It’s that time of year…and this is one holiday song that is on my list and not worn out. I first heard this in 1994 when I bought the Beatles Anthology album. I never knew of this song before. this song was never officially released until it appeared as the B-side to “Free As A Bird” in 1994. I’ve posted it every year since I’ve blogged and will continue to do so…it’s repetitive butI like it…it drives home the point.
My friend Dave posted this song a few days ago and he has more info than I do so check it out.
The song, credited to Lennon-McCartney-Harrison-Starkey. The original version was distributed to The Beatles fan club in 1967. It’s the only song ever written specifically for the Beatles Fan Club members. Along with the Beatles…actor Victor Spinetti and roadie Mal Evans were on the recording.
Between December 1963 to December 1969, sent out 7 flexi discs that had spoken and musical messages to their official fan clubs in the UK and the US at Christmas time.
The Beatles recorded this in 1967 and wasn’t released until 1994 paired with “Free As A Bird”. It is a fun Christmas song that will stick in your head. The Beatles did not release a Christmas song commercially… only to their fan club when they were active.
Many performers of this era like The Beach Boys and The Four Seasons released Christmas songs, but The Beatles never had an official Christmas release.
Christmas time is here again
Christmas time is here again
Christmas time is here again
Christmas time is here again
Christmas time is here again
Ain’t been round since you know when
Christmas time is here again
O-U-T spells “out”
Christmas time is here again
Christmas time is here again
Christmas time is here again
Christmas time is here again
Ain’t been round since you know when
Christmas time is here again
O-U-T spells “out”
Christmas time is here again
Christmas time is here again
Christmas time is here again
Christmas time is here again
Ain’t been round since you know when
Christmas time…[music continues and fades to background]
[spoken]
This is Paul McCartney here, I’d just like to wish you everything you wish yourself for Christmas.
This is John Lennon saying on behalf of the Beatles, have a very Happy Christmas and a good New Year.
George Harrison speaking. I’d like to take this opportunity to wish you a very Merry Christmas, listeners everywhere.
This is Ringo Starr and I’d just like to say Merry Christmas and a really Happy New Year to all listeners
[a John Lennon pastiche at this point, very hard to understand]
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Of course I spent about an hour looking to see if John Lennon’s Scottish at the end was in fact a Robbie Burns’ poem – and it ain’t!
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I’ve never been able to figure it out at the end. If you only knew how many hours/days/weeks/years I’ve spent on these guys lol. Since Get Back was released I’m on my second book. The first a re-read the second a new one to me.
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While I own the Anthology collection on CD, admittedly, I did not recall this tune. Not as great as John’s “Happy Xmas (War Is Over)” but certainly fun – nice to hear all The Beatles speak individually – and John’s imitation of that thick accent in that poem at the end!
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It is cool to hear them sing a Christmas song…I don’t think any modern one beats Lennons
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For sure. There’re some other modern Christmas tunes I like in different genres like rock & roll, funk, rap, punk and even hard rock, but Lennon’s song is my favorite.
A few years ago, I put together a playlist of these tunes. I might revisit and repost.
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You should…you know one that I like and it’s not played much? Billy Squire’s Christmas Is A Time To Say I Love You…
I’m posting it in a few days….that one is rocking and it’s not worn out.
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Thanks, Max. Didn’t know the Squire tune. It does rock!
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Glad you liked it Christian! It’s a cool sing-a-long.
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I am going to do Christmas music for my MM Music challenge next Friday on Christmas Eve in case you want to join in. I will feature The Beach Boys Little Saint Nick.
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Ok Jim…many of mine are repeats but yes I have some left over.
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It sounds like Lennon’s speaking nonsense with a very heavy Scottish brogue over “Auld Lang Syne.”
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Well that makes sense….or non sense here.
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Thanks for the link again! Like I mentioned at my site, I don’t think it’s a great song but it was a really cool thing to do for fans & would have been great for a fan to get back then.
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No problem…
It’s nice to have a Beatle Christmas song…it has grown on me
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Sounds like a better version of You Know The Name..: to me. I didn’t realise this song existed.
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It’s not a work of art but yea…it’s cool that their fan club got this back in the day. I was surprised when I heard this on Anthology.
It very well could have come from around that session.
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When you think about it Max The Beatles were trend-setters at offering perks for the fan club back in the 60s. Thats impressive
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A very traditional sounding song for such a trend setting group at the time. The ending reminds me to think of their human side.
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Happy Holidays . You have a great blog according to my interests in the iconic songs of the past and present.
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