I figure today is like Friday for most people – I will certainly be on a reduced schedule for the next few days – so here’s an early song list, in honor of our benighted Ag Commissioner, Sid Miller – ten seasonal songs that do not mention the word “Christmas”.
1. Jingle Bells – Trinity University Jazz Band
2. Winter Weather – Squirrel Nut Zippers
3. Winter Wonderland – Harry Connick, Jr
4. Baby, It’s Cold Outside – Johnny Mercer & Margaret Whiting
5. Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow – Asleep At The Wheel
6. Hazy Shade Of Winter – The Bangles
7. Sometimes In Winter – Blood, Sweat & Tears
8. Sleigh Ride – Ella Fitzgerald
9. Snow In Austin – Ellis Paul
10. Happy Holidays – Bing Crosby
See here and here for some other songs in this category. May your days be merry and bright, and may anyone who wants to slap you for not saying their approved holiday greeting be visited by ghosts until they learn the true meaning of the season.
“Doesn’t mention the word ‘Christmas'” turns out to be a fairly low bar to clear.
Little Drummer Boy – Rum Pum Pum Pums
Do You Hear What I Hear – Little Lamb and Shepherd Boy
Heck, is the word used anywhere in Handel’s Messiah? Does it count if the song says “Christ” a lot without ever appending -mas? Hark the Herald Angels Sing would qualify under that.
Then there are the songs that mention Christmas while shifting the focus rather radically. I’m looking at you, “We Wish You A Merry Christmas” with your figgy pudding blackmail…
And instrumentals. I like most of the soundtrack to Merry Christmas Charlie Brown, but Linus and Lucy is the big one.