We all know that Christmas music plays a significant role in the holiday season. It brings nostalgia and recalls the excitement of Christmastime. It is officially the holiday season when you hear Christmas music drifting from stores and blasting from radios. However, as some may know, everyone has different opinions about it. A commonly debated question must be answered. When it comes to listening to Christmas music, there are varying beliefs on when one should begin.
Many students have opinions on this particular question. Freshman Sally Davis comments, “The evening after Thanksgiving, or the evening of Thanksgiving, after you eat.” Junior Katherine Mao agrees: “After Thanksgiving, but sometimes I listen to it after Halloween.” While many might disagree with the exact timing of this date, most students agreed that Christmas music should not be listened to before November.
If most students start listening to Christmas music in late November, they usually listen for a maximum of two months. Thompson comments, “After Christmas. Sometimes after New Years, but usually after Christmas day.” Several others agree that Christmas music should not last longer than New Years. Some would argue that listening to Christmas music for longer than two months ruins the magical feeling of the music, and it becomes basic. Others would argue that Christmas music should be listened to at any given time, as long as the listener is in the mood.
While Christmas music brings a sense of nostalgia to the listener, not everyone particularly enjoys the classic melodies. According to sophomore Felix Thompson, “There’s some really bad Christmas music and some really good Christmas music.” Some favorites of students at IHS include Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” Tyler, The Creator’s “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch”, and James Pierpont’s “Jingle Bells.” Although Michael Bublé was a close second place, the most common favorite artist of students is the Queen of Christmas herself, Mariah Carey. Unsurprisingly, an extremely popular favorite song both in general and specifically of Mariah Carey is “All I Want for Christmas Is You.” According to Billboard, “Mariah Carey’s ‘All I Want for Christmas Is You’ tops Holiday 100 as Chart Returns for 2023 Season.” Carey’s hit song makes a stunning splash every year, and it can officially be classified as a classic. Several students at IHS have compelling opinions on the matter regarding Mariah Carey and her highly popularized Christmas bops. If you were to ask, countless students would claim that Mariah Carey is the most popular Christmas music artist of 2023. Some might agree that her most popular song is the first-rate itself, “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” especially since it has been ranked the No. 1 song four separate times on Billboard Hot 100.
Regarding Mariah Carey, Yardbarker says, “With a vocal range that spans five full octaves, Mariah Carey’s whistle notes are her signature, but that’s not all that Carey brings to the table. Both an accomplished songwriter and enduring vocalist, Carey has charted 18 No. 1 hits, sold more than 200 albums, and continues to release albums, including 2018’s ‘Caution.’” Much can be said about this songbird supreme. For example, Wikipedia says, “Carey is the highest-certified female artist in the United States and 10th overall, with 74 million certified album units. Among her accolades are 5 Grammy Awards, 10 American Music Awards, 16 Billboard Music Awards, and 12 Guinness World Records.” Additionally, Mariah Carey Songhall continues the praises, saying, “Mariah Carey is one of the most celebrated singer-songwriters and the best-selling female artist of all time. Smashing the Billboard Hot 100 number ones, Mariah Carey is the all-time most successful female songwriter in chart history.” You can understand why she has all these awards, as well as why she is so highly praised.
On the other hand, some find Carey overrated. Senior Mackenzie Wilmot-Wade says, “I don’t like her music. I think her music’s overrated. She can hit some really high notes, and that’s why everybody really loves her, but I don’t think hitting high notes is the epitome of all music. I like more complex music.” Davis agrees, saying, “Her voice is very high-pitched, and I find it very annoying to listen to, but I mean she’s popular for a reason.” Freshman Emily Houghton says, “While Mariah Carey has an extravagant range, she is overrated, over-played, and really not that great. She makes so much money off of one song, and she makes that her entire personality.” Opinions definitely vary when it comes to Carey.
Carey’s most popular Christmas song seems to be her big hit, “All I Want for Christmas is You.” Wilmot-Wade comments, “Pretty much all I listen to is ‘All I Want for Christmas.’” Mao’s favorite Mariah Carey song is “Probably like ‘All I Want for Christmas.’” Additionally, Davis says, “I mean, all I listen to is ‘All I Want for Christmas Is You.’” Everyone seems to know Mariah Carey’s hot hit.
While on the subject of top holiday hits, Brenda Lee’s classic “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” finally hit the No. 1 Christmas song on Billboard 65 years after its release. Lee recorded this Christmas masterpiece when she was only 13 years old.
Nostalgia plays a big role in picking favorites when it comes to Christmas music. Regarding the most nostalgic Christmas song, Wilmot-Wade says, “Carol of the Bells. I don’t know why; I just love that song.” Mao says, “’Jingle Bells,’ [because] since I was little, I’ve always listened to it.” Thompson says, “Probably ‘Hark the Harold Angels Sing.’ It just, I don’t know, it kinda hits different.”
Listening to Christmas music actually has quite a few benefits. According to Prevagen, these benefits include mood boosting, lower stress levels, and memory improvement. Plus, there is science behind it! According to Scripps, “The nostalgia you feel listening to your favorite Harry Belafonte Christmas tune has a pleasant neurological effect in which the brain’s pleasure circuit is stimulated, releasing dopamine and serotonin (which are responsible for those happy feelings).”
No matter how, where, and when you listen, Christmas music is pleasant and delightful for all ages, and brings joy and nostalgia to the winter season.
