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The Origins of Nostalgia (Christmas Music)

Maister

Maister

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Exactly when did I become such a sentimental fool? Funny, I don't remember having a nostalgiac bone in my body as a young man. Yet it had to have happened at some point, though I don't know when. Lemme explain - I was working the front desk on Friday when the secretary turns on the all Christmas radio station (does anyone else have one of these or is sw Michigan the only region subjected to this?) Bing Crosby starts singing "It's Beginning to Look Alot Like Xmas" and my coworkers catch me humming along to the tune, I sheepishly stop. Ten minutes later they catch me singing "Merry Christmas" along with Johnny Mathis. I tell 'em if they don't like it then they should change the station, so they promptly change it to some station playing modern music. THIS station then plays a modern 'Christmas' song (I don't know who the artist was) - but, quite frankly it sucked. It evoked no feelings of sentimentality or nostalgia (or even had a repeatable melody for that matter). I guess they just don't make decent Christmas music anymore.
I certainly didn't think Bing Crosby was 'cool' by any stretch when I was a kid but the first time I can recall associating any strong feeling with a Christmas song was when I heard "I'll Be Home for Christmas" while living overseas when I was 21. Seems like that was an artificially induced situation, though, so I don't think I can count that one.

So is it just me, or did they just stop writing good Christmas songs about 35 years ago? And how old were you when you first felt nostalgia stirring? I find it hard to believe that Bruce Springsteen's version of 'Santa Claus is Coming to Town' or Paul McCartneys 'Simply Having a Wonderfult Christmas Time" will be regarded in the same league with Nat King Cole, Bing Crosby or Johnny Mathis' Christmas music.
 
I was thinking the same thing last Saturday as I put up the tree in my living room while listening to Sinatra, Bing Crosby, and Johnny Mathis Christmas CDs. It seems these old staples stayed with me from being a tyke, to a lad, to a lurching awkward preteen, to cynical high school/college student, to now. I don't think there is nothing good out now, even new adaptations to old classics. I'll stick with these old crooners who voices are fantastic and have stood the test of time.
 
Maister said:
. . . when the secretary turns on the all Christmas radio station (does anyone else have one of these or is sw Michigan the only region subjected to this?) . . .
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KVIL in Dallas becomes an all Christmas music station from Halloween through January 1st. It's the standard for offices, waiting rooms, department stores, and elevators this time of year.
 
zmanPLAN said:
I was thinking the same thing last Saturday as I put up the tree in my living room while listening to Sinatra, Bing Crosby, and Johnny Mathis Christmas CDs. It seems these old staples stayed with me from being a tyke, to a lad, to a lurching awkward preteen, to cynical high school/college student, to now. I don't think there is nothing good out now
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Zman, I'm disappointed - you were doing so well with the descriptive adjectives: lurching, cynical...you should add a one-word term describing your current state;-)
zmanPlan said:
, even new adaptations to old classics. I'll stick with these old crooners who voices are fantastic and have stood the test of time.
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Yes, I believe there was a Golden Age of Christmas music and it seems to have been during the 40's and 50's. I really do think that there are virtually no future 'classics' being recorded today. One of the reasons I suspect is that music in terms of general form has gotten away from ballads and let's face it ballads are the meat and potatoes of Christmas classics.
Maybe I'm wrong about the whole thing and the only reason more recent Christmas songs arent regarded as classics is simply because they haven't been around enough time for multiple generations to associate fond recollections with them....but I doubt it, the themes and tone of recent Christmas songs don't seem to have any air or intent at sentimentality about them.
 
Maister said:
Zman, I'm disappointed - you were doing so well with the descriptive adjectives: lurching, cynical...you should add a one-word term describing your current state;-).
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Scared? Hungover? Hoarse? Ready for supper? Tarred? Feathered? Deep Fried? Sexy? Shaky? ;)

P.S. I think there are a couple radio stations outta the Mile High City that have been playng Christmas tunes for a while now.
 
i've always been a fan of the "oldies" esp. around christmas time. at AccuHolidays.com you can listen to christmas music through your computer. they have a couple of themed stations, one of which is "Traditional" with songs by Bing, Frankie, Dean-o, Nat King Coloe, and other great artists. www.accuradio.com/holidays/
 
I usually listen to the oldies since that's what I grew up with and I don't think anyone has done it better since Bing and the others. But I have some newer favorites, too: one CD with some of the Weather Channel X-mas music (really!) and of course Jingle Cats (Meow, meow, meow...).
 
