Is "White Christmas" really the best Christmas song Evah?

[Walter Windchill]

It seems like any time 20th Century Christmas songs come up, "White Christmas" is held up as the standard by which all others are measured. I don't doubt that by all-time sales it is, but I wonder if it is still the most bought, most requested, most covered, and most beloved song, or if it's just become one of those truisms everybody repeats because they know it's true because they've heard it so many times, etc.

Personally, I'd place it around #9 or #10, but not #1. "White Christmas," is not even my favorite Bing Crosby Christmas standard, since "Silver Bells," and "I'll Be Home for Christmas," have, imnsho, lovelier music and better lyrics. Even "Happy Holiday," which debuted in the same movie ("Holiday Inn," not "White Christmas") is a notch more likeable. Of course, that's just the list in my head, but it makes me wonder if anyone's done a scientific poll or has some numbers to back the continued assertion that "White Christmas" is the most popular Christmas song of all time.

[Guinastasia]

Perhaps it's the nostalgia factor? That and it's one of those soft, cozy, dreamy tunes that make you feel all, oh, I dunno, warm and fuzzy? It's like the musical equivalent of comfort food, if that makes sense.

Ditto Nat King Cole's The Christmas Song.

[Walter Windchill]

I didn't ask why people like the song at all, just if it's really the most popular song of all time. Because more or less all Christmas music would be soft and cozy, war and fuzzy. And I am not among those who hate Christmas music -- I quite like a lot of the not-that-religious stuff.

Oooh. The Christmas Song. I would accept *that* as the best Christmas song more readily. I actually prefer Mel Torme's version to Nat's, though their both nice. After all, Mel wrote it.

[Walter Windchill]

Make that, "they're both nice."

I'm always tripping over the homophones. If the damned kids would stop leaving them strewn about...

[DMark]

Little trivia about the song White Christmas...it was originally "just a song" in the film Holiday Inn...but became such a mega-hit, there was actually another film made, "White Christmas" to capitalize on the song.

I think the reason the song still sells well is, as mentioned, the nostalgia factor - no matter what your age. Most likely as a kid you heard the song at some point in a happy period of childhood - with the Christmas tree and gifts and family, etc. and now, whenever you hear it, no matter how old you are, the song brings you back to those days.

The song has just the right touch of melancholy to make it both a sad, and happy memory.

[Johnny L.A.]

No, A Fairytale Of New York is the best Christmas song 'evah'.

Though Stiff Little Fingers's version of White Christmas I like quite a lot.

[Walter Windchill]

Little trivia about the song White Christmas...it was originally "just a song" in the film Holiday Inn...

Little trivia about DMArk... he doesn't read the OP very carefully. ;-)

[mobo85]

Oooh. The Christmas Song. I would accept *that* as the best Christmas song more readily.

According to ASCAP (http://www.ascap.com/press/2006/112706_xmassongs.html), The Christmas Song is the most-played copyrighted Christmas song on the radio. White Christmas is #5. In between are Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas- which, as Entertainment Weekly recently pointed out in a interview with the songwriter, changed from a somewhat-sad-but-optimistic song into a totally happy one at the request of Frank Sinatra*- and two other upbeat oldies, Winter Wonderland and Santa Claus is Comin' To Town (the two oldest songs on the list).

*The unusued original lyrics were even sadder. "Have yourself a merry little Christmas, it may be your last. Next year we may all be living in the past..."

[GorillaMan]

No, A Fairytale Of New York is the best Christmas song 'evah'.
Absolutely. Mods, the question has been answered, you can close the thread now.

:)

[robardin]

What, no love for Wham's immortal Last Christmas?

Last Christmas, I gave you my heart
But the very next day, you gave it away
This year, to save me from tears
I'll give it to someone special

Every year I hear it and then can't get it out of my head for the next hour or two. In fact I've done it to myself just now just typing this. Arrgh!

Same goes for The Waitresses' classic Christmas Wrapping.

My personal list of "Christmas Classics" would also include Elvis Presley's Blue Christmas, the Ronettes' version of Sleigh Ride and of course, John Lennon's Happy Christmas (War Is Over).

Also the Kinks' song Father Christmas.

Father Christmas, give us some money
We got no time for your silly toys
We'll beat you up if you don't hand it over
Give all the toys... to the little rich boys

[bubastis]

No, A Fairytale Of New York is the best Christmas song 'evah'.


For some reason, I cant listen to this song this year. Its not only one of my favourite Christmas songs; its one of my favourite songs, period.

But this year, I always change station whenever its played. Cant explain why. Its been a bittersweet ol' year for me... maybe that has something to do with it. So, this year, I've really loved listening to Slade's "So here it is, Merry Christmas" or Paul McCartneys "Simply Having a Wonderful Christmas Time" (Note; High Probability that these are not the actual titles... I've always just known them to hear, rather than their names").

[Guinastasia]

Now see, I adore the movie White Christmas, but my favorite song is not the title tune, but rather Count Your Blessings (Instead of Sheep). I LOVE that song.

