Why all the misplaced hatred for The Little Drummer Boy?

[typoink]

@puzzlegal

I have a theory why people have the song. Unlike “Frosty the snowman” or “Rudolph, the red nosed reindeer”, it’s almost a serious piece of music. So people resent that it isn’t as good as “away in the manger” or “Jesu joy of man’s desiring”.

I don’t think this is completely off-base. Little Drummer Boy falls into a Christmas song uncanny valley – it’s not as fun or jaunty or catchy as the more festive songs, but it’s not as pretty or spiritual or moving as the best carols.

I personally hate it because it’s one of the few I can’t “tune out.” Songs with repetitive rhythmic lyrics get on my nerves generally, and Little Drummer Boy is a prime example of the genre.