Valley sings praises of staple Christmas carols

Valley residents share their favorite holiday songs

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By KATIE SEMINARA

Residents share some of their favorite holiday tunes, including ‘Jingle Bells’ and ‘The Christmas Song.’

Songs of the Christmas season can bring back memories, help celebrate a tradition or simply remind people of the reason for the season.

“I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas,” “Carol of the Bells,” “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas,” just to name a few. Whatever the title or message, almost everyone has a favorite.

Lamar Salter answered quickly when asked about his top Christmas song and was even quicker to change his mind.

“My favorite is ‘Charlie Brown Christmas,’” the 20-year-old Youngstown State University student said before school let out for winter break.

“No wait; scratch that. It’s ‘The Christmas Song,’ chestnuts roasting on an open fire,” Salter said while hanging out in the campus’s Kilcawley Center with fellow student Josh Stipanovich.

For Salter, “The Christmas Song,” is a favorite because he played the song for a piano performance when he was younger.

“The Christmas Song” was written by Mel Torm and Robert Wells in 1944 and was first recorded by the Nat “King” Cole Trio in 1946.

The classic holiday tune peaked at No. 3 for the trio in late December 1946, according to vh1.com. More than 60 years later, Torm estimated that there have been 1,700 recordings of his Christmas gem.

“Blue Christmas” sung by Elvis was the choice of Stipanovich, 22, who proceeded to sing a few bars in a tone reminiscent of “the King.”

As for least favorites, Salter jokingly blurted out “Blue Christmas,” as Stipanovich gave a sharp reply of, “Oh, come on.”

After thinking it through, Salter came up with “Frosty the Snowman” for his worst list, and Stipanovich decided on “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.”

“I think it’s just overplayed,” Stipanovich said of the song dedicated to Rudy and his shiny nose.

“The Christmas Song” came up more than once in the favorite category, as well as good old “Jingle Bells.”

“My mother used to sing it to me when I was a little child,” said YSU student David Drevna of the memory he associates with “Jingle Bells.”

Though it was finals week on campus and Drevna said singing was added stress, the 20-year-old belted a few bars of the classic, even adding the traditional exclamatory “Hey!” at the end.

The song was written by James Lord Pierpont and was first published in 1857 under the name “One Horse Open Sleigh.” Two years later, Pierpont reissued the song as “Jingle Bells,” according to hymnsandcarolsofchristmas.com.

The Web site also noted that “Jingle Bells” was the first Christmas tune performed in outer space on Dec. 16, 1965. Crew members Wally Schirra and Tom Stafford, who were on the flight of Gemini 6, gave the outer space rendition.

“Jingle Bells” also resonated with Gina Wyant, 30, of Boardman. While ringing the bell for the Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign at the Shops at Boardman Park, Wyant sang the familiar words with a smile.

“I just remember being little and [‘Jingle Bells’] being one of the first songs I learned,” she said.

Though “Jingle Bells” is a popular hit during the holiday season, some songs are more ritualistic and are associated with customary Christmas practices. “Silent Night” is generally paired with lit candles and sung to close holiday services. Dezmond Riley pinned the song as his favorite.

“Traditional songs are what I grew up on,” the 19-year-old YSU student said of enjoying classic Christmas songs.

“Silver Bells” and “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” were on his most-liked list, but “Silent Night” sung by the Temptations was his top pick.

“It’s amazing,” he said of the group’s version as he shared his favorite line, “Shepherds quake at the sight.”

A song that isn’t so traditional, “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer,” made his list of worst holiday songs.

“It’s probably the tune. I’ve never paid attention to the lyrics because they’re annoying,” Riley said.

Other favorites of the season included “O Holy Night” and “Jingle Bell Rock.” On the least-liked list were “Twelve Days of Christmas,” “Frosty the Snowman,” “I Want a Hippopotamus For Christmas” and the Alvin and the Chipmunks song called “Christmas Don’t Be Late.”