I wouldn't doubt that everyone has that one thing that really triggers the
Christmas spirit for them. The Christmas spirit kicks in for me when I hear Nat
King Cole sing "The Christmas Song" ON THE RADIO. For some reason, not hearing
this seems to slow the entire holiday connection that I like to enjoy. I know
it's weird, but everybody's got something! Some might say, "Just play the song
on CD", or something like that. Nothing else is quite good enough. And no one
else's version seems to match Nat King Cole's version. Cole's version of "The
Christmas Song" song has those beautiful, lilting strings, arranged by Gospel
music producer, Ralph Carmichael. Once I hear those strings, if I'm in a store,
or in the car, THAT'S when Christmas time really begins for me.
I've tried to understand why it was that I need to hear Nat King Cole before I'm really into the holiday spirit. My best guess is that it started when I started working. I would drive to work and listen to the radio all the time. Within an hour I've had many opportunities to hear "The Christmas Song". Another part of the reason would probably be that I somewhat lost my Christmas spirit between the ages of seventeen and twenty-two. But after my first son was born, I recovered it. I really enjoyed celebrating Christmas with my kids. Also, when shopping, at some point I'd hear that opening string line and just melt into a real sense that Christmas time was here. I'd actually slow down everything I was doing to hear the whole song. I still do.
That has stayed with me, even though I don't drive to a daily job anymore. In fact, not listening to the radio in my car regularly would naturally make it harder for me to 'happen upon' Cole's versions of "The Christmas Song" as much as I used to. And now stores have piped in satellite music. Yes, I know I have to adjust. I am allowing myself to accept hearing the song at any time, even if I play it myself. But one thing still hasn't changed - only Nat King Cole's "The Christmas Song" will do!
I've tried to understand why it was that I need to hear Nat King Cole before I'm really into the holiday spirit. My best guess is that it started when I started working. I would drive to work and listen to the radio all the time. Within an hour I've had many opportunities to hear "The Christmas Song". Another part of the reason would probably be that I somewhat lost my Christmas spirit between the ages of seventeen and twenty-two. But after my first son was born, I recovered it. I really enjoyed celebrating Christmas with my kids. Also, when shopping, at some point I'd hear that opening string line and just melt into a real sense that Christmas time was here. I'd actually slow down everything I was doing to hear the whole song. I still do.
That has stayed with me, even though I don't drive to a daily job anymore. In fact, not listening to the radio in my car regularly would naturally make it harder for me to 'happen upon' Cole's versions of "The Christmas Song" as much as I used to. And now stores have piped in satellite music. Yes, I know I have to adjust. I am allowing myself to accept hearing the song at any time, even if I play it myself. But one thing still hasn't changed - only Nat King Cole's "The Christmas Song" will do!
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