Jammin’ with Ginger | Christmas music: enjoyable or annoying?

By Kristi Alexandra [culture editor]

It’s been everywhere. In frequented coffee shops, on the radio, in department stores, on television Christmas specials. It’s the dreaded, continual haunt of holiday music.

Now, truth be told, I sorely miss listening to pretentious jazz at my local espresso dig, which is now replaced by smooth-pop renditions of “Little Drummer Boy” and “Away in a manger” by some choir-girl with a record label.

And I definitely wasn’t privy to listening to the Destiny’s Child Christmas album all winter last year, when I waitressed in a café over the holidays.

But I do admit that I have a little-seen soft spot for some holiday music. These are just a few:

Mariah Carey – All I want for Christmas is You
This little gem has been going strong for over 15 years, and there’s a reason for that. Carey’s vocal ability was, and remains, unparalleled in the pop music world, and this festive little number shows both her raw talent and adds that warm nod to the wintertime relationship that we all long for.

Dr. Seuss and Albert Hague, performed by Thurl Ravenscroft – You’re a mean one, Mr. Grinch.
If this doesn’t inspire childhood nostalgia, then I don’t know what does. Remember bringing out the Grinch VHS every holiday season? The other songs from this originally scored film do well, but none packed as much of a punch as this ominous and jazzy tune.

Elvis Presley – Blue Christmas
Swoon! Generations later and still Elvis is stealing young girl’s hearts with his devastating handsomeness, legendary swagger and vocal croon. I mean, I really feel that he’ll have a terribly blue Christmas if he doesn’t get to spend it with me. What a tragedy! What’s not tragic, however, is this song’s melody. Just beautiful.

Kurtis Blow – Christmas Rappin’
This little ditty does well in the style of post-modernist allusion to pop-culture. While the beat may be a little inspired by the Sugar Hill Gang, the lyrics are all original. Happy Hip-Hop Holidays!

Weezer – The Christmas Song
Something I find really weird about the music industry is that some bands become unpopular for getting too popular. Weezer is one of these bands. Here’s a gem from the Green Album (before they were too popular to like). It won’t exactly put you in the mood to “drink by the fire”, but it’ll remind you of how you got this album for Christmas as a preteen. Sigh.