# Favorite/Least Favorite Christmas Songs **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 24, 2001, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-least-favorite-christmas-songs/95028 "2001-11-24T16:07:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![SteverinoAlaReno](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eb8c5e/32.png) [@SteverinoAlaReno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteverinoAlaReno)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2001, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-least-favorite-christmas-songs/95028/1 "2001-11-24T16:07:35Z")
I must admit, I love Christmas music. No, I don’t love it blaring over department store Muzaks in September, but during the Christmas season, I love it. Here’s a list of my favorite Christmas songs, and a list of Christmas songs I’d just as soon see disappear from the face of the earth. **Favorites** _Jesu Bambino_ This has been my favorite for a number of years now. It’s usually played as an instrumental, although there are words for it. The best performance I’ve heard of it was by Liberace, believe it or not. _The Holly and the Ivy_ One I could never grow tired of. I wanted my office Christmas choir to add this to the list, but got turned down. Ah well. _Ding Dong Merrily on High_ Another English song I just love. _The Carol of the Bells_ Beautiful as an instrumental, and spectacular with a good choir singing it. _It Came Upon a Midnight Clear_ _Angels We Have Heard on High_ _Mary’s Boy Child_ My mother was a huge fan of Harry Belafonte, and his version of this song was her favorite Christmas tune. I have heard many people perform this song, but none better than HB. _Jingle Bell Rock_ My kids and I sing this all the time. _Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer_ You just gotta love a song that wonders aloud whether they should open and keep the gifts for their departed grandmother or return them for cash. _Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming_ _Silent Night_ _Do You Hear What I Hear?_ **Least Favorites** _The Little Drummer Boy_ Even worse, I have a copy of this song sung by Johnny Cash. Two fairly recent songs have planted themselves firmly in my list of lousy Christmas music. One was played quite a bit two years ago, but I don’t recall the title. It was sung by a young boy and the only words I remember were “Warm and fuzzy time of the year.” It was like drinking liquified sugar. Another one I heard last year was about a kid wanting to buy shoes for his mother who was dying (going to meet Jesus, according to the song). Calculated tugs on the heart strings. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2001, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-least-favorite-christmas-songs/95028/2 "2001-11-24T16:35:28Z")
**Favorites:** _O Come Emmanuel O Come All Ye Faithful Of the Father’s Love Begotten_ (_nobody_ knows this one; it’s in the Episcopal hymnal, but not in the Baptist or Lutheran hymnals) **Least Favorite:** I’ll second _The Little Drummer Boy_. ---
**Author:** ![ultress](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/7c8e57/32.png) [@ultress](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultress)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2001, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-least-favorite-christmas-songs/95028/3 "2001-11-24T16:39:30Z")
My very favorite is White Christmas by the Drifters, but I love them all. EXCEPT: Grandma Got Run Over By a Raindeer and that stupid song that the dog barks the music to and the Chipmunk Song ---
**Author:** ![headshok](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e56c9b/32.png) [@headshok](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/headshok)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2001, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-least-favorite-christmas-songs/95028/4 "2001-11-24T16:42:30Z")
**Favorite** : _Hark the Herald Angels Sing_. I love this song, especially the “Charlie Brown Christmas Special” version (“doo doo dooooo, doo doo doo dooooo doo…”). _Let It Snow_. _Frosty the Snowman_. _Christmas in Hollis_, by Run-DMC. It’s Christmas time in Hollis, Queens! **Least favorite** : _Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer_. Ugh. I hate this song. And there’s this one song by Alvin and the Chipmunks that’s also horrible. I can’t remember the name of it, but there’s a line sung by one of the little castratos that goes “I just want a _huuuula-hoooop_!” or something. Bleagh. ---
**Author:** ![porcupine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ac91a4/32.png) [@porcupine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/porcupine)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2001, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-least-favorite-christmas-songs/95028/5 "2001-11-24T16:50:08Z")
Favorite:[ul][li]Nat King Cole - The Christmas Song. I love the whole album.[/li][li]Charlie Brown Christmas soundtrack. I’d be hard pressed to pick a particular song. Listening to this brings back wonderful childhood memories.[/li][li]Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) - Darlene Love. Again, I love the whole Phil Spector album. And I always hope to catch her on Letterman’s show each year singing this.[/li][li]Away in a Manger - Tammy Wynette on The Ronco Pop-Up Christmas Album. We had this album growing up, and it really is pretty bad, but again, associated with good memories. All the kids used to sing along with Tammy.[/li][/ul] I’m hard pressed to pick the worst. I’d have to say Barbra Streisand’s annoying rendition of Jingle Bells (J-J-J-Jingle Bells) is right up there, though. ---
