Looking for a feel good rock rock’n’roll Christmas single? Then you will be glad to know that Ricky Warwick has released All I Want For Christmas… Is Christmas!, which features Billy Duffy of The Cult on guitar and guest vocals from Def Leppard’s Joe Elliott.
Now, before I say what I think about the song, I feel I must address the Christmas elephant in the room… the title is, “All I want for Christmas… is Christmas”, which seems to be a bit on the money. I wonder if alternative titles were considered. Perhaps, “All I Want For Christmas… is Easter”, or, “…is a summer holiday” or, “… is a wedding”? [or, “…is a Dukla Prague Away Kit”? Wait… that’s been done – Mosh] I guess Ricky decided to make us think about what we really want for Christmas. Do we really need more toys, more tech, more food… more stuff? Or, do we need to re-focus and spend some time thinking what Christmas is really about?
When I was growing up, there was real excitement about what would be the Christmas number one, and some classic songs were released in an attempt to secure the top spot. Recently, it seems, the Christmas number one has been promoted through social media in an attempt to prevent Simon Cowell et al from pushing their latest manufactured money maker’s product on Christmas consumers. The fun and joy of Christmas songs from the 1970s and 80s is missing from many of the recent Christmas number ones. For me, the high water mark (snow drift mark?) of Christmas songs, is Slade’s “Merry Xmas Everybody” (AKA Noddy Holder’s pension). Interestingly, the lyrics of Ricky’s song give a nod to: “Noddy singing on the radio”.
“All I want for Christmas… Is Christmas!” does not quite make it up to Slade standards… but it is close. It draws on the same desire to to recapture the magic of Christmas. Specifically, in this song, and in “Merry Xmas Everybody”, there is a celebration of Christmases spent with family and friends. As one of the lines in Ricky’s song puts it: “Don’t need no presents. We just need your presence.”
The tune romps along with a throbbing bassline, clanging bells and a festive guitar solo (from Billy Duffy?). There is also a guest appearance from Joe Elliot who even manages a passable attempt at a Noddy style, “It’s Christmas!”. An almighty good addition to festive Christmas tunes. Thank you Mr Warwick.
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All I Want For Christmas… Is Christmas! will be available on 13th December, at earache.com/rickywarwick.
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Header image from press release – photographer unknown.
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