| It is without much room for doubt, safe to say that | | | | because it makes reference to the snow and cold to |
| no other holiday (religious or secular), or day of the | | | | be found in most of the northern countries as "Baby, |
| year or time of which has so much in the way of | | | | It's Cold Outside" or "Let It Snow" or "Winter |
| music dedicated to it; as does Christmas. This in a | | | | Wonderland" do likewise whilst also failing to use the |
| tradition that goes back through the centuries as far | | | | words Christmas or even Santa Claus. As for myself, |
| as the middle ages. However it was during the years | | | | I particularly like the song "Sleigh Ride" and its merry |
| of the reformation that a lot of the music connected | | | | melody which also does not say anything about |
| to Christmas was banned as was the celebrating of | | | | Christmas but gives the listener plenty to be merry |
| Christmas itself. This being caused by the believe of | | | | about. This song can also be found on the Christmas |
| those who stuck firm to the notion that since | | | | album by "The Three Tenors". |
| Christmas was not mentioned in the bible; it ought | | | | Another variety of Christmas song which has |
| not to be celebrated; as doing so would be an act of | | | | become popular is those which are basically of little |
| sin. With time however Christmas celebrating was | | | | difference from romantic songs other then they tell |
| brought back as was the music connected to it | | | | of a romance during Christmas time. "Last Christmas" |
| which in the last 100 years has become connected | | | | by the pop group "Wham" perhaps is a perfect |
| more with carols and songs then with the church | | | | example of how such feelings are not being kept out |
| orchestral music which those of centuries prior used | | | | of this kind music which tries to cater to feelings that |
| to associate this time of year with. | | | | might arise during this most special time of the year. |
| Christmas music now a days can be for the most | | | | So, lovers need not feel excluded as there are many |
| part divided in to two categories; they being carols | | | | such songs to fill the hearts of those who really care |
| and songs, with carols concentrating on the religious | | | | little for anything that concerns this season; save |
| side of Christmas and all that has to do with the birth | | | | being with the one they love above all else in a |
| of Christ, such as the virgin Mary, the town of | | | | romantic way. As for my taste when it comes to |
| Bethlehem, angels and the star which guided the | | | | such romantic Christmas songs, it leans toward the |
| three wise men to the place of Jesus' birth. Carols | | | | ones recorded so many years ago by those now |
| include such numbers as "Oh, Come O' Ye Faithful" | | | | legendary performers, like Dean Martin (real name |
| "Joy To The World" and "Silent Night" which as | | | | Dino Crocetti and who incidentally died on December |
| stated in this paragraph capture the essence of what | | | | 25, 1995), Doris Day, Bing Crosby and who could |
| in fact is being celebrated and that being the birth of | | | | forget Frank Sinatra, "the voice". It is these singers |
| Christ. It is songs like these that make for a quit | | | | that have been played on my stereo many a time |
| evening at home, perhaps around a fireplace, if one | | | | during Christmas; as there is something in their |
| happens to have one though I am reminded of my | | | | renditions of songs like "A Winter Romance", "I've |
| youth in New York. | | | | Got My Baby To Keep Me Warm" and some of the |
| This being not because I had a fireplace but because | | | | ones already mentioned that in my opinion truly |
| it was in New York that channel 11 would play | | | | brings out the romance that some of us now |
| Christmas music exclusively from 9 pm till midnight of | | | | associate with this time of year. |
| the 24th of December. All the time showing nothing | | | | Christmas perhaps most of all is enjoyed by children |
| on the screen but a fireplace with one burning log. I | | | | as to them everything is new and the presents they |
| guess channel 11, figured most people would be | | | | get are of most importance to them then anybody |
| limiting themselves to listening to the music and not | | | | else and it is for them that some songs have been |
| watching what was on the screen. It however | | | | specially written. For instance "Frosty, The |
| seemed strange to me that after watching the log | | | | Snowman", ( not really a Christmas song, as it does |
| burning for sometime; I started to get a feeling of | | | | not mention it) truly captures the spirit of this time |
| warmth which no doubt must have been created by | | | | of year in the countries of cold with its happy |
| my mind as it is highly doubtful that the TV set | | | | melody reminding all, specially the young that they |
| would have radiated more heat because of this | | | | need not fuss with school and may go out and build |
| image. | | | | all their imagination and snow will allow them to. |
| As for Christmas Carols; I would also say they offer | | | | Of course, there are a variety of songs for this time |
| relaxation from the hustle and bustle that is the | | | | of year; some of which are simply about Christmas |
| Christmas season. All of which includes the need to | | | | partying such as Paul McCartney's "Wonderful |
| plan how we will spend this day along with the | | | | Christmastime" or Slade's "Merry Xmas Everybody". It |
| shopping done; in more often then not crowed | | | | is songs like this and several others which for the |
| stores, as we look for bargains or that perfect gift | | | | most part are nice songs to even dance to in a party |
