Ahhhhhh… Christmas. The most wonderful time of the year.
Nothing gets us in the spirit of the season more than tuning into the all-Christmas music station and wallowing in the warmth.
Classics from Bing, Judy and Nat fit the bill for cockle-warming, but then a real clunker will pop in to remind us that not all holiday songs are classics.
We understand that radio stations have a limited playlist from which to choose, and snafus are inevitable. For example, we recently heard back-to-back versions of Santa Claus is Coming to Town while awaiting the drill in the dentist’s office.
While Michael Jackson and Bruce Springsteen vocally duking it out over the Big Man’s visit may be a tiny bit off-putting, nothing stops our holiday spirit dead in its tracks like a truly horrid Christmas song.
Our most recent family holiday get-together found us gathered around the radio. Brenda Lee, followed by Burl Ives, lent their joyous voices to our celebration, but things took a turn when a real clunker reared its ugly head.
This prompted a wildly fun discussion.
Just what is the worst Christmas song ever? Everyone offered numerous contenders.
Sometimes great artists have bad ideas and put in strong candidates for the title of worst holiday music ever and, in other instances, even the greatest singers can’t save a horrible piece of song writing.
And sometimes there’s just no explanation.
Marshmallow World
“…and the sun is red, like a pumpkin head…” Seriously? The sarcasm runs deep during this fabulous performance.
Wonderful Christmas Time
We love Sir Paul, but just hearing these synthesizers pop in is enough to burst anyone’s holiday bubble.
Home for the Holidays
Yes, it’s a classic, but it’s like two songs. Have you actually listened to the bizarre geography lesson lyrics in the verse? “I met a man who lives in Tennessee and he was headin’ for Pennsylvania and some homemade pumpkin pie. From Pennsylvania folks are trav’lin’ down to Dixie’s sunny shore. From Atlantic to Pacific, gee, the traffic is terrific!”
Last Christmas
Wow. Just wow. The video is a must watch for some good time-capsule action.
Little Drummer Boy (Justin Bieber and Busta Rhymes’ version)
What made someone think that an ode to the baby Jesus and a shout out to your Twitter followers should be in the same recording?
There is certainly room for debate, after all, someone must like these songs.
Perhaps together we can come up with a winner for the most annoying, most obnoxious, never-want-to-hear-it-again Christmas song of all time.
The floor is open… leave your thoughts in the comments.
David & Veronica, GypsyNester.com
It’s been many years since we heard this rendition of “Oh Holy Night”. The song makes us laugh every time!
12 Days of Christmas–all versions–makes my ears bleed.
I once again will enter my vote for worst Christmas song to be Christmas At KMART by Rootboy Slim and the Sexchange Band.
http://youtu.be/X96Un6POoo8
Wow! Just wow!
Now you know I love him,but these four words that should never have been put together…Bob Dylan’s Christmas Album. Try to “un-hear” this…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8qE6WQmNus
Yup, a classic. Classically bad that is. Thanks for the link.
We heard this rendition of “Oh Holy Night” many years ago. We get a good laugh out of it!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRiYKf19T-k
Wow! Crazy funny stuff! Thanks for the link.
The most annoying is All I Want for Christmas is my 2 front teeth!
Certainly high on the list!
I have to go with Drummer Boy for the worst song lol that’s hilarious. Great and funny idea for a post!
Certainly a good choice, thanks Natasha.
You beat me to my two picks: Drummer Boy (tho this one drove me nuts even Before Bieber) and Sir Paul’s. To be honest, the incessant playing of carols is one of the (many) reasons I much prefer Thanksgiving. No ‘Deck the Halls with Boughs of Turkey’, much less ‘Little Drumstick Boy’. For four more reasons, see my post http://alicewhitmoresblog.com/turkey-shoot/ Meanwhile, I’m sharing this one!
Love it! Little Drumstick Boy. Thanks for the link.