**Author:** ![vanilla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/f19dbf/32.png) [@vanilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vanilla)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2001, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-least-favorite-christmas-songs/95028/6 "2001-11-24T17:04:09Z")
My favorite has Always been Happy Christmas by John Lennon and assorted Hippies. I also like Santa is Coming To Town by Springsteen, Felice Navidad by Feliciano, Drummer Boy by Seger. I dislike Barking Dogs one, and also Cheech and Chongs. ---
**Author:** ![EandCDad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e274bd/32.png) [@EandCDad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EandCDad)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2001, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-least-favorite-christmas-songs/95028/7 "2001-11-24T17:11:38Z")
Fav- Sleigh Ride - the Boston Pops Christmas Bells - John Gorka Carol of the Bells - almost anyone with talent enough to perform it well Hark the Herald Angles Sing - Take 6 Least Fav- Gradma Got Run Over By a Reindeer We have the Jingle Cats which is horrible ---
**Author:** ![NutWrench](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nutwrench/32/20193_2.png) [@NutWrench](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NutWrench)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2001, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-least-favorite-christmas-songs/95028/8 "2001-11-24T17:20:46Z")
Least Favorite: That’s easy: _Jingle Bell Rock_ ---
**Author:** ![JessEnigma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/cdc98d/32.png) [@JessEnigma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JessEnigma)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2001, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-least-favorite-christmas-songs/95028/9 "2001-11-24T17:41:56Z")
My absolute favorite is _Christmas Eve (Sarajevo 12/24)_ by Trans-Siberian Orchestra. I love most of the CD (Christmas Eve & Other Stories, if you’re interested), but this song is so moving. Very interesting style, too. Not terribly traditional. Makes a nice change. My least favorite is whatever my brother and sister love. I prefer instrumental music (Mannheim Steamroller!). They like all of those irritating songs that get morphed into Muzak. jessica ---
**Author:** ![PublicBlast](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/779978/32.png) [@PublicBlast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PublicBlast)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2001, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-least-favorite-christmas-songs/95028/10 "2001-11-24T20:44:50Z")
Disclaimer: Despite being quite religious (in the Christian way), I **HATE** most things associated with Christmas. Favorite Christmas Songs: Anything Classical and not “pop”-ish Handel’s Messiah Hark the Herald Angels Sing Favorite Offensive Christmas Songs: Backdoor Santa (Clarence Carter) Merry F\*cking Christmas (South Park) Least Favorite: Little Drummer Boy Santa Claus is Coming to Town (eeeeerrrrghhh) ---
**Author:** ![TN\_hippie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/858c86/32.png) [@TN\_hippie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TN_hippie)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2001, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-least-favorite-christmas-songs/95028/11 "2001-11-24T20:57:28Z")
Disclaimer: I’m nonreligious, especially in the Christian way. I hate most Christmas carols…probably not so much for the songs themselves, but for the fact that they’re played to death for a month. Favorite:\* Happy Xmas (War Is Over)\* John Lennon, et al Least favorite: I gotta go with _Little Drummer Boy,_ too…although _Jingle Bells_ is right up there. ---
**Author:** ![NaSultainne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/8797f3/32.png) [@NaSultainne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NaSultainne)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2001, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-least-favorite-christmas-songs/95028/12 "2001-11-24T22:15:15Z")
Ah, yes, I posted this song in another Xmas fav’s some time ago, but since it _is_ my favorite: \*\* Stop the Cavalry\*\* by _The Korry Band_ I believe it’s played only here in Seattle on KSLY, an adult contemporary station. It’s not Xmas until I hear this song. Other great songs: Rockin’ around the Christmas Tree Jingle Bell Rock Sleigh Ride Little Drummer Boy Do You Hear What I Hear? ---
