Some of the most popular Christmas songs blaring on radio stations these days are nostalgic tunes that bear little resemblance to the holiday in 2009.
Christmas these days too often seems to be about eating and shopping, not the wistful reminiscing of songs of yesteryear. I’m sure some of the twentysomething singers belting these songs can’t really appreciate the experience of the songwriters.
Specifically, the ever-popular “Sleigh Ride” talks of a couple holding hands and singing choruses while taking a horse-drawn journey in the snow. A stop at Farmer Gray’s house involves watching chestnuts pop in the fireplace. The scene, according to the song, is “like a picture print by Currier and Ives.” Who knows these days what a picture print is or who Currier and Ives were? See above.
Another tune, “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” is even more obscure for today’s crowd. Kids no longer go jingle belling and friends don’t come to call with Christmas wishes. I suppose there are still “gay happy meetings,” but of a different variety.
We really don’t see people toasting marshmallows, telling scary ghost stories, hanging out under the mistletoe or even caroling out in the snow much any more. We do see people lined up for hours to buy a flat-screen TV or an iPhone.
In any regard, the continued playing time such songs receive on the air is an indication that people have ideals of what Christmas should be. At our house we’ll all be snuggled around the fireplace, eating a traditional meal made by my traditional wife with our traditional family. Truly, our hearts will be glowing when loved ones are near.
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