a theory

As I got in my car after work tonight, and I put in one of the three discs in my "Bath and Body Works Perfect Christmas Collection", a thought crossed my mind: Why am I not sick of these songs? I've listened to them every year from probably Halloween till Christmas since 2005 when I worked at Bath and Body Works. It's not that I've expected to eventually get tired of listening to What Child Is This or Winter Wonderland, but specifically the version Destiny's Child sings of What Child Is This and specifically the version Liz Phair sings of Winter Wonderland.

I sat at the red light outside my work, waiting for it to turn green, and thought about this. I think it's because we assign various Christmas songs to different memories that are specific to gatherings with family and friends during the holidays. Those songs that are correlated with our memories give us the feeling of glee and contentment. Therefore, we don't get sick of the songs we hear every holiday season!

I believe it's not the songs exactly, but the version of the songs and who sings them. I would like to share some of my "song memories" with you:

White Christmas by The Drifters- Two words: Home Alone! This is when Kevin is "shaving" in the beginning of the movie and singing into a comb. This whole movie brings me back to being little and watching this ALL year round with my little brother.

Silent Night, the hymn- This song reminds me of the midnight Christmas Eve service at my church in South Windsor. We sing this song as the second to last song of the night. The lights are turned off and the choir is lining the perimeter of the chapel, all holding lit candles, and the candles in the windows also light the room. I don't remember what Christmas Eve it was, but I was standing next to my Papa and I could hear him singing loudly during this song. As his hands firmly gripped the back of the pew in front of him to help his weak arms support his weight, my grandmother placed her hand upon his, and they continued singing.

Jingle Bell Rock by Bobby Helms- My parents had a briefcase filled with cassettes in our hall closet, which was also where they kept the cassette player. Justin and I would always go grab the player and the briefcase and take out the cassette labeled CHRISTMAS. This song was one of my favorites, and I specifically remember playing this song while decorating the tree as a family. We had one of the chairs from the kitchen in the family room so my dad could stand on it to put the star on top of the tree.

Santa Baby by The Pussycat Dolls- This song is on my Bath and Body Works CD, and the CD would play over the speakers at Bath and Body Works when I worked there during the holiday season in 2005. This specific song reminds me of working late with Michelle the night of Black Friday. I was an idiot and wore heals, and my feet hurt so bad! Michelle and I had to stay until I think it was 3 a.m. or something crazy like that.

What are some of your "song memories"?