# Is Paul McCartney's Christmas song the laziest song ever written? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 31, 2017, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-paul-mccartneys-christmas-song-the-laziest-song-ever-written/805661 "2017-12-31T22:46:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![K364](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k364/32/5_2.png) [@K364](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/K364)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2018, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-paul-mccartneys-christmas-song-the-laziest-song-ever-written/805661/41 "2018-01-02T05:34:19Z")
This guy hates the song even more than the OP [https://www.golfdigest.com/story/wonderful-christmastime-is-the-worst-christmas-songand-quite-possibly-the-worst-songever](https://www.golfdigest.com/story/wonderful-christmastime-is-the-worst-christmas-songand-quite-possibly-the-worst-songever) ---
**Author:** ![K364](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k364/32/5_2.png) [@K364](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/K364)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2018, 5:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-paul-mccartneys-christmas-song-the-laziest-song-ever-written/805661/42 "2018-01-02T05:37:11Z")
Speaking of lazy, John Lennon lifted the melody for “Happy Xmas (War Is Over)” from an old song “Skewball”, also recorded as “Stewball”. Note for Note. ---
**Author:** ![K364](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k364/32/5_2.png) [@K364](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/K364)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2018, 5:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-paul-mccartneys-christmas-song-the-laziest-song-ever-written/805661/43 "2018-01-02T05:38:15Z")
The Shins version (oddly enough) is quite enjoyable. [https://youtu.be/9IBqwAKv8b8](https://youtu.be/9IBqwAKv8b8) ---
**Author:** ![Weedy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/weedy/32/301_2.png) [@Weedy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weedy)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2018, 7:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-paul-mccartneys-christmas-song-the-laziest-song-ever-written/805661/44 "2018-01-02T07:57:07Z")
That’s the song! Thank you John T for posting this thread. I have seen the ad for the movie _Downsizing_\*\* about 47,000 times the last two weeks, and some of the music sounded so familiar. Now I realise, this is the song it reminds me of. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2018, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-paul-mccartneys-christmas-song-the-laziest-song-ever-written/805661/45 "2018-01-02T13:37:07Z")
> [@K364](#): > > Speaking of lazy, John Lennon lifted the melody for “Happy Xmas (War Is Over)” from an old song “Skewball”, also recorded as “Stewball”. Note for Note. :smack: I never noticed this! [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5A-z7n-Js8](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5A-z7n-Js8) ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2018, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-paul-mccartneys-christmas-song-the-laziest-song-ever-written/805661/46 "2018-01-02T17:21:35Z")
I am surprised no one has linked to **Stephen Colbert’s** bit where he discussed how hated Wonderful Christmastime is, and he introduces his own most-hated Christmas song, **Christmas is Now** , with Norah Jones joining in: [Norah Jones And Stephen Colbert Sing "Christmas Is Now" - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUHcoAYJWx0) ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2018, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-paul-mccartneys-christmas-song-the-laziest-song-ever-written/805661/47 "2018-01-02T18:17:04Z")
Hmm… I never noticed anything particularly bad about this song. I had no idea it was hated so. I actually _like_ the synth on it (but, then again, my favorite post-Beatles McCartney song is “Temporary Secretary,” so perhaps my tastes are _skewed_ a bit.) I also like Christmas music in December (but only December), so maybe that’s two strikes against me. ---
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2018, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-paul-mccartneys-christmas-song-the-laziest-song-ever-written/805661/48 "2018-01-02T20:25:39Z")
I dunno. “Feliz Navidad” is pretty simple, yet it’s kinda catchy: Feliz Navidad Feliz Navidad Feliz Navidad Y prospero ano y felicidad I want to wish you a Merry Christmas I want to wish you a Merry Christmas I want to wish you a Merry Christmas from the bottom of my heart. ---
**Author:** ![gkster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gkster/32/14107_2.png) [@gkster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gkster)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2018, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-paul-mccartneys-christmas-song-the-laziest-song-ever-written/805661/49 "2018-01-02T21:21:35Z")
> [@WordMan](#): > > I am surprised no one has linked to **Stephen Colbert’s** bit where he discussed how hated Wonderful Christmastime is, and he introduces his own most-hated Christmas song, **Christmas is Now** , with Norah Jones joining in: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUHcoAYJWx0](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUHcoAYJWx0) LOL, great link! ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2018, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-paul-mccartneys-christmas-song-the-laziest-song-ever-written/805661/50 "2018-01-02T23:17:38Z")
The song isn’t in the same league as the laziness of “Neanderthal Man” by Hotlegs. The same two lines repeated over and over. The group was so ashamed about it, they changed their name. ---
**Author:** ![toastie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3be4f8/32.png) [@toastie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toastie)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2018, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-paul-mccartneys-christmas-song-the-laziest-song-ever-written/805661/51 "2018-01-03T02:07:00Z")
> [@K364](#): > > This guy hates the song even more than the OP > > [https://www.golfdigest.com/story/wonderful-christmastime-is-the-worst-christmas-songand-quite-possibly-the-worst-songever](https://www.golfdigest.com/story/wonderful-christmastime-is-the-worst-christmas-songand-quite-possibly-the-worst-songever) Thank you for posting this link. I think I found someone who hates the song as much as I do. As I remarked to my spouse: “Have you ever heard a song that poisons an artist’s entire body of work for you?” This is that song. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2018, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-paul-mccartneys-christmas-song-the-laziest-song-ever-written/805661/52 "2018-01-03T04:20:08Z")
