Holiday Song Research - Essay Example

Holiday Song Research The three Holiday songs I chose are Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer, Jingle Bells and All I Want for Christmas Is You. I chose the first two songs because they remind me of my childhood. Every time I hear these songs, no matter where I am at, in my mind I go back to my childhood. In my childhood memories, I remember real pine trees, snow, candy canes and Mom’s cookies. All I Want for Christmas Is You has become a favorite of mine. I like Mariah Carey. Jingle Bells is a song I learned even before I went to school.

The song was composed by James Pierpont in 1857. James Pierpont was an American composer (Anderson). Jingle Bells’ original name was One Horse Open Sleigh, it was only released under the name Jingle Bells in 1859. This song was composed in English. The song sings of the jingle of the bells placed on a horses reins while pulling an open sleigh in the snow. Although Jingle Bells is associated with December, it was never written for the holidays in December. It was just a popular song people sung in the winter months to begin with.

Only over the years did the song come to represent December holidays. I learned Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer riding home on the school bus in the first grade. I did not care at the time Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer had been composed by an American writer named Johnny Mack. Johnny Mack copyrighted this song in 1949. The song was composed in English. Johnny Mack published two other Christmas songs (Anderson). They were A Holly Jolly Christmas and Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree. Every school child in America sympathizes with poor Rudolph.

The little reindeer is ostracized because of a big bright red nose. Rudolph is vindicated once he helps Santa navigate his sleigh in the snow. Everyone loved him then. I think all school children root for the underdog. Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer reminds everyone that there is always hope. This song also passes down the belief in Santa Clause. Mariah Carey and Walter Afanasieff composed All I Want for Christmas Is You together. Mariah Carey is American, while Walter Afanasieff comes from Brazil.

All I Want for Christmas Is You was recorded in English. The song’s release date was Christmas of 1994. All I Want for Christmas Is You is sung by Mariah Carey. She makes her intentions clear. All she wants for Christmas is her lover. I think everyone can relate. Most people want to be with their lover over the holidays. Nine times out of ten, lovers fight over the holidays, but that one time out of the ten makes it worth the other bad times. Lovers live to have memorable holidays.

That’s why I like All I Want for Christmas Is You. It is one of the only contemporary Christmas songs I enjoy. All three of the songs above remind me of the December holidays. They are fun. These songs remind most people of candy canes, snow and toys. Even though I only chose American composers, during my research I came across songs from every country. I chose these songs because they were important to me. I am glad that I have the good memories attached to these songs. There has been controversy over what name to give the holidays.

Although these songs are not politically correct, I like them. I think what people should remember is no matter what holiday they celebrate in December good will should be exhibited toward all people. Works CitedAnderson, Doug D. “Hymns and Carols.” The Hymns and Carols of Christmas: A Treasury of Christmas Carols. 2005. The Hymns and Carols of Christmas: A Treasury of Christmas Carols. 21 Dec. 2005 http://www.hymnsandcarolsofchristmas.com/index.htm