# Screw you, Burl Ives! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [December 18, 2024, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-you-burl-ives/1011833 "2024-12-18T22:59:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/q.q.switcheroo/32/5713_2.png) [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2024, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-you-burl-ives/1011833/41 "2024-12-19T20:17:30Z")
During the holiday season, the PA system at Philly’s Sesame Place has been known to play [I Hate Christmas](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTe7PZx6Ow4&pp=ygUQaSBoYXRlIGNocmlzdG1hcw%3D%3D). . ---
**Author:** ![NDP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ndp/32/55_2.png) [@NDP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NDP)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2024, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-you-burl-ives/1011833/42 "2024-12-19T20:23:59Z")
> [@De\_La\_Rue](#): > > Hell, I’m doing excellent in [Whammageddon](https://whamageddon.com/#rules) this year–I haven’t heard “Last Christmas” ONCE so far. May your streak survive for many years. Incidentally, I once made the dumb mistake of thinking Wham’s song was a cover of a Christmas song by Donny Hathaway. For that, I apologize to Mr. Hathaway (RIP). [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/PhKVSZsRxQM/maxresdefault.jpg "Donny Hathaway - This Christmas (Official Music Video)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PhKVSZsRxQM) ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2024, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-you-burl-ives/1011833/43 "2024-12-19T21:21:43Z")
> [@Johanna](#): > > how come “Stagger Lee” isn’t a Christmas song? I’ve always considered Nick Cave’s rendition a Christmas song. My parents don’t quite agree though. Not sure why?!?! ---
**Author:** ![xizor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xizor/32/102_2.png) [@xizor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xizor)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2024, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-you-burl-ives/1011833/44 "2024-12-19T21:31:16Z")
I always hated the line “somebody waits for you, kiss her once for me” No Burl, find your own dates. I do find Christmas joy in Wheatus rewriting their song “Teenage Dirtbag” as “Christmas Dirtbag” [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/4swdGWL8QfQ/maxresdefault.jpg "Wheatus - Christmas Dirtbag (Official Video)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4swdGWL8QfQ) ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2024, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-you-burl-ives/1011833/45 "2024-12-19T22:11:19Z")
> [@We\_re\_wolves\_not\_werewolves](#): > > the upside is that, since it has been playing since Halloween, Christmas music will be banished to the cellar the exact instant the calendar turns to Dec. 26. It’s like a switch is flicked and poof, its gone! I _wish_ it would disappear like a wearwolf at sunrise (SWIDT) but _noooo_ go into a supermarket or Target or \_\_\_\_ on the 26th & they’re frantically taking down the green foil candy & replacing it with red hearts for the next holiday (because champagne & silly glasses a week later don’t count) but they’re _still_ playing that damned music that we’ve had to suffer with since _before_ Halloween. I mean some people want to fill the world with silly love songs. And what’s wrong with that? I’d like to know ---
**Author:** ![Johanna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johanna/32/8318_2.png) [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2024, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-you-burl-ives/1011833/46 "2024-12-20T00:20:37Z")
'cause here we go… again… ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2024, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-you-burl-ives/1011833/47 "2024-12-20T01:37:56Z")
Here’s an album of Christmas music for people who don’t usually enjoy Christmas music: > **[Christmas Island (Leon Redbone album)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_Island_(Leon_Redbone_album))** > > Christmas Island is an album by the musician Leon Redbone. It was released in 1988, with a rerelease the following year. > The title track has been mentioned in many works of fiction. > The album was recorded in three days. Redbone picked songs that he thought would appeal to listeners who didn't usually enjoy Christmas music. He duetted with Dr. John on "Frosty the Snowman". "Winter Wonderland" contains a dobro solo. "Christmas Ball Blues" is a version of the song made popular by Bessie Smith. > Ro... ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2024, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-you-burl-ives/1011833/48 "2024-12-20T01:46:12Z")
A bit off topic, holiday song-wise, but I wonder what the OP thinks of Burl Ives’ _oeuvre_ in general? (For example his classic rendition of [Goober Peas](https://youtu.be/Ehpqxcc08jE?feature=shared)) ---
**Author:** ![De\_La\_Rue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d07c76/32.png) [@De\_La\_Rue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/De_La_Rue)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2024, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-you-burl-ives/1011833/49 "2024-12-20T02:32:31Z")
> [@blondebear](#): > > I wonder what the OP thinks of Burl Ives’ _oeuvre_ in general? Ives did that Captain Kidd song on my list of songs sharing the names of famous people, didn’t he?..yes, [yes he did](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burl_Ives_Presents_America%27s_Musical_Heritage#New_Ballads:_Reporting_the_American_Revolution_&_War_of_1812_(LW_195)). That song’s fine. I cannot say I’ve listened to much of Ives’ non-holly-jolly, non-Kidd output. (I _have_ also seen the film of _Cat on a Hot Tin Roof_. Mendacity!) ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2024, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-you-burl-ives/1011833/50 "2024-12-20T02:42:57Z")
You all have reminded me that I haven’t watched [The Christmas Can-Can](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7E-47VmFopE) yet this year. It’s sung by Straight No Chaser. ---
