Saddest Christmas Songs

Saddest Christmas Songs

I don't know if it's my age, or the times we live in. This Christmas/Chanukah season, I have heard more people say "I just want to get through the holidays" than ever before. As sad as that sounds, I think it's okay to honor how hard the holidays are for a lot of people. I asked my Facebook friends for their input about the saddest Christmas songs, and boy, did they come through! There are some tunes I expected on this list, and some I'd never heard of.

So if you're missing a loved one, having a tough time dealing with festive music/people/surroundings, or you have bad memories from this time of year, please give yourself permission to be sad and have a good cry for a bit. And then I hope you'll find a way to move on. Put one foot in front of the other, count your blessings right here and now, and smile whenever you get the chance. I know I'll be trying right along with you. 

1. The Christmas Shoes

Okay, I know I said these were in no particular order, but this song was mentioned so many times, that it really does sort of take over the #1 position. The song even inspired a movie (get the tissues if you dare to watch). 

The Christmas Shoes

2. Same Old Lang Syne by Dan Fogleberg

This one is a big "what if?" that all of us can relate to.

Same Old Lang Syne, Dan Fogleberg

3. Blue Christmas

This song got a lot of votes for saddest song. It's one we all probably know, but it still hurts to hear it if you're missing someone this time of year.

Blue Christmas

4. A Soldier's Silent Night

I dare you not to cry. Thank you to all who have served our country.

A Soldier's Silent Night

5. Where Are You Christmas?

For anyone wondering where the Christmas spirit is...or missing someone who makes and toughing it through this season. Featured in the Jim Carrey version of "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas."

Where Are You Christmas?

6. I'll Be Home For Christmas

Sad...because you think the singer will be home for Christmas. But the only way it will happen is in his dreams. One Facebook friend said she was away from home for the first time at Christmas, in Africa, and a choir sung this song, making her homesick.

I'll Be Home For Christmas

7. All I Want For Christmas is You

Although this can be considered an upbeat song (and hey, it's not materialistic, which is nice), one friend said this song is sad because it can make you miss someone who can't be with you. Her husband was deployed overseas and she wasn't able to be with him at Christmas, making this a hard song to listen to.

All I Want For Christmas

8. Please Come Home for Christmas

All of the cheerfulness of people celebrating around you...yet you're missing the one you love.

Please Come Home For Christmas

9. Merry Christmas, Darling

Karen Carpenter's voice makes this an even sadder song. All she wants is to be near the one she loves.

Merry Christmas, Darling

10. Hard Candy Christmas

She's trying to do what she can to be "fine" and distract herself from the holiday.  But it's like getting only hard candy for Christmas.

Hard Candy Christmas

11. Last Christmas

Wham! Learning life's lessons by giving away your heart to someone who doesn't deserve it.

Last Christmas

12. Do They Know It's Christmas?

We who have food, shelter, and peace can share with those who don't, can't we? 

Do They Know It's Christmas?

13. Another Lonely Christmas

This one is made so much sadder because Prince is gone. 

Another Lonely Christmas

14. The Cat Carol

Wow. If you haven't heard this one yet, be prepared to sob. One friend said it represents Jesus. 

The Cat Carol

15. Christmas in the Trenches

If you have loved ones fighting overseas, this one hits home. Again...thank you to those who have served and are serving our country.

Christmas in the Trenches

16. Light One Candle

Peter, Paul and Mary sing this Chanukah song of hope. Sad for the memories it evokes and the memories it pleads for us to keep alive.

Light One Candle

17. I Believe in Father Christmas

The words are sad, dark, and...well, a story of disillusion.

I Believe in Father Christmas

18. Fairy Tale of New York

A friend says,  "this one sounds upbeat, but the lyrics are pretty sad." Do fairy tales really come true?

Fairy Tale of New York

19. It Wouldn't Be Christmas Without You

Speaks to the importance of those we love surrounding us this time of year. 

It Wouldn't Be Christmas Without You

20. Wintersong

If Sarah McLaclan's sad voice and piano playing aren't enough to get your tears going, listen to the words, and feel the pain of missing someone. 

Wintersong

21. River

Joni Mitchell speaks to the side of us that wants to "skate away" from the hardest parts of life...including the holidays.

River

22. Christmas Time

Being lonely at Christmas sucks. Andy Davis makes this clear with his words and voice.

