For a good part of yesterday, I had the dulcet tones of ‘Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer’ on a permanent loop in my head. The more it played, the more I felt what little festive spirit I retained within me slowly ebbing away down the plughole as the joint spirits of the Grinch and Ebeneeezer Scrooge occupied my body. I felt little sympathy for the dear old lady or indeed the unfortunate reindeer who would have to live with her death on their conscience for the rest of their days.
Novelty songs are as much part of the Yuletide experience as ridiculous sweaters and food hangovers the size of the Empire State Building. They take over our airwaves from early December onwards although, in recent times, such boundaries are edging nearer and nearer Halloween. I’ve no doubt we will be sunning ourselves on the beach in years to come with Slade’s ‘Merry Christmas’ belting out on the radio.
Setting aside the Grandma road traffic collision we all have our personal seasonal favourites. As an Irishman I am of course somewhat fond of the ‘Fairytale Of New York’ by The Pogues and the late Kirsty McColl. Wanna hear a secret though. I’m also partial to a bit of Mariah’s ‘All I Want For Christmas Is You’ or the super cheesy ‘Don’t Let The Bells End’ by The Darkness. But please let this be our secret and don’t breathe a word to another living soul, okay?
So now I’ve spilled my guts to the blogging world it’s your turn. What’s your favourite Christmas jingle? Or the one that annoys you so much you want to take to the streets in full ‘Bad Santa’ mode to scream ‘Bah Humbug’ at the first person foolish enough to mention the ‘C’ word? Does music bring back special holiday memories? Or fill you with dread at the thought of horrid relatives ‘dropping by’ for an unwelcome visit?
The South Park Christmas special songs, hands down. My parents and brother watch it every Christmas eve. It’s raunchy, but it does remind me of Christmas.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I haven’t heard them. I’ll have to keep an eye out for them 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
I get a little joy, but lots of sadness for the way I was raised (Christmas is a sin). I haven’t been listening to much music, but the choral Christmas hymns are nostalgic from when I was a Methodist.
LikeLiked by 2 people
That’s sad to hear. Why did your parents think that way?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Because the Bible does not tell us to celebrate his birth, but his death and resurrection. Also, Christmas was/is originally a pagan holiday. Santa Claus is a lie and on and on.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I hate the Feed the World /Do they know it’s Christmas song because it’s so contrived . I love Hark the Herald Angels Sing . I hate Baby it’s cold outside . So annoying. Santa Claus songs used to be fun but now I see some of them as so manipulative. Santa Claus is watching you! Ugh . Creepy!
LikeLiked by 3 people
You either love them or hate them 🙂
LikeLike
Exactly! In any case, my all time favorite is Bing Crosby singing “I heard the bells on Christmas Day.” I absolutely love the words and they seem more appropriate with each passing year.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Of the popular music – you can’t beat White Christmas by Bing Crosby – and Pentatonix Drummer Boy. I simply melt into a pool of tears for the sacred – Adeste Fidelis makes me cry. Lo How a Rose E’er Blooming – IN the Bleak Mid Winter and of course O Holy Night. and I will be sadly missing singing Joy to The World with my congregation this Christmas Eve. Like you – Santa Got Run Over – is the most obtuse and annoying one I have heard – even as a kid I hated it!
LikeLiked by 3 people
You have impeccable taste 🙂
LikeLike
You can’t beat an old classic 😊
LikeLike
I sang this the other day and my 15 year old sister looked at me like I was crazy, I guess she had never heard it before LOL
LikeLiked by 2 people
You’re such a cool big sister 😂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha Thank you. I tell her that all the time
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well you just have to put aside the worlds foolishness and let the kid in you take its turn when shutting out stupid you have to stand firm at age 59+ I still put out cookies and milk for Santa, let the World’s crazy fade remaining hazy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good for you 👍🏻
LikeLike
I’m fond of classics and originals, in more than Christmas carols alone. I haven’t heard of the ones you mentioned as favorites so will have a search and a listen.
A favorite of mine? “Un Flambeau,” but also “Los Peces en El Rio” by Manheim Steamroller and some Trans-Siberian Orchestra.
Not-so-favorite? Definitely “Christmas Shoes” and “Santa Baby.”
LikeLiked by 3 people
Some of them are certainly an acquired taste 😊
LikeLike
Another great post! I really got a laugh watching Slade on YouTube! I like the standards, a little pop, some ambient, chill hop and lofi. I’ve managed to alienate the relatives I never cared for but felt obligated to host them and their voracious appetites and discussions of their medical issues. Now it’s just our lovely immediate family bubble!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thank you. Happy bubbling & stay safe 🙂
LikeLike
Linda likes anything that plays a Christmas tune. So, we have Santa’s that play the saxophone, bears that sing Christmas songs, snowmen that move up and down and dogs that do the same and so on. It can drive me a little cray cray.
However, we had friends over for dinner last night, so I pulled out the guitar (which was on the back of a successful jam session that afternoon). So, we sang Jingle Bells, Feliz Navidad, This is Christmas, Jingle Bell Rock, Santa Claus is Coming to Town etc. And, all week I have been playing the Wiggles A Very Wiggly Christmas (songs off the album and video – our grandson likes it)
LikeLiked by 2 people
I get horrible flashbacks whenever anyone mentions The Wiggles 😂
LikeLiked by 2 people
My favorite classic Christmas song is Carol of the Bells, specifically the Harry Simeone Chorale version. I have a couple of Christmas tunes by some “classic rock” groups that I really like. I like “Father Christmas,” by The Kinks, as well as “I Believe in Father Christmas,” by Emerson, Lake, & Palmer. Two that make me cringe are “Christmas Shoes” by NewSong, and “Happy Birthday Jesus,” by anyone.
LikeLiked by 2 people
A great soundtrack there, Jeff 🎄
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have to say I’m a sucker for Christmas tunes. 😂 I love a bit of Fairytale of New York or Pentatonix Mary Did You Know? This year I’m really loving the new song Hope Christmas Gets You to Me by Lapwing. It’s so apt for this year.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I haven’t heard that last one. Must keep an eye out for it 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s available on YouTube if you want to check it out. The video is shot in Glasgow.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Interesting, please follow me
LikeLiked by 1 person
I too love ‘Fairytale of New York’ but I also love Band Aid – ‘Do They Know It’s Christmas?’ because I also admire what it was written about.
LikeLike
Yes. Another Christmas classic.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love all the carols but a current favorite is Mary did you know? by the Pentatonics
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, I’ve heard it played on the television.
LikeLike
I’m a sucker for Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas Is You” and also WAM’s “Last Christmas”. I can’t help it. 😂
LikeLiked by 1 person
You can’t beat a bit on Mariah at Christmas 😂
LikeLike
For some reason, grandmothers are not very fond of their grandchildren singing this song to them. Who knew?
LikeLike
Beats me 😂
LikeLike
Best Christmas song is Corey Taylor – X-m@$, pure poetic nature for all the Christmas haters like myself
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t know that song.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s quality, give it a listen!
LikeLiked by 1 person
My mom would get mad over the song, Grandma got ran over by a reindeer. I think it really triggered something in her.
The song that usually gets me and I have to stop and wipe tears is, I’ll be home for Christmas. It’s a good song, but a sad and lonely one. When my son lived five hours away, it became real.
Music can touch the depths of our souls.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It most certainly can 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
I remember watching Christmas cartoons as a young girl. Those were the care free days.
LikeLike
Indeed they are.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Snoopy’s Christmas is a favourite of mine. Choosing kindness, very much in the Christmas spirit.
LikeLike
One for the 2021 list then 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person