Do you think bizarre, over-the-top arrangements of Christmas songs is appropriate?

Question

Last night I heard a latin/salsa arrangement of "Jingle Bells" on the radio -- well, I heard the 45 seconds or so that I could stand.

Do we really need to endure such assaults on traditional music? Seriously, this beast was not clever or witty -- it was "down 'n dirty" latino overload, and quite wretchedly so.

"Jingle Bells" is about snow -- should we really be subjected to conjured images of sweaty dancers in cha-cha heels whipping their jungle-red skirts around and quite possibly flashing matching panties at the audience?

Why can't Christmas just be simple and calm and delightfully un-hip? Shouldn't Santa's exclamations of "ho ho ho" be spared from having double entendres attached to it?

Answer 1

Your question reminds me of a story I heard on the old "Mike Douglas" show from LONG ago... and it was told by the recently passed away singer, Robert Goulet.

He told of a female actress/singer who was auditioning for a Broadway musical by a very well-known composer. Goulet did not wish to "name names" to protect the people, as they were very famous people! ... but anyway...

The actress chose to sing another song written by the composer who was judging the auditions. She BELTED the song out... she sung, she "stylized"... etc. At the end, she was proud of herself and thought she had REALLY hit the mark with her song.

There was dead silence in the theatre... the gathering of the "judges" was silent... until the composer of the song she sang simply said, "That's NOT the way I wrote it."

Needless to say, she did NOT get the part!

While most singers "stylize" to some degree or another, I do understand the composer's position. It would be like saying to Melville that he should have started "Moby Dick" with the line, "Call me George" instead of Ishmael.

Another pet peeve of mine is when Jewish performers perform Christmas songs... especially the religious ones. I can understand Irving Berlin writing "White Christmas" ... it has no references to Jesus in it. But when Barbra Streisand starts singing "Ave Maria" I just can't figure that one out.

I am in complete agreement with you, m'dear! Call me old fashioned, but WHY CAN'T SOMETHING in this world be OLD FASHIONED???


Everyone is entitled to my opinion.

Answer 2

Santa toddler i'm going to be abode for Christmas Chestnuts Roasting on An Open hearth Silver Bells All i choose for Christmas (Mariah Carey version) Deck The Halls excitement To the international The Drummer Boy What new child is this Away in a MAnger permit It Snow

Answer 3

I once had a whole CD that was combinations of secular Christmas carols and Christmas hymns, which made for peculiar listening. "Silent Night" and "Winter Wonderland" don't belong in the same piece of music. "Joy to the World" intermingled with "Sleigh Ride?" Not quite right.

Answer 4

Spice, splice, dice, rerecord it upside down. There has to be another way to make more money out of this old established tune.

Answer 5

if u want to get technical christmas shld scare ppl beacuse santa is a stalker really he sees u when ur sleeping he knows when ur awake and he knows if u been bad or good tht just freaks me out

Answer 6

there is nothing simple about our Christmas or Thanksgiving for that matter lol

but, i am just a hillbilly from texas. so, you know we have a "CLASSY" table top decor! ;)~

Answer 7

Great Question.

:)

Answer 8

I agree why change perfection

Answer 9

You are SO right!
Leave well enough alone already!
:O)