[Walter Windchill]

According to ASCAP (http://www.ascap.com/press/2006/112706_xmassongs.html), The Christmas Song is the most-played copyrighted Christmas song on the radio. White Christmas is #5. In between are Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas- which, as Entertainment Weekly recently pointed out in a interview with the songwriter, changed from a somewhat-sad-but-optimistic song into a totally happy one at the request of Frank Sinatra*- and two other upbeat oldies, Winter Wonderland and Santa Claus is Comin' To Town (the two oldest songs on the list).

*The unusued original lyrics were even sadder. "Have yourself a merry little Christmas, it may be your last. Next year we may all be living in the past..."

I don't find Frank's version of "Have Yourself a Merry Little...." at somewhat wistful... Maybe Judy Garland's version was even more somber, but Frank's isn't "totally happy,"
just a bit brighter.

[Walter Windchill]

Bah, that's what I get for editing a post and not reading it carefully before posting. I *do* find Frank's version wistful, not at all "totally happy," just a bit less somber than Garland's.

[mr. jp]

I personally think Darlene Love - Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) is the best christmas song. I checked acclaimedmusic.net for all songs with "christmas" in the title, and this one was the second highest rated, the highest rated being Band Aid - Do They Know It's Christmas?

[AHunter3]

Doesn't crack the top 100 for me.

My tastes run towards non-overdone carols and/or esoteric takes on the old familars, with a soft spot for multipart harmony.

"Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming" and "For Unto Us a Child is Born" and "The Wassail Song", stuff like that.

[silenus]

Let me cast my vote for "Little St. Nick" by the Beach Boys. Better harmonies than any of the others, and a catchy little tune as well. It's about the only Christmas song I can stand by the end of the holiday season.

[Walter Windchill]

I forgot to add that the only reason "White Christmas" might crack the top ten is because I love the Drifters version. It's the one playing in this brilliant cartoon that's been making the rounds:

http://www.netscape.com/viewstory/2006/12/19/santa-and-reindeer-singing-white-christmas/

[DanBlather]

I vote for The Christmas Song and Santa Baby.

[Ignatz]

What, no credit to its composer, Israel Baline?

[Syntropy]

Bah, that's what I get for editing a post and not reading it carefully before posting. I *do* find Frank's version wistful, not at all "totally happy," just a bit less somber than Garland's.
And Chrissie Hynde's (my personal favorite) is better still.

[Guinastasia]

I vote for The Christmas Song and Santa Baby.

I hope you're talking about the original by Eartha Kitt and not that hideous Madonna version.

[DanBlather]

I hope you're talking about the original by Eartha Kitt and not that hideous Madonna version.Yes, definitely the original.

[Johnny L.A.]

In spite of its being played to death, I've always liked Christmas Wrapping by The Waitresses.

Two weeks ago was the tenth anniversary of Patty Donahue's death at the age of 40.

[Walter Windchill]

Sideline question on the topic of holiday tunes: a lot of "Christmas" music is really just about winter: Jingle Bells, Frosty, Winter Wonderland, Let it Snow! and so forth. Do you play after Christmas, or no?

Also, is Auld Lang Syne too sad for New Year's Eve sing alongs? My wife says it is. I think it is poignant and appropriate, if you know what the words mean, and don't mind a little sadness as counterpoint to the revelry. There seems no better time to toast old friends and memories. I fear that the poetry of Burns will give way to some relentlessly upbeat sing-along by Pink, if we're not vigilant.

[scotandrsn]

Little trivia about DMArk... he doesn't read the OP very carefully. ;-)

I call foul, Double-W! ;)

In the OP you asked for something to back up the notion that "White Christmas" is the most popular Christmas song, and he tells you how it was such a monster hit in its day, they had to build a whole 'nother movie around it. How many songs can make THAT claim?

Now, the generation that made it a hit is dying off and disappearing mentally into senescence, most likely bringing about a change in the rankings, but it takes a while for public perception to catch upwith these things, IMO.

[Jake]

Well, MY favorite Christmas song is Snowfall by the Manhattan Transfer. I suppose it could be played year-round but to me it's always a Christmas song.

[Scotticher]

The Little Drummer Boy has always been a song I didn't care much for. I don't mind it, I just don't necessarily LIKE it.

But? Over the years, one of my favorite Christmas songs has become the duet by David Bowie and Bing Crosby. Bing Crosby sang the "base song", The Little Drummer Boy, and David Bowie sang harmony with the added lyrics. I love love LOVE that duet.

I recently saw the video of the original singing of that song (courtesy of voguevixon) and it is, as she said, pretty "cringeworthy." BUT....the song, as they did it? I love.

I keep thinking I need to buy some CD or other that has it on there. So far I haven't gotten around to it. But I'd listen to that any time of the year. I just LOVE it.

[susan_foster]

Now see, I adore the movie White Christmas, but my favorite song is not the title tune, but rather Count Your Blessings (Instead of Sheep). I LOVE that song.

My favorite song from the movie is Love, You Didn't Do Right By Me. Smoke-y.

(Got the DVD for Christmas. Yay!)

Susan