12 Comments
Nov 11, 2023Liked by NotFromTexas

...but nothing beats attending the NY Philharmonic’s ‘Handel’s Messiah’ during the Christmas season 🙌🏼

Expand full comment

I love it, the whole thing. I look forward to the next two in the series.

Christmas music comes on at most three times in my house: when we're putting up the tree, one night when I sit and look at the tree and take a trip down memory lane, and then on Christmas. The music is either the Mannheim Steamrollers or Straight No Chaser.

And, yes, Christmas is a shallow, commercialized endeavor that gets bigger and more ridiculous every year.

In case you haven't come across it, a song you might like: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_WMemdeizo

Expand full comment

The Christmas season, or what I refer to as "The Need For Greed," is an excess of everything that starts on October 15th with commercials and sales to try and instill in the public an overwhelming desire for more presents, more food, more decorations, and more spending, all of which come crashing down when we open our January bills. The monthly payments will continue until October 14th of the following year, when a fresh round of advertising campaigns will pique our interest in more greed. Jesus and the pilgrims must be spinning like pinwheels in their graves.

Expand full comment

If you're looking for unusual Christmas songs, I recommend "Snoopy's Christmas" by the Royal Guardsmen. My musical tastes are definitely uncommon; I'm proud to say I don't even recognize every song on your "never again" list.

Expand full comment
Nov 14, 2023Liked by NotFromTexas

I guess I’ll be in the minority here. I am admittedly “a Christmas slappy”. I’ve been lucky enough to experience it in many parts of the world, including Bethlehem and never get tired out it. A week doesn’t go by that The Nutcracker doesn’t get played and my home is filled with Nutcrackers from all over the world.

I agree with most of your least favorites with a couple exceptions. I would have changed a couple things on All I Want For Christmas is You. She mostly made it a homage to the old Phil Spector sound but I would have put a sax bridge in there to make it perfect. For a couple of out of the box selections I’d suggest Spinal Tap’s “Christmas With the Devil” and of course the AC/DC classic “I Want a Mistress For Christmas “. I’m sure we’ll get into music more in your next offerings.

I’m glad to focus on this and take a break from depressing world news. Good timing on your part.

Expand full comment

I don't know what the hell this post is all about and I don't have the time to read it, pard, but I know Christmas music is a primary marker of the passing years. Cuz.... I remember this time last Christmas. I can mark the passage of a year by knowing I am going to be assaulted with the same music attack!

Expand full comment

I do not know what you mean by "economically vibrant," but right around there in your long story you say: "many are so highly specialized one has to wonder how they turn a profit." Ahem! Listen up~ THAT is for richies who like shopping. They will go to a new store for something just to have the experience of shopping for that one item. If there is a store for it --- hey, suddenly they find out the need it!

Expand full comment