Honestly, people sing more at this time, pay more attention to the music on in a shop, restaurant or at their mates house. There is literally an entire genre here stretching back hundreds of years.
Ok, time for a bit of clarity and honesty. I am not a Christian, I am an Atheist. I dislike songs that say glory to the king, or anything to do with faith and belief as they were written to somehow exult the imaginary guy in the sky. That said , I do get them. I do understand that when it was a suitable outlet for musical creativity and the church had such a hold over the censorship that if you did something that wasn't about God, the prevailing god in the establishment you lived in, then you were fucked. . .proper fucked at that. Losing your head or other appendages . . mainly your head. Which doesn't really fit in with the Christmas spirit does it.
That said, some of the Carols and Christmas hymns are truly great songs and achieve exactly what they set out to do.
That does it. It does exactly what it was supposed to do and I am very jealous if you live in the western world and are not aware of it. I don't really like carols as you may well have gathered. That said, I like singing and I like singing in a choir. Although , to my great regret, that means generally singing religious songs. So i don't do it. I have been asked to join a few choirs as my voice is passable, only recently has one promised not to sing religious songs. So i might do it.
This is all well and good, and many people understand and appreciate that there is a traditional element to Christmas, but that in reality it is a Winter Solstice party and a time to be with family and friends. This is borne out by the fact that at this time of year there are many celebrations the world over, also in countries with no Christian tradition.
Thankfully, over the last 40 years or so, the pop and rock world have tried their hand (s) at the Christmas song. With varying amounts of success.
Well that's just a fun little happy number isn't it. . . .thanks for the uplift there John . .
I have written before about how I feel that Paul McCartney is the Salieri to John Lennon's Amadeus and frankly nothing holds it such stark relief as their respective attempts at Christmas songs. In my research (searching the internet) for this piece I attempted to get a feel for what others think of the worst Christmas songs of all time. The above song by McCartney and Wings, topped five of the lists I came across. The worst Christmas song ever...bet he is still upset about it. . .
Anyway, that does allow me to move on from the worst to some of the best. Lennon's song, below, is a protest song, but it is still far better to put on at your party than to dirge above
As good as the song is, and it is a good song, He still should have stopped Yoko singing. . . wow.
Then there is this by Slade
If you are not from the UK you might not know that one. It is a bit specific, Even though it has charted I think 9 times. its a good song actually, if you like the Glam rock scene of the 70s. Which I sort of do. But it is exuberant and you can sing along to it. Which gives it a good party feel.
Anyway,if you need a christmas playlist. Try this one on Spotify which is pretty good
Christmas playlist
which is all well and good, but maybe your Christmas is a bit more like this
Wishing you all happy holidays and hope you have enough food and drink to forget 2016 . . . and look forward to 2017
I would like to put together a playlist of the best Christmas songs. Please send me yours.
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