# Have a Public Domain earworm Christmas **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [November 3, 2005, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-a-public-domain-earworm-christmas/329282 "2005-11-03T13:08:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Slithy\_Tove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slithy_tove/32/18248_2.png) [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-a-public-domain-earworm-christmas/329282/1 "2005-11-03T13:08:14Z")
As soon as the last trick-or-treater went home, they cued **that** tape loop: Andy Williams “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” Judy Garland “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” Burl Ives “Have a Jolly-Holly Christmas,” and, for you jaded sophisticates, Ertha Kitt “Santa Baby.” And on and on and on. And lots of kids singing backup. Unlike a lot of people, I like living in kid-populated areas. I don’t mind it when they sceam and yell. But in their natural state, kids do not sing. Except when grown-ups make them. And on and on and on. God Damn It. ---
**Author:** ![Harborwolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@Harborwolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harborwolf)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-a-public-domain-earworm-christmas/329282/2 "2005-11-03T13:15:02Z")
You forgot “I’m dreaming of a white christmas” by (iirc) Bing Crosby. And thanks a pant load for the earworms. Here’s one back at ya “This shit is bananas. B-A-N-A-N-A-S.” ---
**Author:** ![Coil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/bb73d2/32.png) [@Coil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coil)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-a-public-domain-earworm-christmas/329282/3 "2005-11-03T14:25:00Z")
May I recommend [A very scary Solstice](http://www.cthulhulives.org/Solstice/index.html). When you’ve listened to that a couple of times you will automatically replace the normal boring lyrics with the Cthulhu version. It’s the Most Horrible Time of the Year Have Yourself a Scary Little Solstice I’m Dreaming of a Dead City I love that CD it makes surviving Christmas a lot easier. ---
**Author:** ![Harborwolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@Harborwolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harborwolf)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-a-public-domain-earworm-christmas/329282/4 "2005-11-03T23:31:00Z")
And I thought of another jem of a yuletide song you forgot. “Simply having a wonderful Christmas time” by Paul McCartney. Curse your black heart for even making me think of it. ---
**Author:** ![Syntropy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/65b543/32.png) [@Syntropy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Syntropy)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-a-public-domain-earworm-christmas/329282/5 "2005-11-03T23:44:08Z")
[The only Christmas CD](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0000032MK/ref=pd_sim_music_2/103-0008381-9523053?v=glance&s=music) I’ll listen to. I’m going to try to sneak it onto our company stereo system this year. If I have to listen to Whitney Houston one more time, someone is going to get hurt. ---
**Author:** ![eleanorigby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2005, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-a-public-domain-earworm-christmas/329282/6 "2005-11-04T19:57:28Z")
Operatic soprano wailing about Bethlehem (just realized I have no idea how to spell Bethelehem) in Borders today. I didn’t recognize the tune at first, because the volume was quite low (thank you). I can’t get into carols until Dec 1. I tried real hard to not listen while I shopped. Ugh. ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2005, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-a-public-domain-earworm-christmas/329282/7 "2005-11-04T20:51:15Z")
There is a British pop song that is a complete ear worm called _A Lonely Pup in a Christmas Shop_, that makes all other ear worms bow down in prayer to it. ---
**Author:** ![cowgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8c91f0/32.png) [@cowgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cowgirl)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2005, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-a-public-domain-earworm-christmas/329282/8 "2005-11-04T21:11:45Z")
Curse you all. I haven’t heard any Christmas music yet … until now … bastards Little kids singing backup are the worst thing, ever, to be forced to listen to in a shopping mall. Yes, even worse than Phil Collins, and for me that’s saying a lot. **happily puts on headphones playing LTJ Bukem CD** ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Tiger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/6de8d8/32.png) [@Mama\_Tiger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Tiger)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2005, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-a-public-domain-earworm-christmas/329282/9 "2005-11-04T21:31:39Z")
There is no finer Christmas music than that found on Benny Grunch & The Bunch’s timeless classic, [The 12 Yats of Christmas](http://www.bennygrunch.com/cds.html), which includes such timeless classics as _O Little Town of Destrehan_, _Santa Put the Hurt on You_, and _Norris the Nocturnal Nutria_. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Lance\_Murdoch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/47e85d/32.png) [@Captain\_Lance\_Murdoch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Lance_Murdoch)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2005, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-a-public-domain-earworm-christmas/329282/10 "2005-11-04T21:35:39Z")
We’re simply having a wonderful public domain earworm Christmastime! ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2005, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-a-public-domain-earworm-christmas/329282/11 "2005-11-05T01:31:04Z")
You guys are behind the times. The pull cord spring on my lawn mower broke right around Labor Day, and when I went to Wallyworld to get a replacement, they’d pulled most of their lawn and garden stuff and were putting up the X-Mas crap. They didn’t have any pull cord springs, so I went to Lowes, they **also** had their X-Mas crap up, and they didn’t have pull cord springs, either. I’ve had to cut my lawn with the Weed Eater. ---
