A little while ago, Holly and I were driving and we caught most of Michael Ballam’s program on Classical 89. We were hearing “I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas.” He was asking why do we love this so much (or words to that effect.) Is it the melody, the harmony, the words? I said “no…no…no.”
I admitted that I really don’t like the song much. He went on playing other similar Christmas songs–the sentimental type, I guess is what I’d call them. “I’ll be Home for Christmas,” “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.” Holly was curious about each one as to whether I liked them or not. Every time the answer was “No.”
I guess I’ve kept it a secret. They just don’t do anything for me. It’s not that I’m tired of them because they and I have been around so long. They just aren’t my type. Here’s a few more now that I’m confessing: “Chestnuts Roasting…,” “Silver Bells,” “Let it Snow”… Well, you probably get the idea. I don’t know exactly why but I just don’t get thrilled to hear them. You may not be surprised by now to hear that I’m not a Bing Crosby fan. Nope.
Okay, now here’s some choral Christmas songs that do thrill me. I don’t have an order for them, but here are a few: “Angels We Have Heard on High,” “Joy to the World,” “Good King Wenceslas,” “The Holly and the Ivy,” “I Saw Three Ships,” “Bring a Torch, Jeannette Isabella,” “In the Bleak Midwinter,” “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel,” “O Holy Night,” “We Three Kings of Orient Are,” “What Child is This?” …..
The list could go on and on. Christmas music is the best!!! As long as it’s not, you know, that one kind. 
December 22, 2007 at 2:12 pm
You know what, I think I’m the exact same way. The sentimental type of songs you mentioned strikes me as tinselly and even kind of superficial, whereas the ones you listed at the bottom have a depth that really fills me. And I didn’t realize that till now. (Granted, I don’t think there’s any harm in the sentimental songs; they just aren’t as rich. At least for me. And you.
)
December 22, 2007 at 3:56 pm
Oh, Thanks, Ben! You are a kindred spirit indeed!
December 22, 2007 at 5:10 pm
Wow, I feel the same way. This is really something!!! One you did not mention, that I like is the “Little Drummer Boy”. Otherwise I’m with you completely on your least favorites and the ones you do like.
I’m afraid I have not played a single Christmas CD, because they are almost all the traditional ones.. I prefer ones that I am not familiar with, or ones that tell stories that I like.. Just like Good King Wenceslas and the Little Drummer Boy..
December 22, 2007 at 11:32 pm
How about that! I really didn’t know how other family members felt about some of those. I like “The Little Drummer Boy,” too. We’ve been listening to Christmas music since before Thanksgiving thanks to Holly. I have regretted in times past not starting soon enough on the Christmas music. Actually Holly just said she started before Halloween! Thanks, Barbs
December 23, 2007 at 8:45 am
[...] posted yesterday on her not-so-favorite Christmas songs, songs like “White Christmas” and “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” and [...]
December 23, 2007 at 4:41 pm
Every year I always listen to some at least, but for some reason, I just have not felt like it this year. Plus the CD’s for Christmas are at the very bottom of a CD rack and hard to get at. That is my excuse anyway. Another one I like is “Do you hear what I hear?”.. I think that is the name of it. There is another one I really like, but can’t remember the name. Will let you know when I do..