Now I just returned from hearing my kid play with some of the best Hard Bop players in central AZ, so I have an idea of what “real” jazz is—but I just love the sweet simple groove of the song, the false ending, even the polished production values. The music is gooey sweet, and the cynicism of the lyrics just drips out of the speakers, but it is comfort food for my holiday musical appetite.
I find both songs cleaver and humorous as well as musically pleasant. On the other hand I have listened to all the traditional songs, carols, and hymns of the season most days since Halloween so part of their appeal may be that they are not mainstream. On the other hand, SANTA BABY is only “okay” in my opinion and feels like it is trying too hard to be funny and/or sassy.
White Christmas – Nice and sentimental and Bing Crosby is great.
The Christmas Song (“chestnuts roasting, etc.”) – Sentimental and has some nice turns of phrase.
Zat You, Santa Claus? – Funny lyrics and Louis Armstrong is great.
Least favourites:
It’s A Marshmallow World – Sorry, snow just isn’t that exciting, and it almost never looks like whipped cream
It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year – The time of year for roasting marshmallows and telling ghost stories is summer camp. And “jingle-belling” and “hap-happiest” just sound forced.
I Want A Hippopotamus For Christmas – It’s just stupid and not funny.
Favorites: pretty much anything that has that Ray Conniff Mitch Miller sound. Takes me back to my childhood even more than actual religious songs.
And The Chipmunk Song
Worst:
baby it’s cold outside
Santa baby
anything that’s obviously someone trying too hard to make a new standard. I’d rather listen to Santa’s Super Sleigh than most of what passes for new Christmas music.
“Christmas Wrapping” by the Waitresses.
“Christmas (Bah, Bug and Hum!)” from Olive the Other Reindeer (performed by Dan Castellaneta)
"Santa Doesn’t Cop Out on Dope’ by Martin Mull
“Do You Hear What I Hear?” (especially because it’s one of the few Christmas songs about thermonuclear war).
“Baby, It’s Cold Outside.” One of the most pro-feminist Christmas songs ever written.
Least favorite
“Santa Baby,” unless Eartha Kitt is singing it.
Bob Dylan’s version of “Here Comes Santa Claus.”
“Must Be Santa.”
Breath of Heaven - Amy Grant
O Come, O Come Emmanuel
O Holy Night
A’ Soalin - Peter, Paul & Mary
Gabriel’s Message
Happy Holiday/The Holiday Season - Andy Williams
Christmas in Killarney - Bing
Mele Kalikimaka - Bing
Let it Be Christmas - Alan Jackson
Noel, Christmas Eve, 1913 - John Denver
Christmas Is A-Comin’ - Bing
Christmas Blues - Dino
Hate:
I Want a Hippopotamus For Christmas
All I Want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth
I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus
Susie Snowflake
Sandy Sleighfoot
Jingle Bells
Worst: Pretty much everything else. Not because I’m a grinch, but because of massive over-playing. Although, like blindboyard above, I can occasionally just about stand a listen of Jona Lewie’s Stop the Cavalry.
Traditional Christmas carols are rarely ever played because… well I am not exactly sure why. It’s mostly Christmas schlock – the stuff I think is most hated by those who hate Christmas music.