# Best/worst Christmas Songs **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** music\ **Created:** [December 18, 2019, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-worst-christmas-songs/845016 "2019-12-18T02:31:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2019, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-worst-christmas-songs/845016/21 "2019-12-18T15:27:46Z")
> [@WOOKINPANUB](#): > > I too have a hard time picking a favorite, but since several of the ones I’m partial to have been named, I’m going to piss everyone off (or earn their pity) by naming _All I Want for Christmas is You_ \< ducks and shields head from flying tomatoes\>. It’s unadulterated, commercial Pop at its finest and I love it. It also helps that it’s the song being sung at the climax of one of my favorite movies. . . _Love Actually._ > > The songs I hate are the popular ones aimed at children, i.e. Frosty the Snowman, Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer, goddamn Holly Jolly Christmas :mad: But nothing, and I mean nothing makes me homicidal like the abomination that is some little twat singing about how she wants a hippopotamus for Christmas. I heard it for the first time a couple of years ago, though I understand it was made in the '50s(?). I think maybe it reared it’s ugly head in a commercial. I’ve never heard this _Christmas Shoes_ that gets so much vitriol around hear but I’ll see your shoes and reaise you one hippo. [If we have you suffer, you have to suffer…](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=LS4_b2LbLW4) Link goes to video of “The Christmas Shoes.” It’s spoilered not because it’s nsfw, but because I’m not a monster. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2019, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-worst-christmas-songs/845016/22 "2019-12-18T15:30:31Z")
> [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](#): > > I love Christmas music. > > My best: > > Silent Night > I Wonder As I Wander > Panis Angelicus > Hark! The Herald Angels Sing > Bozrah (Who Is This That Comes From Far) > Carol of the Bells > Sleigh Ride > > Worst: Christmas Shoes How is _Panis Angelicus_ a Christmas song? 😕 ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2019, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-worst-christmas-songs/845016/23 "2019-12-18T15:31:57Z")
My favorite is [this version](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-yHUACjTfU) of “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day.” ---
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2019, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-worst-christmas-songs/845016/24 "2019-12-18T15:34:10Z")
I like the contemplative ones (don’t have to be _religious_, secular is fine) and the festive celebrational ones, barf at the contrived gooey ones and the hard commercial/childish candy-cane crap. I tend to prefer the ones that don’t get a lot of airplay, the ones you don’t hear so often, more than the same-old played-999-times carols. Some of the GOOD There’s a Song in the Air Wexford Carol I Wonder as I Wander Good King Winceslas Gaudete Christus Natus Est Carol of the Bells Patapan Coventry Carol The Wassail Song Duermete Nino Lindo Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella Masters in the Hall Birthday of the King Sing We All Noel This Great Day (March of the Kings) Infant Holy, Infant Lowly In dulci jubilo Lo How a Rose E’er Blooming GOOD Despite Overplay Silent Night The First Noel Angels We Have Heard on High O Holy Night O Little Town of Bethlehem O Come All Ye Faithful Hark the Herald Angels Sing O Come O Come Emmanuel Not so Good BECAUSE of Overplay The Holly and the Ivy Joy to the World The Christmas Song We Three Kings of Orient Deck the Halls (& several others of that ilk) Wasn’t Ever Good / Skip that Track! Twelve Days of Christmas Jingle Bells Rudolph the Red Nosed Raindeer Last Christmas Christmas Shoes Up On the Housetop etc ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanub/32/132_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUB)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2019, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-worst-christmas-songs/845016/25 "2019-12-18T15:48:42Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > [If we have you suffer, you have to suffer…](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=LS4_b2LbLW4) > > Link goes to video of “The Christmas Shoes.” It’s spoilered not because it’s nsfw, but because **I’m not a monster.** The hell you say :dubious: That dreck deserves every bit of scorn ever heaped upon it. A pox on the Christmas shoes! And now, it’s only fair that I [reciprocate](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OjPm0o04lGE). Good lord, even the litte arsehole’s name irritates me: Gayla Peevey:smack: ---
**Author:** ![Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/marvin_the_martian/32/2898_2.png) [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marvin_the_Martian)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2019, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-worst-christmas-songs/845016/26 "2019-12-18T16:01:00Z")
I was just stuck listening to a full rendition of “The Twelve Days of Christmas”. By the Lords-a-leaping I was ready to chew my leg off to get out of that trap. So that one. “The Little Drummer Boy” gets dishonorable mention for the stupidest concept. Let’s see, mom is exhausted from just squeezing out Baby Jesus. She finally gets the Holy Rugrat to sleep, a kid shows up offering to perform a drum solo, and she says yes? ---
**Author:** ![Paintcharge](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/paintcharge/32/7946_2.png) [@Paintcharge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paintcharge)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2019, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-worst-christmas-songs/845016/27 "2019-12-18T16:02:32Z")
The Elvis version of Blue Christmas is a terrible terrible piece of music. Those back-up singers… ---
