Friday, December 18, 2009

Coming Clean about Carols

I'm going to admit it. Right here, online.

*deep breath*

I get tired of Christmas songs.

No, no, don't get me wrong. I fully love and understand their intent. The hymns tell the most important of stories; they remind us of the season's purpose. And the fun ones just liven things up. But every year (earlier and earlier, it seems) they begin playing on the radio, and it's like I've heard Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree each day of my longish life. And too, hasn't every recording artist claimed their own version of a classic carol or two? Why would Mariah Carey and Josh Grobin and Bon Jovi and Dolly Parton all have to rehash the same lyrics? It can be too much.

Still, don't think me Scrooge. Christmas is important to me, and so is its song. There are some, like O' Come All Ye Faithful or O' Holy Night, that pump appreciation and awe through my veins, no matter the arrangement, no matter the delivery. And every once in a while, somebody comes out with something new, and I sit up, take notice.

Like this one.

This one gives me goosebumps. It starts straightforward, traditional. But then something happens, and you realize it's different, kinda cool. And when it's come to an end, you want to listen again. And again. Again.

Straight No Chaser, 12 Days of Christmas

[My efforts--multiple times on different computers--to imbed the video have been unsuccessful. Something, somewhere, has gone wonky. Please follow the link to experience the song. There's some talking at the beginning, but the goods will come, so do stick with it.]


So, what did you think?

How do you feel about radio play this time of year?

33 comments:

Tamika: said...

I'm pretty good about scanning the radio for carols. I love them! My favorites are the hymns, like Silent Night.

With small kids the carols never stop!

Jill said...

I like having the carols on the radio, but I commented to the kids the other day that it seemed like "Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree" was played for every other song!

Wendy Paine Miller said...

I'm picky about them too. I can't take too much cheese. Loved the song. I'd go see that.
~ Wendy

septembermom said...

In the van, I rely on my CD player to surround me with my music. The only time that I've been bombarded with Christmas music has been in the stores. I'm late shopping this year so I'm not tired of the songs yet. Last night at the store, I was singing along to "The Little Drummer Boy". I wonder how many looks that I got :) I also hear little kid music all day, so I guess I'm happy for any change.

Thanks for the link. The song was lovely :)

Slamdunk said...

What a fun version with your Straight with No Chaser link.

Growing up, we used to wear the parents out with Alvin and the Chipmunks.

Tana said...

OK, I have to admit, I love, love, love me some Christmas carols and look forward to them all year but as of late have been turning the car radio to something a little more upbeat. ;)

CKHB said...

I refuse to listen to holiday music until after my birthday. I don't think it's too much to ask to wait until Dec. 7 so I don't get caroling overload.

I've seen that video before, and I *love* it! I couldn't remember what the group was called, so thanks for the post!

Eileen Astels Watson said...

My head is still spinning. What fun that was, though, to listen to.

scarlethue said...

You know how I feel, I posted about it yesterday-- Christmas should remain at Christmas! Otherwise, Thanksgiving becomes like Christmas number 1, and it's too important a holiday for that.

Jody Hedlund said...

My three oldest have a piano recital tomorrow. Talk about having to listen to the same Christmas songs over and over!!

Susan R. Mills said...

I get sick of them too. I try not to listen to any until the week of Christmas. Then I can actually appreciate them during the holiday instead of cringing when I hear them.

Joanne said...

Here, it's all Christmas all the time. We listen while we decorate the tree, while we prepare and freeze food for the holiday (Sinatra's carols are a fave secret ingredient), we listen while we wrap gifts and while we read. We have a Christmas carol overdose going on, but we like it, like it, yes we do.

Deb said...

That's a fun mix - thanks for sharing! We don't watch television so the radio carols are broken up with news, talkshows and of course - hockey games!

Jill Kemerer said...

Oh yeah. There are some artists I simply cannot deal with at Christmastime. Then there are the favorites I can listen to ad nauseum!

Off to check out the link...

JLC said...

I'll be admitting the same thing the day after Christmas, but until then, I have an IPod list with 30 of my favorite Christmas songs that I just play over and over...

