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yellowdogintexas

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73. Favorites: Sleigh Ride; Carol of the Bells, and orchestral renditions in the Classical Style

Wed Nov 26, 2025, 11:50 AM

Nov 26

Worst: Grandma Got Run Over and all the other stupid ones
all the maudlin and sad ones

One Exception to the stupid ones: "Merry Christmas From the Family" by Robert Earl Keene

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I first heard this on a local talk show. He was the guest and the host asked him about Christmas songs, so he sang this. I was actually at work and I had to work hard to keep from laughing out loud. It was the first time he had performed it.

At our Candlelight Communion services on Christmas Eve, we close with Silent Night after everyone's candle is lighted. Then we process out of the church singing Silent Night. It is beautiful. Our Youth Choir is the main choir for one of our services; during the offering they perform Silent Night in ASL.

I love Christmas music - but I would prefer not hearing it until after Thanksgiving.

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Calico20 debm55

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Well , they started the Christmas songs around here,24/7. Can you name the best and the worst Christmas songs. Mine are [View all] debm55 Nov 25 OP

Grandma got run over by a reindeer. -- worst. Ilsa Nov 25 #1

Thank you very much, lisa, I agree with your choices. debm55 Nov 26 #20

"Sleigh Ride" gets my vote for best! FM123 Nov 25 #2

FM123, thank you very much. I have many bests and "Sleigh Ride" is one of them. debm55 Nov 26 #21

...where the word Christmas is never used. Grins Thursday #180

OK, here goes. Ocelot II Nov 25 #3

Very well said. Big Blue Marble Nov 26 #17

Hahahaha! Thanks! Ocelot II Nov 26 #51

Thank you very much, Ocelot II, I agree with you post. debm55 Nov 26 #22

I was going to say "Silent Night" as the worst as well genxlib Nov 26 #26

My 2nd grade teacher taught our class to sing "Silent Night" in German, don't know why but I liked that version... wcmagumba Nov 26 #103

The original is German, so the words fit the melody better. Ocelot II Nov 26 #158

That makes sense. Couldn't remember from 2nd grade but Mrs. Pettus probably told us... wcmagumba Nov 26 #162

We sang "Oh, Christmas Tree" in German Grins Thursday #178

Another favorite electric_blue68 Thursday #182

But when it is sung by Dinah Washington... Tom Dyer Nov 26 #107

One exception... Grins Thursday #181

That was very funny description of your Silent Night Christmas Eve Mass experience! electric_blue68 Nov 26 #148

Hate Little Drummer Boy but love that counterpoint(?) David Bowie did w/ Bing Crosby rurallib Thursday #187

Thank you rurallib, A beautiful blend of songs and voices. debm55 Thursday #195

Best - Jethro Tull - A Christmas Song Rigpa108 Nov 25 #4

Thank you very much, Rigpa 108 debm55 Nov 26 #23

Best: Someday at Christmas, Stevie Wonder SheltieLover Nov 26 #5

Thank you, SheltieLover. I so enjoy anything by Stevie Wonder. debm55 Nov 26 #24

Oh how I love that song! FM123 Nov 26 #27

Sadly radio stations avoid playing it...patriarchy, you know. SheltieLover Nov 26 #46

Never heard this. Very nice. electric_blue68 Nov 26 #149

Glad you enjoyed! SheltieLover Nov 26 #151

Heh. electric_blue68 Nov 26 #159

oppression of religious minorities is well under way nt msongs Nov 26 #6

Thank you for your concern.msongs. debm55 Nov 26 #113

My best DBoon Nov 26 #7

Thank you very much, DBoon. Lovely song. debm55 Nov 26 #25

My current fave and second fave. amerikat Nov 26 #8

Thank you very much for your wonderful choices. debm55 Nov 26 #36

I love xmas music, i also loathe a lot it as well. Coventina Nov 26 #9

Thank you very much, Coventina. I also don't like the 12 Days of Chirstmas. too boring, I like the tradition carols also debm55 Nov 26 #38

I will always enjoy Twelve Days of Christmas because of one event: A Christmas Parade yellowdogintexas Nov 26 #64

Now that version is not boring, thank you for posting that. Thank you , very much. Yellowdogintexas. debm55 Nov 26 #75

Oh, that was very fun and clever! electric_blue68 Nov 26 #150

It was a wonderful evening and lots of fun for everyone. yellowdogintexas Friday #212

