Hi all!
Thanks to everyone for your kind comments to Leanna Renee Hieber for last week’s contest. FYI—I’ve got a HUUUUUUGE contest planned for the holidays—giving away armfuls of books! Please do stay tuned to win!
Anyway, a quick post to pick a reader to win Leanna’s book. Chosen blindly and at random, the winner is:
Anne (comment #31)!
Congrats! Please email me with your mailing address (lisa [at] lisa dale books dot com) and I’ll be happy to forward your address to her so you can receive the winning entry.
NEW BUSINESS: I realize this is only going to back up my fiance’s theory that I’m secretly a Grinch, but I went to the coffee shop to write the other day and ultimately had to LEAVE because I couldn’t write a deep, meaningful conversation between two long-lost lovers when “Frosty the Snowman” was jangling around in my eardrums.
I think everyone has a relationship with holiday songs—whether they want to or not. We’ve all got memories of special festive music and it tugs at our heartstrings and brings us back to our childhoods (and maybe back to a time when music seemed more innocent as well).
For example, when I first heard the song Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer, I was a little kid sitting in the back of my mom’s car. And I remember I cried—yup, actually cried!—because I was horrified by the idea of grandma getting squashed by deer!
And even though we were made to sing Good King Winceslaus (Whensislause? Wenceslas?) just about every year in middle school, damn if I can remember anything past “on the feast of Stephen.”
To tell the truth, I barely hear most holiday songs at all anymore when they come on in stores. It’s like they go in one ear and out the other—unless they’re they kind that get under your skin. Every year the songs we sing get farther and farther away from their original meanings. For example:
That “Twelve Days of Christmas” song? It was once a memory game for children.
“O Holy Night?” Nearly barred by the church because it was a) written by a free-thinking radical and b) composed by a Jew.
And “Jingle Bells?” That might actually have been written for Thanksgiving.
Crazy stuff, right?
Anyway, the bottom line is that my personal relationship with Christmas songs is complex and sometimes difficult—mostly because they are so overplayed—but at the end of the day I still love a good caroling session now and again.
LOVE TO READERS: So what holiday song do you love best? And which one do you hate the most?
I LOVE: Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
I HATE: Dominic the Donkey
What about you? Leave a comment to be entered to win my December LOVE TO READERS prize.
Cheers!
Lisa Dale
www.LisaDaleBooks.com
{ 38 comments… read them below or add one }
I love Carol of the Bells
I hate that Christmas Wrap song
Margay
Margay1122(at)aol(dot)com
Hi Lisa!
I actually LOVE Christmas music. In fact, I love them so much that I start listening to them really, really, really early (like it’s not even Halloween yet!). I’m embarrassed to actually say when I start listening to them! LOL It’s hard for me to pick only one favorite song. It always depends on who sings the song. This year I heard for the first time Martina Mcbride’s version of The Christmas Song now I love the song but only when she sings it. Another great song is The Christmas Shoes by Newsong. It’s the song in the movie The Christmas Shoes. There’s a book also but I haven’t read it yet. It’s so sad but it’s a really beautiful story.
The holiday song I hate the most has to be Blue Christmas . Don’t ask me why because I have no idea. I’ve just never liked it. There’s also Run, Run Rudolph and Little Drummer Boy.
I enjoy reading your blog as always!
Have a great week!
I have been listening to Christmas music for the past two weeks or so! Little Drummer Boy has always been a favorite! I got Toby Keith’s CD Christmas to Christmas and love it. All of the songs are great on it. I love the song Santa I’m Right Here, beautiful if you listen to the words of the song. All of them are great on this CD
Lisa: Thank you for your post.
I probably shouldn’t be talking about Christmas carols, seeing as we don’t celebrate Christmas in my religion. But I can’t resist getting my word in, so here goes.
I think that from a purely artistic standpoint, in terms of both music and lyrics, the finest Christmas carols are “The Cherry Tree Carol” and “The Holly and the Ivy.” They both date from the Middle Ages, and reflect a pre-Reformation religious sensibility. That makes them charming relics of another time.
Also on artistic grounds, I think the most overrated and therefore overplayed carol is “Silent Night.” It sounds more like a dirge than a celebratory song.
I’m deep into reading “Simple Wishes”, and looking forward to more of your posts. Keep up the good work!
Mary Anne Landers
maryannelanders@centurytel.net
Most Christmas music is just boring and kind of depressing to me. I’ve always liked The Carol Of The Bells. Right now though, my favorite Christmas song is that ‘Swiss Colony Beef Log’ song from south park. I played it like 10 times yesterday.
Here are some others off the top of my head:
Santa Claus Is Coming To Town – The Jackson 5’s
Santa Baby – Kylie Minogue
Go Power At Christmas Time – James Brown
Merry Christmas Baby – Otis Redding
Presents For Christmas – Solomon Burke
Another Lonely Christmas – Prince
Lonely Christmas Eve – Ben Folds
Winterfunkyland – Bootsy Collins
Cheers!!!!!
Hi!
I too thought of Blue Christmas as one of which I’m not particularly enamoured. It is depressing (to me), what with its melancholy, dragged-out verses. On the flip side, if it didn’t irritate me so much, it might lull me to sleep!
