It's Christmas time, and as much as I'd like to vent again about the lack of understanding and effort when it comes to Christmas cards, this year I want to say something about Christmas songs.
Generally speaking, I don't have a problem with Christmas songs on the radio or in stores. Sure, they start too early in the year, but it gets you into the spirit, I can appreciate that.
But why do I keep hearing so many old songs that are sung by long-ago-dead people?
For example, if I hear another Karen Carpenter rendition of Home For The Holidays I'm going to puke. Same goes for anything by Burl Ives.
In fact, this goes for any artist who's been dead for over 25 years, with the possible exception of Nat King Cole singing The Christmas Song. I don't think anybody can perform that song any better. (A quick reminder: Tony Bennett isn't dead yet, so anything by him is also OK.)
To put it another way, I don't really want to hear traditional Christmas songs that were recorded 30 or 40 years ago. There are plenty of songs that have been recorded by contemporary artists, assisted by the best instrumentation / sound that today's digital recording technology can bring us.
In conclusion, if I'm listening to Christmas music, I want to hear traditional Christmas songs by contemporary recording artists (with Nat King Cole occasionally sprinkled in), and rotate those singers out once they kick the bucket.
Otherwise, make it a Silent Night.
No comments:
Post a Comment