> [@Gatopescado](#): > > :smack: > > I never noticed this! [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5A-z7n-Js8](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5A-z7n-Js8) Holy crap… unbelievable. Well, at least George would not have had to feel so bad about My Sweet Lord. > [@PunditLisa](#): > > I dunno. “Feliz Navidad” is pretty simple, yet it’s kinda catchy: > > Feliz Navidad > Feliz Navidad > Feliz Navidad > Y prospero ano y felicidad **próspero año** A diacrit tilde can make such a difference… prosperity in the new year and prosperity of the anus may both bring happiness but to very different segments of the public… :D:p \*“…not that there’s anything wrong with that” \* ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2018, 7:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-paul-mccartneys-christmas-song-the-laziest-song-ever-written/805661/53 "2018-01-03T07:46:51Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > The song isn’t in the same league as the laziness of “Neanderthal Man” by Hotlegs. Never heard of the band - kinda catchy number on youtube, but what I wanted to point out: speaking of “Hot Legs”, that could be in a very elbow-y potato-sack race with “Tonight’s the Night” as one of Roddie’s\* most morse coded-in attempts at songs. And I mean lazy like [Mr. Como himself](https://youtu.be/zj5A7W-0zPY?t=23). \*Actually if I let my brain hurt a bit more I could think of others. ---
**Author:** ![velomont](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8491ac/32.png) [@velomont](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/velomont)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2018, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-paul-mccartneys-christmas-song-the-laziest-song-ever-written/805661/54 "2018-01-03T16:03:00Z")
> [@guizot](#): > > What, is that really the lyrics? It’s a song about panhandling or something? > > Anyway, it doesn’t matter. Just about all Christmas music is shit–shit that people wouldn’t listen to under any other circumstance. I mean really, would you want to listen to _It’s a Holly Jolly Christmas_, let’s say, in summer, and if it were were about something like going to the county fair? I seriously doubt it. The only Christmas music I find any good if the Afro-Caribbean stuff. Very little else is any good. This is exactly how I feel about Christmas music, except that I can tolerate jazz versions since I do like jazz, year 'round. I personally can’t stand Paul’s voice. And my wife and I absolutely despise his Christmas song. AFAWC all pop-star Xmas songs are nothing but cash grabs, and his is the worst, IMHO. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2018, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-paul-mccartneys-christmas-song-the-laziest-song-ever-written/805661/55 "2018-01-03T17:25:19Z")
> [@PunditLisa](#): > > I dunno. “Feliz Navidad” is pretty simple, yet it’s kinda catchy: \ I have a Warner Bros. Xmas songbook that has [these lyrics for FN](http://www2.uol.com.br/cante/lyrics/Jose_Feliciano_-_Feliz_navidad.htm), and until just now, I’ve never seen them printed anywhere else or sung on any recording (fortunately, I haven’t heard all 22,000,000 versions). I was starting to think I had an alternate universe book. Whew! ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2018, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-paul-mccartneys-christmas-song-the-laziest-song-ever-written/805661/56 "2018-01-03T18:08:47Z")
> [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](#): > > I have a Warner Bros. Xmas songbook that has [these lyrics for FN](http://www2.uol.com.br/cante/lyrics/Jose_Feliciano_-_Feliz_navidad.htm), and until just now, I’ve never seen them printed anywhere else or sung on any recording (fortunately, I haven’t heard all 22,000,000 versions). I was starting to think I had an alternate universe book. Whew! I must conjecture that at some point José may have figured he might as well throw in some extra words to break up the three consecutive “I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas” in live performance – but you’re right, in the version that at one time was one of the top 5 most sold singles in the world, those extra lines were not there. ---
**Author:** ![corkboard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e9bcb4/32.png) [@corkboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/corkboard)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2018, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-paul-mccartneys-christmas-song-the-laziest-song-ever-written/805661/57 "2018-01-03T18:36:26Z")
Well, they can’t all be C-Moon. ---
**Author:** ![Snooooopy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee7513/32.png) [@Snooooopy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snooooopy)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2018, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-paul-mccartneys-christmas-song-the-laziest-song-ever-written/805661/58 "2018-01-06T01:11:14Z")
I originally came into this thread to defend the song, but I thought it would be a good idea to fire up YouTube first and refresh my memory. I’m glad I did so, because I don’t think I like it as much as I thought I did. I really do like the synth lick the way it sounds at the beginning of the song, but then he throws in some rhythmic variations that I think kind of muddy things up. And I doubt I will ever be able to listen to it again without, courtesy of the link that **K364** provided, wondering what’s going on with that Galaga-sounding stuff in the middle. Watching the video instead of just listening to it also caused me to dock some points. McCartney has always had this underlying streak of being really cutesy-poo that annoys me, and the video did an effective job of reminding me. ---
**Author:** ![MickNickMaggies](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/59ef9b/32.png) [@MickNickMaggies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MickNickMaggies)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2018, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-paul-mccartneys-christmas-song-the-laziest-song-ever-written/805661/59 "2018-01-06T14:04:15Z")
No love for George? [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/SrXswIbWA7Y/maxresdefault.jpg "George Harrison - Ding Dong, Ding Dong") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SrXswIbWA7Y) ---
**Author:** ![Orwell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/dfb087/32.png) [@Orwell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Orwell)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2018, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-paul-mccartneys-christmas-song-the-laziest-song-ever-written/805661/60 "2018-01-06T16:34:30Z")
> [@MickNickMaggies](#): > > No love for George? > > [https://youtu.be/SrXswIbWA7Y](https://youtu.be/SrXswIbWA7Y) The video is sort of fun to watch, if a bit cheesy, but this song is every bit as simple and repetitive as Paul’s. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-paul-mccartneys-christmas-song-the-laziest-song-ever-written/805661.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-paul-mccartneys-christmas-song-the-laziest-song-ever-written/805661.md?page=4)