I like most Christmas songs. The first one to pop into my mind, though, was Snoopy’s Christmas. I’ve liked that one since childhood. I tend to really belt it out if no one is around (shhhhh!).
I love the song…I’ll Be Home For Christmas especially the version Rascal Flatts has out.
I hate the song…The Little Drummer Boy!!
I really love Transsiberian Orchestra and listen to them constantly in my car. And I love Silent Night or O Holy Night, especially when it’s almost like a lullabye. We also listen to Elvis’s Christmas CD when we open our presents on Christmas morning, so that’s another favorite.
I’m not a big fan of the old Christmas music, with the crackles, like it’s being played on a record player. Maybe because I’m on the young-ish side, I like it when more contemporary artists sing classic songs.
Aw, I don’t remember when I first heard Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer I think I laughed.
I Love: Christmas Shoes (I always tear up when I hear it) and Christmas Carol (I cried the first time I heard that one)
I Hate: Well, I actually don’t, lol… I love Christmas music *bg*
You are probably going to hate this but it wormed its way into my brain in early childhood and now is indelibly inscribed there and programmed to play over and over again in December.
What is it ? ?
Rudolf the Red Nose Reindeer.
I love O’ Holy Night. It is my all time favorite Christmas song.
The Transiberian Orchestra and MannHeim Steamroller are two of my all time favorites. I can’t stand Grandma got ran Over By a Reindeer
I think my all time favorite is still It Came Upon A Midnight Clear and my least favorite is Let It Snow. susan L.
One of my favorites is “Walkin’ in a Winter Wonderland.” I also LOVE “Baby, it’s cold outside,” and “Have yourselves a merry little Christmas.” Awesomeness
.
I hate the versions of “The Little Drummer Boy” that you hear everywhere. I think I have an eye twitch timed perfectly with the RUMP A PUM PUMs. *shudder*
I as a rule don’t like most christmas music. I was in the school choir from 4th grade till the time I graduated and we sang christmas songs every year. In the 5th grade we were singing The 12 Days of Christmas on stage in front of the whole school and I fainted, knocking over the large heavy metal microphone that we used back then…right off the stage and onto the principal…knocking him out. When I woke up the ambulance was there and both me and the principal went to the ER, he got 3 stitches in his head and I was known as the girl who knocked out the principal, for the next 3 years. So I really hate The 12 Days of christmas because it brings back bad memories.
But I really love Little Drummer boy. One year the school choir went to a children’s hospital and sang that song for the kids. This one litttle boy started dancing in his wheel chair, just moving his body and smiling and giggling as we sang. He was so cute.
The Coasters’ version of “Frosty the Snowman” is driving me nuts. And it seems to be on continually.
Can’t get enough of the Drifters doing “White Christmas” – makes me think of Home Alone!
Any kind of rap Christmas music drives me nuts! LOL. My favorite song is Do You Hear What I Hear. I really don’t like anything Christmas before Thanksgiving. LOL.
Sue
katsrus@gmail.com
Hi Happy Holidays!!! Got my book you sent today!! Thanks! Come Jan. or Feb. I’ll have a Lisa Dale reading marathon!! LOL!! I LUV Santa Baby and am annoyed by Julie Andrews and her Favorite Things!! I quickly change stations when I hear it. When did it become an Xmas song??? I like Xmas music to start at Thanksgiving.
Thanks, Sue
I love Bing Crosby’s ‘White Christmas’.
I am bugged by ‘Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer’.
Everyone have a very Happy Holiday!
I ADORE Christmas music. I am a Christmas nut. I have soooo many favorites. I adore O Come All Ye Faithful and Sleigh Ride. Also I’ll Be Home For Christmas and Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas. Very nostalgic and that’s so me.
Non-favorites… Hm. That one is really hard. Probably What Child Is This.
I love Christmas music and usually start listening before Thanksgiving. It would be hard to name a favorite because it changes depending on my mood. I have over 10GB of Christmas music on my Zune. I hit shuffle and see what plays. Today I especially enjoyed Carol of the Bells as sung by Destiny’s Child and Beautiful Star of Bethlehem as sung by Rhonda Vincent.
My least favorites are Dominic the Donkey and Christmas Shoes.
I love the old classic christmas music silver and gold being my favorite and I hate country christmas. Not the country remakes but the santa coming in a pickup truck kind . oh it drives me insane
I love the reverence and honesty of O Holy Night. It doesn’t matter who sings it, I always tear up.
I absolutley hate I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Clause. Is it just me, or does anyone else want to pklug their ears and say lalalalalala to block it out?
Grandma Got Hit By a Reindeer sets my teeth on edge like accidently biting into an egg shell in my omelet! Argghhh!
I love Christmas music! I especially like the lovely instrumental versions of popular and religious favorites.
Songs that I absolutely cannot listen to – Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer and I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas.
I heard this song for the first time (consciously) when my date and I were building our ginger bread house; it’s called “I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm” by Irving Berlin. I thought it was really sweet and it didn’t make me want to jump out of a window.
