The magic of the Christmas song

CHRISTMAS

By Kalungi Kabuye

Somebody once complained on social media that he was at a mall and they were playing Christmas carols. Up to now, I have failed to understand what his problem was and why he was so upset.

More than any other type of music, Christmas songs are about joy. Carols, by their definition, are songs of praise and joy. Traditionally, they were written and sung whenever there was something to celebrate, but it eventually came down to mostly Christmas time. Many of us grew up when the times were hard and often Christmas was the only time there was a real celebration.

So, to many in our generation, Christmas carols bring back those happy memories.  Here, in no particular order, are my favourite Christmas songs:

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All I want for Christmas is you by Mariah Carey

Every Christmas, this is one of the most popular status updates on Facebook, for a reason. Mariah Carey brought her multi-octave voice to this song in 1994 and although it might sound, you got to believe her when she sings "I won't ask for much this Christmas/I don't even wish for snow… All I want for Christmas is you".

Twelve songs of Christmas by Jim Reeves

My early Christmases will be forever defined by the baritone of Jim Reeves and my dad singing along right there with him. My dad had this very melodious voice, which he passed on to some of his children (in my family it is referred to as the ‘Kazo voice'. At least a brother and a sister were members of prominent choirs, while I do my representing at karaoke). I must have played that record over and over again, thousands of times and, for old time's sake, I even ordered the vinyl from Amazon.

Merry Christmas, Darling by the Carpenters

It is one for all the melancholics of the world (and I am a certified as one). For all the celebrations and merrymaking that goes on and all the get-togethers that abound, there will be those lonely ones, who miss the ones they love.

Little Drummer Boy

That refrain "par rum pum pum pum" was definitely written with kids in mind. I loved it even though I did not understand what the song was all about. Written by an American classical composer, the Trapp Family Singers (inspiration for the movie the Sound of Music ) recorded a version, one of more than 200 known, including ones by The Supremes, Stevie Wonder, The Jackson 5, Lou Rawls and Boney M. The recent Qwela concert had a memorable Africanised, jazzified version, too.

Boney M.'s Christmas album

It is interesting that it was supposed to be a solo effort by the group's lead vocalist, Liz Mitchell (who I secretly had a crush on. I still do, I think). It has songs like Mary's Boy Child (Oh my Lord) and Feliz Navidad , all Ugandan favourites. Mitchell's melancholic voice was, especially suited for their version of Silent Night, another old-time favourite.

Christmas in Bethlehem by Juliana Kanyomozi

This was a surprise song from Juliana and by all indications was a by the way. She never did a video for it and despite many promises, has never followed it up with a Christmas album. That would have been up there with Philly Lutaaya's Christmas cassette. But somebody please remind Juliana that she owes us.

Every year, every Christmas by Luther Vandross

Like the Carpenters' song, amidst all the holiday cheer, somebody somewhere is hurting. It might not be romantic love, but may be a first Christmas spent with a dear one. While the rest celebrate and make merry, we shall remember the ones we lost, every year, every Christmas.