**Author:** ![GrizzRich](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/7ba0ec/32.png) [@GrizzRich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrizzRich)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2005, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-a-public-domain-earworm-christmas/329282/12 "2005-11-05T03:46:02Z")
[Holy Shit, It’s Christmas!](http://www.redpeters.com/undies/lyrics/christmas.html) by Red Peters… …sneak THAT onto your office intercom. ---
**Author:** ![myskepticsight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/cc9497/32.png) [@myskepticsight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/myskepticsight)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2005, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-a-public-domain-earworm-christmas/329282/13 "2005-11-05T04:06:45Z")
I love Christmas but god I hate Christmas music. Loathe it. Despise it. Glad I don’t listen to the radio and am too broke to go shopping… ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2005, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-a-public-domain-earworm-christmas/329282/14 "2005-11-05T15:59:58Z")
War is over if you want it. War is over if you want it… When did it become mandatory to include this on every freaking Xmas CD put out? ---
**Author:** ![Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/96bed5/32.png) [@Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patty_O_Furniture)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2005, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-a-public-domain-earworm-christmas/329282/15 "2005-11-05T16:13:09Z")
> [@Tuckerfan](#): > > You guys are behind the times. The pull cord spring on my lawn mower broke right around Labor Day, and when I went to Wallyworld to get a replacement, they’d pulled most of their lawn and garden stuff and were putting up the X-Mas crap. They didn’t have any pull cord springs, so I went to Lowes, they **also** had their X-Mas crap up, and they didn’t have pull cord springs, either. I’ve had to cut my lawn with the Weed Eater. And you know what? I went to both Home Depot and Lowes looking for kerosene in early October and was told they don’t carry it yet because nobody would be firing up their kerosene heaters this early in the year. ---
**Author:** ![ryobserver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b2d939/32.png) [@ryobserver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ryobserver)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2005, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-a-public-domain-earworm-christmas/329282/16 "2005-11-05T17:27:34Z")
You’re all forgetting “Winter Wonderland”. And the squirt of aural excrement that is “Let It Snow”. Why _does_ secular Christmas music suck so hard? There are stacks of old carols with lovely melodies, but stores never play them because 1. many are slow tunes and store music must be perky! and 2. they’re Christian, and if you play Christian music in a store some militant Zoroastrian temp will soon haul you up on a harassment suit. Somehow the puke-worthy “Little Drummer Boy” is allowed into the rotation sometimes, but never a “We Three Kings” or “Adeste Fideles” may be heard. So we’re stuck with the secular tunes, and they’re lame even for pop music. Why? What is it about family gatherings and decorated trees and falling snow that cripples creativity? Is it all too wholesome, or what? ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2005, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-a-public-domain-earworm-christmas/329282/17 "2005-11-05T17:39:55Z")
Actually, secular X-Mas music doesn’t suck too bad, when it’s parodying X-Mas music, but retailers don’t want that blaring all the time, since folks’ll quickly realize that X-Mas is a manufactured season, designed solely to seperate them from the contents of their wallets. And if they’re going to play Adeste Fideles," they have to use the intsrumental version, since the English lyrics tend to make teenagers excitable and forget about things like shopping. ---
**Author:** ![panamajack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/47e85d/32.png) [@panamajack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panamajack)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2005, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-a-public-domain-earworm-christmas/329282/18 "2005-11-06T03:46:36Z")
As long as we’re in the pit, I just want to say it’s a really disgusting state of affairs in this country when only two of the songs mentioned are actually in the public domain in the US. (Not disgusted at you guys, disgust at Sonny Bono et al.) ---
**Author:** ![inkleberry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/f17d59/32.png) [@inkleberry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/inkleberry)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2005, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-a-public-domain-earworm-christmas/329282/19 "2005-11-06T04:33:59Z")
ain’t nothing as bad as “Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer.” I HATE that song. ---
**Author:** ![Bambi\_Hassenpfeffer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Bambi\_Hassenpfeffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bambi_Hassenpfeffer)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2005, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-a-public-domain-earworm-christmas/329282/20 "2005-11-07T01:05:50Z")
Who here works retail? We have it _way, way, **way** _ worse. On top of the screaming idiots who wait until the day before the buy everything and act as though they were unaware that Christmas Eve may not be the best day to buy wrapping paper, we get 10 - 12 hours a day of nonstop Christmas music. My chain’s official rule is that the day after Thanksgiving, we switch to the Christmas station, for our 6 versions of Frosty, 5 Jingle Bells, a couple of really, really awful Deck the Hallses (including Mannheim Steamroller’s! Hooray! :mad: ), and of course shit like “So This is Christmas”, “Feed the World”, “I Saw Mommy…”, “Last Christmas”, and all the Bing and Fred and Judy you can shake a stick at. The month that runs from Thanksgiving+1 until 12/26 is one I must steel myself for every year. I HATE this music. Except Judy Garland’s “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”. I can’t hate that or they’d take my queer card away. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-a-public-domain-earworm-christmas/329282.md?page=2)