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Christmas Music...

Started by thenetwork, December 17, 2024, 09:59:43 PM

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CtrlAltDel

Quote from: mgk920 on December 18, 2024, 10:34:18 AMMy worst 'holiday' earworm is 'Wonderful Christmastime' by Paul McCartney.

 :banghead:

Mike

"Happy Xmas (War Is Over)" is no better.
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Rothman

#26
The only Christmas song that enrages me is "The Christmas Shoes," which, thankfully, I haven't heard in a few years now.  I find its message totally repulsive (e.g., God caring about what shoes one wears, with capitalism coming to the rescue).
Please note: All comments here represent my own personal opinion and do not reflect the official position(s) of NYSDOT.

1995hoo

What I get particularly tired of is the endless repetition of the so-called "Christmas music" you hear at the stores, on TV commercials, etc., and 95% of that music isn't really "Christmas"-related at all with a very few exceptions (the aforementioned Mariah Carey song is one such exception, for instance). The insipid "Jingle Bell Rock," for example, is not only horribly overplayed and a lousy song (it's by no means a "rock" song), it also has absolutely nothing to do with Christmas. I get it, retailers are afraid to play Christmas hymns, even when recorded by popular musicians, for fear that they'll offend someone, so they play what one of my grade-school teachers once called "winter songs" that people associate with Christmas.

I suppose all that is one reason why my wife and I enjoyed it when I played one of Neil Diamond's Christmas albums last weekend—he actually sings the hymns (and more than one verse, no less) instead of focusing on the pop-culture "standards." He does some of those as well, of course, but he also does some more obscure ones.
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english si

Because you've put this abomination of a song in my head...
Quote from: Rothman on December 20, 2024, 07:18:56 AMGod caring about what shoes one wears
a little boy wanting to give his dying mum some nice shoes so she'll smile, and will look beautiful when she dies and meets Jesus, which might be tonight.

There's no comment about whether Jesus cares about the shoes. And even for the boy it's a secondary consideration after his mother's smile.

Quotewith capitalism coming to the rescue).
capitalism is the bad guy in the song - the boy's pennies aren't enough and the shopkeep isn't going to give him a kindness. Charity, and our singer, are to the rescue!


The song is terrible because it tastes like diabetes, is insanely twee, and is a massive bit of self-aggrandizing. Be thankful that you can't remember it accurately.

I now need to bleach my brain so I forget that horror again (thankfully it's not crossed the Atlantic)

Rothman

#29
Quote from: english si on December 20, 2024, 08:35:55 AMBecause you've put this abomination of a song in my head...
Quote from: Rothman on December 20, 2024, 07:18:56 AMGod caring about what shoes one wears
a little boy wanting to give his dying mum some nice shoes so she'll smile, and will look beautiful when she dies and meets Jesus, which might be tonight.

There's no comment about whether Jesus cares about the shoes. And even for the boy it's a secondary consideration after his mother's smile.

Quotewith capitalism coming to the rescue).
capitalism is the bad guy in the song - the boy's pennies aren't enough and the shopkeep isn't going to give him a kindness. Charity, and our singer, are to the rescue!


The song is terrible because it tastes like diabetes, is insanely twee, and is a massive bit of self-aggrandizing. Be thankful that you can't remember it accurately.

I now need to bleach my brain so I forget that horror again (thankfully it's not crossed the Atlantic)

Heh.  Song's not called "The Christmas Smile."  I mean, a mother on her death bed, needing shoes from her son so she's happy or even approves of him...

But, you go ahead and get those shoes or whatever for whoever on Christmas...

And, by all means, watch the Rob Lowe movie
Please note: All comments here represent my own personal opinion and do not reflect the official position(s) of NYSDOT.

PColumbus73

Quote from: english si on December 20, 2024, 08:35:55 AMBecause you've put this abomination of a song in my head...
Quote from: Rothman on December 20, 2024, 07:18:56 AMGod caring about what shoes one wears
a little boy wanting to give his dying mum some nice shoes so she'll smile, and will look beautiful when she dies and meets Jesus, which might be tonight.

There's no comment about whether Jesus cares about the shoes. And even for the boy it's a secondary consideration after his mother's smile.

Quotewith capitalism coming to the rescue).
capitalism is the bad guy in the song - the boy's pennies aren't enough and the shopkeep isn't going to give him a kindness. Charity, and our singer, are to the rescue!


The song is terrible because it tastes like diabetes, is insanely twee, and is a massive bit of self-aggrandizing. Be thankful that you can't remember it accurately.