Zoning Goddess said:
Jingle Cats (Meow, meow, meow...).
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Gosh, I'm, glad you mentioned that classic. It's nearly as delightful as the version of Jingles Bells with the barking dogs! I could listen to it again and again and again and again! Say, if you happen to know where I can find either songwriter please let me know. I've been meaning to thank both of them in person for some time now.
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My wife listens to enough x-mas music for the both of us. My personal favorites:
Grandma got run over by a reindeer, Twas the night before x-mas, by Jeff Foxworthy, and the 12 pains of x-mas.

Yeah, I'm real sentimental ain't I^o)

Oh, lets not forget the Chipmunks!! ;)
 
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Maister said:
Gosh, I'm, glad you mentioned that classic. It's nearly as delightful as the version of Jingles Bells with the barking dogs! I could listen to it again and again and again and again! Say, if you happen to know where I can find either songwriter please let me know. I've been meaning to thank both of them in person for some time now.
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The Jingle Cats only do classic holiday selections. Unfortunately, they don't happen to have the best voices out there....:-o
 
Gedunker said:
Mannheim Steamroller :)
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Ah yes, Mannheim Steamroller: the exception that proves the rule! Did you realize that they released their blockbuster debut Christmas album in 1984? That's over 20 years ago - they may be one of the very few acts of recent vintage that has produced enduring favorites that will be remembered beyond their own generation. I also understand that Harry Connick Jr. has recorded a few Christmas tunes that might prove to have some timeless appeal. Time will tell.
 
I have the ipod/bose hookup in the office and have been listening to Christmas tunes since last week. I agree with the above sentiments.

The Ray Coniff Singers are seriously underrated.

Here's one modern classic IMO--the Dave Matthews "Christmas Song" off of "Remember Two Things"

Oh and though it is un-pc, Montgomery Gentry's version of "Merry Christmas From the Family" is a country classic.
 
Don't forget, Bob and Doug McKenzie's 12 Days of Christmas.

Day 1: A Beer
Day 2: 2 turtlenecks
Day 3: 3 French Toasts
Day 4: 4 pounds of Back Bacon
Day 5: 5 Golden Touques
Day 6: 6 Pack of Tuborg? [The :b: of Danish Kings...] (I think)
Day 7: 7 packs of smokes
and then I think they skip up to Day 12 and the song falls apart.
Bob forgets to ask for Donuts.

It's a classic, Hosers. Take a listen. ;)
 
zmanPLAN said:
Don't forget, Bob and Doug McKenzie's 12 Days of Christmas.

Day 1: A Beer
Day 2: 2 turtlenecks
Day 3: 3 French Toasts
Day 4: 4 pounds of Back Bacon
Day 5: 5 Golden Touques
Day 6: 6 Pack of Tuborg? [The :b: of Danish Kings...] (I think)
Day 7: 7 packs of smokes
and then I think they skip up to Day 12 and the song falls apart.
Bob forgets to ask for Donuts.

It's a classic, Hosers. Take a listen. ;)
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8 comic books
http://www.execulink.com/~bobnet/hoser/12days.html
 
This is a bit off the subject but do you guys in North America get the song "greensleeves" played during Christmas time?

I cant seem to understand why it is a "christmas song"

In Oz we have some fantastic Aussie christmas songs- special renditions of Jingles Bells.....

Dashing thru the bush
in a rusty holden ute
kicking up the dust
eski in the boot
kelpie by my side
singing christmas songs
it's christmas time and i am in
my singlet, shorts and thongs...

Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way
christmas in australia on a scorching summer day, hey!
Jingle bells, jingle bells
ingle bells, jingle bells
christmas time is beaut oh what fun it is to ride in a rusty holden ute​

Who needs the classics when you have songs like this! :-D
 
senti-Mental

I cry every time I hear Little Drummer Boy. And I mean EVERY time, even when I'm singing it to myself alone in the car.

So when I watched the movie with my 3 year old son for the first time this year I just broke down with racking sobs. He really didn't know what was wrong with me - and I don't either.
 
Me? I'm partial to:

"We three kings of Orient are,
Smoking on a rubber cigar.
It was loaded,
It exploded."

And the ever popular "Grandma got run over by a reindeer."

Brings tears to my eyes.
 
natski said:
This is a bit off the subject but do you guys in North America get the song "greensleeves" played during Christmas time?

I cant seem to understand why it is a "christmas song"
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There is an X-mas song sung to the Greensleeves tune.

