Re: The Best Christmas-Themed Song By a Rocker?

On 2024-12-25 16:56:20 +0000, Norbert said:

I've been hearing tons of them, and most Christmas-themed songs make me
cringe.
 McCartney's "Wonderful Christmastime" is just too goofy, childlike,
fruity, musically insubstantial and repetitive.

I agree. Like when he came up with "Freedom" after 9/11, it sounded like he phoned that one in.

Lennon's "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)" is too dreary, reminiscent of that
song about a racehorse by Peter, Paul, and Mary, and befouled by Yoko's
wretched vocals.  And the Vietnam War was *not* over at that time,
however much anyone may have wanted it to be.

However the billboards they placed in 12 major cities across the world in Dec. 1969 read "War is over! If you want it," and during the background chorus they sing "War is over if you want it, war is over now." It was probably just a shorthand title.

The Kinks and Billy Squier also have songs dealing with Christmas
ineffectively.

I always thought "I Believe in Father Christmas" by Emerson, Lake & Palmer was a nice Christmas song.

No, the best such song is "Christmas" from the Who's Tommy.  It's an
excellent, powerful song with great playing from all the guys (Moon
really shines), innovative backing vocals that may have been Entwistle's
creation -- and a dark edge, since it expresses the frustration of
Tommy's parents as to their son's obliviousness to the day and his (they
assumed) need for salvation.
 It is the best Christmas song in rock music.