What's your favorite Christmas song?
Wednesday, December 23, 2020 at 11:34AM 
The first time I remember hearing "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" was in The Holiday. That 2006 picture has become something of a Christmas mainstay over the years and, while I'm not its biggest fan, I can't help but feel grateful for it. After all, it introduced me to my favorite Christmas song. Written by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane in 1943, "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" has cinematic origins despite some of its best-known version having little to do with cinema. Long before Sam Smith, Florence Welch, Frank Sinatra, or Ella Fitzgerald sang the holiday classic, this was Judy Garland's song…
Just as the tune is my favorite Christmas song, the film for which it was made, Meet Me in St. Louis, is probably my favorite holiday movie too...
;)
Only a small portion of the narrative happens during Yuletide, but the focus on family bonds, fraternal love, and parental devotion makes its tone feel appropriate for December celebrations. As an atheist, Christmas is a holiday I enjoy mostly divorced from its religious origins, seeing it as a festivity about treasuring and appreciating our loved ones rather than marking the birth of Christ. It also helps that I adore giving gifts to my friends and family.
Still, regardless of all that secular merriment, Christmas hasn't always been a jolly occasion for me, even as I paint on a smile and project seasonal mirth. Struggling with depression and suffering through a string of bad relationships, I've spent a lot of the last Decembers trying to hide my tears from those around me, wrapping despondence in glitzy decorations, putting a bow on it, and hoping that it will distract from the darkness within. I think that's part of the reason why I love this particular song so much. It's not a very jolly tune when all is said and done.
When it's sung in Meet Me in St. Louis, the Smith family is living a period of upheaval and melancholy. The patriarch, Mr. Alonzo, has been promoted at his job. The consequences of such good fortune involve the entire family moving to New York, leaving their beloved Missouri home behind, their friends, their loves, their city. On Christmas Eve, after returning from a party, the last she'll enjoy in St. Louis, Judy Garland's Esther comes home to find her little sister, Tootie, distraught. In an attempt at consoling the girl, Esther sings.
She sings about letting their hearts be light, promising that troubles will be out of sight, miles away, just like the happy golden days of yore. Still, here they are, enjoying what's perhaps the last celebration besides faithful friends, gathered as they have so many times before. Even though this sort of happiness may dwindle in the coming years, they'll still be together if the fates allow. Esther goes through conflicting feelings as she sings, acknowledging the fleeting nature of this joy while trying to see silver linings in the dark clouds ahead. It's a melancholic plea for hope, one that understands jubilation tends to walk hand-in-hand with sadness.
So many Christmas songs indulge in unrealistic cheer, speaking so feverously about unbridled glee that the positive feelings start to feel hollow. They're like a shiny ornament, a glass bauble that'll shatter at the tiniest perturbance. "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" doesn't do that. So much so, that, when first confronted with the song, Judy Garland and director Vincente Minelli criticized the work for being too depressing. Hugh Martin revised the original lyrics but the true emotional tonalities of the song still manifest in Garland's rendition.
Like most great musical actors, she performs the number as an internal monologue exteriorized, making us feel how Esther is singing as much to herself as to her sister. Tootie's reaction also serves as a stark acceptance of the song's intrinsic conflict. As played by Margaret O'Brien, the girl isn't consoled but further distraught by the beautiful song, understanding, like so many children, the meaning behind the words. She knows her sister's hope is born out of an expectation of misery, and so she flees to destroy the snowmen in the garden.
Little Tootie bludgeons them, collapsing the icy facsimile of the Smith family, letting out her rage at a situation she has no control over. As the score swells in a beautiful melody, the images paint a blue picture. Still, by the end, the family gets together, resolute to face the incoming hurdles together and enjoy this last Missourian Christmas. In the end, all ends well and the Smiths don't go to New York, but, after everything we see, it's easy to suppose they'd still be fine if the trip had gone through. As long as they remain together, there's hope and that's the greatest Christmas miracle of them all.
2020 has been awful beyond belief, but, curiously enough, I feel lighter this December than I have in years. I'm sorry if that's callous, but it's also true. After admitting my problems, opening up to my loved ones, seeking help, ending toxic relationships, and licking my wounds, I feel like I'm about to have a merry Christmas where my joy won't be a performance. Acknowledging the sad part of the holiday, of life, has helped me to find this melancholic sort of mirth and I treasure it, just as I treasure my family, my friends, all those I love and with whom I share this Christmas, even if at a distance.
As I listen to "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" for the umpteenth time I can't help but think my younger self knew something I took a long while to acknowledge when he grew obsessed with the tune. That sadness is part of the joy, they are both necessary. That, to have a merry Christmas, one has to be willing to share the pain as much as the gift-wrapped treats. Pardon the schmaltz, the corny sentimentalism, but, to every reader, I say: have yourself a merry little Christmas and very happy holidays. Next year, may our troubles be out of sight.
