Blue Windmill

Not all Christmas songs are cheerful. Some, like Bob Carlisle’s “Christmas Shoes” or Nat King Cole’s “The Little Boy That Santa Claus Forgot” are maudlin to the point of being laughable. When I was very young, daddy owned the Simon and Garfunkel album Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Time. The last track of side B was an odd combination of “Silent Night” accompanied by an acoustic guitar and the 7:00 news. But some sad songs might be just what you need at this time of year. If you’re in a blue mood, I recommend Judy Garland’s “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.” (Frank Sinatra’s version is a bit less weepy.) Elvis Presley’s “Blue Christmas,” Bing Crosby’s “I'll Be Home For Christmas,” Charles Brown’s “Please Come Home For Christmas” and Stevie Wonder’s “Someday At Christmas” are all good choices. You might even try Faith Hill’s “Where Are You, Christmas?” Just don’t overdo it.