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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

Wednesday

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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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 Tuesday OP

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

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

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

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

...where the word Christmas is never used. Grins 20 hrs ago #180

OK, here goes. Ocelot II Tuesday #3

Very well said. Big Blue Marble Wednesday #17

Hahahaha! Thanks! Ocelot II Wednesday #51

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

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

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

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

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

We sang "Oh, Christmas Tree" in German Grins 21 hrs ago #178

Another favorite electric_blue68 19 hrs ago #182

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

One exception... Grins 20 hrs ago #181

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

Hate Little Drummer Boy but love that counterpoint(?) David Bowie did w/ Bing Crosby rurallib 12 hrs ago #187

Thank you rurallib, A beautiful blend of songs and voices. debm55 8 hrs ago #195

Best - Jethro Tull - A Christmas Song Rigpa108 Tuesday #4

Thank you very much, Rigpa 108 debm55 Wednesday #23

Best: Someday at Christmas, Stevie Wonder SheltieLover Wednesday #5

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

Oh how I love that song! FM123 Wednesday #27

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

Never heard this. Very nice. electric_blue68 Wednesday #149

Glad you enjoyed! SheltieLover Wednesday #151

Heh. electric_blue68 Wednesday #159

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

Thank you for your concern.msongs. I am so glad that you selected my thread to post on. debm55 Wednesday #113

My best DBoon Wednesday #7

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

My current fave and second fave. amerikat Wednesday #8

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

I love xmas music, i also loathe a lot it as well. Coventina Wednesday #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 Wednesday #38

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

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

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

Best: Carol of the Bells. Worst: too many to name Hassler Wednesday #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 Wednesday #40

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

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

TY! electric_blue68 Wednesday #141

OK, this is weird, but here goes av8rdave Wednesday #11

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

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

I love memories like your piano guy Nittersing Wednesday #35

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

I would recommend not wasting your time listening to it. 3catwoman3 Wednesday #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 Wednesday #60

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

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

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

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

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

The worst Christmas song, the theme to "Die Hard". marble falls Wednesday #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 Wednesday #45

Back in the early DU days, there were some angry arguments about whether Die Hard is a Christmas movie or not ... marble falls Wednesday #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 Wednesday #120

Special effects, lots of shooting, Bruce Willis and Christmas: what more does one need? No watching necessary. marble falls 23 hrs ago #171

Thank you marble falls and have a wonder Thanksgiving. debm55 21 hrs ago #173

Very Best: Grown Up Christmas List MorbidButterflyTat Wednesday #15

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

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

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

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

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

My favorite... yourout Wednesday #19

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I an totally nboard with your Carole of the Bells choice, whih version do ou prefer? lark Wednesday #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 Wednesday #33

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

Thank you 3catwoman3 I totally agree debm55 Wednesday #154

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

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

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

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

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

Small world ... I grew up in Pleasant Hills FakeNoose 21 hrs ago #172

Yes, lots of construction around here. I live very near where they are bringing the turnpike up from WV to Pittsburgh. debm55 21 hrs ago #174

My best is Christmas Eve thomski64 Wednesday #34

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

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

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

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

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

I enjoy most christmas carols/songs, mwmisses4289 Wednesday #47

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Right back at ya, debm55! MIButterfly Wednesday #152

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

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

O Holy Night Dear_Prudence Wednesday #57

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

Favorite: O Come, O Come Emmanuel catbyte Wednesday #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 Wednesday #85

Best -Oh Holy Night Progressive dog Wednesday #62

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

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

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

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

Thank you very much , 3catwoman3 I too like the traditional Christmas music the best. debm55 20 hrs ago #179

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

My favorite Keepthesoulalive Wednesday #76

Father Christmas by The Kinks underpants Wednesday #77

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

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

Best, by miles - the Murphs, The Season's Upon Us RandomNumbers Wednesday #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 Wednesday #89

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

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

I like most of the traditional carols Jilly_in_VA Wednesday #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 Wednesday #100

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

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

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

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

I love this! Mad_Dem_X Wednesday #109

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

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

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

Thank you for sharing with us. debm55 Wednesday #102

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

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

This message was self-deleted by its author wcmagumba Wednesday #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 Wednesday #110

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

Thanks debm55, I thought of one song I don't much care for, It's "Jingle Bells" done by the barking dogs... wcmagumba Wednesday #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 Wednesday #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 Wednesday #132

My very favorite is Christ Was Born on Christmas Morn Tom Dyer Wednesday #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 Wednesday #118

Worst - Jingle Bells barked by dogs. Best - Stille Nacht as origionally scored. Dorothy V Wednesday #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 Wednesday #117

My Yeas and and Nays... electric_blue68 Wednesday #115

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

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

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

I just did. 😄 electric_blue68 Yesterday #169

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

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

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

Deb, they ALL suck. no_hypocrisy Wednesday #127

A Christmas Festival by Leroy Anderson Wiz Imp Wednesday #128

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

Bill Murray! Paul Schaeffer with Pheonix PuraVidaDreamin Wednesday #130

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

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

Riu Riu Chiu by the Monkees Wiz Imp Wednesday #134

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

😄 Well done guys & kids! Ty electric_blue68 Wednesday #145

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

A Charlie Brown Christmas by the Vince Guaraldi Trio Wiz Imp Wednesday #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 Wednesday #164

I forgot about Linus and Lucy. Morbius 8 hrs ago #192

Thank you very much, Morbius. I always loved the music from the show. debm55 8 hrs ago #194

The Gifts they Gave and KT2000 Wednesday #138

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

Worst: Anything by Alvin and the Chipmunks PJMcK Wednesday #155

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

Joni buzzycrumbhunger Wednesday #156

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

Carol of the Bells. boonecreek Wednesday #167

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

Thank you very much, Morbius for your selections. I will YouTube later debm55 21 hrs ago #177

Well, this won't be popular, but it is my answer. OldBaldy1701E 23 hrs ago #170

HAHAHHAHA. Thank is so funny, and so true. Thank you OldBaldy1701E and may you and yours have a great day. debm55 21 hrs ago #175

the secular songs started in mid july. AllaN01Bear 21 hrs ago #176

Thank you Bear, Are those the songs you like? Here in PA , Christmas songs are played closer to the end of October. debm55 10 hrs ago #190

these are some of the hyms we sing @ church AllaN01Bear 8 hrs ago #191

I love them also. Bear. Thank you for sharing with us, debm55 8 hrs ago #193

Good question! Thunderbeast 18 hrs ago #183

Thank you very much Thunderbeast. debm55 11 hrs ago #188

Best - Have a Holly Jolly Christmas by Burl Ives Casandia 18 hrs ago #184

Yes, it does, doesn't it. Thank you very much Casandia. debm55 11 hrs ago #189

It's evolved over time. As a youth, B.See 14 hrs ago #185

Thank you very much B.See. Your taste in music really changed. debm55 13 hrs ago #186