The guys at AfterElton have linked to Buzzfeed‘s list of the 10 Most Depressing Christmas Songs, just in case you’re feeling perky this mid-December day. Of course, we can also debate about the results…
I’ve never found Dolly Parton’s “Hard Candy Christmas” particularly grim, though I guess it’s sung by a bunch of whores down on their luck. But how can anything related to Dolly be a bummer?
However, I’m with them on their nod to Bright Eyes’ take on “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.” It’s deadly. But if you think it’s rough, check out the Wiki entry on the song and its original lyrics. It’s wrist-slittingly dour!
But still, there are some other gloom-tastic tunes that could have been included. Joni Mitchell’s “River” is one of the most gorgeous songs ever, and its Christmas-y melancholy is staggering. There’s a Nina Simone rendition of the standard “Little Girl Blue” set to a piano arrangement of the holiday hymn “Good King Wenceslas” that’s truly beautiful and devastating, too.
But for shear bleakness, nothing can ever match the Ben Folds Five hit “Brick,” about a guy taking his girlfriend to get an abortion on the day after Christmas. Oy.
Watch the “Brick” video after the jump. If you dare.
Er… Merry Christmas!