Best: Carol of the Bells. Worst: too many to name Hassler Nov 26 #10

Thank you very much Hassler. Love, Love, Love the Carol of the Bells in any version. There are a lot for me then debm55 Nov 26 #40

Have you seen the Ukrainian versions on YouTube? They are beautiful yellowdogintexas Nov 26 #70

Dyakuna. yellowdogintexas. As an Ukrainian American. I thank you very much for the history of the Carol of the Bells debm55 Nov 26 #74

I did not know your Ukrainian heritage! Here is a sweet something for you yellowdogintexas Friday #215

Thank you very much from the bottom of my heart yellowdogintexas. debm55 Friday #219

You are quite welcome!!! nt yellowdogintexas Monday #222

TY! electric_blue68 Nov 26 #141

OK, this is weird, but here goes av8rdave Nov 26 #11

I agree with you, av8rdave. Your best are great choices. and your worst , I absolutley agree with. It's a stinker. debm55 Nov 26 #42

My favorite is a good majestic instrumental version of O Come All Ye Faithful. 3catwoman3 Nov 26 #12

I love memories like your piano guy Nittersing Nov 26 #35

Thank you very much 3catwoman3 I love the grand instrumental songs also, I still have to find the The Christmas Shoes. debm55 Nov 26 #43

I would recommend not wasting your time listening to it. 3catwoman3 Nov 26 #59

Thank you 3catwoman. That is a very depressing song. I don't need depressing now. How could that in heaven's name be debm55 Nov 26 #60

Patton Oswalt's comedy routine on the Christmas Shoes is hilarious though. Wiz Imp Nov 26 #123

Christmas Shoes is the most depressing syrupy dreck ever! Diamond_Dog Nov 26 #139

I Believe in Father Christmas. It is a beautiful and meaning song, Thank you for posting it Diamond_Dog. debm55 Nov 26 #143

There are some I love to sing with a caroling group. Permanut Nov 26 #13

Thank you very much, Permanut. Beautiful songs/carols. debm55 Nov 26 #44

The worst Christmas song, the theme to "Die Hard". marble falls Nov 26 #14

Thank you very much,marble falls. I have never seen the movie. I guess that is why some consider it a Christmas movie. debm55 Nov 26 #45

Back in the early DU days, there were some angry arguments about whether Die Hard is a Christmas movie or not ... marble falls Nov 26 #112

Thank you marble falls, I didn't go into the thread because I didn't see the Movie. but i do remember a number of thread debm55 Nov 26 #120

Special effects, lots of shooting, Bruce Willis and Christmas: what more does one need? No watching necessary. marble falls Thursday #171

Thank you marble falls and have a wonder Thanksgiving. debm55 Thursday #173

Very Best: Grown Up Christmas List MorbidButterflyTat Nov 26 #15

Thank you very much, MorbidButterfly. Great carol. debm55 Nov 26 #65

I'll give you two of my favorites moniss Nov 26 #16

Thank you very much, moniss . Both beautiful songs. debm55 Nov 26 #67

Two categories for me, carols and Christmas songs. LisaM Nov 26 #18

Thank you LisaM, I like the classic songs and carols too. The novelty songs are among the worst. debm55 Nov 26 #68

My favorite... yourout Nov 26 #19

Thank you very much for your beautiful selections, yourout. debm55 Nov 26 #29

Brenda Lee is also one of my favorites. This one in particular. yourout Nov 26 #37

Thank you very much yourout for your selection. Have a great Thanksgiving my friend. debm55 Nov 26 #144

What's wrong with the Velvet Fog? LisaM Nov 26 #71

Best - "Sleigh Ride"; Worst - "The Christmas Shoes" Mad_Dem_X Nov 26 #28

Mad_Dem_X Thank you you very much for your selections. I have never heard "The Christmas Shoes" I will have to debm55 Nov 26 #31

To me, it's just an over-the-top tearjerker. Mad_Dem_X Nov 26 #108

I love "Sleigh Ride"! The composer was LeRoy Anderson yellowdogintexas Nov 26 #58

Thank you very much , yellowdogintexas. Yes it is can be used all winter. debm55 Nov 26 #146

If true he was trying to think "Cold" thoughts! electric_blue68 Nov 26 #153

I an totally nboard with your Carole of the Bells choice, whih version do ou prefer? lark Nov 26 #30

