It's Not Really Christmas Until I Hear...

Last week, I gave you a post about what you may need to SEE before Christmas really hits home. Now we can talk about what is, to my mind, even more important viscerally - the music.

We all have our favorite - and least favorite - holiday songs, and I'll list a few of mine in a minute, but I also want to know if you see the hierarchy of Christmas music in the same way that I do. I'll explain.

The way I see it, all tunes fall into one of three categories:

1 - Carols

2- Traditional, But Non-Religious

3 - Pop

The distinction, for me, is that the first category contains those mainly concerned with The Deity as subject matter; the second category is comprised of very traditional tunes about the holiday Christmas, but not specifically about Christ or other religious personages; and the third contains those about Santa, snowmen, skiing, getting drunk, eating, exchanging presents, snuggling up with a loved one in front of a cozy fire, and other "secular" pursuits.

Within those categories, I've always felt there was a "King" of each, then a few that may be just a small step below in popularity. To explain further, perhaps unnecessarily: If asked for one song in each category, the choices below would immediately spring to mind. These are just the songs that I feel hold these spots, not necessarily my favorite songs. Your mileage may vary wildly. If so, please sound off in the comments. Say something like, "Jim, you're insane! The most popular pop song is easily such-and-such!"

CAROLS

The King - Silent Night.

Contenders for the crown - O Holy Night; Joy To The World.

TRADITIONAL NON-RELIGIOUS

The King - Jingle Bells.

Contenders - Deck The Halls; We Wish You A Merry Christmas.

POP

The King - The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire).

Contenders - White Christmas (which was positively the champ at one time, but I think "Chestnuts" has surpassed it now); Jingle Bell Rock; Santa Claus Is Coming To Town.

Again, just my perception. Does yours differ?

If we're talking about my personal favorites, I'd go with O Holy Night for a carol, maybe God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen for a traditional (although, really, that one could come under "carol", I suppose - so sue me), and Silver Bells for a pop song.

O Holy Night, when sung by a talented vocalist with the necessary range, always sends a shiver up my shine. If you haven't yet heard them, I would particularly recommend two versions: Andy Williams and, most especially, Mariah Carey. I was never a great fan of hers until last year when, for the first time, I heard her rendition of this carol. Absolutely stunning (although the arrangement, and audience response, may leave traditionalists with something to desire. Magnificent pipes, though.)

 



I would also give a nod to the instrumental version by The Trans-Siberian Orchestra.

I have a soft spot for God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen because it was the first Christmas song I ever taught myself on the bass (I used to toss it into the middle of any bass solo I did in December concerts.) I've always liked it, in any case. If I had to truly fit my own categorical divisions and choose one with no mention of God whatsoever, I'd go with the "sleighride" segment of Prokofiev's Lieutenant Kiji Suite. That was the second wintry theme I ever taught myself on bass (and I threw it into this silly tune, about 2:25 in.)


Silver Bells is my favorite Christmas song, period. The lyric really spoke to me as a child when I spent lots of time in downtown Boston.

City sidewalks, busy sidewalks
Dressed in holiday style.
In the air there's a feeling of Christmas.
Children laughing, People passing
Meeting smile after smile
And on every street corner you'll hear.

Silver BelIs, Silver BeIls
It's Christmas time in the city.
Ring-a-ling, hear them sing.
Soon it will be Christmas day.

Strings of street lights, even stop lights
Blink a bright red and green
As the shoppers rush home with their treasures.
Hear the snow crunch, see the kids bunch.
This is Santa's big scene.
And above all this bustle you'll hear.

Silver BelIs, Silver BeIls
It's Christmas time in the city.
Ring-a-ling, hear them sing.
Soon it will be Christmas day.

(There is actually a verse preceding the "City sidewalks, busy sidewalks..." bit. Most singers choose to ignore it, for whatever reason, but it IS part of the song and I much prefer those versions which include it.)

Christmas makes you feel emotional
It may bring parties or thoughts devotional
Whatever happens or what may be,
Here is what Christmas time means to me...

(Trivia: The song comes from the film The Lemon Drop Kid and was sung by Bob Hope and Marilyn Maxwell. The first commercial recording of it came the following year, by Bing Crosby.)

(Useless aside: I have no idea why the font has changed, and I also have no idea how to get it to be what I want it to look like. Oh, well. It's almost Christmas!)

Now let's talk about LEAST favorite tunes.

I can listen to just about any Christmas song once and get a kick out of it. In order to be included in this category, a song has to so annoy me that I don't even want to hear it once during the entire Christmas season.

Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer

I absolutely abhor that tune. I'm trying to stay in the spirit of the season and not tell you what sort of eternal punishment I would gladly see inflicted upon the author.

Bruce Springsteen's Santa Claus Is Coming To Town

Just that version of the song. Something about it crosses my eyes and grinds my teeth. Other versions are just fine.

MY WIFE's Choice - Dominick The Christmas Donkey

I realize some folks absolutely adore this song. I'm not overjoyed to hear this one come on the radio, but I don't get apoplectic. MY WIFE, on the other hand, will claw her way over anyone in her path to get to the dial and change the station.

I could keep going, but I suppose I've filled enough space for today. What are your favorite - and least favorite - Christmas or holiday songs?