When you mention Christmas music, most often people go to Christmas carols such as “Joy to the World”, “O Come All Ye Faithful”, “Silent Night”, and so on.
However, there is a lot of Christmas music sung by popular performers that hits the airwaves this time of year as well.
As I was thinking back to Christmases past, I could not help thinking about some of the songs sung by artists of the time to celebrate Christmas.
“Christmas Time”
Bryan Adams wrote “Christmas Time” with longtime partner Jim Vallance and they released it late in 1985.
Bryan Adams wrote “Christmas Time” with longtime partner Jim Vallance and they released it late in 1985.
Wikipedia reveals it was released on clear, green vinyl with a picture sleeve. It reached number 31 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Chart and number 39 in Canada, although it peaked at number four on the Billboard 100 Christmas chart. It also earned a gold record in Canada for selling 100,000 copies.
“Christmas Time” remains one of my favourite Christmas songs.
“Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer”
By Christmas of 1985, Corey Hart had become one of Canada’s biggest stars with his second album “Boy on the Box”. It only made sense that he would try and keep that momentum going with a Christmas song.
By Christmas of 1985, Corey Hart had become one of Canada’s biggest stars with his second album “Boy on the Box”. It only made sense that he would try and keep that momentum going with a Christmas song.
The result was “Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer”, which was recorded live at Landsdown Park in Ottawa in August of 1985. It was released on .45 on the “B” side of Hart’s hit single “Everything in My Heart”.
I could find no record – all pun intended – of “Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer” charting. It likely didn’t if it was a “B” side, even if it was a popular Christmas song.
I do recall hearing it fairly often, especially that first year it was released. However, it did not have the same staying power as Bryan Adams.
“Santa Claus is coming to Town”
The first time I heard it, it may very well have been the angriest sounding Christmas song I had ever heard. Yet as much as it sounds like Bruce Springsteen is growling “Santa Claus is Coming to Town”, it is a strangely endearing and cool song.
Springsteen recorded it on Dec. 12, 1975 during a concert at C.W. Post College in Brooklyn, New York. It was recorded but sat unused until making its first appearance on the “Sesame Street” compilation album “In Harmony 2” in 1981. However, he kept performing it at his live shows at Christmas time.
Then, in 1985 at the end of November, when he released the single “My Hometown”, he decided to use “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” as the B side.
The Bruce Springsteen version also has what sounds like interplay with the audience, something he did when he performed it live.
Bruce Springsteen’s “Santa Claus is coming to Town” remains a song played around Christmas time on the radio, and I find myself growling out the chorus myself when I hear it.
Parting thoughts
It makes sense to me now that I recall all three of these Christmas songs together – they were all released in 1985. I had been into music just over a year, and was really getting into it.
It makes sense to me now that I recall all three of these Christmas songs together – they were all released in 1985. I had been into music just over a year, and was really getting into it.
Bryan Adams and Corey Hart were aided by Canadian Content requirements that mandated a certain amount of Canadian music be played on radio. Springsteen was just a hot commodity at the time. In fact “My Hometown” was the seventh single released from his “Born in the USA” album.
Having said that, the songs all stand on their own merits.
They are excellent Christmas songs, and I look forward to hearing them every December.
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