Christmas Time

23. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

Is this one sad? Maybe. If you're feeling nostalgic for things that used to be a certain way. Regardless, it's always nice to listen to Frank Sinatra, right?

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

24. My December

Maybe you can relate to this song because your December is like this, too. Linkin Park makes you feel like you are not alone if you're pretending to be happy through this month.

My December, Linkin Park

 And a few honorable mentions because a lot of people view these songs as disturbing:

1. Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer

I know, I know. It's a parody. It's tongue-in-cheek. But really?

Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer

2. Baby, It's Cold Outside

I've got to admit, I've never thought of this one as disturbing, but one friend says her son calls this the "date rape" song and another (nurse) friend says that the old Johnny Meyer version of this song refers to "getting pneumonia and dying." Sheesh! 

Baby, It's Cold Outside

An interesting update here: a couple named Lydia Liza and Josiah Lemanski has rewritten this song to stress the importance of consent in this version: 

Baby It's Cold Outside, Consent Version

Do you have any songs to add? 

Maybe all you need is a good cry to make it through this season. But if you need more, please remember, if you need help through the holidays, or any time of year, the National Suicide hotline is there for you: Call 1-800-273-8255.

Tinsel My Heart by Christi Barth is now available!! #NewRelease #Christmas #Carina

Are you ready to get into the Christmas spirit with a fun contemporary romance? Here's your chance! Christi Barth, who is well-known for her lovable characters and unique story telling style, brings us Jack and Becca...two people with a complicated history.
 How cool is this cover, right? And be sure to scroll down for an excerpt!

Becca Huntley’s produced the Lyndale Park Player’s over-the-top Christmas pageant for ten years. The beloved Minneapolis tradition is the theatre’s main fundraiser. But this year’s production is almost canceled when their director disappears into rehab at the last minute. Good thing his directing partner steps in to save the day. Except for the minor fact that he hates everything about Christmas.

Jack Whittaker wiped the Twin Cities off his shoe with his graduation tassel and never looked back. But duty compels him to fulfill Tyler’s promise to direct the show. Even though it means working side-by-side with Becca, the girl he always wanted, lost to Ty, but never forgot.

It’ll take more than a few handfuls of tinsel to soften Jack’s heart toward Becca’s favorite holiday. Steamy kisses that melt the snow right off his boots are a step in the right direction. They’ll both discover that Christmas is about making each other's dreams come true. But will doing so destroy their chance at a happily-ever-after together?

Purchase at Y Amazon Y Barnes & Noble Y Carina Press

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Bio: Christi Barth earned a Master’s degree in vocal performance and embarked upon a career on the stage.  A love of romance then drew her to wedding planning.  Ultimately she succumbed to her lifelong love of books and now writes contemporary romance.  She is the award-winning author of the Aisle Bound series. Christi is President of the Maryland Romance Writers and lives in Maryland with her husband.

Excerpt:

She picked up the end of her braid and tickled his cheek. “Told ya.”

The silken hair set off a chain reaction in his body. Blood pounded south in great, galloping leaps and bounds to pool in his crotch. Jack hadn’t experienced an insta-hard-on like that in years. He quickly shifted the black script binder across his lap.

“You’ve changed, Becca.”

“Since high school? I would hope so.” Then her lips pursed. “Okay, you’ve piqued my curiosity. Exactly how have I changed?”

“You’ve grown from a pretty girl into a beautiful woman.”

“Oh.” Her pale cheeks turned the color of ripe strawberries. It made Jack wonder if her nipples were the same color. Or would turn that color after he used his lips on them. “Um, thank you. And let me just say that adding a few pounds of pure muscle didn’t hurt you any, either.”

Interesting. Might as well push a little harder, see what developed. “Here I thought you were going to comment on my righteously masculine goatee.”

As if lifted by marionette strings, her hand rose, scraped along the end-of-day stubble on his cheeks to trace the outline of the goatee. “It, ah, makes you look devilish.”

“Want to dance with the devil?”

“What?” Her gaze flew up to meet his as her hands dropped to her lap. “You want to dance?”

Super literal people made flirting much more difficult. Jack sighed. “Metaphorically.” When she still looked bewildered, he continued. “Forget it. Do you want to have dinner with me?”

She blinked, rapidly. Looked down at her hands twisting together. “That depends.”

It wasn’t a complicated question. Jack didn’t want her take on the crisis in Syria. Why would a simple dinner invite come with conditions? “On what?”

