One of my mentors during my career in radio once said, "Listeners never change the channel for what you don't play. They leave because you play a song they hate." And, without missing a beat, he'd tell me to quit playing Supertramp, because he loathed them.
As anyone that follows this blog knows, I love Christmas Songs. But, the one that causes me to change the channel every time is "Feliz Navidad" by Jose Feliciano. Not because I hate the song (indeed, I loved it upon its release 50 years ago), but because I have grown so weary of it.
After seeing Jose profiled last week on CBS Sunday Morning, I am reborn. I heard the song less than two hours later on one of my new favorite Holiday Internet Stations...and I didn't reach for the controls. I let it wash over me and smiled.
Yeah, I'm still tired of it. But hearing its origin story makes me appreciate it all over again.
And tonight, Jose will be hosting a livestream to celebrate the 50th anniversary of a Christmas classic!
sorry I missed this when you first published it. Having grown up in the 60's & 70's, Feliz Navidad was also something I grew up with. Jose was on it. It was indeed some of the first Spanish I learned (along with "Que Pasa" courtesy of George Carlin) Yeah, it gets old and my kids roll their eyes when it gets played ad nauseum ever December, but listening to his story...much of it I didn't know...and hearing his personality come through in the interview, I'm with you. Awesome choice!!!
Posted by: Lee T | December 20, 2020 at 10:41
Yeah...I'm so back. Happiest of Holidays, my friend!
Posted by: Bill Geist | December 20, 2020 at 11:33