Now I just came here tonight to say...
Thursday, December 18, 2008
When asked about my favorite Christmas songs, on those quizzes friends send around, or by Courtney as she compiles her yearly countdown, I always say the same things, drawing from the same places. Alternative rock songs, mostly, like "Fairytale of New York" and "Merry Christmas (I Don't Want to Fight)" by the Ramones. "2000 Miles" by the Pretenders. "Thank God it's Christmas" by Queen. Some of the Phil Spector genius, especially Darlene Love crooning "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)". And let's not forget Marah's entire Christmas album.
I'll also list my devotion to Ella Fitzgerald singing "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve", Lou Rawls' version of "Merry Christmas Baby" and Eartha Kitt's "Santa Baby". I can can heartily agree with your love for "Christmas Wrapping" and I'll confess to adoring "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" which always makes me cry, in a good way.
My favorite Christmas songs are, without a doubt, those that tell of longing and loss despite the shiny packaging of the season. It's the desire, the plea, with which they are sung that hooks me on one version versus another. It's reality. And I know I have claimed to dislike reality many times, but the truth is, no one has a perfectly happy anything. There's always something missing - a person, a paycheck, a clean bill of health. But you celebrate anyway. And isn't that the beauty of it? That we keep going, despite what sadness might creep in. That we can smile and be joyful in one moment even if the next is bittersweet. And it's okay. It's not perfect, but that's okay.
There's something about Christmas that makes me want to acknowledge that truth. Perhaps it's because I have spent so much of my time, wasted it really, on trying to make things look good. Not content to let it be, I've tried to polish it all up, put a pretty bow on it. My house, my marriage, my kid, myself. All of it. But you can only hold a facade for so long, and if anything is going to show you reality whether you like it or not, it's Christmas.
There's no hiding at Christmas, no show that's not a reality show. There might be some drama, and a heavy dose of comedy, and possibly some horror, if my dad gets you to do a few shots. But it's real.
So in the spirit of that season, let me leave you with this. The truth. The truth is, I adore all those songs. And yes, I do sob at "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas". You need to hear that song sung by Judy Garland, as she did in the film Meet Me in St. Louis, or by Dave Bielanko of Marah, who kills it. No one else comes close.
But the truth is, the song that I never mention, that makes me break out into a huge grin, that sets my mood from sad to elated, that makes me want to hug the world and love everyone I meet, is this song. Enjoy.
"Merry Christmas, Baby" by Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band
I'll also list my devotion to Ella Fitzgerald singing "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve", Lou Rawls' version of "Merry Christmas Baby" and Eartha Kitt's "Santa Baby". I can can heartily agree with your love for "Christmas Wrapping" and I'll confess to adoring "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" which always makes me cry, in a good way.
My favorite Christmas songs are, without a doubt, those that tell of longing and loss despite the shiny packaging of the season. It's the desire, the plea, with which they are sung that hooks me on one version versus another. It's reality. And I know I have claimed to dislike reality many times, but the truth is, no one has a perfectly happy anything. There's always something missing - a person, a paycheck, a clean bill of health. But you celebrate anyway. And isn't that the beauty of it? That we keep going, despite what sadness might creep in. That we can smile and be joyful in one moment even if the next is bittersweet. And it's okay. It's not perfect, but that's okay.
There's something about Christmas that makes me want to acknowledge that truth. Perhaps it's because I have spent so much of my time, wasted it really, on trying to make things look good. Not content to let it be, I've tried to polish it all up, put a pretty bow on it. My house, my marriage, my kid, myself. All of it. But you can only hold a facade for so long, and if anything is going to show you reality whether you like it or not, it's Christmas.
There's no hiding at Christmas, no show that's not a reality show. There might be some drama, and a heavy dose of comedy, and possibly some horror, if my dad gets you to do a few shots. But it's real.
So in the spirit of that season, let me leave you with this. The truth. The truth is, I adore all those songs. And yes, I do sob at "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas". You need to hear that song sung by Judy Garland, as she did in the film Meet Me in St. Louis, or by Dave Bielanko of Marah, who kills it. No one else comes close.
But the truth is, the song that I never mention, that makes me break out into a huge grin, that sets my mood from sad to elated, that makes me want to hug the world and love everyone I meet, is this song. Enjoy.
"Merry Christmas, Baby" by Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band
Labels: bruuuce, Christmas, the most wonderful time of the year, the story of my life, truth
7 Comments:
I love the Lou Rawls and Eartha Kitt songs too! We have a set of "hip" Christmas CDs from Pottery Barn of all places and they play on a continuous loop at our house all season long!
commented by 
Jill, 1:31 PM, December 18, 2008
Jill, 1:31 PM, December 18, 2008
I have never heard that xmas song! Unfortunately some of my favorite xmas songs come from South Park!
Happy Christmas!
Happy Christmas!
what a great song!
Oh, friends, Christmas music ABOUNDS over at my house. I buy at least one new Christmas cd every year; this year, I bought TWO. It has a very short play life--day after Thanksgiving until New Year's Day.
Must have Christmas albums:
Vince Guaraldi's soundtrack to "A Charlie Brown Christmas".
"A Very Special Christmas" compilations #1 (red cover) and #3 (gold cover)
"The Edge of Christmas" (punk/new wave).
And, one-off songs that are worth buying entire compilations for:
"Happy Christmas (War is Over) - John Lennon
"Do They Know It's Christmas?" - Band Aid.
Merry Christmas everyone!
Must have Christmas albums:
Vince Guaraldi's soundtrack to "A Charlie Brown Christmas".
"A Very Special Christmas" compilations #1 (red cover) and #3 (gold cover)
"The Edge of Christmas" (punk/new wave).
And, one-off songs that are worth buying entire compilations for:
"Happy Christmas (War is Over) - John Lennon
"Do They Know It's Christmas?" - Band Aid.
Merry Christmas everyone!
I'm going to have to write my own post about this now.
EDW, while you are generally the place to go for cool music tips, I will have to disagree with you on Santa Baby and I have posted why. Eartha Kitt is great, the song - no.
And you are right, there is no perfect holiday, but we can't wait for perfection to celebrate all the things we aren't missing.
And you are right, there is no perfect holiday, but we can't wait for perfection to celebrate all the things we aren't missing.
Hmmm... I prefer Madonna's version of Santa Baby... much sexier.
(Plus, y'know... gotta give out Detroit props.)
(Plus, y'know... gotta give out Detroit props.)
I always have a book by my side, and frequently walk and read at the same time. I am addicted to TIVO and watch too much TV and I'm not ashamed of it. I enjoy going to movies, talking about books and tv and movies, going see bands play, shopping with my friends, being alone with my husband, watching my daughter play, going out to dinner, and getting a nice pedicure. I appreciate good food and get excited by unexpected eating opportunities. I sing songs in the car. I must dance if there's music. I get easily drunk on wine. I try not to be critical, but it's difficult. I respect faith, but do not understand intolerance. I love passionate people. I'll always stay for one more drink and take the fork in the road. In my ideal world, radio stations play good music and people still read books.