Becca looked over both shoulders, as if to check they were still alone. Or as alone as you could get in a three hundred-seat theatre full of people milling about from the lobby to the dressing rooms. “Are you just lonely, Jack? Because of Ty?”

“I’m a grown-ass man. I can eat by myself,” he growled.

“I know. I guess my real question is, do you want to have dinner with just anyone? Or do you want to have dinner with me?” She fluttered her hands up to cover her heart.

Now he got it. Well, he didn’t get why she had the crazy female insecurity, but at least he knew what she was driving at. “I want to have dinner with you. Only you. Not because we used to be good friends. Not even because we’ve slid pretty well back into those roles. And not just dinner.” Jack grasped her chin between his thumb and forefinger. “You’re a beautiful woman who heats me up every time you slide those cool lake eyes over me. With enough talent and know-how and passion for my business to make for interesting conversation. So what I want from you, Becca, is a date.”

To his utter surprise, she didn’t blush again. Or look away. Or for that matter, look flustered at all. Instead, she mimicked his pose, putting her hand to his mouth. Rubbed her soft thumb in a slow glide across his lower lip. Her eyes darkened from the clear blue of Lake Harriet in the summer to the darkness of a winter’s night.

“Well, why didn’t you say so? Of course I’ll go out with you.”

No matter how many he tried on for size, women never failed to confound him. Jack didn’t know what he’d said to peel off her timidity. Didn’t care, either. Just looked forward to an evening filled with more surprises from the woman he was discovering he liked even more than the girl he used to adore.

Christmas Wishes Blog H O P #prizes #newrelease

A Little Christmas Joy…A Little Fun…And a Lot of Romance
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YOU can win these awesome prizes:

-GRAND PRIZE: A Kindle Paperwhite, A Nook Glow, a $90 giftcard for your choice of Amazon/BN. Both tablets comes with a book bundle!

-Joya's Blog Prize: $25 Amazon or BN Certificate
Details are listed below...and in the meantime, please help me celebrate the release of my latest book HEREAFTER! It's a contemporary romance with a ghostly twist and will be available on December 11th!

Here's the excerpt from Hereafter...releasing 12/11/12

Angel’s body tingled. Her skin rippled with electricity, and she recognized the signs that she’d be transported soon.

Yes. Finally. She closed her eyes, wishing she could rush the transition from her world to his. Cool air prickled her skin and she stood in the man’s dark apartment. With moonlight shining through the sheers, she could make out his form on the sofa.

He jumped up and faced her.

She wanted to speak, but she couldn’t.

“The electricity went off again,” he said.

She frowned.

He stepped closer. “Ghosts don’t exist.”

No. He couldn’t banish her again. She needed something in this world. The lights flickered, sizzled, and then went off again.

Please don’t tell me to go away; it makes me go away. She might not have a voice in this world, but she could at least think it. She would not go, not when potential answers waited in this place.

The man stepped closer. “What are you doing? Angie, why do you keep coming here?”

Don’t tell me to leave…don’t tell me to leave. Pictures flew into her mind. People smiling and laughing. A tree in the corner with white lights and boxes under it….

He’d called her Angie.

“You know me?” Her words came out a whisper, but at least they finally came out. Tears tracked down her cheeks. The electricity flickered on, and then, stayed off. The air stopped sizzling. She blinked to adjust her eyes to the darkness again.

“Christ, this can’t be happening.” He moved his fingers over something in his hand and then pocketed it.

She closed the distance between them and grasped his upper arms, pleading him with her eyes because her voice had left her again.

“Yes, I know you.” He glanced away and looked out the window, let out a huff of breath, and then gazed at her. “Your name is Angie Barsotti and you used to live here.”

No wonder the place felt so familiar. Her spirits lifted. He could help her find out who she was, help her find out what was going on.

“And,” he dragged a hand through his hair. “You died and I don’t believe in ghosts.”

Cold air, cold as ice tore through her, ripping her from the apartment.

HEREAFTER is available now!
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ASK HER AT CHRISTMAS: A Christmas romance that will warm your heart! #newrelease #romance

It's the perfect time of year for a little Christmas and a lot of romance. Here's a sneak peek at Christi Barth's holiday release.

About Ask Her at Christmas

Caitlin McIntyre's heart stops when her best friend drops to one knee and proposes. Kyle Lockhart never once hinted over the years that he has any idea she's in love with him. Not wanting to jeopardize their friendship, she's never let it slip. Good thing, too, since it turns out he's only practicing—he's about to propose to someone else.

