Return to the Canon of Christmas Songs

[beamjockey]

Today in XKCD #988, Randall Munroe illustrates the point I was making in "Canon of Christmas Songs: Well Gone Dry?" back in 2000

Comments

[tceisele]

One could probably make a similar chart for Christmas specials. Rudolf and Frosty and Charlie Brown were among the first of them and all get aired year after year, but most of the ones made later were aired for a few years (or maybe only once) and then dropped out of sight.

[archiver_tim]

The ALF Christmas special was aired only once. As was the Star Wars Holiday special, which ended up about a Wookie holiday.

[rono_60103]

I'm familiar with several songs from the '80s and even more recent. But they get most, if not all, of their airplay on Christian music stations.

That, and a lot of the new compositions don't get the airplay at all.

[seawasp]

I composed my version of Frosty the Snowman just last year!

[neowolf2]

Clearly, we need to invent new holidays. Songs will follow.

[mmcirvin]

"This Is Halloween" from The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) seems to have had some staying power.

(And, of course, some of the songs in that film are really Christmas songs, but they don't really work out of context; the culture seems to have retroactively decided that it's a Halloween movie, something that was not clear when it was first released.)

[mmcirvin]

...which brings up again my thesis that (1) Halloween is gradually expanding in cultural importance and (2) I am all for this.

[polyfrog]

What's This? would work out of context, I think.

Those stupid winter radio songs

[mia_mcdavid]

We need more terminology. Two of those songs are actually about the birth of Christ; two are about Santa Claus, and the rest are sentimental songs about family celebrations, decorations, or just good times in winter. "Christmas Carol" is far too broad a term.

Does anybody voluntarily play Rudolph or I'll Be Home for Christmas in their own house?

Re: Those stupid winter radio songs

[beamjockey]

With due respect to your own taste, "I'll Be Home for Christmas" has also been called " The greatest and most moving non-theological piece of seasonal music."

I re-read Tris McCall's 50-song countdown every Christmas now.

Re: Those stupid winter radio songs

[mia_mcdavid]

I don't dis it as a moving piece of seasonal music, but it's a total downer. The guy isn't going to get home...

Re: Those stupid winter radio songs

[kip_w]

In his dreams!