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Music does not remain the same always. History bears proof to the fact that in different era different genres of music has been in vogue. The same thing happens with Christmas music. Music is the essence of life. Christmas songs are steeped in spirituality. But with time even the Christmas songs have come of age. Modern Christmas songs are markedly different from what it used to be, earlier.
Holiday themes are prevalent in Christmas songs. The aspects of the season winter frequently intrude the lyrics and the whole theme of these songs.Modern Christmas songs can be classified in accordance with the time they have been sungor the melody of the songs. |
Songs that are traditional but without a direct religious inclination are generally called Christmas carols. Some of these songs are of more recent time and are often composed for or used in films. These are not overtly religious. That is why these modern Christmas songs can not be called carols. "White Christmas", composed in 1942 is an ideal example of these types of songs. Gene Autry's "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" is another frequently used Modern Christmas songs.
One of the popular subgenres of the secular Christmas songs are regarded as "Christmas" songs just because, of the time of the year those are sung in. The funniest part of these songs is these hardly mention anything about Christmas. "Winter Wonderland" and "Sleigh Ride" are some of the most popular songs that fall under that group. The lyrics of "Sleigh Ride" describe a birthday party instead of a Christmas party. These songs can be classified as "winter holiday" songs. These songs don't carry any religious intention at all. According to the experts of music it is almost impossible to popularize a winter-themed song at least in the United States, without attributing the name of "Christmas" to it.
Parodies are frequently sung during Christmas. The funny aspects of these songs have made them extremely popular among people. Even these sometimes achieve much more popularity than the serious ones. These parodies are classified as "Novelty songs". The humor of "Christmas at Ground Zero" touched people's heart.
"Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" is a famous Christmas song written by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane. Hugh Martin has confessed in an interview that Ralph Blane encouraged him to write this song. The song was made famous by Judy Garland in the film "Meet Me in St. Louis", made in 1944. The movie reflects the seasonal changes. One of the famous scenes features blubbered Garland singing the song to a child star Margaret O'Brien.
The lyric and the tunes of "Do You Hear What I Hear?" are composed by Noel Regney and Gloria Shayne in 1962. The song was originally recorded by Bing Crosby on November 22, 1963. Strange thing is president John Kennedy was assassinated on the same day. The song has been widely popular with time. The original version of the song is available on numerous Christmas albums consisting of compilation of famous Christmas songs. This song has later been sung by different artists, such as Whitney Houston, Andy Williams, The Carpenters, Perry Como, Gladys Knight, Copeland, Martina McBride, Delta Goodrem, Linda Eder, Destiny's Child, and Rosie O' Donnell. An instrumental version by Michael Angelo Batio is quite nice. The modern versions of the song are much more popular than the original one.
"Blue Christmas" is written by Jay W. Johnson. The heart-rending story of un-reciprocated love is at the core of the theme of the song. This outstanding Christmas song is an outstanding example of country music. Ernest Tubb recorded this song in 1948. Elvis Presley rendered the original version into a rock n' roll version in 1957. A number of rock and country artists have recorded their own versions of the song since. The song paved its way into the children's Christmas special, "The Year without Santa Clause". Celine Dion has recently recorded her own version.
Steve (Jack) Rollins and Steve nelson are the writers of "Frosty, the Snowman". This was recorded by Gene Autry and the Cass Country Boys in 1950. The song is regarded as a Christmas song in spite of not featuring the word Christmas for a single time. Almost 2 million copies of the first edition were sold.
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