As the big day draws near, I would like to switch from my multitude of holiday chores to shed light on my stockpile of cultural Christmas references. I watched It’s a Wonderful Life every Christmas Eve from the time I was eight years old (back when it was only on Channel 11, after midnight). I’m one of those freaks who turns on the “Lite” in mid-November to listen to holiday music. I feel wholly justified to Scrooge all over the season.
First up, I will be presenting the best and worst versions of a variety of holiday tunes. Let’s start with the perennial insipid favorite: “Jingle Bells.”
Best: Frank Sinatra can rarely mess up a song (except when he sings it from the grave with live people. See: “Santa Clause Is Coming to Town” with Cyndi Lauper [shudder]). But if anyone is going to breathe some decades-old life into “Jingle Bells,” which really needs it, it’s this guy. From those snappy backup singers to his swingy “Jingle bells/Jing-jingle bells” chorus, he’s totally got it going on.
Worst: A gooped-up on gop pills Barbra Streisand. Snow Valley of the Dolls. It’s a hot mess. It’s yellow snow. “Jinglebellsjinglebellsjinglebellsjinglealltheway”: is she trying to show off her amazing lung capacity? Too bad, she finally runs out of air at the 1:11 mark. I run out of patience about a minute before that. And her Fanny Brice reference is cute because she played her in the movie, I get it! Babs, slow down a bit, don’t be a hero. Besides, you’re scaring the horses.
More to come as I continue to avoid unwrapped presents and unaddressed Christmas cards!
But what do you thinkg of Michael Buble???
Merry Christmas Gwen:)
Ask and you shall receive, Matt: Buble next! Happy Christmas to you as well-
I am also partial to the Ella Fitzgerald version from Ella Wishes You a Swingin’ Christmas, including the throwaway line “I’m just crazy ’bout horses!” at the end.