Thank you lark. I like the Transsiberian Orchesstra version the best. But it is a song you just can't go wrong with. My debm55 Nov 26 #33

The TSO rendition totally rocks. When you get to the part near... 3catwoman3 Nov 26 #63

Thank you 3catwoman3 I totally agree debm55 Nov 26 #154

There are so many of each, but ... 31st Street Bridge Nov 26 #32

Thank you very much for your list. Love, Father Christmas by Greg Lake. You don't like Rudolph!!!!!!! Hey are you in debm55 Nov 26 #78

Yes, I'm in Glenshaw! 31st Street Bridge Nov 26 #88

thank you very much. 31st Bridge. I live in Jefferson Hills about 10 miles south of Pittsburgh. debm55 Nov 26 #92

Thank you, very much! 31st Street Bridge Nov 26 #96

Small world ... I grew up in Pleasant Hills FakeNoose Thursday #172

Yes, lots of construction around here. I live very near where they are bringing the turnpike up from WV to Pittsburgh. debm55 Thursday #174

My best is Christmas Eve thomski64 Nov 26 #34

Oh you, Thank you very much for your selection, thomski664. debm55 Nov 26 #79

In Chicago on 93.9 FM they started the Monday after Halloween. Chasstev365 Nov 26 #39

Oh wow , that is early. Thank you for sharing with us Chasstev365. debm55 Nov 26 #72

Best Christmas cover version ever: Jack Johnson doing Stevie Wonder's Someday at Christmas Chasstev365 Nov 26 #41

Thank you very much for sharing with us. Chasstev365 debm55 Nov 26 #52

I enjoy most christmas carols/songs, mwmisses4289 Nov 26 #47

Thank you very much, mwmisses4389. You are right correct about the Hallelujay Chorus. Yes the quieter songs are very debm55 Nov 26 #49

My very favorite is "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" get the red out Nov 26 #48

Thank you very much get the red out. I agree with you on your favorite songs- mellow. debm55 Nov 26 #50

Two of the worst for me: The Little Drummer Boy and Silent Night. Polly Hennessey Nov 26 #53

Thank you very much my Polly Hennessey. I like The First Noel.too. debm55 Nov 26 #83

"Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" is my favorite. sop Nov 26 #54

I agree, sop, I love the song with Frank singing it. debm55 Nov 26 #84

I love "Snoopy's Christmas" because I like the chorus and MIButterfly Nov 26 #55

Love your selections and reasons you selected Thank you very much, MIButterfly. Love ya. debm55 Nov 26 #147

Right back at ya, debm55! MIButterfly Nov 26 #152

It's not a Christmas song but I like the Pretenders' "2000 Miles." Vogon_Glory Nov 26 #56

Thank you Vogon_Glory, If it put you in the Christmas spirit it's a Christmas song. debm55 Nov 26 #157

O Holy Night Dear_Prudence Nov 26 #57

Thank you very much, Dear_Prudence. I understand completely. debm55 Nov 26 #161

Favorite: O Come, O Come Emmanuel catbyte Nov 26 #61

Thank you very much, catbyte. I loved that carol from when I was young. Simply a beautiful song. At my church is was debm55 Nov 26 #85

Best -Oh Holy Night Progressive dog Nov 26 #62

Thank you very much, Progressive dog. I agree with your choices. debm55 Nov 26 #94

My absolute fav is Mariah's All I Want for Christmas is You! We went to her Christmas concert last year around beaglelover Nov 26 #66

Wow, that sounds like a great experience. Thank you for sharing beaglelover. debm55 Nov 26 #166

As noted in a few other threads, there are Christmas carols, and then there are Christmas songs. 3catwoman3 Nov 26 #69

Thank you very much , 3catwoman3 I too like the traditional Christmas music the best. debm55 Thursday #179

Favorites: Sleigh Ride; Carol of the Bells, and orchestral renditions in the Classical Style yellowdogintexas Nov 26 #73

That sounds wounderful. Thank you yellowdogintexas. debm55 Friday #197

My favorite Keepthesoulalive Nov 26 #76

HAHAHAHHA. I remember that from when my son would watch their Christmas special. Thank you Keepthesoulalive. debm55 Friday #198

Father Christmas by The Kinks underpants Nov 26 #77

Thank you underpants for sharing. debm55 Friday #199

Worst - The top 10! They get played FAR too often dickthegrouch Nov 26 #80

Thank you dickthegrouch. Love the sounds of the two songs. Absolutely beautiful. Happy Thanksgiving, dear friend. debm55 Nov 26 #98

