The Unofficial Soundtrack of the Holidays: From Earworms to Torture Tunes
A peculiar phenomenon defines the holiday season: the inescapable grip of certain Christmas songs. While some evoke cherished memories, others burrow into our brains like unwelcome guests, persisting until well after the decorations are packed away. This year, one tune reigns supreme in the realm of holiday ubiquity, but not everyone is celebrating its ascent.
According to one observer, the “best” Christmas song is undoubtedly “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” but with a strict caveat: only Judy Garland is permitted to perform it. Its blend of melancholy and hope, they argue, perfectly encapsulates the spirit of the season.
However, the true hallmark of the holidays isn’t a carefully curated playlist, but rather the relentless onslaught of earworms – those “persistent, insidious little ditties that corkscrew into our consciousness.” These sonic invaders don’t necessarily fade with the turning of the calendar year, often lingering until the Feast of the Epiphany or even the commemoration of the Battle of New Orleans.
The arrival of the holiday season isn’t signaled by discounted Halloween decorations or colder weather, but by a specific auditory experience. “The way that I actually become conscious that the holiday season has truly arrived is when I’m at a restaurant or restroom or department store and I hear ‘Last Christmas, I gave you my heart…’” one commentator recalls. George Michael’s 1984 hit, “Last Christmas,” has become the definitive herald of the season, despite its questionable connection to traditional Christmas themes.
Interestingly, the song’s current dominance is a relatively recent development. While released decades ago, “Last Christmas” only reached the pinnacle of holiday popularity in December 2023. It steadily infiltrated the collective consciousness, becoming the most played Christmas song of the year. The reason for its enduring appeal remains a mystery to some.
Not all holiday tunes are created equal, however. Another song deemed particularly grating is Michael Jackson’s rendition of “Santa Claus is Coming to Town.” A surprising revelation also emerged: the beloved piano theme from “A Charlie Brown Christmas” is, in fact, Vince Guaraldi’s “Linus & Lucy.” While the situation is appreciated, the song’s true identity is less so. Conversely, “Christmas Time is Here,” also from the same CBS Peanuts special, is described as a genuinely moving piece.
For those seeking a truly unpleasant auditory experience – perhaps as a form of holiday-themed torture – one suggestion stands out: “The Twelve Days of Christmas.” It’s proposed as a replacement for the endlessly repetitive “Ninety-Nine Bottles of Beer on the Wall,” or, for a more sophisticated approach, Ravel’s “Bolero.”
On a lighter note, some rock Christmas songs offer a welcome reprieve, such as The Kinks’ “Father Christmas” and The Waitresses’ “Christmas Song,” which may resonate with fans of the film “Love Actually.”
As December progresses, and perhaps inevitably “rots,” be prepared for those Christmasy tunes to take root in your mind, accompanying every activity from eating to showering to simply enjoying a sunset.
Note: Opinions expressed by columnists and letter writers are those of the writers and not necessarily those of the newspaper.