December Will Be Magic Again
Encyclopedia
"December Will Be Magic Again" is a one-off single by British singer-songwriter-pianist Kate Bush
. The single was released in the U.K. in November 1980.
, but due to its early release date had slipped before the Christmas week. No promotional video was filmed for this single, but an alternate recording of the song was performed on Bush's 1979 Christmas television special. In addition to the version on the single release, another very different cut exists (on CD) with bongos and slide whistles on the rhythm track. Neither has ever appeared on a Kate Bush album, except for the This Woman's Work box set, but both have managed to find their way on to various Christmas compilations.
The B-side was "Warm and Soothing", a simple piece of Bush singing with just her piano accompaniment. In this sense it was similar in style to "In the Warm Room" and "Feel It" from her first two albums. This was the first song she recorded at Abbey Road Studios
.
Initial pressings of the 7" single have "Cut by Chris Blair", "Songs & arrangements by Kate Bush", and "Cover by Nick Price" centered on the rear sleeve. Reissues have these acknowledgements spread out across the bottom. Originals also have "Happy Christmas" etched into the dead wax on Side A. The song was featured on the 12" single of "Experiment IV
" and later on the second of two CD editions of the "Moments of Pleasure
" single in 1993 and had a slightly different mix. In 2006 the song was included on Elton John
's Christmas album, Elton John's Christmas Party.
Each year around Christmas time, the song frequently receives airplay on various U.K. radio stations.
Kate Bush
Kate Bush is an English singer-songwriter, musician and record producer. Her eclectic musical style and idiosyncratic vocal style have made her one of the United Kingdom's most successful solo female performers of the past 30 years.In 1978, at the age of 19, Bush topped the UK Singles Chart...
. The single was released in the U.K. in November 1980.
Song release
"December Will Be Magic Again" was written and originally recorded in 1979, but not released until the Christmas season of the next year on 17 November 1980. The single peaked at number 29 on the UK Singles ChartUK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
, but due to its early release date had slipped before the Christmas week. No promotional video was filmed for this single, but an alternate recording of the song was performed on Bush's 1979 Christmas television special. In addition to the version on the single release, another very different cut exists (on CD) with bongos and slide whistles on the rhythm track. Neither has ever appeared on a Kate Bush album, except for the This Woman's Work box set, but both have managed to find their way on to various Christmas compilations.
The B-side was "Warm and Soothing", a simple piece of Bush singing with just her piano accompaniment. In this sense it was similar in style to "In the Warm Room" and "Feel It" from her first two albums. This was the first song she recorded at Abbey Road Studios
Abbey Road Studios
Abbey Road Studios is a recording studio located at 3 Abbey Road, St John's Wood, City of Westminster, London, England. It was established in November 1931 by the Gramophone Company, a predecessor of British music company EMI, its present owner...
.
Initial pressings of the 7" single have "Cut by Chris Blair", "Songs & arrangements by Kate Bush", and "Cover by Nick Price" centered on the rear sleeve. Reissues have these acknowledgements spread out across the bottom. Originals also have "Happy Christmas" etched into the dead wax on Side A. The song was featured on the 12" single of "Experiment IV
Experiment IV
"Experiment IV" is a song by the British singer Kate Bush. It was released as a single on 27 October 1986, in order to promote Bush's greatest hits album The Whole Story...
" and later on the second of two CD editions of the "Moments of Pleasure
Moments of Pleasure
CDCollectors CD Box Set Cassette-Charts:...
" single in 1993 and had a slightly different mix. In 2006 the song was included on Elton John
Elton John
Sir Elton Hercules John, CBE, Hon DMus is an English rock singer-songwriter, composer, pianist and occasional actor...
's Christmas album, Elton John's Christmas Party.
Each year around Christmas time, the song frequently receives airplay on various U.K. radio stations.
Charts
| Chart (1980) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| German Singles Chart | 55 |
| Irish Singles Chart Irish Singles Chart The Irish Singles Chart is Ireland's music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by the Irish Recorded Music Association and compiled on behalf of the IRMA by Chart-Track. Chart rankings are based on sales, which are compiled through over-the-counter retail data captured... |
13 |
| UK Singles Chart UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
29 |