OH! OH! This is the best blog ever, you guys! I’m totally sharing. Justin Bieber rapping Little Drummer Boy wins IMHO, and I didn’t even know that song existed. (Glad I didn’t.)
Thanks Valerie, HO HO HO!!!
For me, the absolute worst Christmas song:
“Grandma got run over by a reindeer”….& the last line: “Muhry Christmas”….when I drove for UPS, I was glad to be out making a delivery when this song came on!
Makes a lot of people’s list.
Here’s Hippopotamus for Christmas: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7oOzszFIBcE
I personally can’t stand Last Christmas, and have to admit I DON’T like Bruce screaming “Saaaaaaanta Claus is comin’ to town!!’ over and over and over!!
But this one has to be the worst: Funky Funky Christmas (NKOTB): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atkuIIeV_gM
bwahahaha!!
All I want for Christmas is You – Maria Carey makes me feel so un christmassy… Last Christmas is quite good even Jimmy Eat World Covered it!
This is one of my worst favorites – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-hYp3-oslY
Christmas in Jail
Good one Ted, hadn’t heard it before. Thanks for the link.
Hope you guys had a great holiday. I know it’s probably a bit late, but I heard this on Christmas Day and immediately thought of your post. This song has to be the worst Christmas song, EVER!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJOe3CXE-mA
Jeff Foxworthy Redneck 12 Days of Christmas.
Thanks Marianne, we did have a good holiday, you the same for you… and yes, definitely a contender for worst ever!
Now onto lying to ourselves about New Years resolutions!
I would have to put in a vote for Alvin and the Chipmunks. That’s like nails across a chalkboard! What a fantastic idea on this post and great list you two! 🙂
Thanks Mike, agreed on the chipmunks.
Hey put me down for liking Wonderful Christmas Time, but I agree with the rest of your list. Love listening to my Christmas songs “on demand” only.
I’m sure you’re not alone.
LOL I don’t want to know anyone who loves these songs! Great post guys 🙂
Thanks Natasha, we are having a lot of fun with it.
These are great! I love that crazy “I want a Hippopotamus for Christmas” song…so irritating but so catchy!;-)
How have I missed out on this hippo song?
Of course, the funniest Christmas recording is Porky Pig’s ‘Blue Christmas’ at http://youtu.be/hvlr2FgD2cQ
That’s a new one for us, but it is great! Thanks Bob.
There many bad songs out there. I don’t like most of the Spanish ones. But for Xmas I tend to concentrate on the good parts of life and find the great songs for this wonderful holiday. Still, thanks for pointing out what songs to avoid.
What??
No votes for “Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer”… what is the world coming to??
Good point Neil, definitely needs to be added to the list.
Please Daddy Don’t Get Drunk this Christmas. It’s depressing as heck. John Denver Rocky Mountain Christmas Album. Love most of the songs, skip this one every single time.
Also remade by Alan Jackson.
Anything by Alvin and the Chipmunks. Shudder.
Oooo yes, so true!
Whoever it was a that thought that Christina Aguilera should record my favorite Christmas carol, “Silent Night” must have been stark raving mad.
I simply can’t listen to more that 15 seconds of this!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvI2NAyNiEU
Haven’t heard it, but we trust you on this.
Thank you for inflicting on me three ‘totally new to me’ Christmas abominations! While technically I didn’t have to hit the play button in reality you left me no other choice! Afraid I couldn’t pick the worse one out but I would like to give a shout out for ‘Santa Baby’ chosen by Larry – I love it (but please don’t tell anyone):-)
Oops, sorry Kathryn! (and your secret is safe with us!)
I love Last Christmas, but not because it’s good because it’s so bad it’s good. It’s so cheesy, and luckily being a Christmas song I only hear it a few times a year so I can’t get too sick of it.
Lucky you, Taylor Swift has remade it.
For me, its a tie between Santa Baby and the Hippotamus song.
Don’t know the hippo song, have to look it up.