**Author:** ![Baal\_Houtham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baal_houtham/32/13604_2.png) [@Baal\_Houtham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baal_Houtham)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2019, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-worst-christmas-songs/845016/28 "2019-12-18T16:19:04Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > My favorite is [this version](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-yHUACjTfU) of “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day.” I’m very fond of “I Heard the Bells” in the Waltham version, which is what I grew up hearing. I didn’t hear the newer Johnny Marks melody until 8 years ago, and it felt horribly wrong — but I’ve never given it a fair chance to grow on me. The version you linked to sounds a lot like “Found Out About You” by the Gin Blossoms. And if anyone is interested, here’s Longfellow’s original poem, supposedly written on Xmas day, 1863. (His wife had died from a fire two years earlier, and his oldest son had been seriously injured in combat in November 1863.) I’m presuming the poem is out of copyright. I heard the bells on Christmas Day Their old, familiar carols play, and wild and sweet The words repeat Of peace on earth, good-will to men! And thought how, as the day had come, The belfries of all Christendom Had rolled along The unbroken song Of peace on earth, good-will to men! Till ringing, singing on its way, The world revolved from night to day, A voice, a chime, A chant sublime Of peace on earth, good-will to men! Then from each black, accursed mouth The cannon thundered in the South, And with the sound The carols drowned Of peace on earth, good-will to men! It was as if an earthquake rent The hearth-stones of a continent, And made forlorn The households born Of peace on earth, good-will to men! And in despair I bowed my head; “There is no peace on earth,” I said; “For hate is strong, And mocks the song Of peace on earth, good-will to men!” Then pealed the bells more loud and deep: “God is not dead, nor doth He sleep; The Wrong shall fail, The Right prevail, With peace on earth, good-will to men.” ---
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2019, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-worst-christmas-songs/845016/29 "2019-12-18T16:35:54Z")
I like Harry Belafonte’s version of that ^^^^ ---
**Author:** ![Sitnam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2019, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-worst-christmas-songs/845016/30 "2019-12-18T18:02:51Z")
Best: Carol of the Bells Worst: Twelve Days of Christmas ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2019, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-worst-christmas-songs/845016/31 "2019-12-18T18:10:47Z")
> [@Paintcharge](#): > > The Elvis version of Blue Christmas is a terrible terrible piece of music. Those back-up singers… The song itself isn’t bad, and Elvis isn’t bad, but those backup vocals—yeah, they’re bad. ---
**Author:** ![Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/marvin_the_martian/32/2898_2.png) [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marvin_the_Martian)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2019, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-worst-christmas-songs/845016/32 "2019-12-18T18:13:01Z")
> [@Sitnam](#): > > Best: Carol of the Bells My son ruined that one for me when he came back from second grade one day singing, “Ding fires are done, Ding fries are done…” ---
**Author:** ![markn\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2019, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-worst-christmas-songs/845016/33 "2019-12-18T18:16:24Z")
If parodies are allowed, I’m going with [Sled Zeppelin](https://youtu.be/Z5bH5jGhN_I), with honorable mention to [Toy Sack](https://youtu.be/YFKlLGjjxWQ). I like both of these better than any real Christmas song. ---
**Author:** ![Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/prof.pepperwinkle/32/13627_2.png) [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Prof.Pepperwinkle)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2019, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-worst-christmas-songs/845016/34 "2019-12-18T18:16:29Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > How is _Panis Angelicus_ a Christmas song? 😕 I only hear it around Christmas. ---
**Author:** ![Periwinkle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Periwinkle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Periwinkle)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2019, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-worst-christmas-songs/845016/35 "2019-12-18T18:16:44Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > How is _Panis Angelicus_ a Christmas song? 😕 I’m not the one who posted it, but I also think of it as a Christmas song, probably because it is on Pavarotti’s Christmas album. It is about the body of Christ, so I guess it ought to be at least as Christmassy as, say, silver bells and shoes and chestnuts roasting on an open fire. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2019, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-worst-christmas-songs/845016/36 "2019-12-18T18:18:21Z")
> [@Regallag\_The\_Axe](#): > > Best- Gary Hoey’s rendition of “[You’re a mean one Mr.Grinch](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nohsj5yI9Gc)” Ho! Ho! Hoey! ---
**Author:** ![california\_jobcase](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9d8465/32.png) [@california\_jobcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/california_jobcase)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2019, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-worst-christmas-songs/845016/37 "2019-12-18T18:22:46Z")
The worst rendition of a Christmas song by a commercial “singer” has to be _Deck the Halls/Jingle Bells_ by Michael McDonald. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2019, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-worst-christmas-songs/845016/38 "2019-12-18T22:35:01Z")
[One of my all-time favorites](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7PmT-M2eJoA&feature=emb_logo) ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2019, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-worst-christmas-songs/845016/39 "2019-12-19T00:24:34Z")
Good **Santa Claus is coming to town** - Bruce Springsteen Really Good \*\*Father Christmas \*\*- The Kinks Best **Fuck Christmas** - FEAR I just heard \*\*Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer \*\*while giving blood and I have to say…Santa’s Reindeer are a bunch of dicks. They ostracize him until he can be useful to _them_ and then they love him. Bastards!! ---
**Author:** ![mbh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a6a055/32.png) [@mbh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mbh)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2019, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-worst-christmas-songs/845016/40 "2019-12-19T00:51:32Z")
I saw [Bing Crosby and David Bowie](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9kfdEyV3RQ) perform [Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peace_on_Earth/Little_Drummer_Boy) when it first aired. I forgot about it for a while, but it has grown on me over the years. It’s not great Art, but it is good craftsmanship. Fun fact: hippopotamuses kill more human beings per year than any other animal in Africa. When I am in a cranky mood, I often find myself hoping that the girl’s parents get her what she wants. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-worst-christmas-songs/845016.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-worst-christmas-songs/845016.md?page=3)