There are some holiday songs that should banned. I'm sorry, Burl Ives, but there's really no reason for anybody to have to hear "Holly Jolly Christmas" ever again.
And Little Drummer Boy? There's almost no way to describe the sinking feeling that tune gives me. Except, well, to call it a sinking feeling. On the other hand, I don't mind Mariah Carey singing "All I Want for Christmas Is You," but my producers are pretty much coming though the glass of the control booth at me for saying that.
Christmas pop songs! Let me tell you something else, nobody knows all the words to "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" or, especially, "Jingle Bell Rock." They think they know, but they don't.
But there are some songs you might not know that are actually pretty good. I've got my own iPod Chrismas playlist, and so do Eric Danton and the aptly named Joan Holliday. Get ready to make a mixtape!
GUESTS:
- Eric Danton is a music writer for Rolling Stone.
- Joan Holliday is a radio host on The River 93.9.
What holiday tunes do you love and hate? Leave your comments below, e-mail colin@wnpr.org or Tweet us @wnprcolin.
***This episode originally broadcast Dec. 18, 2009***
Today's Playlist:
ERIC DANTON:
Away In a Manger - Paul Westerberg
The Christmas Song - The Raveonettes
Fairytale of New York - The Pogues
JOAN HOLIDAY:
Talking Christmas Goodwill Blues - John Wesley Harding
I Want An Alien For Christmas - Fountains of Wayne
La valse d'Amelie - Yann Tiersen
A Winter's Tale - Queen
New York Is A christmas Kind of Town - Marah
Boozing It Up With Friends - Marah
COLIN McENROE (Old Fezzywig):
Why Can't It be Christmas Time All Year - Rosie Thomas
Get Behind Me, Santa! - Sufjan Stevens
Cherry Tree Carol - Sting
Christmas Time All Over the World- Sammy Davis, Jr.