A business merger might not be the most romantic reason to propose to a woman he barely knows, but Kyle's determined to win the respect of the dying father who's never seen him as quite good enough. Kyle's always depended on Caitlin's friendship, while trying to ignore the physical response she arouses. So he turns to her when it comes time to craft his proposal, not realizing his decision will affect their relationship, forever.

This Christmas, Kyle and Caitlin get one last chance to admit their feelings for each other, and find a mutual happily ever after, before he commits his life to another woman and Caitlin leaves town and him…for good.

An Excerpt from Ask Her at Christmas

“Caitlin McIntyre, will you marry me?”

Her heart didn’t pound, it slammed to a standstill. It probably left thick red skid marks all over her lungs from how fast it threw on the brakes. Kyle Lockhart, her best friend in the world, was down on one knee in front of her station at the gift-wrapping booth. Which meant it was okay her heart had stopped, because she had to be dreaming. Her heart didn’t need to pump in a dream, right?

There was no other explanation for why Kyle would propose to her. Not that she objected in the least. He was super handsome, in a casually elegant yet decidedly sexy manner. His designer suits covered a body like those of the models in perfume ads, the toned and tanned men who dove into swimming pools shaped like a perfume bottle and came up glistening and wet. Thick black hair set off his blue eyes, and you could probably chisel a sculpture off his sharp cheekbones and jaw. Kyle was yummy from head to toe, and Caitlin had wanted him almost her entire life.

Of course, he didn’t know about her massive crush. She’d never hinted, never let her hands linger for an extra second on his abs when they shared sunscreen at the tiny strip of sand along Lake Michigan they called a beach. She’d never leaned over after splitting a bottle of wine and trailed a finger across the lips she would kill to have touch hers. No, Caitlin played the part of the best-friend-and-nothing-more-than-a-friend to the hilt. Because it would absolutely devastate her if she revealed her longing and he didn’t feel the same way. In a perfect world, guys always made the first move. In Caitlin’s world, it was the only way not to jeopardize the most important relationship in her life.

But how on earth did he leap from never once looking at her with a sexy gleam in his eye to going down on one knee in the middle of the Water Tower Place mall? If all the planets had magically aligned, all the gods smiled down on her and all her karmic balance suddenly tipped to one side, then Kyle might, just might finally see her as a woman and ask her out. Proposing marriage, though, was impossible. Which meant she was either fast asleep in her bed, or she’d slipped and hit her head getting off the El this morning. Ice coated the Chicago sidewalks from an early December sleet storm. A concussion would explain this. Or a hallucination from a brain hemorrhage. That would definitely explain the impossibility of Kyle’s proposal.

So if it was nothing more than a dream, why not enjoy it? Caitlin looked around, but all the other volunteer wrappers were busy putting away their supplies for the night. The wrapping booth was a fundraiser to purchase art supplies for local high schools, so the volunteers ran the gamut from tweens to grandparents. Crowds had finally thinned once it hit eight o’clock. Closer to Christmas that wouldn’t be the case, but with eighteen shopping days left, people weren’t yet panicked. She put down her roll of wrapping paper and looked at Kyle’s beaming face.

“This is so sudden.” She made a point of switching her gaze to his empty hands, folded on top of his knee. “How am I supposed to take your question seriously without a huge, shiny diamond ring to seal the deal?”

The smile disappeared faster than the stack of cashmere sweaters she’d seen on sale at Macy’s this morning. “You are so right. I’m an idiot. Of course, I should’ve brought a ring. But I’ll get one. Pretend I have a ring. Will you marry me?”

It sounded just as magical—and unbelievable—the second time he asked. If this was really a dream, wouldn’t her subconscious have made sure he brought along a one-carat, cushion-cut solitaire in a robin’s egg blue box? Now she leaned more toward concussion as an explanation. Clearly the drugs the hospital gave her must be interfering with her creative juices.

“Kyle, you’re my favorite person in the world. You’re smart and funny and movie-star handsome. What girl in her right mind wouldn’t want to marry you?”

“I agree.” He flashed her the smile that always turned her knees into pudding for a second and stood, brushing off his trousers. “But I’m worried that Monica might not be as cognizant of my charms as the two of us are. That’s why I need you to help me with my proposal. This was a test run.”

             Oh. Not a dream after all.

You can purchase Ask Her At Christmas by itself, or as part of the anthology, Romancing the Holiday.

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