And so it was Christmas, and what have we done, listened to it's music but now it is gone! Wait -What? Gone again, already?
Was that due to time speeding up again? No not this time. For me the holidays and its music has always been the best of the year
I've been fortunate to partake 75 of them now. It's magic as a child was greater than any other experience the year held. I grew up in the 50's and 60's, an absolutely perfect time to be mesmerized in all it's magical wonder. We grew up in the church and we were taught all the lyrics about the baby Jesus at a very early age handed down from one generation to the next. The 50's was a decade for the religious classics and future secular tunes we would all love to sing.
Santa must have brought the 60's because it was up and overflowing with Christmas Spirit and Magic! The radio stations were filled with new tunes every season. Over and over again I'd listen to the "Little Drummer Boy" on my little Victrola. The "Chipmunk Song"= not so much, but for a kid it was a favorite. So many singles and fantastic albums too. Johnny Mathis's record was at my top of the list, Andy Williams, and when the Beach Boys released their gift to the season, for me it was #1 ! Much over the decades many had lost their luster and charm. Not much has been released over all these years. Not much Ho Ho- but a lot of Ho Hum. For example-Darleen Love's "Baby Please come home for Christmas" see it on Letterman on YouTube feel the joy. For comparison a newer version with tones of Darleen
came out 30 years ago and since there's no new competition it's become the song for the holidays. Really? Is this the best out there? No Please.
Once again Mariah Carrey, All I want for Christmas is you. Mariah had lot's of glitz in the video and it has Phil Specter's "wall of sound" she made millions but what was missing was Darleen's joy, happiness, and holiday spirit. There's been a real pushback on the net to have restrictions on Carrie's tune, I totally agree.
Back to the 60's- the holidays exploded on TV. There were more Christmas
specials in this decade than any other. Everything animated esp Charley Brown's Christmas Then every personalty out there-Dean Martin, Sinatra, Crosby, Bob Hope, Andy Williams and far too many that I can remember. It seemed like every show had a Christmas theme. Also numerous tunes would be released for the radio.
Speaking of the holiday season radio- This year the tunes started right after Halloween. Played 24-7 on numerous local stations. So many heart warming
memories and melodies taking us back to more joyful times. They were a gift
to our ears blended in with a lot of -Not Too Much! There's so so much of out there that's played continuously, however the DJ's keep to there "Top 40" and there is much that's old bla bla! When was the last time something wonderful and new has been released? I can't remember either. So the plug was usually pulled on the new year for another year.
My Wait -What moment came on Christmas afternoon when I turned the radio on and any seasonal music was Gone! All the stations had gone back to their 11 month playlist. WHY?
And finally All the songs - like Sleighride, Winter wonderland, Let it snow, Over the river and through the woods, Jingle bells, Snowfall, Frosty the Snowman, Still Still Still, On this winters night with you, "my favorite" by Gordon Lightfoot, and the list goes on and on.
Two things they have in common, one -their all about snow AND the biggest commonality is even though our season of snow has really only just begun here in Maine, Feb n March has the most however it's wonderful tunes have melted away and it's back to the hum drum -bla bla for another 11 months.
We all have our own personal playlist in our minds, chock full of the very best! It's all in your mind - just pull it up and Press Play.
Or turn on the radio and listen to some "Spring Songs" Huh
Wait what?