Best, by miles - the Murphs, The Season's Upon Us RandomNumbers Nov 26 #81

Thank you very much, RandowNumbers , I love the Murphs. This is one fun song I do like. Yes worse then my family ,but debm55 Nov 26 #89

Oh yes, I think the genius of the song RandomNumbers Nov 26 #90

My husband is from Boston and we have seen them a couple of times. I agree with you. debm55 Nov 26 #91

I like most of the traditional carols Jilly_in_VA Nov 26 #82

Thank you, you very much Jilly_in_VA. I agree with you on all three counts. Thank you and may you have a Happy debm55 Nov 26 #100

I can only stomach ONE christmas songs...ok, make that two. In this order. Ferrets are Cool Nov 26 #86

Ferrets are Cool , I want to thank you for posting these songs. I had chills watching them both, Especially Greg Lake debm55 Nov 26 #87

Oh, I just thought of another favorite. catbyte Nov 26 #93

HAHAHAHAHAHA. that is funny. It brings the boring song to life. Thank you catbyte. debm55 Nov 26 #95

I love this! Mad_Dem_X Nov 26 #109

The best and most irreverent is Dan Hicks and his Hot Licks - Carol of the Bells Brother Buzz Nov 26 #97

OMG, that is hilarious. Thank you Brother Buzz. Love ya. debm55 Nov 26 #99

Best. None. Don't like Xmas songs. bullimiami Nov 26 #101

Thank you for sharing with us. debm55 Nov 26 #102

No best and worst for me, I really only listen to Classical Christmas music (orchestrated) on WQXR Holiday streaming... wcmagumba Nov 26 #104

Thank you for sharing that link, wcmagumba. Sometimes I just need soothing holiday music. debm55 Nov 26 #105

This message was self-deleted by its author wcmagumba Nov 26 #106

Me too, just wanted to let you know I deleted my last post cause I don't want to seem pushy about this station.. wcmagumba Nov 26 #110

Oh no, you weren't too pushy , Just a sharing poster here and I thank you wcmagumba. debm55 Nov 26 #119

Thanks debm55, I thought of one song I don't much care for, It's "Jingle Bells" done by the barking dogs... wcmagumba Nov 26 #121

Thank you wcmagumba. But I must tell you I sorta liked it when it first came out. they have one done by cats. debm55 Nov 26 #122

I think when on a visit to cousins out of state as a kid the station they listened to played the dogs every 5 minutes... wcmagumba Nov 26 #132

our classical station (WRR 101.1) sort of sneaks into the Christmas music yellowdogintexas Friday #216

My very favorite is Christ Was Born on Christmas Morn Tom Dyer Nov 26 #111

Thank you very much Tom Dyer. I wil look for Christ Was Born on Christmas Morn. Agree with you on the Chipmunks. Have a debm55 Nov 26 #118

Worst - Jingle Bells barked by dogs. Best - Stille Nacht as origionally scored. Dorothy V Nov 26 #114

Thank you Dorothy V.. When I was in children's chorus we sang Stille Nacht in the original German. worst song --I sort debm55 Nov 26 #117

My Yeas and and Nays... electric_blue68 Nov 26 #115

Thank you very much for you list. electric_blue68 Dominic the Donkey is played on I guess different loops. The Red debm55 Nov 26 #116

TY the info. Happy Thanksgiving to you! electric_blue68 Nov 26 #137

Check out a comic view of the song by Coventina. It's funny. debm55 Nov 26 #124

I just did. 😄 electric_blue68 Thursday #169

White Wine In The Sun - Tim Minchin Wiz Imp Nov 26 #125

Thank you very much, Wiz Imp. It is a beautiful song. Have a Great Thanksgiving. debm55 Nov 26 #142

Anything sung by those freaking chipmunks annoyed the hell out of me. Borogove Nov 26 #126

HAHAHAHHAHAHHAHHA. Thank you Borogove. debm55 Friday #196

Deb, they ALL suck. no_hypocrisy Nov 26 #127

Thank you no-hypocrisy. That would be hard listing to Christmas music your whole shift. Thank you for sharing that. debm55 Friday #201

A Christmas Festival by Leroy Anderson Wiz Imp Nov 26 #128

Great song. Thank you for sharing with us. I enjoyed it. and I like Sleigh Ride also. thanks Wiz Imp debm55 Friday #202