**Author:** ![Genseric](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Genseric](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Genseric)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2001, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-least-favorite-christmas-songs/95028/13 "2001-11-24T22:18:28Z")
Favorite: Carol of the Bells (instrumental version not vocal) Least Favorite: Everything else ---
**Author:** ![Getimboys](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/7ba0ec/32.png) [@Getimboys](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Getimboys)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2001, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-least-favorite-christmas-songs/95028/14 "2001-11-24T22:39:11Z")
Least favorite: Anything about Santa Claus Favorite: O Holy Night, especially sung by a boy’s choir. O Holy Night captures the awe and wonder of a dying world, a coming Messiah, and an angel choir. In contrast, something like “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” seems like drivel designed to make you lie to your children and stand in line for whatever toy they demand this year. ---
**Author:** ![Persephone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ecc23a/32.png) [@Persephone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Persephone)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2001, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-least-favorite-christmas-songs/95028/15 "2001-11-24T23:14:30Z")
Favorite: Chalk another one up for “Carol of the Bells.” And pretty much anything by Mannheim Steamroller. Least favorite: Any spoof of the “Twelve Days of Christmas.” Damn, I’m tired of those. ---
**Author:** ![clayton\_e](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c57346/32.png) [@clayton\_e](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clayton_e)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2001, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-least-favorite-christmas-songs/95028/16 "2001-11-25T00:01:23Z")
they all suck. Jingle bell rock was ok for about 2 times, now it sucks. ---
**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2001, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-least-favorite-christmas-songs/95028/17 "2001-11-25T00:09:22Z")
I lurve Christmas music. I loave it! I own over 30 albums of it. My favorite album is Emmylou Harris’s “Light of the Stable.” I think the worst is “Steel Guitar Christmas.” Nott, the large elf ---
**Author:** ![Fionn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a587f6/32.png) [@Fionn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fionn)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2001, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-least-favorite-christmas-songs/95028/18 "2001-11-25T00:12:09Z")
Even though I’m an agnostic, I love Christmas carols. I’m a sucker for beautiful lyrics. Favorite: “Carol of the Bells” “I Saw Three Ships” as sung by Marianne Faithfull on the Chieftains’ _Bells of Dublin_ CD. “O Come O Come Emmanuel” “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” “What Child is This” “The Little Drummer Boy” On the one hand, I just like the idea of a child offering up whatever it can for a baby. On the other, I can’t help but think the idea of Mary enduring a drum solo after giving birth in a stable is perversely funny. Song that can be banished from the earth (in my opinion): “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” “Jingle Bell Rock” ---
**Author:** ![Infovore](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/infovore/32/420_2.png) [@Infovore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Infovore)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2001, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-least-favorite-christmas-songs/95028/19 "2001-11-25T00:17:49Z")
Favorites: Christmas Eve/Sarajevo by Trans-Siberian Orchestra Carol of the Bells God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen O Holy Night Do You Hear What I Hear? O Little Town of Bethlehem It Came Upon a Midnight Clear Tom Lehrer’s Christmas song (can’t remember the name of it) Least Favorites: Jingle Bell Rock Little Saint Nick by the Beach Boys All I Want for Christmas (is My Two Front Teeth) In general, I like more traditional, “majestic-sounding” Christmas carols and don’t care for the silly kid-oriented ones (though there are exceptions both ways–for example, I don’t mind the Chipmunks song or Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer. 🙂 ) ---
**Author:** ![Mudshark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f04885/32.png) [@Mudshark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mudshark)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2001, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-least-favorite-christmas-songs/95028/20 "2001-11-25T01:41:45Z")
Favorites _Happy X-Mas (War is Over)_ by John Lennon _Listen, The Snow Is Falling_ by Yoko Ono _God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen_ Least Favorites _Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer_ Epsecially the reggae version by Wings _Jingle Bells_ [Edited by TVeblen on 11-24-2001 at 07:48 PM] [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-least-favorite-christmas-songs/95028.md?page=2)