Music? Bah, Humbug!

I am a Christmas music Scrooge. I am the type of person who avoids all stores from the period after Halloween to the post-Christmas sales simply due to the constant and pervasive repetition of hymns, carols, and songs that permeate my every conscious second. I cannot ignore the music that is played, and it bothers me.

Most of my friends don't understand this aversion that I have to singing the same old songs over and over and over again. They love listening to the "all Christmas, all the time" radio stations that pop up around here. I have to escape and retreat into silence.

Lately, I have noticed that others (in my social media life, so mostly music therapists) are starting to post about their own aversions to the music of this season. I have been relieved to know that I am not the only Christmas music Scrooge out there.

In my therapy sessions, I find myself waiting until the very last possible moment to bring in the Santa-themed songs and the Christmas music. I try to remind the people around me that not everyone has happy memories associated with the holiday season or the music. We do non-holiday therapeutic music experiences (TMEs) as much as possible.

I was listening to NPR's Morning Edition yesterday and heard a discussion about holiday music that emphasizes the ways people hear and perceive the music. The people speaking chose some familiar songs with a good emphasis on the melancholy songs of the season - "I'll Be Home for Christmas," "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," and others, AND they picked some snarky songs as well. I have to admit that I liked the snarky songs better than the familiar ones! I have a new snarky music duo to follow - Garfunkel and Oates. Their song, "Christmas Letter," completely cracked me up!

I am now on Winter break and am enjoying the silence and occasional holiday music, chosen by me and appreciated by few other people. This enforced boycott of all things holiday music-themed will help me get more into the spirit of the holiday that I will celebrate on December 24th. For me, singing "Silent Night" on Christmas Eve is so much more meaningful to me as a person and as a believer than if I have been singing it daily.

I'm turning off the radio.

Feel free to enjoy the sounds of the season however you wish...

Comments

  1. Roia6:14 PM

    Sister, you are NOT alone on this one! I am convinced retail has ruined Christmas music for a good many of us. Grumble, grumble, kvetch...

    ReplyDelete

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