"This, this, is Christ the King"
I don't remember anymore of it.

Oh no, now I remember - "What child is this?"
 
This, this is Christ the King;
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing.
Haste, haste to bring Him laud,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.

I'll be going home for Christmas, where my parents' parish is named "Christ the King." There's a 100% chance that that song will be sung at some point during the mass.
 
Maister said:
So is it just me, or did they just stop writing good Christmas songs about 35 years ago? .
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Please don't forget the timeless "Last Christmas" by Wham!

Last Christmas I gave you my Heart
The very next day, you gave it away
This year, to save me from tears
I'll give it to someone special

repeat ad nauseum
 
jordanb said:
This, this is Christ the King;
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing.
Haste, haste to bring Him laud,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.

I'll be going home for Christmas, where my parents' parish is named "Christ the King." There's a 100% chance that that song will be sung at some point during the mass.
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Oh ok- so it isnt the actually original words? Cause i was understood the song to be about someone losing a girl or something- weird
 
jordanb said:
^-- Odds are the hymn came first and Greensleeves ripped off the melody.
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Considering Greensleeves was written By King Henry the 8th...........

Thats why i am confused, as the song is played at my church (catholic) at christmas time.

Maybe someone ripped off the Kings tune?
 
Heh. Not being in Her Majesty's Commonwealth, I assumed Greensleeves was a band or something. :-$

Lo and behold, Wikipedia has the answer:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greensleeves
"Greensleeves" has inspired a number of derivative works. The British composer Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958) composed a Falstaff opera, Sir John in Love (1935), from which Ralph Greaves adapted a Fantasia on "Greensleeves." Its slow tempo has inspired modern languishing renditions. The Christmas carol "What Child is This?" by William Chatterton Dix (1837-1898) used the melody of "Greensleeves" (Bébé Dieu in French), while "I Saw Three Ships" uses a more upbeat variant of "Greensleeves".
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As far as it being sung in Catholic mass, at least it has Catholic overtones, "The babe, the son of Mary." Of course to protestants, Jesus is the son of God and Mary was just a vessel. Far worse, I think, is when they sing "Amazing Grace" in a Catholic mass "Amazing grace! (how sweet the sound) that sav'd a wretch like me! I once was lost, but now am found, was blind, but now I see." What the heck does recieving grace by being born again have to do with catholicism?
 
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Hooray! It all makes complete sense now- i was so confused, because the orginal words Henry VIII wrote (well allegedly anyway) were so not "christmas appropriate"

jordanb said:
As far as it being sung in Catholic mass, at least it has Catholic overtones, "The babe, the son of Mary." Of course to protestants, Jesus is the son of God and Mary was just a vessel. Far worse, I think, is when they sing "Amazing Grace" in a Catholic mass "Amazing grace! (how sweet the sound) that sav'd a wretch like me! I once was lost, but now am found, was blind, but now I see." What the heck does recieving grace by being born again have to do with catholicism?
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I would understand it as when you pray and received the eucharist and wine, this is being born again.... being forgiven for your sins "being saved".

I apologise to everyone for kinda hijacking the thread.....
 
natski said:
I would understand it as when you pray and received the eucharist and wine, this is being born again.... being forgiven for your sins "being saved".
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Well, not all your sins are forgiven through prayer or the Eucharist and I don't think the church considers either activity as being a rebirth. I had this discussion with a priest though who argued that baptism is considered to be a "second birth" into Grace, and therefore the song is about baptism.

But I don't think that a Catholic infant baptism can really capture the Baptist significance of being lost and then being found. "I was lost for a week between when I was born and when I was baptized. I don't remember any of it but I have this picture!"

The priest rounded out his argument by saying that it is a very pretty song, and that there is nothing in it doctrinally opposed to the Catholic Church in it, so there's no reason not to sing it. He's probably right, but still, when a Catholic sings it, it has an entirely different meaning than the writer intended.
 
jordanb said:
<snip>The priest rounded out his argument by saying that it is a very pretty song, and that there is nothing in it doctrinally opposed to the Catholic Church in it, so there's no reason not to sing it. He's probably right, but still, when a Catholic sings it, it has an entirely different meaning than the writer intended.
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When they sing it at my Catholic Church it is more of a dirge than anything else, especially at the 5:30 Saturday (blue-haired organist only) mass.

The choir usually turns it on at Christmas for Gloria in Excelsis Deo (Angels We Have Heard on High).
 
