It's Sentimental, I Know

If you're playing along at home, in previous posts I arrogantly confidently declared that there are only four good Christmas songs. The Top Three are "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" by Judy Garland, "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" by Darlene Love, and "River" by Joni Mitchell. 

Now, who could argue with those?

I expect my fourth pick to be both unknown to many of you and more controversial: "White Wine in the Sun" by Tim Minchin.

"Controversial" because Minchin is an Australian atheist, so his song has neither conventional snow-covered sleigh-bell escapades--Christmas being in the summer down under--nor paeans to the holy babe in a manger. "White Wine in the Sun" acknowledges that, and then asks: if you take away the traditional trappings and reasons for the season, what do you have left? Minchin's answer: still something pretty great and worth celebrating. 

I admit that this probably isn't a tune you'll add to your Christmas party playlist, but I make a point to listen to it at least a couple of times per holiday season. I think about my kids and family, and people who aren't here anymore. Like my other three choices, it makes me happy and sad at the same time.

Maybe that's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.

I hope you have a good one.