KEVIN McCORRY, HOST: I’m Kevin McCorry and this is ‘Jukebox Journey.’
KM: This week:
[MOVIE CLIP: “Ho, ho, ho,” from “A Christmas Story”]
KM: It’s the holiday season. Flip on the radio and it’s comfort and cheer. Holly, jolly, Andy Williams schmaltz.
[MUSIC: “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” by Andy Williams.]
[RECORD SCRATCH]
KM: At least that’s the image we’re sold. That’s the image we sell each other on social media: shiny, happy, wintery wonder.
Even as we all know the truth is a jumble — joy, stress, excitement, grief.
[MUSIC MONTAGE: “Christmas Without Daddy” by Loretta Lynn, and “Christmas Makes Me Cry” by Kacey Musgraves.]
KM: From 1966, Loretta Lynn, and Kacey Musgraves from 2016.
The calendar flips to December and the month is a Rorschach test that you manage day to day. Some moments you’re Bob Cratchit. Some you’re Mr. Scrooge. Some you’re Cindy Lou Who. Others: The Grinch.
Brenda Lee got at that dichotomy in 1964. Everyone knows the hit.
[MUSIC: “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” by Brenda Lee]
KM: Lesser known is the sad-girl single.
[MUSIC: “Christmas Will Be Just Another Lonely Day”]
KM: Sometimes you feel your inner Linus ‘the-true-meaning-Christmas’ vibe really transcending all the commercialism.
[MUSIC: “Hark, The Herald Angels Sing” by the Vince Guaraldi Trio]
KM: Other times, you’re absolutely jaded by the abject pressure-cooker money-grab of the season.
[MUSIC: “Holiday Song for Everyone” by Heywood Banks.]
KM: From the Vince Guaraldi Trio in 1965, to Heywood Banks in 2009 — such are the multitudes we contain.
There’s truth and beauty in our communal rituals of faith: the candles, the incense, the pageantry, the choirs. It can be divine to bask in the holy warmth.
[MUSIC: “O Holy Night,” as arranged by John Williams]
KM: But that doesn’t mean you don’t also want to crank the irreverence up to 11 sometimes too…right?
[MUSIC: “Christmas with the Devil” by Spinal Tap, and “Christmas Time in Hell” by Satan, The Dark Prince (Mr. Hankey’s Christmas Classics)]
KM: Spinal Tap from 1984 and South Park in 1999.
On a Wednesday you’re in your feelings about the state of the world and just want to wallow in the 1970 Laura Nyro.
[MUSIC: “Christmas in My Soul” by Laura Nyro]
On Thursday, you’re drowning in a neverending list of work and chores and you mutter to yourself about the ‘Christmas industrial complex’ and how Tom Petty really nailed the unrelenting march of incessant yearly celebrations.
[MUSIC: “Christmas All Over Again” by Tom Petty]
But by Friday night you’re aglow with a spirit of mirth, anchored by the wisdom of traditions and genuinely moved by the opportunity to be blessed with a gathering of friends and family.
[MUSIC: “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” by Darlene Love]
KM: From 1963, Darlene Love.
By tomorrow, you may feel different. That’s ok. It’s a wonderful time of the year. But so are the rest. And like those: expect multitudes.
KM: I’m Kevin McCorry and this has been a Jukebox Journey on WHYY.
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