Reader Comments (33)
Someday at Christmas by Stevie Wonder
NONE
Why aren't we discussing the Golden Globes craziness?
Top 3
Somewhere in my memory from home alone
Christmas vacation from national lampoons Christmas vacation
The first Noel from white Christmas
This is beautiful and absolutely my favorite Christmas song as well. Most of the Christmas novelty songs drive me nuts, but the ones that really have staying power are ones like this that acknowledge the duality of Christmas feelings. Even something that seems very "happy" on its surface, like White Christmas, is really a hope and remembrance of something that may never come again. Other beautiful songs hint that not all is perfect during the Christmas season. I'll Be Home For Christmas "if only in my dreams." And Merry Christmas Darling, "we're apart that's true."
I recently watched this movie and was very underwhelmed by the film. The Trolley Song scene is incredibly and iconic, but for the most part I found it a bit of a chore to get through, as most of the conflicts aren't fully realized and the emotions feel surface level.
Until you get to this scene. It's truly masterful work by Garland and some of the scenes preceding it and that follow really work.
Darlene Love's "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" is the ultimate radio Christmas song.
Dominic the Donkey which should have been a cartoon show by now
This has always been my favorite Christmas song as well... and you captured the reasons why. This is the coldest, darkest part of the year and we try (and sometimes succeed) in cheering ourselves up by gathering for some festivity. But we also commemorate the passage of time, both the friends who are near to us... and the ones who are gone. Something I'm especially aware of this year.
With all due respect to Ella Fitzgerald, that's why Judy Garland's version will always be the best. She captures that wistful feeling here as she does in so many songs, going all the way back to "Somewhere Over the Rainbow".
Your wise, kind heart is evident in everything you write, Claudio. Happy holidays to you!
The Christmas Song by Nat King Cole
"El Día de la Bestia" by Def Con Dos, the theme song from Alex de la Iglesia's film about the birth of the antichrist in Madrid, in Xmas eve... hard rock-metal-rap. Really cool
Mr Garrett's song from South Park: Merry Fuckin' Christmas
On a serious note I love the whole Phil Spector's Christmas Gift to You, with Bob B Soxx & the Blue Jeans' transcendent "Bells of St Mary's" as the highlight and the Ronettes' "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" and "Frosty the Snowman" as the other standouts
And then there's James Brown's great Christmas albums and his stunning "Santa Claus Go Straight to the Ghetto" ("Don't Forget About Gary" ) on the 1968 one
"The Christmas Song" by Nat King Cole
“This Christmas” (as performed by Donny Hathaway)
“Someday at Christmas” (Stevie Wonder)
“All I Want for Christmas Is You” (Mariah Carey)
“Another Lonely Christmas” (Prince)
“Have Yourself a Merry Christmas” (Judy Garland)
"Carol of the Bells."
Last Christmas by George Micheal
All I want for Christmas is you by Mariah Carey
Joy to the world
We three kings of orient are
Santa baby
I'll be weird and stump for some of "The Cynical Ones." Christmas at Ground Zero (Weird Al), The Night Santa Went Crazy (Weird Al), This Trinity's Going to War (Futurama), Jolly Boots of Doom (Invader Zim).
These are the original lyrics to "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas":
Have yourself a merry little Christmas.
It may be your last.
Next year we may all be living in the past.
Have yourself a merry little Christmas.
Pop that champagne cork.
Next year we may all be living in New York.
No good times like the olden days.
Happy golden days of yore.
Faithful friends who were dear to us.
Will be near to us no more.
But at least we all will be together.
If the Lord allows.
From now on, we'll have to muddle through somehow.
So have yourself a merry little Christmas now.
Though I like the revised version, this one is just ridiculously bleak.
https://www.classicfm.com/discover-music/occasions/christmas/original-lyrics-have-yourself-a-merry-little-christmas-judy-garland/
Peggy,you're a junkie.
Je t'aime melancolie, so...
Sarah McLaughlan's version of/or Joni Mitchell's "The river"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2t9J4YBI_0
Count Your Blessings, We Need A Little Christmas, White Christmas, All I Want For Christmas Is You, Christmas Canon.
This is my favorite as well -- for all of the reasons you stated so beautifully.
Not sure what my favorite Xmas song is, but this would definitely be in the top 5. And to think, before this week, I had NOT seen MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS! I didn't even know this song came from that movie! I had literal chills for that scene especially considering the 2020 experience of not seeing friends and family. Anyways, thanks for sharing. This was lovely to read.
