I love Christmas songs. I'm sitting here listening to the all-Christmas-song radio station, which I love, even if I question their decision to play "Wonderful Christmastime" by Paul McCartney every 15 minutes.
I am waiting and hoping for them to play my own favorite songs. What are they, you ask? Here they are:
Traditional: Joy to the World. There are so many reasons to love this song. It's easy for most people to sing, so it sounds really good even in a group of untrained singers. Its message and tone are happy (joyous, even). It's also very satisfying to play on the piano, with lots of big slamming chords that are easy but sound cool. Also, I know all three verses.
Nontraditional: Baby, It's Cold Outside (Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald version). This is not even remotely about a holiday, but it's about cold weather, so they play it at this time of year and it counts. It's an a duet between a couple about whether the girl should go home at the end of the evening. ("I really can't stay..." "But baby, it's cold outside.") The singing in this version is really beautiful and charming. It's also incredibly fun to sing.
So what are your favorite holiday songs, traditional and nontraditional, and why? This is not a contest, but if you pick awesome songs or reasons, I will compliment you.
10 comments:
We Three Kings. I love the "ohhh-oooo star of wonder, ..." part. Its not only fun to sing the "ohhh-ooo," but it sounds cool.
I also love Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire
And, Baby It's Cold Outside. There's no getting around it - that song is just awesome.
Unpopular but still a favorite-Little Drummer Boy. I dig the whole droning on thing.
Traditional - Hark the Herald. It's a "let's rock and roll!" kind of tune.
Non-traditional - Happy Xmas (War is Over if you want it) by John Lennon and the Plastic Ono Band. Great juxtaposition with Paul's ludicrous song, plus it demonstrates that Brits are just as content to say "happy" xmas as well as "merry" xmas.
Oh Holy Night! It just overtook Angels We Have Heard On High as my favourite.
Its become a bit of a bone of contention in the Brovis household, but I actually don't like ANY Christmas songs, traditional or otherwise. Its not that I don't like Christmas (I actually like it quite a bit), I have just grown tired of hearing the same songs year after year. Nell, on the other hand, LOVES Christmas songs.
Traditional- Once in royal david's city. I dont know if any of you know it, but quality song if you dont.
Non-traditional- walking in a winter wonderland. I like the part about making a pastor snowman and getting married. It reminds me of some stupid dates i went on at BYU.
Traditional: Nat King Cole singing Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire, or whatever its title is.
Semi-traditional: The Muppet's version of the Twelve Days of Christmas. There's nothing like Miss Piggy belting out "FIVE GOOOOOLD RINGS... BADUM BUM BUM"
Non-traditional: Walking in a Winter Wonderland with the alternate words 'walking in your winter underwear'
Excellent choices, everyone. Well, not Ted. Also, Matt's Little Drummer Boy suggestion is questionable, but his Hark the Herald Angels choice makes up for it--it's my second favorite.
I have always liked the pastor snowman part of Winter Wonderland too. But it's very odd:
In the meadow we can build a snowman, then pretend that he is Parson Brown.
He'll say, "Are you married?";
We'll say "No, man. But you can do the job when you're in town."
How strange. Why do they want to pretend that the snowman is a minister? Have they just gotten engaged? Then maybe it's sweet. If not, is the singer suggesting this snowman game to address his or her desire to get married? Does that make the other one uncomfortable?
Ok, the Christmas station just played a version of Little Drummer Boy by David Bowie & Bing Crosby, and it was kind of good.
Later on we'll prespire
As we dream by the fire
To face I'm afraid,
the friends that we made (I don't get that line)
Walking in our winter underwear!!!
Hee. I have also heard it as "Walking 'round in women's underwear."
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