Songs on the Naughty List

Perhaps I am a Scrooge. There are certain Christmas songs I just can't tolerate. First of all, before Thanksgiving, no Christmas songs should be played in public. As with most things, I think people can do whatever they need to do in the privacy of their own homes. But in stores and on the radio, the season starts the day after Thankgiving--and not a day earlier!

The songs on my naughty list are: Silver Bells, The Most Wonderful Time of the Year, and Blue Christmas. If I never hear those songs again, I'll be a happy camper. Most of the others are fine, and even great, but those three can go live in Song Purgatory.

On a positive note, I love Winter Wonderland; Hark! The Herald Angels Sing; Joy to the World; Silent Night; Mary Did You Know; O Come, O Come Emmanuel and Jingle Bells. I even like The Twelve Days of Christmas and Do You Hear What I Hear, both of which are much-maligned by others, probably because they seem to go on and on.

So, take your silver bells and stick 'em where the sun don't shine. But give me Parson Brown and baby Jesus anyday!