The one Lola Heatherton sang in THE LOVE SPIRIT:
Gonna be your frosty snowgirl
I’m gonna deck your halls
Wait until I shake your tree, boy
I’ll break those Christmas balls
I know all about your angel, under the mistletoe
Well I think it’s time you found out which way the cold wind blows….
"Little Drummer Boy/Peace on Earth" by Bing Crosby and David Bowie.
Honestly, the idea of those 2 back in 1977 had to be the most strangest duet ever. Bing was the ultimate of old school singers and he sings with a man who 4 years ago played an alien and then became a poster-child for cocaine abuse who then becomes fascinated with Fascism for the wrong reasons, only to just got his shit together. Bowie admitted that was the oddest thing he had done and for some strange reason, it worked.
Other favorites: Band Aid-"Do They Know It's Christmas", Weird Al Yankovic-"Christmas at Ground Zero", Cheech & Chong-"Santa and his Old Lady", "Baby It's Cold Outside", Eric Idle-"Fuck Christmas", Greg Lake-"I Believe in Father Christmas", and the Ramones' "Merry Christmas, I Don't Wanna Fight Tonight".
Grown Up Christmas List - Amy Grant
Better Days - Goo Goo Dolls
Joy to the World and Who Would Imagine a King - Whitney Houston
...and yes, the Mariah classic, the Rent song that's really for New Year's and this lovely song from Judy.
Lovely remembrance of why the song means so much to you. There are many fine versions of the song but Judy's is the standard to be met. It's not my favorite Christmas song but it deserves it classic status.
I'm a huge Christmas music fan and listen to it from the day after Thanksgiving all the way through the holidays so choosing an absolute favorite is tough. I guess my top two are:
The White Snows of Winter-The Kingston Trio
Mele Kalikimaka-Bing Crosby/Andrews Sisters
Followed by:
Silver Bells-Doris Day
I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day-Kate Smith
White Christmas-Bing Crosby
Have a Holly Jolly Christmas-Burl Ives
Toyland-Doris Day
The Christmas Song-Nat King Cole
Do You Hear What I Hear-Bing Crosby
and many more.
@Jesus Alonso, Great choice
I always been found "Mi Burrito Sabanero" so lovely but definitively my favorite is "Calurosa Navidad" from 31 minutos, the Christmas special is as funny as ... well, as the rest of the series.
I'm a fan of those Christmas songs that highlight those who aren't as privileged and therefore not as full of the regular Christmas spirit, but still have humanity to the eyeballs:
"Fairytale Of New York" The Pogues and Kirsty MacColl
"How To Make Gravy" Paul Kelly
I still like the Christmas songs of the children’s entertainers, Sharon, Lois, and Bram on their album “Candles, Snow, and Mistletoe” that we used to listen to every Christmas.
My 2 favourites are “We Need a Little Christmas” by Jerry Herman, and “Candles Long Ago” by Mark Saltzman and Glen Roven.
Haul out the holly
Put up the tree before my spirit falls again
Fill up the stockings
We may be rushing things but deck the halls again
For we need a little Christmas
Right this very minute
Candles at the window
Carols at the spinnet....
Last Christmas, I wasn’t with someone that I love dearly (I am this year though - yay!) and the Christmas song that expressed it best for me was Karen Carpenter’s ‘Merry Christmas, Darling’.
Thanks for another beautiful piece, Claudio! May 2021 bring many more just like it. Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas Claudio. You are insanely talented sir. Glad to hear you're doing better. Take car of yourself and here's to 2021!
Dave in Hollywood -- Christmas songs that include a note of melancholic wistfulness are my favorites too. Like you say, they embody the duality of feeling this season brings with it.
Joe G -- Garland should have been nominated for Best Actress of 1944. She's masterful, especially in this musical number.
Biggs -- Your words are very kind and very appreciated. I spent the morning of Christmas Eve in the hospital because of my grandfather so the feeling that this is both the cheeriest and darkest time of the year really came through.
Amory Blaine -- They are fantastically somber lyrics, way too much for the moment in the film. However, their feeling remains in the final version of the song, just in a less obvious manner. Thanks for sharing that wonderful historical detail with us.
greydog -- I'm glad you enjoyed the write-up. Thank you for the compliment.
Ryan T. -- Your comment was also lovely to read. Thank you.
thevoid99 -- It's such a bizarre pairing. As someone who finds Crosby very bland but is an obsessive Bowie fan, I feel very conflicting emotions whenever experiencing that version of the song.
Shmeebs -- Let's hope so. Thanks for the wonderful kindness and I wish you a great 2021 too.
Michael R -- And you are very sweet for saying so. Take care and here's to a great 2021 as well.
Thank you all for the feedback and the great recommendations of Christmas music. Happy holidays everyone.