Paul McCartney's "Wonderful Christmastime" makes me want to murder something. As does John Lennon's "War is Over". I love the old hymns/carols if they're not done in a novelty way. Celine Dion's "O Holy Night" is amazing (as is Josh Groban's version). And I love Vanessa Williams' version of "Do You Hear What I Hear." Beautiful.
I'll admit "The Little Drummer Boy" isn't a bad song. As I said, it just makes me sad. So solumn to me. But even though I like Paul McCartney in general, I'm going with the consensus here. His Christmas ditty sucks. Simply ha-ving a wonderful Christmas time. Simply ha-ving a wonderful Christmas time. Simply ha-ving a wonderful Christmas time. Simply ha-ving a wonderful Christmas time. Make it stop! God, please make it stop!
Likes: "Mary Did You Know" (Rescue arr.), "Carol of the Bells" (any arr.) Dislikes: Paul McCartney's "A Wonderful Christmastime", Brenda Lee's "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree".
Most of the pop divas' Christmas songs - can't stand at all. But don't mind John Lennon's "War is over" But heard "The Christmas Duel" by The Hives & Cyndi Lauper, on the radio this morning. I like this.
I don't think that's odd at all, seeing as I'm an atheist who feels the same way. Or maybe we're both odd the same.
Christmas music tries to capture the idea of love, family, friends, comfort. These things are appealing to everyone. You don't have to be religious to love Christmas music, and that includes the sacred Christmas music (I'm a huge fan of Rescue's "Mary Did You Know").
Well...I like the very traditional Christmas songs and my favourite is Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht (Silent Night, Holy Night). Here a German version: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLD3BldJDq8&feature=related Oh and I also love "Leise rieselt der Schnee" and "Süßer die Glocken nie klingen" (not sure how they are called in English) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHVI1MMPzws&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cmmdu6VP0g4&feature=related TerokNor
I have too many favorites to list, including Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree by Brenda Lee and Nat King Cole's The Christmas Song. One song I hate: The Muppets version of Twelve Days of Christmas. It's hecka stupid.
This Christmas, Donny Hathaway was always THE R&B Christmas song. They are like Prince on Youtube, if you want to hear it you have to buy it. What no Ferengi standard smiley
As an atheist, I generally don't like Christmas music since singing about Jesus's immaculate conception becomes hegemonic and omnipresent (especially for those working in retail), but oddly, we've been playing Annie Lennox's Christmas album at work and it isn't bad since only a few songs are traditional. Re: other Christmas music, I hate Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer. It's just so awkward and has always been offputting to me, even despite all the death connotations.
Favourite: Prokofiev's Troika from Lieutenant Kije most hated: The First Nowell - it has absolutely no redeeming qualities whatsoever, with Hark the Herald Angels Sing coming a bawhair behind it.
Favorite: Any of Mannheim Steamroller's Christmas music, esp. their first Christmas album. [yt]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RO4DYU_yyr8[/yt] Least favorite: Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer. Whoever wrote that piece of crap should be shot without trial.
I hate The Little Drummer Boy, but not for the same reason that most other people mention - that it's sad... The 'pa-rum-pum-pum-pum' thing just grates on my nerves. In fact, I've never been able to get past that enough to realize that it's a sad song. I do like most other Christmas songs though.
I love "Skating" from the Charlie Brown Chrostmas record. It's not really "Christmasy" but it sets a nice mood. I am not into overtly religious songs, usually, but I really like "I Wonder as I Wander," some great minor chord changes there. "The Little Drummer Boy" is just awful. It may be a nice story, but really, "rum-pa-pum-pum" after every line? Grating to say the least. My favorite Christmas record is Booker T. & the MGs' "In the Christmas Spirit." Who knew some of those old chestnuts could be so soulful? I also like the Phil Spector Christmas album, it's a great record, but it's a little odd to hear Spector's spoken piece at the end, thanking the listener for letting him be part of their Christmas. You wonder about things like how recently he had pulled a pistol in the studio before recording that sincere message. --Justin