First of all, I would like to apologize for my month absence. A portion of my time MIA, was spent in Duck, NC for an extended Thanksgiving simply enjoying family and not being burdened by anything but eating and relaxing.
Recently, and I am sure like most of you, I've been caught in my annual Christmas rush... which for me begins actually before Thanksgiving. Yes that's right, I am one of those "Most Wonderful Time of the Year" types. I absolutley love and live the season. In fact, as far as I am concerned its not long enough. The lights, the merriment, the spending well beyond my means, the incredible cooking and of course the music all play their part. It just wouldn't be the holiday season if there wasn't Christmas music playing 24/7. Thank goodness for the local radio stations that feed my insatiable Christmas desire for non stop music. This particular subject, however, has driven me to my Christmas wish this season or should I say my plight.
You see for me, there's always been a standard when it came to what I beleive Christmas music ought to be. For as long as I can remeber the Christmas carol has always been the hallmark of the warm and traditional Christmas. Of course, a Christmas song without any hint of Christ is just that...a song, not a carol. Now don't get me wrong, I love many of those too. They are fun and play their part for inspiring the festive holiday mood. In fact, Nat King Cole's The Christmas Song may just be one of the greatest songs ever recorded (Mad props to Mel Torme', by the way, for penning such as classic, especially in Southern California during the middle of a Summer heat wave). But the holiday is saved specifically for the celebration of the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, plain and simple. I mean, His name is in the Holiday! Everything else is just twinkling lights on the artificial tree, so to speak.
But my beef or my issue as it were, runs deeper than just the lyrics of the songs we allow the radio to play all day. It really boils down to the artist. Some people just should not be allowed to sing Christmas carols or any holiday songs for that matter. There is nothing more annoying then thoroughly enjoying a nice 20 minute commercial-free run of Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Perry Como, Diana Krall, Harry Connick, Michael Buble, Ella Fitzgerald, Burl Ives, Brenda Lee, June Chrisrty and so forth, to be interrupted by none other than John Lennon or even worse...Wham!
Seriously...Wham!?! Are you kidding me! Some of these broadcast directors should have their hats handed to them by their listening audience for playing such tripe! There should never be a reason to ever play a Christmas song recorded by Gloria Estefon, Dan Fogleberg, Elton John or Bruce Springsteen. There's nothing redeeming about their "cute" version of a timeless classic...nothing! Steel drums, blaring saxophone's, obnoxious vocal runs and depressing lyrics of loves lost have no place in any song at this time of year. Honestly, I can't turn the tuner fast enough. But the ultimate slap in the face is to have all my strategically preset channels playing the same garbage at the same time. Ugh! (My CD player is always primed for an emergency intervention, however). I guess its time for satellite radio, huh?
Any how, whether you agree with me or not, please have a safe and wonderful Christmas and never forget the real reason for the season. God Bless!
