It is that time of year again. The time when I start complaining about the music on the radio. Most of the music isn't all that memorable to begin with, but at this time of year it can positively set your teeth on edge. A friend and I were walking through a Christmas market the other day and one upping each other with the worst Christmas songs ever. I won. She had no chance against me. Maybe it is because she walks to work and I drive for work and therefore am listening to more of the saccharine, schlocky, what-has-this-really-to-do-with-Christmas music. Though, to be fair, there seems to be a dearth of Christmassy music on the radio this year. For which I am thankful, but also suspicious. Maybe it is simply the stations I listen to, I thought. Or maybe it has something to do with this annoying trend to "not offend" people who don't celebrate Christmas. People who are possibly more offended by this misguided attempt to assume what they are thinking than over a tree, or greeting, or song. But I digress.
I still hold my breath whenever I push the button that prompts my preset stations, preparing for the worst. Mostly, all I get is just another innocuous, generic song. No jing-jing, jing-a-ling, or wonderful Christmastime or even do they know it's Christmas. For the record, the ultimate worst song ever has to be Red Shoes or Christmas Shoes [officially called "Can I Buy These Shoes"] Google it if you are unfamiliar, because I cannot bear to include even a clip.
Last night I tuned into one station that has this week become "your all Christmas music all the time" station, but was pleasantly surprised to hear a choir singing O Holy Night, followed by Once In Royal David's City, followed by Justin Bieber at which point I turned it off. The spell was broken.
Okay, it wasn't a perfect mix, but really, it was a surprise to hear actual Christmas Carols. And it was enjoyable. Not all Christmas songs are deplorable. I miss those old carols. (I also miss Andy Williams, but I digress)
So, I thought I would share with you a little something that has played on CBC.
A Christmas mash up of carols and songs. There is actually a contest (where you have to name the music and the words) which you can play if you go here. But for you I have included a clip, or two, of last year's renderings.
That was very creative! I am the lone person who loves loves loves Christmas songs. Except the bad ones. I'm not familiar with the red shoes one and am afraid to look it up, but I find it hard to believe that it's worse than "Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer."
ReplyDeleteGeewits: go to this link
ReplyDeletehttp://youtu.be/MpkI7GW2V34
the difference is that the Grandma and reindeer is a novelty song - this one is a very serious one
ReplyDeleteThank you!! This had to be said. I did find a station that played the oldies but goodies in Christmas Carols. It was lovely!!
ReplyDelete99.5 FM in Albuquerque, NM
Hugs
SueAnn
SueAnn: I thought for a brief moment that I had accidentally pushed the button for the classical music station. I hope they play more of those carols. I'm waiting for O Holy Night.
ReplyDeleteThe first time I heard that god-awful Christmas shoes song, I nearly ran off the road I was laughing so hard. It's appalling!
ReplyDeleteI do like many of the traditional songs and even a few (but not most) of the newer songs. Like this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efUJOH7i0uA
I hate christmas songs too. Which is why I always have multiple CDs in the car.
ReplyDeleteOh, I so agree! Some of the local radio stations around here start playing Christmas music the day after Halloween - it's terrible. It really cheapens the season. It's abuse for the sole purpose of selling stuff. And most of the songs are awful. That red shoes song is heinous. I love the traditional carols like "O Holy Night", but I wish they'd save them for Christmas Eve. The true Christmas season starts on Christmas Eve and ends on Epiphany.
ReplyDeleteDeedee: I agree - the Christmas season should not be lasting as long as it does.
ReplyDeleteJazz: I knew you would say that!
SAW: I cringe every time I think about that song
I do have to say that I like serious Christmas music and not those godawful songs that are supposed to pass as it. Not being religious, I even like religious music. It belongs to the season. I do think you get an overdose of silly songs in North America. But then again, there are enough of them here also for the dumb masses. XOX
ReplyDeleteI run hot and cold on Christmas songs, this year I seem to have the Bah Humbug Bug...prompted no doubt by my general crap year! :-)
ReplyDeleteI don't listen to that sort of radio and though it would drive me mad to work in a shop with Christmas songs on a loop, I don't spend enough time shopping to get seriously fed up with them.
ReplyDeleteNora: I went through a phase of not liking the religious hymns, but lately, I almost want to go to a midnight service just to sing them again.
ReplyDeleteSag: it will definitely be a different Christmas for you this year.
Isabelle: I usually listen to talk radio... and that is where I got this mash up!
I stopped going to my favourite cafe back in November because of the Christmas music
Christmas is incredible. we are a secular school, but the kids just sang silent night for the last assembly.
ReplyDeleteLittle Drummer Boy remains my most loathed and I'm unrepentant about that. My favorite collection, however, is Christmas Music by the Cambridge King's College Choir. It could make the staunchest atheist believe in God. I bought it way back in 1976 at King's College.
ReplyDeleteAnn: that is good, especially when so many schools won't allow that.
ReplyDeleteMr Writeon: totally! that is my only Christmas album. okay, I also have Andy Williams and Boney M. but it is my favourite. I didn't buy it at King's College, though.
Oh, Violet... Violet....Violet... Have you never heard 'Merry Christmas from the Family'? I actually get a kick out of it, but it's horrid. And I hate the one about the shoes.... You won hands (feet) down!
ReplyDelete