“The snow is snowing and the wind is blowing
But I can weather the storm!
What do I care how much it may storm?
For I’ve got my love to keep me warm”
The song I REALLY dislike is “Santa Baby” by Eartha Kitt. The song is an atrocious mix of good ol’ American consumerism with a not-so-subtle hint of sex (with Santa?). Makes my skin crawl!
Happy Holidays!
I loved your book Simple Wishes. I’m really happy to hear from you. I’m a writer, and love to read more than anything else. I will forward you’re website to my bookclub. Thanks Anita
Favorite song is Straight No Chaser’s version of the Twelve Days of Christmas – very funny and entertaining. SNC is an acapella group my son introduced me to last year. Also love the Bing Crosby/ David Bowie Little Drummer Boy/ Peace on Earth song
Christmas song I hate? Twelve Days of Christmas sung by anyone who sings it as written – very boring!
Funny post Lisa !
You should definitely come to France then… no Xmas song here.
French people are not very much into holidays. It’s all about spending tons of money (on toys and paté mostly) but not much about all the usual folklore.
It’s one of the first things that “shocked” me the first time I went to the US, the Xmas songs, decorations, lights, special cookies and food preparations… I loved it !
Oh and Lisa… Thaaaaaaaaaank Yoooouuu !!
My husband Aaron & I love, love, love Christmas … the music, decorations, shopping, exchanging gifts, hosting dinners, attending parties etc., etc., etc. We have to hold ourselves back and to wait to decorate or listen to holiday music until AFTER Thanksgiving
That all being said, we HATE the Christmas Shoes song – a relatively “new” Christmas song. We’ve successfully avoided it this year (it helps that we have two radio stations programmed in the car and at home, in addition to the CDs we listen to).
I LOVE O’Holy Night, especially when it’s sung by a powerhouse voice like Josh Groban (whom I don’t normally listen to) or Celine Dion. In fact, I find just listening to this song to be an experience in and of itself.
Finally, my recent love is the “new” a cappella group Straight No Chaser – WOW! They are equally talented and fun!
Bah humbug, Lisa
I love Carol of the Bells, and Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus. Also anything sung by Bing, especially Jingle Bells with the Andrews Sisters — absolute best version of that song! And the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy, though the car commercials are starting to ruin it for me…..
Hate: Frosty the Snowman, Grandma (sorry), Blue Christmas, and my all time hated song: Feliz Navidad (!!!!!) It should be legislated that stations may play that one only once from Nov30 to Dec25.
My favorite Christmas songs are O Holy Night, Last Christmas (I love Wham!). Songs I hate are Blue Christmas, and I saw mommy kissing Santa Claus.
What is this Christmas Shoes song? I’ve NEVER heard it. I don’t even know how that’s possible since it seems everyone knows it? I’ll have to keep an ear out for it!
@Mary Anne, So glad you’re liking Simple Wishes!! And I like Holly and Ivy too. I think it’s very old, and I really dig those timeless ditties.
@David, Great list! I hope you made that album on iTunes!
@Carol, LOL!!
@Erica, Awww! Cute!
@Mary, that’s a crazy story about fainting! I’d be a little uncomfortable with that song too. What is it about singing Xmas songs on risers that makes people pass out?
@Kim, ” Carol of the Bells as sung by Destiny’s Child” Why haven’t I heard this????!!!
@Kathy, I saw mommy kissing santa is probably the second most screwed up song after grandma got run over…. Matt HATES that song!
@Anita, Thank you!! I love making new friends who have great taste in books!!
@Emmanuelle, I’ve been telling everyone about your comment–it really made me look at what we do here with a bit more appreciation for our collective national corniness. Thank you!!
@Suzz, LOL! Bah humbug indeed! I’ll have to check out that group!
Hi Lisa,
You can find the song Christmas Shoes by Newsong on youtube (and the full movie also). It’s not a popular one so you probably never heard it on the radio. The song will make you tear up for sure. If you do listen to it, let me know what you think. It’s my dad’s favorite song and mine also.
I love O Holy Night.
I don’t care for Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer.
Today in the city we bought some CD Christmas music because we could only find 1 CD in our house of Christmas music.
yourstrulee(at)sasktel(dot)net
Ya know I never did find out what made me pass out that day. But I was told that the lights making us all hot and it had been right before luch so my blood sugar might have been low. That coupled with the heat from the lights and the excitement….Down I went..lol
I love Silent Night
I hate Adam Sandler’s Christmas song. It drives me to drink.
I’m a subscriber.
angel28140 (AT) yahoo (DOT) com
OMyGoodness the Christmas Shoes song….makes me cry when I think of it. But I haven’t heard it in a couple of years! It’s the sweetest saddest story– I can’t spoil it for you Lisa, just understand that it is a realllly old fashioned tearjerker country song. Sniff!
And I forgot — ALL of Vince Gueraldi’s Charlie Brown Christmas music, especially the ice skating song is so perfect. Puts me in the Christmas mood every time.
‘
Hello Lisa~
Just dropping in a quick hello.
(No Christmas song drives me crazy. I love them all!)
Corra
Congrats to KC for winning this book!