Welcome back to UBC in January, today I'd like to talk about Christmas Songs.
Growing up in Switzerland, we learned the classic ones in German: Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht, (did you know it's originally Austrian and has been translated into over 300 languages.?) Oh Du Fröhliche, Es ist ein Ros entsprungen, Oh Tannenbaum, Leise rieselt der Schnee...
It was only with “Last Christmas” that I got to know a “modern Christmas song”, followed by “Do they know it's Christmas” and a few years later “All I want for Christmas”.
In the 1990s I bought a double CD on which there were many classics that are part of everyday life for you Americans: Little Drummer Boy, Joy to the World, I'm dreaming of a White Christmas,...
Over the course of the years my repertoire has grown, and I like so many of them! I find it fascinating how diverse today's Christmas songs have become. While I appreciate the 739th interpretation of Jingle Bells, I prefer artists who come up with an entirely new and unique melody and text, representing their own music style such as some of the following examples:
- Chris Rea, Driving home for Christmas
- Bryan Adams, Christmas Time
- John Lennon & Yoko Ono, Happy Xmas (War is Over)
- The Pretenders, 2000 Miles
- Darlene Love, All Alone on Christmas
- Coldplay, Christmas Lights
- Tom Petty, Christmas all over again
I am happy and proud that my 16 year old son is developing an excellent music taste, combining classics from the 1970s and 80s and new releases. He's also into Christmas songs, and as of December 1st, he has chosen Mariah Carey as his morning alarm!
That's why our elves, Cookie and Biscuit, sent him a text with an emoji challenge:
"Good Morning Colin, for «Musical Monday» we put together some Christmas songs for you to decipher…"
👁️💭❄️🎄
😶🌃😇🌃
👁️👀👩🍼💋🎅🏼
🎸🔄🎄
🚗🏠🎄
💯👁️❹🎄🫵🏻
🙏🏻❄️🙏🏻❄️🙏🏻❄️
🔴👃🏻🦌
🌰🔥
⏮️🎄👁️💝
🥁👦🏼
🔵🎄
👶🏻🧊🚪
🎶🔔🎶🔔
I love listening and singing Christmas music. My favorite Christmas radio station is Mannheim Steamroller, it's only here during Christmas. Many are just instrumentals but some are even sung in German and I remember those from my grandfather (he was German) singing them. Another favorite is O Holy Night, when I was 10 years old my mom and I sang a duet in the church choir. Your post brought back wonderful memories but now I'll have to put my thinking cap on for the emoji songs! LOL
ReplyDeleteMy favorite traditional Christmas song is Carol of the Bells. Last year I discovered the poppy song "Count on Christmas" by Bebe Rexha and I absolutely love it. I also always enjoy Neil Diamond Christmas and South Park's Christmas Album. (I cast a wide net lol)
ReplyDeleteIt's alice from the UBC. I love singing Christmas music with my church choir. Yesterday, we sang Christmas music for the last time until the next Christmas season, so I tried to enjoy it as much as possible. I have to admit that most of the emojis stumped me but I did find I saw mommy kissing santa claus, and I laughed about that one!
ReplyDeleteI love how you’ve woven personal memories, cultural roots, and a modern twist into your Christmas song journey! The emoji challenge from Cookie and Biscuit adds such a playful spark—perfect for the season! 🎄🎶 Also, your mix of classic and unique tunes is inspiring. “Driving Home for Christmas” always hits differently—timeless!
ReplyDeleteMy son is 16 as well and he is like me and loves Christmas Songs especially the classics which we listen to together.
ReplyDeleteI love all Christmas Carols. I don't have a favourite, and I enjoy singing along with other singers.
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