of that it only has one traditional Christmas song on it (Silent Night). You can listen to the title track on the YouTubes.
Looking at the Frosty cartoon, I can’t help but think how it would be changed if it were made in 2010. Instead of all being white, the kids would represent different race. Also the kids would be of different height and body type, lest anyone feel left out. And Frosty wouldn’t be allowed to have a pipe, as that would promote tobacco use.
Personally the only one I can stand anymore is Saint Stephen’s Day Murders by Elvis Costello and The Chieftains. It is more the day after Christmas song though.