Survey says: You hate 'Grandma'
Dec 08, 2011 (Menafn - Messenger-Inquirer - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) --It's one of those songs you either love or hate.
Or maybe you love to hate it.
But once again, Elmo and Patsy Trigg Shropshire's "Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer" topped my survey of Worst Christmas Songs Ever, just as it did in 2004.
Last week, I asked for your list of most hated Christmas songs.
Only 42 people responded.
But boy, were they passionate about it.
Especially "Grandma."
The song was first recorded in 1979 and became a big hit in 1984.
Just think, people under 30 have never known a Christmas without this tale of Christmas Eve mayhem.
Some crank up the radio when it comes on.
Some change stations.
According to some estimates, "Grandma" has sold more than 10 million records, starting back when they still made records.
And it's been downloaded millions of times as well.
The song also inspired lesser-known songs such as "Grandpa's Gonna Sue the Pants Off of Santa," "Grandpa Got Run Over By a Beer Truck" and "Grandpa Got Ran Over By a John Deere."
Once again, the Jingle Dogs' 1995 recording of "Jingle Bells" finished a close second behind "Grandma" in the list of songs we love to hate.
But surprisingly, none of the four albums by the Jingle Cats was mentioned.
And the Dogs actually began as part of the chorus on the Jingle Cats 1993 "Meowy Christmas" album.
But apparently, people find their barking more annoying than the Cats' meowing.
"I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas" took third place on the survey.
It's a song people have been hating for decades.
"Hippo" was first recorded in 1953 by 10-year-old Gayla Peevey and peaked at No. 24 on Billboard magazine's pop charts that December.
Fourth place went to "The Twelve Days of Christmas," the oldest song on the list.
It dates back to England in 1780.
But, as one person put it, "It's like a medieval version of '99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall.' "
Leaping lords just don't impress some people.
And fifth place went to a tie between "Dominick the Donkey," a song that debuted in 1960, and "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus," a song first recorded by 13-year-old Jimmy Boyd in 1952.
Also receiving votes were "Santa Baby," "Feliz Navidad," "Christmas Time Is Here Again," "Holly Jolly Christmas" and "Wonderful Christmas Time."
Hope you saw at least one of your not-so-favorites somewhere on the list.
Keith Lawrence, 691-7301, klawrence@messenger-inquirer.com
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