I like and did not see listed... Mike Nelson Nov 26 #129

You are right, You are the first one to post it. Thank you for sharing, Mike Nelson. debm55 Friday #203

Bill Murray! Paul Schaeffer with Pheonix PuraVidaDreamin Nov 26 #130

Thank you very much for sharing with us. PuraVidaDreamin debm55 Friday #206

Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) by Darlene Love Wiz Imp Nov 26 #131

Thank you very much , Wiz Imp. I agree about Spector, yet he did put out some great music. debm55 Friday #207

(There's No War On Christmas) When Christmas Is In Your Heart by The Mockers Wiz Imp Nov 26 #133

Thank you very much for your selections. You always introduce me to music, I have not heard of before and I thank you. debm55 Friday #208

Riu Riu Chiu by the Monkees Wiz Imp Nov 26 #134

Thank you very much, Wiz Imp I didn't know that the Monkees did a Christmas song. debm55 Friday #211

I grew up listening to the Cathedral choir rehearsing with the pipe organ, madamesilverspurs Nov 26 #135

😄 Well done guys & kids! Ty electric_blue68 Nov 26 #145

Thank you very much madamesilverspurs Your selections are great. Have a great Thanksgiving.to you and yours. debm55 Nov 26 #165

A Charlie Brown Christmas by the Vince Guaraldi Trio Wiz Imp Nov 26 #136

thank you Wiz Imp, I would play the disk while teaching Art in December to grade schoolers. They all would say that is debm55 Nov 26 #164

I forgot about Linus and Lucy. Morbius Thursday #192

Thank you very much, Morbius. I always loved the music from the show. debm55 Thursday #194

The Gifts they Gave and KT2000 Nov 26 #138

Thank you KT2000 for your wonderful selections. I agree with your Holly Jolly Christmas. Have a great Thanksgiving. debm55 Nov 26 #140

Worst: Anything by Alvin and the Chipmunks PJMcK Nov 26 #155

HAHAH Thank you very PJMcK. I agree Your post is so funny. Happy Thanksgiving. debm55 Nov 26 #163

Joni buzzycrumbhunger Nov 26 #156

Thank you very much buzzycrumbhunger , Beautiful song and voice. debm55 Nov 26 #160

Carol of the Bells. boonecreek Nov 26 #167

Thank you very much boonecreek.Love "Carol of the Bells" and no one can outdo Nat King Coles version. debm55 Friday #200

Seek out Excelsis (A Dark Noel). Morbius Nov 26 #168

Thank you very much, Morbius for your selections. I will YouTube later debm55 Thursday #177

Well, this won't be popular, but it is my answer. OldBaldy1701E Thursday #170

HAHAHHAHA. Thank is so funny, and so true. Thank you OldBaldy1701E and may you and yours have a great day. debm55 Thursday #175

You reminded me of this NSFW ditty by Corey Taylor - X-M@$ Wiz Imp Friday #218

I like it! (n/t) OldBaldy1701E Saturday #220

the secular songs started in mid july. AllaN01Bear Thursday #176

Thank you Bear, Are those the songs you like? Here in PA , Christmas songs are played closer to the end of October. debm55 Thursday #190

these are some of the hyms we sing @ church AllaN01Bear Thursday #191

I love them also. Bear. Thank you for sharing with us, debm55 Thursday #193

Good question! Thunderbeast Thursday #183

Thank you very much Thunderbeast. debm55 Thursday #188

Best - Have a Holly Jolly Christmas by Burl Ives Casandia Thursday #184

Yes, it does, doesn't it. Thank you very much Casandia. debm55 Thursday #189

It's evolved over time. As a youth, B.See Thursday #185

Thank you very much B.See. Your taste in music really changed. debm55 Thursday #186

Trans Siberian Orchestra Mz Pip Friday #204

Thank you very much, Mz Pip debm55 Friday #213

Best is Marc With A C's "All I Want For Christmas". bbernardini Friday #205

Thank you very much for sharing with us, bbernardini. debm55 Friday #214

An atheist's take...lol YodaMom2 Friday #209

Thank you very much, YodaMom2 for your selections. debm55 Friday #210

Another "unusual" holiday song and one of my favorites performed by the Turtle Creek Chorale in Dallas yellowdogintexas Friday #217

Thank you, yellowdogintexas. Very funny. debm55 Saturday #221