24 Comments
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Greg Colley's avatar

I would like to qualify my answer of Little Drummer Boy. My favorite version of this song is by Bob Seger. It's the best.

Patty L's avatar

My vote for Little Drummer Boy has to be qualified as the Bing Crosby / David Bowie version.

Vi's avatar

100% agree! I can’t imagine Christmas time with Bing’s beautiful voice❤️

Rick Dowling's avatar

Also 100% agree! I remember it from when it first aired. Hauntingly great, in a good way. I wonder if this will share it. https://youtube.com/playlist?list=RDlCpXMy5GalI&playnext=1

Sherry Greenleaf's avatar

Listened to the wonderful interview with Marcia Mayeda. Fantastic! Marcia made a great story of the season even better. Her team got into action and turned Madeline's caring a very special story for the season and beyond. After all, unicorns live very long lives and will appreciate the care and feeding by those who love animals. thanks for a great interview Bill!

Karen's avatar

There is a well done interview on Netflix by David Letterman with Zelensky. Google “david letterman zelensky” to watch it. Also, would love to see the rules for harboring a dragon!

Don R's avatar

Last Christmas by Wham! because our fam plays Whamageddon every year ruthlessly and it's a blast (also my son can't stand All I Want For Christmas, despite being an instant classic)

Lee Ann V's avatar

Die Hard absolutely is a Christmas movie, and one of my family's favorites to kick off the Christmas movie season :)

Thank you for this newsletter, it is a wonderful way to start my weekdays.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New year!

Don's avatar

One of the things I have learned from Christmas songs is that "Gloria" has 18 syllables. Look at Angels We Have Heard on High.

Natalie's avatar

https://youtu.be/riG85oA6Wy4

My brother and I live miles apart but text this video to each other every year at Christmas of The Monkees singing Riu Chiu a cappella.

Mark Vondenhuevel's avatar

Bill, Father Christmas by the Kinks is one of my favorite Christmas rock songs. I just had it played at our Christmas luncheon last week and got a bunch of strange looks at the request from people that had never heard of it. For that reason alone, I didn't mention it here and went with the traditional White Christmas. But rock on dude, and gimme the money; don't mess around with those silly toys!

Judy Nedoff's avatar

I would think God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen and Mary did you know should be in the opposite category. Mary did you know is fairly new. I didn't want to vote for either of them, so it's not a big deal. Thanks for this, it's fun.

Stuart Henderson's avatar

You mention looking for good news (which I applaud). But it’s right in front of you if you just change your lens. For example, in 7 things you report 1 of 5 young people have debt issues. Which means 4 in 4 (80%!) do not - the latter being good news! Similar, people feel worse about their mental health, but it only worsens by 3 percentage points (pretty small given many issues today of Covid, political and social divisions, war in Ukraine, down economy)! Look a little harder (or just change perspective?) and good news is easy to find.

Genie Fortier's avatar

Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas and the happiest New Year! So enjoy Understandably, thank you!!

Karen Chin's avatar

Interesting that you recently had as a topic: people who lie on their resumes. Well, obviously George Santos definitely went over the top!!

KMB's avatar

So many Christmas songs, or versions of Christmas songs, that I haven't heard before, and will have to now research. Hope everyone has a safe and Merry Christmas and best wishes for the New Year from the other side of the planet 🎄🎉

George Block's avatar

Best pop Christmas song? The data is clear. All I Want for Christmas Is You.

George Block's avatar

The best pop Christmas song? The data is clear. All I Want for Christmas Is You.