The 2024 NFL season is entering its stretch run. College football just concluded the first round of the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff. Women's volleyball has had an amazing Final Four, with Penn State not only coming from behind to defeat Nebraska in the semifinals, but also going on to win the title. The NBA and NHL seasons are also heating up.
But it's also Christmas week, so let's pause the “sports stuff” and talk about Christmas songs.
We each chose a song that we love, a song that we would like to be banished from all polite society, and an honorable mention, which was actually like, “Look, here's another song that we love and want to write.'' It's just a blogger's fancy way of saying “Yes.” a bit. ”
So let's take a look. I hope you have a nice holiday.
holiday songs we love
“You are mean, Mr. Grinch” by Thurl Ravenscroft — Mark Schofield
“You're mean, Mr. Grinch.”
And so begins my favorite Christmas song.
This song is my personal favorite for two reasons. What's the first one? This is the biggest diss track of all time. Kendrick Lamar reads the lyrics, wondering why Thurl Ravenscroft and company had to work so hard. My dear friend JP Acosta said this morning that it inspired him to hate even more.
In other words, the bat is definitely going towards the Grinch. (As a side note, the story I will be covering soon is “Scrooge.'' muppets christmas carolwhich is great because there are plenty of Victorian-era Muppets who just call Ebenezer Scrooge a garbage man to his face). But this is the first verse:
You're mean, Mr. Grinch.
you are really a heel
You're cute as a cactus and charming as an eel, Mr. Grinch.
you are a bad banana with an oily black skin
And it starts from there. Topics include seasick alligators and mushroom sandwiches with arsenic sauce. Just an unbelievable takedown.
But what's great about this song is that we all know the destination this journey will take us to. In the end, the Grinch discovers the true meaning of Christmas, and this absolutely deplorable soulless creature ends up sharing Christmas dinner with the Whos as an honored guest, learning a lot in the process.
I love it. I really love it.
“Silent Night” by The Temptations — JP Acosta
When you hear Dennis Edwards' opening line, “In My Mind,” you are instantly transported into the world of one of the most soulful and beautiful Christmas songs of all time. The Temptations breathe life into normally boring Christmas songs, and their harmonies take it to another level. Listening to this song never warms your heart the way it does when you're sitting by the fireplace drinking freshly brewed hot cocoa.
What I like most about this song is that it's divided into sections so if you want to sing it with your family, you can choose which parts you want to sing along with. Has the pitch of your voice become lower? The second verse is for the bass player in your life. Would you like to sing soprano? Let's look at the first verse.
This is my favorite because it has something for everyone and reminds me of the pure Christmas spirit.
“Linus and Lucy” by the Vince Guaraldi Trio — James Deiter
This wasn't even on the album! One of the best Christmas bops of all time was a B-side that didn't make it into the first cut. Now there are many Christmas songs charlie brown christmasbut linus and lucy This is the chill, smooth, jazzy number we all need when the holidays get hectic.
It's also one of the few songs this season without lyrics. This makes for the ultimate jam that allows you to relax, sip a drink, get into the spirit of the season, and still get some much-needed tranquility. There is literally no Charlie Brown song more perfect than this one. I'll be listening to this song for most of the month leading up to Christmas, whenever I need a break from overload.
some honorable mentions
“Scrooge” from The Muppets — Mark Schofield
Imagine this. A group of Victorian Muppets dressed up until 9 o'clock on Christmas Eve call Michael Caine, who plays Ebenezer Scrooge, just a terrible human being in song.
No need to take an image. It is published here as a courtesy. muppets christmas carol:
It's incredible. And believe me, I think about this tweet (and its various iterations) nonstop, not just during the Christmas season, but frankly all year long.
The song also includes the iconic line, “No bread for those in need, no cheese for us Meath.”
Just wonderful.
“Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24” by Trans-Siberian Orchestra — JP Acosta
I don't need to tell you how much effort it takes to create the best Christmas song of all time. One word?
Trans-Siberian Orchestra didn't have to make the most epic Christmas track ever, but they did it anyway, giving me and my brothers an excuse to play guitar on our way to Target to pick up our Christmas presents. It was given to me.
“A Hollis Christmas” Run DMC Written by — James Deiter
I would slap this song if it wasn't a Christmas song. Jam Master Jay's beat is one of the sickest beats of this era, and shaking a few bells over it transforms us into something completely magical. This song is fun, fun to listen to, and makes people smile. We have everything you need during your vacation.
Who thought this was a good idea?
“It’s Cold Outside” by Frank Lesser — Mark Schofield
Let's go.
We, as an internet community, have spent 20 years discussing this song. Yes, it's true. According to this Article from rolling stone The first article about the song's somewhat confusing message and lyrics was published in 2004. This piece from Canada national post office.
Thus began a 20-year discussion. Many people have pointed out that the lyrics are problematic, with some arguing that the song and its message could have been a little more feminist for its time. this reddit For example, threads can lead you down that path.
But our purpose here is to discuss the best and worst Christmas songs, and by that standard, this song should be at the bottom.
Because, simply put, this song has nothing to do with Christmas. That is, nothing.
This is a winter song at best, and radio stations probably started playing it during the winter months, and it became associated with the holiday as a result. But it absolutely, obviously has nothing to do with Christmas.
Whether you think this song is incredibly sketchy or not, the fact remains that this is more than just a Christmas song.
Band Aid's “Do They Know It's Christmas” (Sting, Bono, Paul Young, Boy George, George Michael, Simon Le Bon, Marilyn, Glenn Gregory) — JP Acosta
If you read the lyrics, you'll understand why I hate this song so much.
“But while we are having fun, there is a world of horror and fear outside the window, where the only water that flows are bitter, stinging tears.The Christmas bells that ring there are the bells of doom.Now , thank God it’s them and not you tonight.”
By the way, this is a story about Ethiopian children.
There's something strange about this song, which assumes that African children have no idea what Christmas is and that the greatest gift they receive is life. People use this song not to basically talk about Ethiopian children behind their backs, but to tell Americans that they should thank God that their children are in this situation and not them. I felt like a crazy person.
Isn't that strange to everyone? What about Christmas songs? Who gave the green light to this?
“Christmas Shoes” by NewSong — James Deiter
Name one other song in “NewSong”. You can't. Please say you knew without thinking christmas shoes It was by NewSong. You can't.
I'm not against the idea of inherently sad Christmas songs, like Elvis songs. blue christmas. problem christmas shoes That means it's designed for the sole purpose of impressing people with all the nuance and depth of a Lifetime movie. That's before you even talk about how this whole story this guy is singing is basically telling a kid to give them a pat on the back for giving them money to buy shoes.
It's all histrionic, self-congratulatory nonsense wrapped up in a story about his mother dying of cancer over Christmas. I hate all of this garbage.
