You can’t visit the shops around Christmas time without hearing , or Mariah Carey’s
So why was Kate Ceberano’s song blaring through the speakers as I did my Easter chocolate shopping this week?
Both Easter and Christmas come with religious beliefs, secular icons, public holidays and highway traffic jams – but where Christmas music thrives on a commercial level, the Easter soundtrack seems trapped behind the one that actually worked.
Living in Santa’s shadow
For one thing, Easter’s aren’t as marketable as those of Christmas.
The commercialisation of Christmas – which ramped up in – gradually encouraged tolerance of religious songs in public shopping centres.
We don’t mind celebrating the , regardless of our beliefs. It’s a joyful human experience. But the torture and death of a man on Good Friday is deeply disturbing – and the triumphant Easter Sunday resurrection stumps advertisers.
Easter fares no better with secular icons. A jolly bearded Santa offers a comforting grandfather figure who grants wishes. This is arguably more likely to lure consumers than a zoologically-confused . (Not to mention rabbits are a ).
From a consumer perspective, Santa’s toy sack also trumps the Easter Bunny’s basket. The sack holds all manner of toys and useful items, while chocolate eggs offer a sugar-high followed by weight gain and acne.
Easter gifts weren’t always about chocolate, though. Historically, the presents were much more varied. As noted by American sociologist , old Easter advertisements featured perfumes, liquor, Bibles and, most notably, new clothes.
Classics from great composers
Easter music may not make supermarket playlists, but it still exists.
Those seeking a high art musical experience can attend orchestral and choral performances held in concert halls across Australian cities. One favourite is . This 1724 composition tells Christ’s crucifixion story, and allows the listener space for spiritual and life reflections.
Another masterpiece is written in 1742. Messiah tells the entire story of Christ, making it popular at both Christmas and Easter. The famous is goose-bump material in live performances. For many, it is a divine musical experience.
Church service hymns
Those wanting a community singing experience can attend one of the many Easter church services held throughout the long weekend.
Traditional Good Friday services present solemn songs, focusing on Christ’s suffering and death. You’ll hear treasures such as famous hymn and the moving recorded by The Mills Brothers. Sung in a group, these slow-paced songs deliver beautiful harmonies and a sense of community.
You can find more uplifting tracks at a traditional Easter Sunday service. These often feature old favourites such as and cheerful
Contemporary flops
Unfortunately, secular Easter music is weak fuel for inspiration.
The 1977 composition by Maury Laws and Jules Bass is barely known, unlike its chart topping 1934 predecessor,
A more enduring secular Easter hit (although still not widely known) is American songwriter 1933 songThe lyrics describe showing off your best clothes. A 1948 recording for a movie of the same name flipped the gender script, with Judy Garland in his Easter bonnet.
In 1950, Gene Autry (who was the first to record Frosty the Snowman) took a shot at the Easter music market with his re-recording of – with some success. Vocal stars followed the trend with Nat King Cole singing , and Rosemary Clooney’s version of
Another zany addition that came soon after was . While this song began as a 1950s dance craze, it was absorbed into the Easter repertoire.
More contemporary secular Easter hits are hard to find. Composer Colin Buchanan tapped into a distinctly Australian flavour with his 2016 children’s song . But you’d be hard pressed to hear it playing at the supermarket.
Easter does have a soundtrack. But much like a chocolate egg hunt, you have to dig around to find it.
Perhaps where it lacks the most is in contemporary hits. The writers of the 2011 children’s film tried to find a path forward; they took the popular 1965 hit and
But just how you would adapt Bedroom Eyes is beyond me.
The article has been republished from under the Creative Commons license. Read the
