Community Chat

[MarkeieMark]

One last Christmas song that never tires.  This played at my cousins Christmas party this year.  (It sounds awesome on Bose speakers).

Written by Jimmy Webb, was recorded by Frank Sinatra on July 24, 1968 with the Jimmy Joyce Singers, orchestration by Nelson Riddle, and arrangement by Don Costa. "Whatever Happened To Christmas" appeared on the 1968 album, The Sinatra Family Wishes You A Merry Christmas, and was also released as a single with "I Wouldn't Trade Christmas" as the B-side.

Here's a link in case you haven't head it...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9aOThQcqes

Happy New Year everyone!

[on the bay]

@MarkeieMark -

I'd never heard of either of these songs so I just listened to them on youtube and I've got to say that Whatever Happened is the most depressing song I've ever heard.

The music is ok but the lyrics! Jeesh!

The other side, We Love Christmas the Best just sounds kind of "rinky dink." (a saying that would suit the era of that song).

Maybe that is why I bet I'm not the only one who hasn't heard of them.

I wonder if Frank himself and the family hoped they would be forgotten?!

@MarkeieMark -

Don't you think the lyrics are very sad? Is it the music you like?

Anyway, very interesting. I thought I'd heard of all Frank's songs. He was my father's favorite.

[Azcowgirl]

Thanks for posting the link @MarkeieMark I like this arrangement...just listened to it on my new sound system.

Sounded great.👍

[esmerelda]

I remember the song but don’t know the last time I heard it. I think it needs to be heard during the Christmas season.  A lot. Make people think. 

[MorningLover]

Beautifully sung by Frank Sinatra!

Whatever happened to Christmas?

It's gone and left no traces,

Whatever happened to the faces or the glow,

Whatever happened to Christmas, to Christmas way of living?

Whatever happened to the giving, the magic in the snow?

Remember the sight and the smell and the sound,

And remember hearing the call,

Remember how love was all around, whatever happened to it all?

Whatever happened to Christmas, bells in the streets were ringing,

Whatever happened to the singing, the songs we used to know.

Whatever happened to this Christmas, and when did it disappeared from view,

Where was I, and whatever happened to you?

Whatever happened to Christmas and you?

[maximillian]

Commercialism is what happened to Christmas.  Spend, spend, spend.  Make us (including this company) rich.  

[candys mine]

@on the bay  Not all Christmas songs are happy.  What about "I heard the bells on Christmas day"?  Or the song about a child giving his few pennies to buy shoes for his dieing mother in case she meets Jesus tonight?  or Dan Fogelbergs "Same Auld Lang Syne?" 

I personally Like "Whatever happened to Christmas?".  It's soft and sad and rings true for many people.  It's a lament for things loved gone.

[Cakers3]

I always took this song to mean he is mourning the loss of a relationship and so Christmas means nothing as it had been.

"Whatever happened to this Christmas, and when did it disappeared from view,

Where was I, and whatever happened to you?

Whatever happened to Christmas and you?"

As far as the lyrics, I see nothing that isn't around today.

It's all in your perception. 

This is mine..

[on the bay]

@candys mine -

I like even sad or reminiscent Christmas songs too. One of my favorites is Mannheim Steamrollers version of Auld Land Syne. The music is so beautiful.

I just find this one Whatever Happened so so sad.