Like most people, I enjoy listening to a nostalgia-filled classic Christmas song or twelve during the holiday season. There's nothing like an old-fashioned Christmas song that harkens back to World War II and a simpler, although possibly angstier, time. I'm the first to admit I'm kind of a purist when it comes to my seasonal entertainment, but somehow I doubt I'm the only one.
Play me a classic by Bing Crosby, Burl Ives, Andy Williams, or Frank Sinatra, and I'll listen for hours while I wrap Christmas gifts, bake cookies, and cook my family's Christmas dinner. Heck, I'll even happily listen to golden oldies like Elvis and Tony Bennett. Having lived across the country from most of my family for the better part of my life, there's just something special about those old touching songs and trusted singers that call to family far away and invoke the joy of the season.
Where I draw the line, though, is any hastily produced holiday album by the latest It Girl Disney or Nickelodeon star or, worse yet, the current winner of "America's Got Talent" and the like. No thanks! There's no depth to their crooning. There's no connection to bygone days.
That's not to say, however, that there aren't a few oldies I could do without. You know the ones. They're inexplicably popular but nonetheless earworm-inducing Christmas songs that play on repeat every holiday season. I could definitely do without those. For me, Mariah Carey's screeching version of "All I Want for Christmas Is You" leaps to mind (as if it could ever leave your mind). It's an automatic skip for me unless, of course, I'm involuntarily trapped listening to it in public for the bajillionth time. Interestingly enough, earlier this month, the music streaming service Spotify claimed Ms. Carey's earworm was already the most streamed holiday track on its entire global platform for 2023. Ugh, and pass the earplugs.
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At least the listening public made up for that audio kerfuffle by streaming standard tunes like "Last Christmas" by Wham!, "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" by Brenda Lee, and "Jingle Bell Rock" by Bobby Helms. Sadly, the top five was rounded out by "Santa Tell Me" by Ariana Grande.
Seriously, who born before 2010 believes Ms. Grande's little ditty even holds a candle to Bing Crosby's classic "I'll Be Home for Christmas" (sorry, Michael Bublé)? Not I. No way. What about Burl Ives' "Have a Holly Jolly Christmas" (sorry, not sorry, Michael Bublé)? Who can listen to that and not be jolly? How about the Chairman of the Board and Ol' Blue Eyes himself, Frank Sinatra, with "White Christmas" (it still makes me wistful for snow even living in southern California), or Nat King Cole with "O Little Town of Bethlehem," or Andy Williams singing "The First Noël" (does it get any more nostalgic and special than that?)?
And then there are beauties like "Blue Christmas" by Elvis Presley himself. Though many have tried, no one tops The King, kids, and I really wish you'd stop trying already (looking at YOU, Michael Bublé).