I now need to bleach my brain so I forget that horror again (thankfully it's not crossed the Atlantic)

It's emotionally manipulative in a way I don't like, in a similar vein to 'Alyssa Lies' and 'Concrete Angel'. It just feels like the singer is deliberately trying to twist the knife to get an emotional reaction. It's like what can I, the songwriter, do to make the audience cry... poor kid, mom dying of cancer.

english si

Quote from: Rothman on December 20, 2024, 08:41:21 AMSong's not called "The Christmas Smile."
because it is about the singer lauding his charity in buying the shoes for the boy, not the boy, woman, or even the shoes!
QuoteI mean, a mother on her death bed, needing shoes from her son so she's happy or even approves of him...
citation needed on these. The mother has zero need for the shoes. The boy doesn't say she even wants them, only that they are her size and she'd like them.
QuoteAnd, by all means, watch the Rob Lowe movie
As I basically implied in my earlier post, I'd really really not do anything to remember this song's existence..
Quote from: PColumbus73 on December 20, 2024, 08:45:55 AMIt's emotionally manipulative in a way I don't like, in a similar vein to 'Alyssa Lies' and 'Concrete Angel'. It just feels like the singer is deliberately trying to twist the knife to get an emotional reaction. It's like what can I, the songwriter, do to make the audience cry... poor kid, mom dying of cancer.
absolutely, plus the "hey look, I bought the shoes for the boy, aren't I great!"

mgk920


Some of the few (holiday) things (not necessarily songs) that I truly enjoy are

- 'Oh Holy Night' as sung by the Kings College (UK) choir
- the CBS News live coverage of the 1968 Christmas Eve Genesis reading by the Apollo 8 crew
- a rebroadcast of 'A Charlie Brown Christmas' (and the other mid 1960s era TV specials)
- the 'Norelco Santa' TV ad
- the NFL promo TV ad depicting snowy weather game scenes to the accompaniment of Andy Williams singing 'It's the Most Wonderful Time Of the Year'.

Mike

thenetwork

Quote from: mgk920 on December 20, 2024, 12:18:42 PMSome of the few (holiday) things (not necessarily songs) that I truly enjoy are

... Andy Williams singing 'It's the Most Wonderful Time Of the Year'.

Mike

Ellen Degeneres' show really ruined that song for me -- using it for all those holiday giveaways with the dancing giraffe and other characters.

GaryV


hobsini2

Quote from: thenetwork on December 17, 2024, 09:59:43 PMAnother week to go this Christmas season and we all have our favorites as well.as the certain songs that make you want to to destroy your radio or listening device.

I'm not here to talk about the proverbial songs you hate, but I'm just curious about one song that has for the most part been re-imagined since it's humble beginning and I want to know if others agree with me.

The traditional "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town" song was nice little ditty of a Christmas Tune with a nice melody...

...Until artists like The Pointer Sisters and Bruce Springsteen changed up the chorus a bit (repeating "Santa Claus....to town" multiple times) making it sound like it came off a Broadway show.

To me, the post-80s version sung by the Pointers and The Boss, among others, has never been as good as the original versions of the song.  Doesn't help that the modern version seems to be the one they overkill on stations that play Christmas tunes.

Does anyone else agree or disagree?  It's like someone who has to personalize their version of our National Anthem at a sporting event -- they sing the lyrics, but they have to change or hang onto certain notes longer or shorter than the "traditional version".


It never was among my favorite Christmas songs but there is a great version done by Joe Spence if you have not heard it. Keeps it simple. Just him and the guitar. https://youtu.be/r_jRAJZ9_y0?si=g-3I2tZf8p6keTJm
Merry Christmas
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Rothman

Quote from: thenetwork on December 20, 2024, 02:09:29 PM
Quote from: mgk920 on December 20, 2024, 12:18:42 PMSome of the few (holiday) things (not necessarily songs) that I truly enjoy are

... Andy Williams singing 'It's the Most Wonderful Time Of the Year'.

Mike

Ellen Degeneres' show really ruined that song for me -- using it for all those holiday giveaways with the dancing giraffe and other characters.

I think I've seen 15 minutes of her show in aggregate.  Why were you watching...? :D
Please note: All comments here represent my own personal opinion and do not reflect the official position(s) of NYSDOT.

mgk920

Quote from: Rothman on December 20, 2024, 03:01:08 PM
Quote from: thenetwork on December 20, 2024, 02:09:29 PM
Quote from: mgk920 on December 20, 2024, 12:18:42 PMSome of the few (holiday) things (not necessarily songs) that I truly enjoy are

... Andy Williams singing 'It's the Most Wonderful Time Of the Year'.

Mike

Ellen Degeneres' show really ruined that song for me -- using it for all those holiday giveaways with the dancing giraffe and other characters.

I think I've seen 15 minutes of her show in aggregate.  Why were you watching...? :D

Don't forget the NFL's promo ad that featured that song.

