Best Traditional Christmas Carol
Christmas carols are, likely, some of the earliest songs most Americans learn, and at the same time, are probably among the earliest music still performed in popular American culture. Many of the familiar songs of the season date back hundreds of years, and the origins and lyrics of the songs have been lost or changed over time. We sing along every year, tapping into those familiar nostalgic feelings. But do we really know where these festive songs came from, or what they’re actually about? Gather ye kith and kin around the hearth – or the modern equivalent, the Bluetooth speaker – as the Great Pop Culture Debate explores the history of holiday staples and attempts to name the Best Traditional Christmas Carol.
Songs discussed: “O Come, O Come Emmanuel,” “O Tannenbaum/O Christmas Tree,” “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,” “Away in a Manger,” “Carol of the Bells,” “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” “Here We Come A-Wassailing,” “Jingle Bells,” “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen,” “The First Noel,” “Silent Night,” “Do You Hear What I Hear?” “Angels We Have Heard on High,” “Little Drummer Boy,” “We Wish You a Merry Christmas,” “Joy to the World”
Join host Eric Rezsnyak and GPCD panelists Trey Radu-Blackburn and Zack Derby as they discuss and debate 16 of the most recognizable holiday carols of all time.
Play along at home by finding the listener bracket here. Make a copy for yourself, fill it out, and see if your picks match up with ours!
For the warm-up to this episode, in which we discuss even more traditional Christmas carols that didn’t make the bracket, become a Patreon supporter of the podcast today.
Looking for more reasons to become a Patreon supporter? Check out our Top 10 Patreon Perks.
Want to watch the episode instead? As of Season 12, we now have full video episodes up on YouTube. Subscribe to our channel for even more original, exclusive episodes!
Round 1 Match-Ups:
Not a Patreon subscriber? Here’s a primer on how we came up with the bracket.
Match-Up 1: “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” (1) vs. “O Tannenbaum/O Christmas Tree” (4)
Match-Up 2: “Hark! The Heralds Angels Sing” (3) vs. “Away in a Manger (2)
Match-Up 3: “Carol of the Bells” (1) vs. “The Twelve Days of Christmas” (4)
Match-Up 4: “Here We Come A-Wassailing” (3) vs. “Jingle Bells” (2)
Match-Up 5: “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen” (1) vs. “The First Noel” (4)
Match-Up 6: “Silent Night” (3) vs. “Do You Hear What I Hear?” (2)
Match-Up 7: “Angels We Have Heard on High” (1) vs. “Little Drummer Boy” (4)
Match-Up 8: “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” (3) vs. “Joy to the World” (2)
Looking for a playlist with all 16 carols, as well as our panelists’ picks for more classic Christmas tunes? Find it here, or save it on Spotify.
Want to play along at home?
Download the Listener Bracket and see if your picks match up with ours!
Sign up for our weekly newsletter!
Subscribe to find out what’s new in pop culture each week right in your inbox!
Vote in more pop culture polls!
Check out our Open Polls. Your votes determine our future debates!
Then, vote in our Future Topic Polls to have a say in what episodes we tackle next.
Episode Credits
Host: Eric Rezsnyak
Panelists: Trey Radu-Blackburn, Zack Derby
Producer: Derek Mekita
Editor: Eric Rezsnyak
Theme Music: “Dance to My Tune” by Marc Torch