**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:** [December 20, 2024, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-you-burl-ives/1011833/51 "2024-12-20T02:54:31Z")
Impressive, Burl. Could smell mendacity _and_ a high-tone skunk, despite the cigarette trees. There’s plenty more to know: [just ask the FBI!](https://vault.fbi.gov/burl-ives/Burl%20Ives%20Part%2001%20of%2001/view) ---
**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:** [December 20, 2024, 6:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-you-burl-ives/1011833/52 "2024-12-20T06:16:59Z")
Thank God that link didn’t work for me. ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2024, 6:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-you-burl-ives/1011833/53 "2024-12-20T06:28:27Z")
Instrumentals are the go for Christmas: [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/x6zypc_LhnM/maxresdefault.jpg "Vince Guaraldi Trio - Linus And Lucy") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6zypc_LhnM) ---
**Author:** ![kitap](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b9e5f3/32.png) [@kitap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kitap)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2024, 6:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-you-burl-ives/1011833/54 "2024-12-20T06:33:51Z")
What? No **I Believe in Father Christmas**? Or **Let’s Do It in My Twin Bed**? [Looky!](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=6-QG-rFf4po&pp=ygUabGV0J3MgZG8gaXQgaW4gbXkgdHdpbiBiZWQ%3D) ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2024, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-you-burl-ives/1011833/55 "2024-12-20T12:48:34Z")
> [@Yllaria](#): > > You all have reminded me that I haven’t watched [The Christmas Can-Can](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7E-47VmFopE) yet this year. It’s sung by Straight No Chaser. If you’re going to introduce people to SNC, at least introduce them to the song that made them _really_ [famous](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Fe11OlMiz8) ---
**Author:** ![pjd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pjd/32/3009_2.png) [@pjd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pjd)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2024, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-you-burl-ives/1011833/56 "2024-12-20T17:04:08Z")
Bastards. They’ve just played Last Christmas … on the news. Why ? I don’t know, gf turned it down before the explanation. ---
**Author:** ![Johanna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johanna/32/8318_2.png) [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2024, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-you-burl-ives/1011833/57 "2024-12-20T18:58:08Z")
Did you know the opening of “Linus and Lucy” was lifted directly from the opening of Beethoven’s piano sonata in E♭ major, op. 81a, “Les Adieux,” played _backward and forward_? They’re the “horn chords” - a sequence of a sixth, a fifth, and a third, played on valveless French horns using the overtone series, here imitated on piano. The three chords sounded like somebody saying “Lebewohl” (‘farewell’), which is why it’s called “Les Adieux.” “Talent borrows; genius steals.” ---
**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:** [December 20, 2024, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-you-burl-ives/1011833/58 "2024-12-20T19:43:02Z")
@Slithy_Tove is the first to mention the FBI, which is connected to the blacklist and the controversy about Ives naming names (which ended other entertainers’ careers) to save his own skin. From Wikipedia: Ives was identified in the 1950 pamphlet _[Red Channels](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Channels)_ and [blacklisted](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hollywood_blacklist) as an entertainer with supposed Communist ties.[[18]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burl_Ives#cite_note-18) In 1952, he cooperated with the [House Un-American Activities Committee](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_Un-American_Activities_Committee) (HUAC) and agreed to testify, fearful of losing his source of income. Ives’s statement to the HUAC ended his blacklisting, allowing him to continue acting in movies, but it also led to a bitter rift between Ives and many folk singers, including [Pete Seeger](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pete_Seeger), who accused Ives of naming names and betraying the cause of cultural and political freedom to save his own career. Seeger publicly ridiculed Ives for attempting to distance himself from many of the far left organizations he had supported. And another article: [Burl Ives | Association for Cultural Equity](https://www.culturalequity.org/alan-lomax/friends/ives) ---
**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:** [December 20, 2024, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-you-burl-ives/1011833/59 "2024-12-20T19:54:19Z")
More useless trivia: Burl-denuncee folk singer Pete Seeger was the nephew of Alan “I have a rendezvous with death” Seeger. [Here’s two year old Pete in D.C. with his parents](https://www.shorpy.com/node/16911) during an extended vagabond lifestyle. Pete would return years later to lead a crowd singing “Give Peace a Chance” outside the White House, although Nixon turned up the volume on the Redskins game to drown them out. ---
**Author:** ![furryman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/furryman/32/99_2.png) [@furryman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furryman)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2024, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-you-burl-ives/1011833/60 "2024-12-20T20:02:32Z")
On the other hand, it kind of bothers me that _Put a little love in your heart_ became a Christmas song because it was featured in _Scrooged_ [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-you-burl-ives/1011833.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-you-burl-ives/1011833.md?page=4)