What's the worst Christmas song of all time?
Wed Nov 15, 2006 at 02:39:28 PM PDT
Almost impossibly, it's that time of year again. In the Boston area alone, at least two radio stations have flipped to all-Christmas, all the time programming. There's a third that will follow suit, if it hasn't already (I just don't remember the location on my dial so I can't check. That, and I'm not suicidal).
Naturally, this being November 15th, half of my co-workers are dialed into the stations, thus turning an otherwise slightly unpleasant Wednesday into a cross between that weird, uncomfortable kiss from grandma and the Bataan Death March. Which brings up a question: what is the worst Christmas song of all time? I have a few thoughts below, but I'm most interested in your thoughts.
The top offenders in my book, in no particular order:
-The Little Drummer Boy, as sung by Bob Seger. I mean, my God. Thankfully, this is infrequently played, but it gets deep under my skin every time. The Little Drummer Boy itself is among the worst carols. It's repetitive, it's schmaltzy, and it endorses the use of percussion instruments in birthing wards. But with Seger attempting to sound meaningful, it's jaw-droppingly bad.
-A Wonderful Christmastime, by Paul McCartney. I admit it, I hate Paul McCartney. I hate Jet. Wooh wooh. Jet. Wooh wooh. I hate Band on the Run. I hate that Freedom song he did after 9/11. In fact, other than Maybe I'm Amazed, I think his entire solo career is for poop. But this one makes all the rest seem like the Ode to Joy sung by a chorus of large-breasted angels.
-Feliz Navidad. If this damn thing had any fewer words, its content would somehow reach negative density, thus causing a tear in spacetime.
-Anything by the Carpenters. Unlike Seger's offering, people play this all the motherhumping time, and it makes me want to find the nearest reindeer and beat it senseless with a shoe. Karen Carpenter's voice is sweet, talented, possessed of impressive clarity, and to my ears, positively unlistenable. I'd rather listen to Dylan gargling.
-Last Christmas by WHAM. Nuff said. Really.
-Do They Know It's Christmas by Band Aid. I have a number of problems with this song. First, no they probably don't know it's Christmas, since the song was talking about people in a largely Muslim nation (with an admittedly large Christian population). Second, there's relatively few more sanctimonious moments in recorded human history than when Bono sings "well tonight thank God it's them instead of you." Third, the song laments that there won't be snow. In Ethiopia. Somebody wanna get these people an atlas?
-Christmas Shoes. AAAAAAAAGGGGGGHHHHHHH!!!! Again, nuff said.
What are yours? Go nuts.