I get a kick out of Christmas music. Even after years in retail, being forced to listen to Windham Hill’s Christmas music on an endless loop, I still enjoy it. It’s festive, and can remind you of the spirit of the season, even when you’re stuck in traffic. My taste in Christmas music spans from classic to pop to New Age to traditional. I even still like the Windham Hill Christmas sampler that’s left over from my Barnes and Noble days. BUT. There are some “Christmas” songs I cannot stand. These are my top 3:

Dan Fogelberg, Same Old Lang Syne. What is this song? This isn’t Christmas music, so why do I hear it every year? Just because the song is set on Christmas Eve, doesn’t make it a holiday tune. It’s not even festive. Seriously, take a minute to google the lyrics. In it, Dan runs into his old flame at the grocery store. They want to catch up, but all the bars are closed, so they buy a six-pack of beer and drink it in the car. It turns out that they are both unhappy and unfulfilled in their lives. Then the girl goes back to her husband and the life she loathes. Cheerful.

Paul McCartney, Wonderful Christmas Time. Arg. This songs makes me grind my teeth. First of all, it’s completely inescapable. I hear it more than any other song on the radio every December. Yes, McCartney is a legend. Yes, he is an amazing songwriter. But this song sucks. It has about 4 lines that just keep repeating, with each verse reminding us that we’re having a wonderful Christmas time, ad nauseum. You know what makes for a wonderful Christmas time? Not hearing this song.

Newsong, Christmas Shoes. Honestly, does anyone like this song? It’s horrible. Basically, a cranky guy in line at a store helps a poor urchin buy shoes for the urchin’s dying mother so that she’ll look pretty for Jesus (who, as we all know, is pretty strict about footwear in Heaven). As others have pointed out, this guy gets a kick out of being reminded of the true spirit of Christmas, all thanks to some poor kid’s dying mother. It’s complete drivel, and Rich over at FourFour has a great commentary on this song. He says it better than I could, so just read his opinion.

But, lest you think I’m a total Grinch, let me close with one of the cutest renditions of one of my favorites:

So, there you have it. What are your favorite (and least favorite!) holiday songs?