Christmas music holds a special place in my heart. This year, a significant part of my collection faced destruction, yet the visions of the world's largest stockpile of such music still dance vividly in my mind. I have a few cherished songs that I feel I "must" listen to each yuletide season, but my desires often outstrip my ability to possess them all. This is partly due to my wife. She's not a Grinch, but she dislikes being bombarded with a month's worth of Christmas tunes at home. So, I make time to listen during work and in my car. In the car, my divided loyalties lead to a mix of Christmas songs and talk radio. It's quite an interesting juxtaposition.

Why Christmas Music is Special

Christmas is unique to me as it's when the old-style crooners get to shine. Imagine singers who actually enunciate clearly! Singers who don't hold the microphone too close to their spleen. Singers whose voices don't get overpowered by a long and noisy guitar solo. These classic song stylists give me the chance to compare and contrast numerous renditions of popular songs. Sometimes, I feel disloyal when I find a version that's almost as good as those by Bing, Judy, Dean, Frank, Elvis, Perry, Andy, or Burl. It's almost like a sacrilege! (I'll be home for Christmas...unless the house is haunted by jealous legendary performers.)

Thanks to YouTube, I've also discovered underappreciated "lost" ditties like the 1947 "Santa Claus For President." Who knows, maybe the next Trump administration will declassify some archived documents and reveal if President Harry S Truman really asked, "Are you sure we don't have another A-bomb to drop on, I don't know...the North Pole?"

Every A-list artist, rising star, has-been, and never-was seems to have at least one Christmas album buried deep. Some artists seem more focused on showing off than truly respecting the source material. Just listen when a song about snowmen or angelic hosts begins with "Oh, saaaay can you seeeeeeeee."

The Diversity of Christmas Music Lovers

It's fascinating to see how many agnostics, atheists, and Baal worshippers are eager to belt out spiritual Christmas songs. ("Joy to the world, the royalty check is come! Let earth receive her Almighty Dollar!") I love to discover which songs people adore and which ones drive them crazy. I'll never forget the fellow who gets triggered by Paul McCartney's constant warbling of, "Simply having a wonderful Christmastime. Simply having a wonderful Christmastime." ("I wanna hold your throat, I wanna hold your throoooooat!")

Don't fight it. Join me in enjoying Christmas music. The right combination of seasonal music can bring tranquility during the stressful holidays. Peace on earth requires some preparation as we're often more focused on dealing with our know-it-all in-laws than decorating the halls.

My Personal Christmas Music Experience

Now, I put "White Christmas" on my MP3 player. Hey, this version is even better than...but then something unexpected happens. Oh, I think I need an exorcist or two for Christmas. Only an exorcist can handle this strange turn of events.

Danny Tyree's column is distributed by Cagle Cartoons newspaper syndicate. You can reach him at tyreetyrades@aol.com.