Christmas music in the form of carols, songs, stringed
or instrumental renditions, is constantly heard during
the Christmas season.
Music forms the background against which everything else
takes place to make the Christmas season different from
all others. Christmas music plays such a significant
role that during the entire season, other popular music
temporarily disappears from radio. That may be the
reason for all the different types of Christmas music -
sacred, secular, popular and traditional - that have
emerged throughout the years.
Popular and secular renditions of Christmas music has
been developed by musical
artists and performers who 'make over' classic styles of
Christmas music with their own personal touch.
One
reason for popular make-overs of Christmas music may be
because regular popular music is not heard during the
holiday season so pop musicians and artists do Christmas
music to keep their voices always in earshot of their
fans and the general audience. It could also be that
they want to capitalize on the popularity of Christmas
music.
Whatever the reason, it has become a trend for popular
musical artists to release new Christmas or
holiday music albums during the season. Since variety is
the spice of life, it means there are more variations of
secular, sacred, classical or traditional and
popular renditions of Christmas music that can be heard
and downloaded for your digital devices.
Music at Christmas time is important to create the right
mood. The prevalence of Christmas music is what helps to
create the special holiday type of feeling or spirit
that is present everywhere and among everyone. Everyone
has particular Christmas songs and carols that are
favorites, maybe for the melody, the lyrics or because
they are reminders of special memories.
The most popular Christmas song is said to be 'White
Christmas,' which is popular even in warm and tropical
climates where people sing of 'dreaming of a White
Christmas,' which in reality they would not want. Other
popular Christmas songs and carols are: Away in a
Manger, which tells the Nativity story in song; O Holy
Night, Silent Night, Joy to the World, Hark the Herald
Angels and Angels we have Heard on High.
All of those songs are sacred and are all about the
story of Jesus' birth. Of note also is Handel's majestic
'Hallelujah Chorus,' which is a favorite that choirs
like to sing because of the splendor embodied in the
music.
Nat King Cole's 'Chestnut Roasting On an Open Fire' is a
classical favorite. It defies categorization as it isn't
sacred but is also not considered secular like a song
such as 'Sleigh Ride.'
Among secular Christmas songs, there are also funny ones
such as 'I Saw Mummy Kissing Santa Claus Underneath the
Mistletoe Last Night' and 'Rudolph the Red-Nosed
Reindeer'.
The availability of a wide Christmas music selection
makes it possible to choose ones for different
occasions, such as for general use at home, for a fun or
informal party or for a formal dinner. (Usually
available on CDs, mp3, tapes, etc for enjoyable
listening on today's HD digital devices)
As an example, selections can be made to create the
right mood at the
start of a party, followed by more lively music when the
party is in full
swing, and then selections to slow down the pace when
the party is
nearing its end.
It's also important to note that professional groups
such as choirs, symphonies and orchestras will also
record performances of Christmas music on albums. For
the very serious and critical music aficionados, these
albums will provide wonderful listening pleasure and
also make good Christmas presents. Listening to music
from those groups is also a way of enjoying their
performances when you don't have the opportunity to
attend a live concert by the professional group.
Whatever selections of Christmas music you make, it's
likely that it will create a festive mood and spirit
among all who hear or are listening to the music (like
Santa playing Ragtime Jingle Bells!).