How about some snow music

Okay, we’ve had snow to beat the band. So you turn on the radio and what kind of music do you get?

I’ve made this gripe before, and I know I’m not the only one. But what law prohibits “snow” songs from being sung after Christmas?

I’m not talking about songs that have a direct connection to Dec. 25, like the secular “White Christmas” or the religious “The Snow Lay On the Ground.” I’m talking about songs about snow, period. Songs that have zip to do with Christmas.

Want some examples? Okay, what does “Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow” have to do with Christmas? Or, for that matter, let’s include “Baby It’s Cold Outside” and Frosty the Snowman.” Where in “Sleigh Ride” is there the slightest mention of Christmas? “My Favorite Things” does mention “Bright paper packages tied up with string,” which could be referring to Christmas, but I think it’s a bit tenuous. Other phrases from the same song, “Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes” and “Silver white winters that melt into spring” are much more direct, and aren’t about Christmas.

I’m sure there are other songs I haven’t mentioned, but you get my point, I’m sure.

I remember one white Christmas in my life — that’s all. Around here, any snow we get, when we get any at all, is almost always after Christmas.

I think a little playful snow music wouldn’t hurt anyone when we get a January or February snow, particularly for people who are trying to make the best of it, or even have a little fun in it (as incomprehensible as that is to me).

Again I ask, where’s the law that says you can’t sing “Frosty the Snowman” after Christmas? There might as well be a law.

Maybe it’s because songs like that get played right along with the Christmas songs until by Dec. 25, people are as sick and tired of “Sleigh Ride” as they are of “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas.”

Here’s an idea, at least for stations in this area: Don’t play “snow” songs during the buildup to Christmas, unless it actually snows. Wait until our actual snow season comes, in January and February. Then people might actually enjoy hearing them.

I really should be paid for coming up with these ideas.

• • • • •

Thirty-two people have applied for the job of police chief here in Forrest City, and the application deadline isn’t until today (Thursday). I have a couple of theories on why there are so many:

1. Folks are desperate, because they look at the economy and see their job evaporating. That’s why we’re getting applications from as far away as both coasts, and as near as right here in FCity.

2. These applicants don’t know what they’re getting into, with all the crime and racial tension that are afflicting this area.

3. We actually don’t know diddle about crime and racial tension; in fact, crime and racial tension are so much worse where these applicants are, that Forrest City seems like paradise.

4. Some probably just want to try being chief for a change.

At least, I hope this one stays longer than John Farmer did (about four months, after a search of almost a year).

(EDITOR’S NOTE: David Nichol’s column appears in the Times-Herald on Thursdays. Nichol is a member of the Times-Herald news team. He can be reached by e-mail at dnichol@thnews.com.)