Watched the video. Very cool. Its funny that they played Africa by Toto. I have that song on my IPod and hubby always rolls his eyes when I play it. :)

Happy Holidays!

Sherrinda Ketchersid said...

I get tired of them too! I don't like them right after Thanksgiving, so I don't listen to the radio until closer to Christmas. It makes it seem more special that way.

Kristen Torres-Toro said...

Oh my gosh... I love that video so much I downloaded the song and put it on my ipod. :0)

So, I used to hate Christmas music. I'm actually talking about that a bit Monday on my blog... now I like it, but I still don't like the non-caroly ones. Like, I don't want to sing about snow and chestnuts, but "Oh Holy Night"? I'm so there. :0)

Have a great weekend, Janna!

Katie Ganshert said...

I have to say that I'm a sucker for Christmas songs. Absolutely love them. Though I dont' listen to the radio THAT often, so I can imagine they would get old for people who listen to it all day.

Voidwalker said...

I like the ideas behind the songs, but I swear if I hear Jingle-freakin-Bell-Rock one more time..... huff huff... Ok, sorry, I'm calmer.

I agree with you. It's just too much.

WendyCinNYC said...

My kids have this little jukebox that plays Rocking Around the Christmas Tree and Jingle Bell Rock over and over.

And over.

I hate it.

Anonymous said...

Neat song to watch and listen to. Hugs, :O)

Anonymous said...

I like to listen to the songs, and have found a radio station, which plays a little Christmas and a little everyday music. O Holy Night, my favorite.

Lorna said...

Sooo true, why on earth do different artists do different versions of the same old hits? And if they are going to travel down that road, why don't they do 65 versions of "All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth"...

Tess said...

I avoid the radio but fill up on my favorite CD's ... all kinds.

Carol J. Garvin said...

I love the carols and can't wait until Advent when I pull out my seasonal CD's. Being bombarded by the secular songs everywhere I go, however, can get to be a bit much so I understand what you're saying.

That version of The Twelve Days of Christmas was wonderful, and I hope you don't mind that I've put it on my site, too. It's just too good not to share.

Angie Muresan said...

Nothing wrong with that! I do too! I have three though, that I could play all year round and not tire of. I'll go listen to that recommendation now.

Woman in a Window said...

I love Christmas music and mostly I don't hear it anywhere else but when I play it. There's no a whole lot of choice on radio up where I live, just a few stations, and no one plays Christmas until a day or two each side of Christmas. I escape. And there are very few stores, so I don't get bonked there either. Moderation keeps it more special, I suppose.

One of my favorites is a story/song by Celestial Navigation called The Train. Youtube it. It is gorgeous.
xo
erin

Linda Hoye said...

I am with you, Janna. I can't get enough of a really good performance of O Holy Night, but hearing "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" more than once is like fingernails on a chalkboard.

Deb Shucka said...

That was absolutely wonderful! So much fun.

I only listen to NPR, so avoid all the repeated radio songs. I love Christmas carols, have my favorite albums which I sing along to (loudly) while going about my Christmas business at home.

Patti Lacy said...

Sigh. I'm with you about the stream of music from the day after Thanksgiving until New Year's sirens.

I like my music sacred and intervalaic. Yep, I just coined a new word.

Wonderful post, as usual.
Oh, my favorites?

Silent Night, which captures the awesome miracle that happened.
O, Holy Night. Ditto.
Sweet Little Jesus Boy. I love the plaintive confession in this song.
Hark, The Herald Angels Sing...

Are you gettin' the picture?????

Nadine said...

I'm so with you. It's not even Christmas yet and I'm already playing CDs of regular music in the car. It's not that I'm a grinch, I'm just tired of the same old same old.

Capri K @ No Whining Allowed said...

LOVE that link!!!
I actually have not heard many carols this year because I never listen to the radio. I have heard some in stores though. I like older ones. Some of the newer ones are all twisted up and embroidered within an inch of their lives to showcase the singers. BORING.

colbymarshall said...

Hm...I like the constant carols so I have the option- but I sometimes I have to switch because yep, Rockin' Around the Cmas Tree does get one too many plays.