While some believe there is no such thing as a bad holiday song during the Christmas season, CNN contributor Scott Jennings draws the line with a tune penned by former Beatle Paul McCartney.
You could fairly say that Jennings is NOT having a wonderful Christmastime when he hears the tune McCartney released in November 1979. “Wonderful Christmastime” was his first solo single since 1971, recorded just after McCartney released his final Wings album.
A single that Jennings said he “should have left on the shelf.”
“The most overplayed Christmas song is this abomination from Paul McCartney, called Wonderful Christmastime,” the conservative commentator insisted. “I don’t even know what instrument that is. It’s the worst, the literal worst Christmas song, with an instrument that no one can name. I don’t know what that is — it’s terrible!”
The literal WORST and overplayed Christmas song is an abomination and needs to be purged from every playlist across America.
It had to be said. pic.twitter.com/FTflAIXW4b
— Scott Jennings (@ScottJenningsKY) December 23, 2025
There was more than one suggestion that another Beatles-related tune easily topped McCartney’s offering as the worst holiday song, that being the John Lennon-Yoko Ono tune, “Happy Christmas (War is Over).”
I would say that “Last Christmas” is the worst, but I have to admit that the close runners up ironically come from probably the best songwriting duo in history.
I see your Sir Paul, and I raise you John Lennon’s holiday stinker “Happy Xmas, War Is Over.”
— Virginia Kruta (@VAKruta) December 23, 2025
You got the wrong Beatle. I haven’t been able to listen to Yoko droning through “Happy Christmas (War is Over) in forty years. It’s not just the worst Christmas song, it might be the worst song ever.
— Ed B 🇺🇸 (@EdGolfnMemes) December 23, 2025
Overall, there were mixed reviews on Jennings’ critique — here’s a quick sampling of responses to the story, as seen on X:
Just you mentioning it put the song in my head. An abomination!
— Lydia Moynihan (@LJMoynihan) December 23, 2025
Yes. Yes. 1000 times yes. It is, quite literally, THE WORST
— Kira (@Kiradavis) December 23, 2025
This is the worst take you’ve ever had Scott.
‘Simply Having’ is fantastic.
It’s not even close to the worst Christmas song by a former Beatle.
— Danny Able (@DK_Able) December 24, 2025
Work retail one holiday season and you’ll hear enough Christmas music for a lifetime 😂🤣
— HudsonR&D (@HudsonRnD) December 23, 2025
I usually agree with you but the song is about being with family and those you love
— e-beth (@ebeth360) December 23, 2025
Sorry, Scott, but “Wonderful Christmastime” is a synth-pop gem that captures the cheesy joy of the holidays. The real purge candidate? Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You” – it’s inescapable and turns every store into a diva karaoke nightmare.
— Elder 🧓 (@Drhebrewest) December 23, 2025
With respect, as bad as that is, it is light-years better than the abomination that is Bruce Springsteen’s version of “Santa Claus is Coming to Town.” Simply awful.
— Tim Burns (@timcctyler) December 23, 2025
Writers and editors can be contacted at [email protected] with feedback, tips, or corrections.
Tom Tillison grew up in Maryland before moving to Central Florida as a young teen. It is in the Sunshine State that he honed both his passion for politics and his writing skills. Tillison also contributes to BizPac Review.
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