| for that certain someone. It is from this that we can | | | | setting with drinks and general good cheer. However |
| come home to a lovely melody of the season which | | | | in this that be music of the season, John Lennon also |
| for us older folks would be accompanied by a cup of | | | | contributed a song called "Happy Xmas (War Is |
| coffee with brandy while the younger ones may | | | | Over)" which undoubtedly captures the ideas of this |
| enjoy a cup of hot chocolate which would not be | | | | time of year while throwing a bit of a political view as |
| just right without those marshmallows. | | | | it makes reference to American participation in what |
| Where carols focus on the religious side of Christmas, | | | | become known as the Vietnam War. This song |
| songs do so on all the rest that is connected to this | | | | however in spite of its politics and reference to a |
| time of year, which includes the commercial angles of | | | | war which has been over for over 30 years is still |
| shopping and decorations plus the sentimental side of | | | | popular and was even covered twice by my idol, |
| Christmas that makes people come together. As | | | | Placido Domingo. First with Sarah Brightman and then |
| some examples of Christmas songs one could | | | | with his fellow tenors, Carreras and Pavarotti. |
| mention "White Christmas", "Santa Claus Is Coming | | | | Christmas songs however come from all over the |
| To Town", and "We Wish You A Merry Christmas". It | | | | world and many times some of the songs we believe |
| is songs such as these that have contributed perhaps | | | | to be from our country; turn out to be from |
| even more then carols to Christmas being so vastly | | | | overseas and were translated in to our language. For |
| celebrated through out the world. As in an age when | | | | instance "Silent Night" (composed by Mohr and |
| people are turning away from believe in God, they | | | | Gruber) comes to us from Austria and because of |
| may find something in songs that put emphases on | | | | this we can imagine that it was originally written in |
| simply having a good time or being together in | | | | German; as is the case. France for instance has given |
| sharing our love of humanity. | | | | us "Oh, Holly Night" while Spain is not without classics |
| Christmas songs can also be very good for bringing | | | | of its own such as "Ay, Para Navidad"; so it is this |
| out the joy of giving presents or receiving them as | | | | Christmas that I urge those who enjoy music of this |
| well as being close to one's loved ones; weather they | | | | season to try some songs from other countries. If |
| be our children or parents or just that special | | | | for no other reason then just to see how they differ |
| romantic relationship; one may be involved in at the | | | | from those in our own countries. Poland for instance |
| time of Christmas. As these songs remind people of | | | | has a nice song called "Dormi Bambino" which thanks |
| the simple way two people can share this time of | | | | to Carreras having a Polish girlfriend at the time |
| year. In a way where little other then each other's | | | | ended up being performed by "The 3 Tenors" on |
| society is required. Songs like "Have Yourself A Merry | | | | their Christmas album which I recommend to all, even |
| Little Christmas" or "I'll Be Home For Christmas or | | | | those who be not fans of classical music. |
| "Blue Christmas" are the ones I have in mind when it | | | | When it comes to Christmas songs, they not only |
| comes to expressing such ideas. As for myself, I | | | | are not limited by international boundaries but by |
| have always enjoyed listening to such songs with my | | | | musical styles as songs of the season have been |
| wife in a romantic setting where our tree of the | | | | covered from artist as diverse as "The 3 Tenors", |
| season is never out of sight. | | | | McCartney, Lennon, Slade, Brian Adams, Steve Vai, |
| When it comes to Christmas songs, "Jingle Bells" is | | | | Kenny G, Kenny Rogers in styles of music that |
| arguably the most popular of all and yet strangely | | | | include country, disco and recently even hip-hop. I |
| enough the lyrics of this song have almost nothing to | | | | however always incline to the traditional |
| do with Christmas as they do not even mention it by | | | | arrangements as those are the ones I grew up on. |
| name for that matter. "Jingle Bells" actually was not | | | | In conclusion I would say there is no denying the |
| originally released as a Christmas song but a pop | | | | influence Christmas has had on music as there is no |
| song about winter which for the reason that most | | | | denying the same for what music has meant to |
| countries in the north celebrate this time of year | | | | Christmas, for what would be this season without |
| during their cold months has come to be considered | | | | those songs we grew up with? Songs which we |
| as a Christmas song. It in my opinion is a nice little | | | | perhaps sang in school, which will last forever as will |
| piece which most children through out the world have | | | | this day, therefore it is with this in mind that I |
| heard and though it has no real connection with | | | | suggest to all who enjoy Christmas not to exclude |
| Christmas it is always a lot of fun and has even been | | | | those songs and carols which like the tree itself will |
| covered by "The Three Tenors" on their Christmas | | | | bring to our homes that spirit of giving which is so |
| Album of 2000. "Jingle Bells" however is not the only | | | | abundant during this time of year known as |
| song to become popular during Christmas simply | | | | Christmas. |