I love Christmas music. The soundtrack of my childhood Christmas memories is as follows: Ray Coniff Jr., Amy Grant, the Nutcracker and George Winston's Winter album...and probably some other stuff like the Chipmunks album when it wasn't misfiled or lost somewhere.
I think you can see in that selection that I was raised to enjoy (if not merely tolerate) a little variety of music.
But, friends. I have found the limit. There is a song that absolutely makes me cringe when I hear the first measure. I turn it off immediately. (yeah...I listen to Christmas radio...) But, here's the thing...If I don't turn it off in time, I start to get teary eyed.
Do you know which song I'm talking about?
Which kind of person are you? Someone who likes this song? Or someone who truly despises this song despite the fact that it might you make cry like a baby...because it's so emotionally manipulative!!!
Two kinds, people...two kinds...
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20 comments:
Definitely cringe-worthy!
I despise the song also for a few reasons... as you said, it's emotionally manipulative, but also because it's waaaay overdone by too many people, and if I hear it again, I'm going to be sick.
btw, love your blog.
Before I even clicked the link, I knew exactly what song you were talking about. I cringe a bit, mainly because it's seriously overplayed around here.
We listened to Ray Conniff, too! (records, of course)
No thank you! Too emotionally manipulative and not even that great artistically speaking.
That said, I'm crazy for Christmas music, too. Oh yeah, we're sisters.. that makes sense.
My favorite right now is O Holy Night! In researching up on the lyrics, it was written in the 1800s and was so progressive in it's anti-slavery commentary. "Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother; and in His name all oppression shall cease." Bold words, no doubt, as they were sung by Bing Crosby during segregation in the States.
Hey, Jen, I love your blog too. I don't think I tell you that often enough.
uhhhh. I have no idea what song it is. Maybe they aren't playing it as much in STL.
Holly
I'll have to come back later...the suspense is killing me...youtuber won't let me play it.
Do you HAVE Ray Coniff???
My word verification is "smaki." Why that struck me so funny, I have no idea. It's a sign. We're gonna get a puppy and I'm gonna name it "Smaki."
OK. I'm watching the song on youtube on one tab and on your blog on another tab. The shoe song sounds pretty cool with your music over the top.
Actually, I've had to stop listening to KTIS because it makes me swear so much.
Finally heard/saw it...I'm so easily manipulated and I don't like it....therefore, I do believe I change the channel when it comes on. What causes me to turn the volume up? "I Wanna Hippopotamus for Christmas"
"No crocodiles...or rhinoceroses...I only like...hippopotamuses...and hippopotamuses like me toooooooooo!!
I love Gavin's big finish on that song...so Vienna choir boy like.
This post has brought me out of obscurity - you've explained the last 3 Christmas seasons for me to a 'T'. If I don't get the radio station turned in time or if I just want to see if I think it's THAT bad, it always backfires and the tears start to form. I can't Stand It! Thank you for putting words to my frustration and helping me to feel like less of a low human being for NOT liking the song....
First of all, I did not skim this blog entry. Second, I knew that you were referring to Christmas Shoes before you even said it. And third, I love the song because it reminds me of how blessed I am.
Kim. I'm terribly disappointed in you. I thought someone might defend this song, but I was hoping it would be on the basis that...I don't know...it was autobiographical...that maybe they were that little kid that ran to the shoe store while mom's on the death bed. Then I could understand. I knew somebody liked this song...but you???
Sarah! Do you think you'll get a puppy? I think you have too. That might be the best medicine.
Aubrey. You are welcome here. All are welcome. (Even if you're a really good friend from Baltimore who happens to like the worst Christmas song ever.) I have to ask you, when you hear this song do you feel nauseous, annoyed and moved all at once? That's the best way I can describe how I feel.
Jenna- Exactly...nauseous, annoyed, moved and a little used. Well, maybe not used, but you know...
yeah...i know it well...
Hello, I happened to stop by your blog after reading one of your comments on Molly's blog.
I like the song--although it's not among my favorites. Kind of in the middle...
Your post brought back a Christmas memory.
Every week I used to have to drive my daughter about 20 minutes away to get allergy shots. She likes to listen to the same song over and over again on the way there and back.
For a long time it was, "Don't Save It All For Christmas Day" by Avalon.
Then after a few weeks, she picked up "Christmas Shoes." I think we got through it four times on the way there and four more times on the way home.
She would look over and say, "Mom! Stop crying! It didn't really happen."
I would blubber back: I know but things like this do happen to people and it's so sad.
Now we only go for allergy shots every three weeks, but she still likes to put a song on repeat until we get there and back again.
Merry Christmas!
I do cringe myself.. it's a little too "Butterfly Kisses" for me, especially at Christmas.
My guilty pleasure? "Last Christmas" by George Micheal.. I seriously don't know WHAT IT IS.. but I will never get sick of that song.. it really SHOULD make me cringe as well, shouldn't it???
But on the other hand, let's be fair; songs like that don't just happen overnight.
First you have to spend several years at Tearjerker University learning the craft of emotional manipulation.
Next -- and this is the hard part -- you have to find a plot situation that hasn't already been exploited in popular media.
Finally, you have to add just the right music; nothing too "up" or singalong, but a kind of nondescript melody that leaves the listener vulnerable to the lyrical assault.
Mix in studio, set radio exposure to maximum and watch the royalties pour in.
i knew it!
You read my mind!
why can such variety of stations play this song!
why must a whole choir of children start singing about shoes!
AHHH!
When I went to "this song" there was no music....only the Mr. Nanny of Sexual Harassment Rob Lowe....who I used to love when I was , um, much younger gal. Although, I do feel that there is no other way to go other than "emotionally manipulative"....it is soooo passive agressive......soooo my style.
aww... Thanks for checking out the blog! He really is my sensitive little man. The other two are totally different! I can't wait to see what the new one will be like!
Stay in touch=) I'll be reading your blog too now that I found it=)
shaun and i both throw up in our mouths a little bit when it comes on the radio. ewwwwww...to throw up and this CORNY song.
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