A few weeks ago, I posed a question to the members of another message board: why does it seem like only old people whistle? Whenever I'm in a public place and I hear someone whistling, far more often than not it's a senior citizen.

The answers were quite interesting. Whistling being trendy for a while in the 1940s and 1950s, but fostering its popularity was an abundance of popular songs that you could actually whistle along with. From that thread:

Whistlers come from the era when popular music was more dependent on a catchy melody. Anybody could whistle Strangers in the Night, or Mack the Knife. These days, the melody is either non-existent (hip-hop) or just not catchy enough for amateurs to learn.
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New Christmas tunes became less common when rock became more prevalent than crooners, in the mid-to-late 1950s. It's not that there aren't good Christmas rock songs out there, but they aren't as catchy as the old standards. Christmas Wrapping by The Waitresses is a fun song, but imagine trying to sing it with your friends.
 
Dan said:
Whistlers come from the era when popular music was more dependent on a catchy melody. Anybody could whistle Strangers in the Night, or Mack the Knife. These days, the melody is either non-existent (hip-hop) or just not catchy enough for amateurs to learn.
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As far as whistling, melody is one thing but I think that back then almost everyone was on the same page. Everybody knew and liked the new Glenn Miller or Frank Sinatra tune. Now popular music is very segmented and different young people are into their own scenes more than in the 40's. Whatever you whistle is going to be disliked by half the people in earshot.

I wonder if some sort of modern self-consciousness is part of it too. Maybe more people now don't want to be noticed or ridiculed by whistling "Hit Me Baby One More Time" in an elevator.
 
BUMP
Time for my annual rant....I have heard MAYBE four or five actual Christmas songs (you know like Deck the Halls, White Christmas, Good King Wencelaus, Rudolph, etc.) over the past four hours while listening to the local "Christmas" radio station. I tell ya they just don't write Christmas songs you can sing anymore!!!
 
This year I've gotten my brother a "Redneck Style Christmas Classics" CD, with such nostalgic selections as "Santa's Gonna Come in a Pickup Truck" and "Leroy the Redneck Reindeer". Sure hope they play it at Mom's on X-mas day! (Sure hope my SIL realizes I'm making fun of them!...:) )
 
From Da Yoopers

No suprise from this Bear.....

"Rusty Chevrolet" by The Yoopers, a comedy-music group from dat dere Ishpeming, ya know, out da 41 past da old airport, on da way to all da fish camps, ya.

I won't print the lyrics here because they are copyrighted. Just do a Google for "Da Yooper's Lyrics".

Charming Christmas tune, played to the tune of "Jingle Bells". Dude is dashing through the snow in an old Chevy, held together by chicken wire. The vehicle is rusting and smoking, missing a door....but the radio is "OK". During his ride he sings about Negaunee cops, the IGA store, and Shopko. Priceless.

Bear Again In Sow-Naa
 
I like the traditional christmas songs, but only on christmas eve or christmas day. Otherwise I get burnt out. A couple of "newer" christmas songs I can't get enough of, though; Christmas in Hollis by Run DMC and Happy Christmas (War is Over) by John Lennon. Happy Christmas is just as relevant today.

On the radio the other day they were playing portions of Billy Idol's new christmas CD and making fun of it. It was horrible:victory: . I hate when has-beens churn out a few christmas classics to make a buck, without really trying.
 
Crass Commercialism Always Dampens It For Me...

I think it was the week before Thanksgiving; I was in the local grocery acquiring some of the basics. During my short time there, I heard Kenny G's languid and lame version of "White Christmas" and Paul McCartney's incredibly annoying "Having A Wonderful Christmas Time."

That does it - I'm doing all my shopping online - even the groceries - until 12/26!
 
"The Christmas Song" by Nat King Cole. An oldie and the best Xmas song in my opinion. I've heard others do it, but not even Tony Bennett does it better than NKC.
 
For me, nothing invokes feelings of nostalgia and sentimentality like Vince Guaraldi's "A Charlie Brown Christmas."
 
Planderella said:
For me, nothing invokes feelings of nostalgia and sentimentality like Vince Guaraldi's "A Charlie Brown Christmas."
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The jolly man in the brown suit who delivered my gift for my Secret Santa target also left this cd for me. I listened to it twice last night... had really forgotten how great the music is.

There was a good story on NPR's Morning Edition last week about the making of the soundtrack. It definitely made me feel nostalgic and in "the holiday spirit." :)
 
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