“Wonderful Christmastime” by The Shins, Tuesday, December 20, 2022 (Repost)

 "Wonderful Christmastime" was rated as the worst Christmas song by Ultimate Classic Rock. Recorded when 37-year-old rock legend Paul McCartney was recording his polarizing second solo record, just before the disbanding of his second band, Wings, McCartney II was a synth-pop, new wave record in a time when former Beatles fans were yelling, "stick to the classics." Recently, critics have come to understand and even praise McCartney II for its pioneering in electronic music. The intentionally simple lyrics help to draw attention to the synths and the overall Christmasy atmosphere of the song.

THE CHILDREN'S CHOIR SINGS A SONG. "Wonderful Christmastime" has been covered by many artists, including Diana Ross, Demi Lovato, Hillary Duff, Jump5, Chicago and Dolly Parton, Pentatonix, Family Force 5, Jars of Clay, Eleventyseven, and so many other artists. In 2000, the Christian Rock band Earthsuit recorded the track for Tooth & Nail Record's holiday collection Happy Christmas, Vol. 3. Composed of members of what would become MuteMath, Earthsuit interpreted McCartney's synth pop with a faster tempo. Singer Adam LaClave's vocals grow more radical as the song speeds up. I always thought that Family Force 5's 2009 Christmas Pageant version of this cover took inspiration from Earthsuit's version. The version that makes our playlist, though, is by indie rock gods, The Shins. I heard this song this morning listening to "A Very Tooth & Nail Christmas" on Apple Music. Along with their "Summer Vibes" playlist, I was shocked to see so many non-Tooth & Nail (and secular) artists on their playlists, especially when Tooth & Nail put out so many Christmas collections. I wondered what's the connection between Tooth & Nail and The Shins? 

WE'RE HERE TONIGHT, AND THAT'S  ENOUGH. Formed in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in the late '90s, The Shins relocated to Portland, Oregon, became friends with Modest Mouse, and landed on an indie film soundtrack written by Zach Braff and starring Braff and Natalie Portman. The movie, of course, is Garden State. While not every band on the soundtrack became Coldplay (who was also on the soundtrack), The Shins forged a lasting career with albums like Wincing the Night Away and Chutes Too Narrow.  In 2012, the band contributed to a Christmas album, Holidays Rule, which also contained Paul McCartney singing a cover of "The Christmas Song." The Shins' show their Beach Boys influence in this cover and don't play up the synth sound of this song. So, why is it a Tooth & Nail favorite? The Shins were a somewhat local band to the Seattle-based label, and Aaron Sprinkle has stated that he was inspired to create Jonezetta's second album, taking influence from Wincing the Night Away. But one extra connection to the scene is the keyboardist/producer of this track, the late Richard Swift. Getting a start as the keyboardist for Starflyer 59, Swift went on to play with the Shins from 2011-2016 and toured with the Black Keys in 2014. Sadly, Swift passed away in 2018 at the age of 41. Whichever version you choose to enjoy this holiday season, focus on the simple message. And while Christmas may not be great this year, the merriness of Christmases past can live on in our minds. And that's enough.

Performance on Saturday Night Live:



Pentatonix:




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