It’s Never too Early to Listen to Holiday Music
Graphic by Téa Sklar
It is never too early for holiday music because it makes people happy and gives a mood boost. Starting to listen to holiday music earlier allows for a more time to have the positive feelings that are associated with the holidays, which can help people enjoy the season more fully instead of it being stressful and rushed. Holiday music reduces stress because it makes people think of happy memories, and because the music is sometimes calming, which fosters a sense of connection and peace.
This isn’t just an American tradition. Holiday music is treasured in countries across the globe. Many similarities are shared but there are also many local variations. For example, “White Christmas” has been translated into over 300 languages. This can also be seen in the celebration of localized traditions like Befana in Italy or Three Kings Day in Latin America.
Christmas songs have sparked controversy for centuries, with several classics facing bans or criticism over the years. One of the most debated is "Baby, It's Cold Outside," which has been criticized for its suggestive lyrics that many modern listeners view as examples of sexual harassment. Other controversial songs include "Jingle Bells," which was originally performed by minstrels in blackface, and "Do They Know It's Christmas?" which has been criticized for its over-generalizations about Africa. "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" was banned by some radio stations for its perceived scandal, while Elvis Presley's "White Christmas" faced backlash due to concerns about his influence on youth.
More recently, songs like "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" and "Frosty the Snowman" have been criticized for themes of bullying and gender assumptions. These controversies highlight the evolving cultural standards and sensitivities around holiday music, showing how perceptions of appropriateness can change over time.
The tradition of holiday music began with religious hymns in 4th century Rome like “Redemptor Gentium”, which was the first known Christmas hymn. Later holiday music evolved though the Middle Ages with the creation of Christmas carols. Then in the 13th century, Saint Francis of Assisi helped popularize Christmas carols and when the 15th century came, groups began tracing door to door singing Christmas carols.
In the 16th and 17th centuries, many Christmas carols like “God Rest Ye Mary Gentlemen” were written, and in the 19th century, the first American Christmas carols were introduced.
Finally, in the 20th century, media like radio and records helped make holiday music a widespread cultural phenomenon Holiday music is more popular than ever. For example Mariah Carey’s “All I want for Christmas is You” hitting the Hot 100 on October 31 beating the prior record of November 15. Christmas music is timeless, with a rich history across cultures and nations.