Mike

hobsini2

I have a couple of "Christmas" songs saved on my phone among the 3000 or so songs. For me, these are worth having pop up anytime:
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen - Barenaked Ladies and Sarah McLachlan
Baby Please Come Home - U2
Christmas All Over - Tom Petty

And yes, Die Hard is a Christmas movie.
I knew it. I'm surrounded by assholes. Keep firing, assholes! - Dark Helmet (Spaceballs)

Stephane Dumas

This is one Christmas song who won't be air on radio. "The night Santa went crazy" by Weird Al Yankovic with 2 videos done by fans.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Night_Santa_Went_Crazy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSs3FyeThM0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTGlUMvbhSw

And an older one still from Weird Al Yankovic, "Christmas at Ground Zero".
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_at_Ground_Zero
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t039p6xqutU

mgk920

Quote from: hobsini2 on December 20, 2024, 03:54:16 PMI have a couple of "Christmas" songs saved on my phone among the 3000 or so songs. For me, these are worth having pop up anytime:
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen - Barenaked Ladies and Sarah McLachlan
Baby Please Come Home - U2
Christmas All Over - Tom Petty

And yes, Die Hard is a Christmas movie.

Also 'Fairytale of New York', by the Pogues.

Mike

CtrlAltDel

Quote from: 1995hoo on December 20, 2024, 08:26:26 AMThe insipid "Jingle Bell Rock," [...] (it's by no means a "rock" song)

It's an older example, sir, but it checks out....
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LilianaUwU

Ironic how Mariah Carey's All I Want For Christmas Is You is now one of the most overplayed, commercialized Christmas songs.
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TheHighwayMan3561

What's in my usual playlist:
-Jon Anderson's 3 Ships album
-Chris Squire's Swiss Choir album
-Greg Lake "I Believe in Father Christmas"
-"Christmas Time is Here" from Peanuts
-"Wonderful Christmastime" by Paul McCartney
-"Happy Xmas" by John Lennon
-"Merry Christmas" by Chieri Ito
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thenetwork

Quote from: Rothman on December 20, 2024, 03:01:08 PM
Quote from: thenetwork on December 20, 2024, 02:09:29 PM
Quote from: mgk920 on December 20, 2024, 12:18:42 PMSome of the few (holiday) things (not necessarily songs) that I truly enjoy are

... Andy Williams singing 'It's the Most Wonderful Time Of the Year'.

Mike

Ellen Degeneres' show really ruined that song for me -- using it for all those holiday giveaways with the dancing giraffe and other characters.

I think I've seen 15 minutes of her show in aggregate.  Why were you watching...? :D

Because it was the lead-in to the local evening news and it was always playing in the last segment & closing credits of her show during the holidays.

Rothman

Quote from: thenetwork on December 20, 2024, 08:09:56 PM
Quote from: Rothman on December 20, 2024, 03:01:08 PM
Quote from: thenetwork on December 20, 2024, 02:09:29 PM
Quote from: mgk920 on December 20, 2024, 12:18:42 PMSome of the few (holiday) things (not necessarily songs) that I truly enjoy are

... Andy Williams singing 'It's the Most Wonderful Time Of the Year'.

Mike

Ellen Degeneres' show really ruined that song for me -- using it for all those holiday giveaways with the dancing giraffe and other characters.

I think I've seen 15 minutes of her show in aggregate.  Why were you watching...? :D

Because it was the lead-in to the local evening news and it was always playing in the last segment & closing credits of her show during the holidays.

Hm.  Look up the 80-20 rule. :D
Please note: All comments here represent my own personal opinion and do not reflect the official position(s) of NYSDOT.

SSOWorld

... is overkill.

I've soured on Christmas music as the years wore on. Don't get me wrong, I don't hate Christmas, but the solid ear-worm music in stores is agitating. I'll bring my airpods in and play noise-canceling music.
Scott O.

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Ah, the open skies, wind at my back, warm sun on my... wait, where the hell am I?!
As a matter of fact, I do own the road.
Raise your what?

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dlsterner

Quote from: CtrlAltDel on December 19, 2024, 11:19:35 PM"Happy Xmas (War Is Over)" is no better.

Well, it could be made better if we could digitally remove Yoko Ono's vocals screeching.

Henry

Quote from: CtrlAltDel on December 19, 2024, 11:19:35 PM
Quote from: mgk920 on December 18, 2024, 10:34:18 AMMy worst 'holiday' earworm is 'Wonderful Christmastime' by Paul McCartney.

 :banghead:

Mike

"Happy Xmas (War Is Over)" is no better.
From what I gather, the Beatles are the worst band ever at this sort of thing. But then again, they were already broken up when these two songs were first released, and Lennon was dead for two years before McCartney put out his own song.
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kurumi

Quote from: TheHighwayMan3561 on December 20, 2024, 07:41:39 PMWhat's in my usual playlist:
-Jon Anderson's 3 Ships album
-Chris Squire's Swiss Choir album
-Greg Lake "I Believe in Father Christmas"

Interesting, I'll have to check the first two out. I've heard the Greg Lake song. (Yule log, more like Yule Prog, amirite)
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