5 Christmas Songs I Love (in no particular order):
3) Little Drummer Boy
This is a great song for a multitude of reasons. It was written by Katherine Davis, a schoolteacher, in 1941 and was originally called 'Carol of the Drum' (I wish that was what it was still called today). And it was first recorded by The Trapp Family Singers...as in the Von Trapp Family of Sound of Music fame. These are facts I learned later from Wikipedia. My original love of the song came from the TV Special of the same name. It's one of those stop motion movies like Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer and Santa Clause is Comin' to Town. This was the first movie I ever remember crying in (if you haven't seen it...it's on youtube). If you read my previous post about John Williams you'll see how the "drum" aspect of the song appeals to me (see how I draw you in new reader!? now you have to go read my other posts so you don't feel left out!) This song has been successfully re-made by numerous artists including Bing Crosby, Johnny Cash, Andy Williams, Stevie Wonder, Jimi Hendrix, the Brady Bunch, New Kids on the Block, Alicia Keys, Destiny's Child, Josh Groban, and most recently the cast of Glee. Every version unique while holding on to the magic of the original.
1) All I Want for Christmas
Nothing says Christmas to me like the first time I hear this modern classic from Mariah Carey played on my local radio station. When that music box opening starts be it on the radio, in a bar, a dingy discoteque, or my iPod (rest in piece) my heart leaps for joy and the 10 year old still living in my soul squeals with pure delight. With the vast anthology of classic christmas music out there it has been hard for modern era artists to break into the christmas genre with something truly smashing and original. Mariah Carey is that exception (Britney Spears came close with her hit 'My Only Wish'). Mariah's (I call her that cause I feel so connected through her music) song speaks to all hearts at Christmas time man, woman, and child. Who of us hasn't belted out every line of this Christmas tune...dare I say ballad? It speaks to the magic of Christmas that though we live in a material world (1%?) all we really need...all we really want...is each other (dramatic!)
5) Rockin Around the Christmas Tree
Ultimate decorating song. I love decorating for Christmas. I go Christmas Chray-zay! But decorating is exhausting and even the most tried of all hall deckers can hit a wall. It could be a too tangled string of garland or a wreath full of burnt out lights but every festooning decorator faces their Everest. And I have found the best way to tackle that summit is to blast Rockin Around the Christmas Tree (Brenda Lee version).
2) Feliz Navidad
I didn't include this song just to show how culturally aware I am (but I am). It's an awesome song that reminds us to look at Christmas around the world. My favorite days in Spanish class always revolved around holidays (first of all because it usually involved food). Dia de Los Muertos, Semana Santa, and Navidad. My cultural awareness of Christmas also allows me to celebrate all the way up til the Feast of the Epiphany (look it up if ya dont know).
4) Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
Silent Night is a beautiful Christmas song...and so is HYMLC. Perhaps the most poignant (for me...it's my blog) performance is Judy Garland's in Meet Me in St. Louis. The first time it snows I always want to go outside and listen to this on my iPod (RIP...I guess I'll be listening on my discman this year)...if I could sing well I'd sing it...and if I had a cloak like Judy G I'd wear it. Maybe this year I'll do it.
Important lyric from HYMLC to remember when you're sad about being a grown up:
Through the years we all will be together.
5 Other* (they are all labeled as 0 because they stink)
0) Santa Baby
Creepy (especially when Madonna sings it)
0) I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Clause
How dare someone accuse Santa of adultery, stupid child!
0) 12 Days of Christmas (Redneck Christmas)
Original is kind of agitating...this is just stupid. A complete waste of everyone's time.
0) The Chipmunk Song
The Chipmunks are annoying...why do they want a hula-hoop so bad?
0) Grandma Got Run-Over by a Reindeer
Mean...and also completely unrealistic...a reindeer would never run anyone over...especially not a grandmother.
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